# Medical Scientist Training Program at Tufts University

> **NIH NIH T32** · TUFTS UNIVERSITY BOSTON · 2024 · $599,359

## Abstract

The mission of the Tufts MD-PhD program is to foster the development of diverse and talented trainees into
successful, resilient, and innovative physician-scientist leaders who will drive solutions to existing, emergent,
and future critical health care challenges. Using the best evidence-based teaching practices, our objectives are
to promote knowledge and skills for conducting and leading rigorous and reproducible research, the
achievement of excellence in clinical medicine, and the development of competencies that promote the
resilience needed to identify, adapt, and sustain efforts to meet evolving unmet healthcare needs in our
society. The rationale for this approach is that ~24% of MSTP trainees nationwide pursue private practice, and
that women and underrepresented minorities tend to spend longer in training and obtain less grant funding,
highlighting the need for training approaches that optimize training outcomes and continued participation in
research. To enhance trainee success and propel them to leadership in academic medicine, we provide
trainees with new and evolving tools for recognizing and coping with the complex stressors of modern
academic medicine. These include novel curricula in: Wellness and Resilience and Physician Leadership;
enhanced, evidence-based mentor training; new computational biology courses; and a clinical and translational
training option for those who wish to focus on patient-oriented research. We continue to provide a highly
integrated approach to training with flexibility built in to accommodate dual degree students. We offer a clinical
clerkship prior to entry into graduate training, and an abbreviated Family Medicine clerkship during graduate
school which allows students to stay firmly connected to clinical medicine providing flexibility in re-entry to
medical training when the PhD is complete. Medical training interfaces with 5 biomedical graduate programs in
Cell, Molecular, & Developmental Biology, Genetics, Immunology, Molecular Microbiology, Neuroscience, and
a new graduate program in Clinical and Translational Science. Our integrated curriculum also includes a
Clinical Implications of Basic Research course, an annual retreat, a career-oriented dinner program, and other
skill-building workshops such as Resilience and Physician Leadership. These include preparation for the
transition from graduate school to clinical medical training, mentoring for NIH applications, a women physician-
scientist group, and a workshop focused on choosing research-focused residencies. Finally, to enhance the
diversity of thought in biomedicine, the Tufts MSTP will leverage new initiatives at TUSM and GSBS that
enhance Diversity, Equity, Inclusiveness and Belonging, increase our number of URG trainees, and promote
an inclusive and welcoming community. With a strong institutional commitment to the MSTP, we have
expanded our enrollment through a Second Portal program for trainees already enrolled in medical school and
have a t...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10877172
- **Project number:** 5T32GM146621-02
- **Recipient organization:** TUFTS UNIVERSITY BOSTON
- **Principal Investigator:** MICHAEL T CHIN
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $599,359
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-07-01 → 2028-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10877172

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10877172, Medical Scientist Training Program at Tufts University (5T32GM146621-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10877172. Licensed CC0.

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