# Medical Scientist Training Program

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 2020 · $907,769

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The focus of the Medical Scientist (MD-PHD) Training Program (MSTP) at the University of Alabama at
Birmingham (UAB) is to train outstanding young people to become successful physician scientists. Although the
ultimate career pathway for individual trainees extends a broad spectrum from the conduct of basic biomedical
research to clinical trials of novel therapeutic agents or procedures, the net effect of this cadre of investigators
will be to increase the translation of basic biomedical understanding into clinical practice. Our Program focuses
on the following goals: 1) to offer superb didactic training in both basic science education and the fundamentals
of clinical education; 2) to train students in the tools necessary to become successful biomedical scientists,
including grant and manuscript writing, as well as time and laboratory management; 3) to help students obtain
the competencies to become excellent physicians, including clinical skills, medical knowledge, practice-based
learning, interpersonal communication, professionalism, and evidence-based medicine; and 4) to graduate
physician scientists who go on to become leaders in academic medical centers throughout the country. The UAB
MSTP curriculum has three distinct phases: two years of basic science course work and summer research
rotations (Pre-Clinical Phase), an extended research period culminating in the PhD degree (Research Phase),
and final clinical training leading to the MD degree (Clinical Phase). Each year, our MSTP matriculates eight
students into the first program year and accepts another one or two students through Advanced Transfer
pathways (the NIH MD-PhD Partnership Training Program pathways, and MD or PhD to MSTP Advanced
Transfer pathways). Our program currently has 72 students. Unique aspects and strengths of the UAB MSTP
include the following: diverse student body (21% URM), extensive student involvement and ownership in the
program, strong student representation in leadership positions in national organizations, vertical integration of
students through program activities, exceptional core faculty preceptors across a broad array of specialties, an
increasing number of students pursuing PhD training in programs outside of traditional biomedical sciences, a
high funding rate of NRSA F30/31 or equivalent awards, an innovative continuing clinical education course that
bridges the Pre-Clinical to Clinical phases, a very low attrition rate, low average time to completing the MSTP,
and 100% residency match rate for MSTP graduates since the last renewal. Strong MSTP recruiting, leadership,
and institutional support will ensure continued success of the UAB MSTP.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9856085
- **Project number:** 2T32GM008361-29
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **Principal Investigator:** WILLIAM M GEISLER
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $907,769
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1992-07-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9856085

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9856085, Medical Scientist Training Program (2T32GM008361-29). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9856085. Licensed CC0.

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