The National Institutes for Health recently granted the U of A College of Medicine – Tucson nearly $2.3 million over five years to fund additional MD/PhD students. 

This award doubles down on the original five-year, $805,000 NIH grant from 2021 – the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) grant – reserved for the nation's best MD/PhD programs. Out of more than 100 of these dual-degree programs across the country, only around half receive NIH recognition.

"This grant was more competitive than ever as the NIH's budget for MSTP has remained relatively steady while the number of slots in the nation continues to increase. We are fortunate to be among very few MSTP-funded programs nationwide that are increasing the size of their programs," said Dr. Hossein Ardehali, MD/PhD dual degree program director.

The college first launched its MD/PhD program in the 1980s, shepherding ambitious students through the first two years of medical school, followed by intensive mentorship in a laboratory to earn a doctorate, and capped off by the final two years of medical school to complete the medical degree. 

"A lot of MDs don't get the required training to study the molecular basis and the mechanism of disease. A lot of PhDs don't have access to patients. The MD/PhD program allows trainees to take care of patients and do research," said Dr. Ardehali. "We train them to be good physicians, good scientists and good leaders."

There are currently more than 40 students in the U of A's MD/PhD program. This year, the program admitted 11 students compared to eight last year and five the year before that.

R1-designated institutions such as the U of A claim the highest level of research activity, which can translate to a richer learning environment for students and equip them with the quality training they'll need to flourish in their careers. 

"The program owes its success to strong commitments from the dean, department chairs and center directors, all of whom recruit and retain both research scientists and physician-scientists who are excited about mentoring students – with over 110 mentors available," said Dr. Todd Vanderah, MD/PhD program co-director. "No matter what field our students aspire to, there is someone here who will train them how to be the best scientists they can be."

The U of A College of Nursing also recently received a T32 institutional training grant from the NIH to support the college's new Training in Health Research for Innovative Vital Healthcare, or THRIVE, award. The award of $1 million over five years will support four doctoral students in the nursing PhD program each year by covering stipends, tuition, research expenses and professional development.

Read more about student success in the MD/PhD program on the College of Medicine – Tucson website.