Physician Scientist Training Program

UCSF has offered a robust molecular medicine training track focused on training the next generation of lab-based physician scientists, for more than 20 years. Given the level of interest in this track, we have initiated a separate match number for applicants interested in pursuing careers as physician scientists for the 24-25 application season. This new physician-scientist training track will largely focus on laboratory-based researchers who are considering the ABIM research pathway. Exceptional MD/PhD candidates with doctoral degrees in other fields such as epidemiology or anthropology will also be considered.

The Molecular Medicine Physician-Scientist Residency Track provides specialized, individualized attention to each participant’s development as a scientist while maintaining the same broad and intensive exposure to clinical medicine that is enjoyed by all UCSF categorical internal medicine residents. Admission to the program is accompanied by a guaranteed subspecialty fellowship position within the Department of Medicine, contingent upon satisfactory completion of residency training. Successful applicants demonstrate potential for excellence in both clinical care and laboratory research, consisting of completion of a successful MD/PhD program or an in-depth research experience of at least one year.

Curriculum

Molecular Medicine Residents receive personal mentoring in selecting their area of research and choosing potential laboratories that may be of interest to them for postdoctoral training during their subspecialty fellowship. They also meet regularly as a group during the R2 year (and R3 year, if applicable) for career development seminars, journal club presentations, and faculty research program presentations. Molecular Medicine Residents present cases that highlight pathophysiology to other UCSF residents in addition to UCSF MSTP students, and have an opportunity to participate in longitudinal mentorship with students and fellows. There are social events that facilitate a sense of community and networking with the broader Molecular Medicine community at UCSF. Dedicated time for scholarly activity is provided during the R2 year (and R3 year, if applicable). During the R2 year, Molecular Medicine Residents attend an annual off-site 3-day research retreat of the Biomedical Sciences or Immunology Programs, where they can learn more about the rich scientific opportunities at UCSF and an have opportunity to fully immerse themselves in basic/translational science.

Application Logistics

Interested physician-scientists can apply to our physician-scientist training track as well as our categorical track. The applications are reviewed and ranked by separate committees. Acceptance into the Physician-Scientist Residency Track includes a commitment of a fellowship position in a specialty of choice for residents who successfully achieve all expected clinical competencies in residency.

Molecular Medicine Physician-Scientist Residency Track residents who meet all ACGME competencies can participate in the ABIM research pathway (aka “short track”), pending approval of the Residency Program Director.

Current Physician-Scientist Residents

Year of Entry Name Medical School Subspecialty Field(s) of Interest
2024 Ansen Burr, MD PhD University of Pittsburgh Gastroenterology
2024 Saisai Chen, MD PhD University of Pennsylvania Gastroenterology
2024 Mohansrinivas Chennakesavalu, MD University of Chicago Hematology/Oncology
2024 Allison (Allie) Greaney, MD PhD University of Washington Cardiology; Pulmonary & Critical Care
2024 Jonathan Klein, MD PhD Yale University Infectious Diseases
2024 Benjamin Moon, MD PhD University of Texas Southwestern Rheumatology
2024 Selen Uman, MD PhD University of Pennsylvania Cardiology
2024 Sarah Weiss, MD PhD Harvard University Infectious Diseases; Hematology/Oncology
2024 Jacob Winter, MD PhD University of Utah Pulmonary & Critical Care
2024 Angela Zhang, MD PhD Stanford University Cardiology
2023 Jeremy Bancroft Brown, MD PhD University of California, San Francisco Cardiology
2023 Margaret Guo, MD PhD Stanford University Hematology/Oncology
2023 Joe Hiatt, MD PhD Columbia University Infectious Diseases
2023 Cesar Lopez, MD PhD University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Infectious Diseases
2023 Vincent Peng, MD PhD Washington University, St. Louis Gastroenterology
2023 Victoria Sun, MD PhD University of California, Los Angeles Rheumatology
2023 Royce Zhou, MD PhD Icahn Mt Sinai Gastroenterology
2022 Nick Thomas, MD University of California, San Francisco Hematology/Oncology

Learn more about our current and former Physician-Scientist Residents

 

Recent Participants

Year of Entry Name Medical School Subspecialty Field(s) of Interest
2022 Jawara Allen, MD PhD Johns Hopkins University Infectious Diseases, UCSF
2022 Miranda Culley, MD PhD University of Pittsburgh Cardiology, UCSF
2022 Bohao Liu, MD PhD Columbia University Cardiology, UCSF
2022 Daniel Lyons, MD PhD University of Michigan Infectious Diseases, UCSF
2022 Trisha Macrae, MD PhD University of California, San Francisco Pulmonary & Critical Care, UCSF
2022 Suhas Rao, MD PhD Stanford University Hematology/Oncology, UCSF
2021 Nia Adeniji, MD Stanford University Hematology/Oncology, UCSF
2021 Erik Bao, MD Harvard Medical School Hematology/Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute
2021 Hui Xia (Sherry) Chao, MD PhD University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Hematology/Oncology, University of Washington
2021 Adolfo Cuesta, MD PhD University of California, San Francisco Infectious Diseases, UCSF
2021 John Lazar, MD PhD University of Washington Hematology/Oncology, UCSF
2021 Ramya Parameswaran, MD, PhD University of Chicago Hematology/Oncology, UCSF
2021 Gloria Tavera, MD PhD Case Western Reserve University Gastroenterology, UCSF
2021 Julia Wagner, MD PhD Washington University, St Louis Infectious Diseases, UCSF
2021 Allison Wong, MD PhD University of California, San Francisco Pulmonary & Critical Care, UCSF
2021 Constance Wu, MD Harvard Medical School Chief Resident, UCSF
2020 Vivek Durai, MD PhD Washington University, St Louis Cardiology, UCSF
2020 Benjamin Hoffman, MD PhD Columbia University Cardiology, UCSD
2020 Alissa Kleinhenz, MD University of Michigan Hematology, UCSF
2020 Nathan Krah, MD PhD University of Utah Hematology/Oncology, University of Utah
2020 Donna Leet, MD Harvard Medical School Gastroenterology, UCSF
2020 Sophia Levan, MD PhD University of California, San Francisco Pulmonary & Critical Care, UCSF
2020 Alejandro Lopez, MD PhD Cornell/Tri-I Gastroenterology, UCSF
2020 Rangarajan Nadadur, MD PhD University of Chicago Cardiology, UCSF
2020 Kimberly Rickman, MD PhD Cornell/Tri-I Hematology/Oncology, UCSF

The UCSF Molecular Medicine Physician Scientist Training Program is fully committed to enhancing diversity at UCSF. Applications from women and under-represented ethnic/cultural groups are strongly encouraged.

Neil P. Shah, MD, PhD
Director, UCSF Molecular Medicine Physician Scientist Training Program

Aparna Sundaram, MD
Associate Director, UCSF Molecular Medicine Physician Scientist Training Program


Contact Us

Additional questions may be addressed to Eva Gamboa.

Thank you for your interest in the UCSF Molecular Medicine Physician Scientist Training Program.