# Michigan Medical Scientist Training Program

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2020 · $1,383,346

## Abstract

The goal of the University of Michigan Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) is to train physician
scientists primarily for careers in academic medicine with a focus on translational and basic biomedical
research directly related to clinical medicine. Such individuals are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap
between basic and clinical medicine, and hence to connect basic discoveries to improvements in human
health. We request 32 predoctoral positions. The total training is typically 8 years. The University of Michigan
Medical Center is one of the world's largest one-site complexes devoted to health education, research and
patient care, with over 4 million sq ft of space dedicated to education and laboratory research. The MSTP
provides an integrated curriculum of MD/PhD training. Matriculants have a strong history of academic success
and research experience, and are graduates of outstanding colleges from all parts of the US. There are
currently 96 students and 238 graduates. The MSTP strives to include a diverse body of students. During the
past 5 years, 24% of matriculants have been Underrepresented Minorities (URMs), and the entire student body
currently is 17% URM. The curriculum typically begins with the first two years of medical school, which include
a “basic science trunk” year, and a “clinical trunk” year during which students undertake the core clinical
clerkships. A graduate level biochemistry course is taken as part of the 1st year of medical school. Trainees
undertake a research rotation after the 1st year of medical school and one or two rotations after the 2nd year.
The MSTP provides guidance to all trainees in the selection of research mentors, and carefully monitors
progress and provides guidance through all stages of training. Trainees typically select a PhD field during the
2nd year of medical school; core participating departments include Bioinformatics, Biological Chemistry,
Cancer Biology, Cell & Developmental Biology, Cellular & Molecular Biology, Human Genetics, Immunology,
Microbiology & Immunology, Molecular & Cellular Pathology, Molecular & Integrative Physiology,
Neuroscience, and Pharmacology. Other fields are possible; for example, currently there are trainees in our
Schools of Engineering and Public Health, as well as in our Departments of Anthropology, Economics, and
History. In the typical progression, students complete the M1 and M2 years and take USMLE Step 1 prior to
continuing graduate studies full time. During these research years, trainees participate in clinical
preceptorships to maintain and enhance their clinical skills and knowledge. Upon successful completion of the
thesis defense, trainees complete their clinical training. All trainees take a clinical refresher tutorial shortly
before the return to the clinical rotations. There is flexibility in the timing of return to medical school, and the
requirements in the final year of medical school are decreased. The academic and clinical training are
compl...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9854084
- **Project number:** 2T32GM007863-41
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** Kathleen L. Collins
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $1,383,346
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1980-08-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9854084

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9854084, Michigan Medical Scientist Training Program (2T32GM007863-41). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9854084. Licensed CC0.

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