Applicant Information

OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM . . .

 

Physician-scientists play a unique role in biomedicine by studying patients and their diseases. They take observations from the bedside into the laboratory, make basic discoveries and translate their discoveries into new methods for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease. The University of Nebraska Medical Center strongly believes that the training of physician-scientists is critical to the future of medicine.

 

The M.D./Ph.D. Scholars Program is designed to prepare a select group of outstanding students for careers in academic medicine and research. Students admitted to this highly competitive program pursue original research in the laboratories or in clinical research of the graduate faculty and participate in the medical school curriculum. The integrated training for both degrees allows compression of the total academic effort as some course work can be applied to both degrees.

 

The training program begins during the summer prior to the first year of medical school with participation two six-week laboratory rotations. The student will participate in research laboratories in the departments with Ph.D. granting programs. The student will also participate in a laboratory rotation during the second semester of their first year of medical school.  This is done on a part time basis to ensure their continued success in the medical school curriculum.  The purpose of these laboratory rotations is to enable the student to decide on a specific research mentor.

 

In addition to the course work of a first-year medical student, extra activities will be required of the M.D./Ph.D. Scholars student. He/she will attend special research seminars and interact with faculty at informal research discussions. If by the end of the first year of medical school, the student has not decided on a specific graduate program and a specific research preceptor, the student will again do two six-week laboratory rotations to assist in deciding on a graduate program. If the student has made their decision regarding a graduate program and research preceptor by the time they have completed their first year of medical school, the student will begin initial studies on a specific research topic selected by the student in conjunction with his/her mentor.

 

Typically, after completing the second year of the medical curriculum and passing Step I of the USMLE, the student will enter the selected program as a full-time graduate student. Three or four years will be required to complete additional course work in the graduate program, the departmental comprehensive exam, and independent research leading to a Ph.D. dissertation. After completion of the Ph.D., the student will rejoin the medical class as a third year student and complete the last two years of clinical training. The combined M.D./Ph.D. Scholars Program will involve, on average, a total of seven years.

 

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APPLICATION . . . 

 

Undergraduate students with exceptional academic qualifications and significant research experience may apply to the M.D./PhD. Scholars Program.  When applying to medical school using the on-line AMCAS application, students should indicate during the application process that they are applying to a Combined Medical Degree/Ph.D. program.  The application will prompt the student for additional information.  This will ensure that the application is forwarded to the M.D./Ph.D. Scholars Program office.  In addition to the on-line application, the applicant should forward two letters of recommendation provided by individuals qualified to evaluate the student's research potential.

 

Whereas students must gain admission to both the College of Medicine and the Graduate College, only a single application and fee is necessary.

 

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ADMISSIONS POLICY . . . 

 

Each applicant’s scholastic aptitude, academic performance, letters of recommendation, and research experience will be reviewed by a M.D./Ph.D. Scholars Committee who will advise the College of Medicine’s Admissions Committee and the Dean for Graduate Studies and Research of its recommendation.

 

Although not required, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores will help the committee in its evaluation of applicants.

 

Those applicants meeting the basic criteria will be invited for an interview with the M.D./Ph.D. Scholars Committee.

 

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PERIODIC REVIEW OF THE MD/PHD SCHOLAR'S ACADEMIC STANDING  . . . 

 

The M.D./Ph.D. Scholars Committee will review the academic record of each student at the end of each semester. To continue in good standing in the M.D./Ph.D. Scholars Program, students must remain in good academic standing in both medical school and graduate school. Grades of "marginal" or "fail" in the medical curriculum and C, D, or F in the graduate curriculum are unacceptable and may result in students being dropped from the M.D./Ph.D. Scholars Program despite the students’ continuation in medical school and/or graduate school.

 

Students enrolled in the M.D./Ph.D. Scholars Program will be required to satisfy all of the program requirements for the M.D. degree and for the Ph.D. degree of the sponsoring graduate program. These include taking and passing qualifying and comprehensive examinations and all requirements related to dissertation research.

 

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FINANCIAL SUPPORT . . .

 

Financial benefits and/or direct financial support for both medical and graduate studies will be awarded to students accepted into the program. Financial support during the Ph.D. portion of the program will be provided for each student by the specific graduate program and/or research mentor.

 

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PARTICIPATING GRADUATE PROGRAMS . . .

 

There are six graduate programs offering the Ph.D. degree within the College of Medicine. These include programs in the departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, Pathology and Microbiology, Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, and Cellular and Integrative Physiology. The Medical Sciences Interdepartmental Area Graduate Program permits the student to engage in a course of study with concentration in an interdisciplinary program of specialization rather than a specific department.  Research opportunities at the VA Medical Center include a variety of disease specific studies.

 

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Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

 

The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology offers programs of graduate study leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. The Ph.D. program is designed to provide a more comprehensive knowledge of the biochemistry and molecular biology of living organisms and includes the research and training experience necessary for the development of independent investigators. A wide selection of research opportunities exists in the department in various areas of biochemistry and molecular biology - including DNA replication, DNA methylation, gene regulation, nutrition, enzymology, molecular endocrinology, metabolism, membrane transport, gene therapy, and glycobiology.

Faculty:

 

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Genetics, Cell Biology & Anatomy

 

The Graduate Program in Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy is designed for qualified students who wish to pursue research and teaching careers in cell biology and the anatomical sciences.

 

 

Research programs in the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy include the broad areas of cell biology, developmental biology and neurosciences. Therefore, the department offers a series of required core courses in these areas. Biomedical problems that are being addressed by investigators in this department include cancer; heart diseases; effects of radiation, drugs and cytokines on cells; congenital abnormalities and reproductive biology.

 

Faculty:

 

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 Pathology & Microbiology

 

The Department of Pathology and Microbiology provides a multidisciplinary graduate education that will prepare students for careers in basic and clinical research. The department offers diversity in research, a substantial funding base and nationally renowned faculty who are pursuing excellence in research.

 

Students have a choice of doing graduate research in a variety of basic and clinical areas, including molecular and cell biology, immunology, virology, infectious diseases, carcinogenesis, transplantation biology, and cardiovascular research.

 

Faculty:

 

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Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience

 

Pharmacology is the study of the interactions of chemicals with biologic systems. In the Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, the techniques of modern cellular and molecular biology are being applied to three major areas of research:

1) Structure, function, and regulation of neurotransmitter receptors and their signal transduction pathways

2) Mechanisms of gene regulation and expression and the development of gene-specific therapies

3) Mechanisms in environmental toxicology and adverse drug reactions

 

In addition, faculty in the department collaborate with other basic and clinical departments and with the Eppley Institute for Cancer Research in a wide variety of basic and clinically-related research projects.

 

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Cellular and Integrative Physiology

 

The Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology offers studies leading to both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, but it specializes in training for the Ph.D. degree. Currently, research is being conducted in the areas of neural control of the circulation and blood volume, reflex control of the cardiovascular system in heart failure, the microcirculation in healthy and disease states, the control of electrical activity of heart tissue, the role of the cortex in movement, the evolution of the nervous system, proprioception and position sense, and molecular endocrinology of mammalian ovarian function.

 

Faculty:

 

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Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer
and Allied Diseases

 

The Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases is a nationally and internationally recognized center for cancer research. The National Cancer Institute has designated it as a Laboratory Cancer Research Center and provides grant funding to help support the Cancer Research Training Program.

 

Currently, the Eppley Institute has 23 full-time faculty members and forty-two faculty members participate directly in the Cancer Research Training Program. Their research interests cover many disciplines, including chemistry, biochemistry, nutrition, molecular biology, cellular biology, genetics, pharmacology, pathology, immunology, toxicology, carcinogenesis, endocrinology and virology.

 

Please see http://www.unmc.edu/Eppley/faculty.htm for a listing of faculty and research interests.

 

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 Medical Sciences Interdepartmental Area

 

The MSIA graduate program was created with the interdisciplinary challenges of today and tomorrow in mind. Graduate students who major in the MSIA have an opportunity to pursue individually designed programs of study. An area of specialization and faculty advisor with expertise in that area are chosen from UNMC’s participating departments. Together, the student, the advisor and the supervisory committee design a program of courses and research that best fit the interests and needs of the student.

 

MSIA students apply knowledge of the basic sciences to research problems that are interdisciplinary in nature. Flexibility makes the MSIA graduate program different from traditional programs.

 

The following UNMC academic units and departments cooperate in the MSIA program:

 

Anesthesiology - Research in basic and applied medical science that focuses on the effect of anesthetics on cellular processes

 

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology - Providing a comprehensive knowledge in the biochemistry and molecular biology of living organisms to provide the research and training necessary to develop independent investigators

 

Genetics, Cell Biology & Anatomy - Structural-function relationships at all levels of biological organization

 

Internal Medicine - Basic medical research often using clinical material. Research focuses on understanding disease processes and therapies

 

Nursing - The study of how complex health problems affect individuals and groups

 

Obstetrics/Gynecology - Oncology, effects of drug therapies during pregnancy, perinatal, and reproductive endocrinology

 

Oral Biology - Basic biological and laboratory research

 

Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation - Biochemistry, biophysics, biomechanics, cell biology and histochemistry

 

Otolaryngology/Maxillo-Facial Surgery - Oropharyngeal research and its clinical applications

 

Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience - To train students to be research scientists and educators in pharmacology

 

Cellular and Integrative Physiology - Cardiovascular physiology, neurophysiology, and endocrinology

 

Preventive & Societal Medicine - Medical epidemiology, humanities or biostatistics

 

Psychiatry - Animal and human research on basic neuroscience problems as well as applied research directed to improve psychiatric diagnosis and treatment

 

Radiology - Dynamic biologic processes, variation and applications of imaging modalities

 

Surgery - Portal hypertension, gastrointestinal absorption and transit, transplant immunology, solid organ transplantation, nerve growth regeneration and urologic research

 

Veterinary & Biomedical Science - Basic and applied biomedical research into animal health and disease. An integrated approach including bacteriology, virology, immunology, pathology, and toxicology

 

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