Training Program for Medical Scientists

This application requests support of the Medical Scientist Training Program at the Medical University of South Carolina. The major goal is to train the next generation of physician-scientists who will choose a career that will integrate both the basic and clinical sciences to improve human health and treat diseases. Initiated at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in 1980, our MSTP has graduated 157 students and currently has 64 students in the program in a variety of disciplines. Of these 157 alumni, their positions are: 1 associate dean and endowed chair, 4 endowed/named chairs, 6 professors, 10 associate professor, 47 assistant professor, 6 instructors, 2 VAMC, 9 pharmaceutical/industry, 1 NIH, 40 private practice, 29 residents and fellows, 1 retired, and 1 deceased. Our program in the medical school has incorporated a new preclerkship (FLEX) curriculum in which the first two years are condensed into 18 months, and summer vacation is eliminated. This curriculum has increased flexibility for graduate students to re-enter into medical school at three time points. In addition to rigorous basic science research training and medical school, trainees gain experiences in translational research via the Translational Sciences Clinic, a month in the Clinical and Translational Research Center and the Translational Medicine Seminar series. The objectives for the next phase are to continue: 1) Providing a state-of-the art curriculum that increases critical thinking skills, drives curiosity, and encourages inquiry-based learning in both basic and translational research and clinical investigation; 2) Providing rigorous training in key areas of biomedical research from a highly collaborative core group of faculty with exceptional records of accomplishment in research and mentoring; 3) Providing an interactive training environment that embraces research and entrepreneurial sciences and provides opportunities for professional and leadership development; 4) Providing constructive, ongoing mentoring of each MSTP student using Individualized Development Plans, based on guidelines established by FASEB’s Science Policy Committee; 5) Managing an expanded formal evaluation plan that includes both formative and summative assessments and incorporates quantitative and qualitative data; and 6) Working towards obtaining a degree completion rate of 95% and an average time to degree of 8 years. Due to the strong institutional commitment and leadership of the program, the growth in the quality and quantity of our applicants has increased, supporting the basis for the requested 14 positions per year.