Graduate & Postdoctoral Affairs
MD/PhD Program
The USF Health Morsani College of Medicine MD/PhD program is designed to foster the development of the next generation of physician-scientists who will make major contributions via translational medicine to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of human disease.
About Our Program
The MD/PhD program is oriented towards a small group of highly qualified and motivated students and is structured to provide outstanding medical education, scientific training, and state-of-the-art clinical practice by integrating these experiences in an interdisciplinary environment. The program is uniquely tailored to meet the needs of each student, and to promote a deep sense of scientific discovery combined with the application to modern medicine.
Students in the MD/PhD program have access to the Florida Blue Health Knowledge Exchange, an interactive and almost entirely digital hub of medical information. This innovative technology is located on the Morsani College of Medicine downtown campus.
Read more about the MD/PhD Program here.
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Benefits
Students in the MD/PhD Program receive:
- Annual stipend (currently $33,500/year)
- Waived tuition and fees
- Health insurance
- Personalized advising and support throughout the program
- Membership in the American Physician Scientists Association (ASPA)
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Structure
The MD/PhD Program is designed to be completed in approximately 7-8 years.
Years 1-2
Students complete their first 2 years of the MD program and participate in research lab rotations during the summer semesters. Additionally, students are invited to participate in a variety of seminars and student events through the PhD program. At the end of their second year, students complete USMLE Step 1.
Years 3-6
Students identify a primary research lab and enroll in coursework relevant to their research concentration. They work with their mentor to prepare for and complete the Comprehensive Qualifying Examination, then begin their dissertation research.
Years 7-8
After successfully completing their PhD dissertation defense, students complete their final 2 years of the MD program, culminating the completion of USMLE Step 2.
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Application Process & Admissions
Requirements
Prospective students must apply for admission via the AMCAS application; within that application, indicate interest in the MD/PhD program. Students must meet the standards and prerequisites for admission to the both MD and PhD programs in the Morsani College of Medicine and the University of South Florida.
View the MD Academic Requirements.
Candidates will also be evaluated based upon submission of a modified essay, the extent and level of their previous education, awards and honors, other relevant research experience, professional training, and publications and reference letters, considering both the numerical rankings and the text of the letters which will be used to assess a student’s desire and motivation to become a physician-scientist. Competitive applicants will have significant biomedical research experience.
Applicants will be reviewed by both MD and MD/PhD reviewers. Candidates will participate in a separate interview process for the MD/PhD programs in addition to the regular MD interviews.
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Application Process & Admissions
Deadlines
The AMCAS application opens in June, and students must apply by November 15 to be considered for the MD/PhD Program; however, because admission is rolling, applicants are encouraged to apply early.
Details regarding the MD application and admission process can be found on the MD Admissions website.
Our Current Students
Jacob Connolly
MS 2
Research Interests: The field of neuroscience with a particular focus on neurodegenerative diseases
Email: connolly45@usf.edu
Derek Jacobs
MS 2
Research Interest: Cardiovascular research
Email: derekjacobs@usf.edu
Vincent Lok
PhD 1
Lab: Czerniecki Lab (Moffitt Cancer Center)
Research Interest: Leveraging dendritic cell-based immunotherapy to break immune tolerance in breast cancer
Natasha Ram
PhD 2
Lab: Dr. Gopal Thinakaran
Research Interests: Neuroinflammation, neurodegenerative disease/ TBI and health disparities. For my PhD work, my overall objective is to identify genetic markers in chronic subdural hematomas through bioinformatic and molecular biology approaches to better understand disease prognosis and recurrence.
Email: natasharam@usf.edu