South Texas Medical Scientist Training Program (STX-MSTP)

This proposal seeks support for the South Texas Medical Scientist Training Program (STX-MSTP) at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT-Health-SA), a federally designated HSI in a minority-majority city. As national leader in clinical and translational research on Hispanic, Military, and Veteran health issues, UT-Health-SA addresses regional health needs that present both challenges and opportunities for medical research that are of nationwide relevance. The Goals of the South Texas Medical Scientist Training Program (STX-MSTP) are to support the training of a very qualified group of physician-scientists who will: 1) Provide the highest quality of clinical care, 2) Conduct innovative and impactful biomedical research across the basic, translational, and clinical spectrum, 3) serve as clinical and scientific leaders addressing the growing health needs of America , and 4) Practice robust and rigorous mentorship in research and medical training environments. The STX-MSTP provides training in traditional wet-lab biomedical science investigation while exposing students to our unique clinical environment and providing them with additional training in Bioinformatics Research. Based upon the success of our initial STX-MSTP T32 award, and significant, positive trajectories in student recruitment, achievements (publications and F-grant awards), and retention, as well as placement after program completion over the past ten years, we are requesting support for 11 training slots per year.