Physician Scientist Training Program

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University of Michigan Pathology

Physician Scientist Training Pathway


Overview

The Department of Pathology at the University of Michigan is deeply committed to training the next generation of leaders in Academic Pathology by fostering the career development of physician scientists in Clinical and Anatomic Pathology. The Physician Scientist Training Pathway (PSTP) provides rigorous clinical training and mentorship in biomedical research in a supportive environment with the objective of helping trainees establish successful careers as independent, funded investigators and outstanding pathologists. This track is in accordance with the American Board of Pathology’s (ABP) recent inclusion of the Physician-Scientist Research Pathway. The Department of Pathology is strongly positioned to offer this training pathway due to its excellent track record in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology residency training, its broad array of ACGME-accredited and subspecialty clinical fellowship programs, and its large, highly successful funded research faculty with diverse research interests.

Why Michigan?

  • Top-notch clinical training
  • World-class research environment
  • Personalized and flexible training plan
  • Mentorship committee for each trainee
  • High quality of life in Ann Arbor

 

PSTP Details

Trainees in the PSTP will complete all requirements for ABP certification in AP or CP as members of the University of Michigan Pathology Residency Program. Each PSTP trainee will work with a mentorship committee to establish an individualized clinical training plan and identify a suitable laboratory and mentor for their research fellowship. If desired, clinical fellowship training aligned with a trainee’s academic goals will be supported (contingent upon satisfactory performance during residency and with approval of the fellowship director). Research mentors may be a faculty member in the Department of Pathology or, with approval, another department at the University of Michigan. During their clinical training period, it is expected that PSTP trainees will use six months of research elective that can be credited toward ABP eligibility to work with the research mentor and transition into the laboratory. The department will support a trainee’s postdoctoral research training for at least two years, and to support an early pathway to independence. Trainees will be encouraged to apply for career development awards, including through the NIH (F or K series), Department of Defense, and/or private foundations. Clinical fellowship training can be incorporated into a trainee’s program, either prior to, during, or subsequent to their postdoctoral research fellowship, depending on a trainee’s individual career goals and clinical fellowship desired. Salaries throughout the training period will be adjusted to the same level as residents and fellows at the equivalent post-graduate year (PGY) level. Please see below for example PSTP plans.

Application Process

Qualified applicants will be sought among the applications to the residency program through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS). Candidates may also inquire directly by contacting the program at the same time they submit the ERAS application. A committee of physician-scientists including the Director of Experimental Pathology will review application materials to identify those individuals who will be invited to interview for the PSTP. To best plan the interview experience, those invited to interview will be asked to provide a brief statement describing their potential research interests. Candidates will be ranked through the National Resident Matching Program.