This pathway is designed for the M.D.-Ph.D. or M.D. graduate with extensive research experience who is interested in a career in academic pathology and investigation. This track is designed to allow the resident to complete American Board of Pathology Requirements for certification in either AP, CP or combined AP/CP, while providing ample time for intensive laboratory bench work under the tutelage of a faculty mentor. Click here for more information on the Pathology residency program.
This five-to-six year Program, depending on specialty, is designed for the M.D.-Ph.D. or M.D. graduate with extensive research experience who is interested in a career in academic pathology and investigation. This track is designed to allow the resident to complete American Board of Pathology (ABP) requirements for certification in Anatomic Pathology (AP), Clinical Pathology (CP), or combined AP/CP, while providing ample time for intensive laboratory work under the tutelage of a faculty mentor. The basic structure of the program will involve a graduated progression from general clinical activity to specialization, and from clinical work to research-related activities. Each PSTP scholar will be assigned a Career Mentor to provide overall guidance for the scholar's training activities. Acceptance into the PSTP will include acceptance into both the general residency and the subspecialty fellowship training program of the Scholar's choice, if the scholar desires the latter. At the completion of training, the PSTP Scholar will be prepared and eligible to pursue a career as both a physician-scientist and a board-certified specialist.
The department tailors investigator-track resident schedules to meet their clinical and research goals. Each trainee has an individualized training program. Residents on this track fulfill all ABP eligibility requirements in either AP, CP or combined AP/CP. Applicants to the PSTP may also apply for early acceptance into one of the department's clinical subspecialty fellowship training programs so that residency, subspecialty training, and post doctoral research training can be conducted as a well constructed continuum.
Research training may be completed under the mentorship of any faculty member at Northwestern University. Applicants will be encouraged to interview potential research mentors early during their clinical training. Final selection of a Research Mentor will be made well in advance of entering the laboratory in order to use the research time most efficiently. The decision will be made with the assistance of the Program Mentor. During research training, a mentoring committee consisting of the Career Mentor, Research Mentor and at least one other faculty member knowledgeable in the chosen area of research will be formed to assess the trainee and ensure progress towards independence.
Normally trainees are able and expected to garner stipend support for the time that they are in the lab. Salaries of trainees in the PSTP will be supplemented by the Department to maintain the ACGME level for postgraduate clinical training. If trainees can make a good case for performing research in a lab unable to fund them and are unsuccessful in obtaining a research fellowship grant, the Department of Pathology will guarantee their stipend.
In addition to stipend supplementation/support, monies will be provided for travel to a national meetings, journals, etc. for all years of the PSTP.
Depending on the needs and interests of the Scholar, additional didactic training is available at Northwestern University. Scholars may participate in the programs of the Integrated Graduate Program in the Life Sciences, Masters of Science in Clinical Investigation, and Masters of Science in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. In addition to numerous other lectures and seminars available at Northwestern University, there are monthly seminars developed specifically for the PSTP Scholars, during which faculty members will discuss issues in biomedicine, their own work, or aspects of career development for academic physician-scientists. An annual meeting of PSTP participants is held to afford trainees the opportunity to share their research progress. PSTP Scholars also serve as role models and mentors to Northwestern Medical Student Training Program (MSTP) students and participate in selected aspects of that program, including MSTP Grand Rounds http://www.mstp.northwestern.edu/mstp_courses.htm, a combined clinical and research conference.
Applicants should apply to the Pathology Basic Science Investigator Training Program of the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University through ERAS. In addition to their application through ERAS, applicants should submit a Pathology PSTP Application. If not already included in ERAS, applicants should also submit a letter of recommendation from their principal research mentor, one additional letter from an individual familiar with their research potential, and copies of all published research publications.
Applicants will be notified if they are invited to interview. Interviews for the program will occur concurrently with interviews for the Categorical Pathology Training Program. Acceptance into the program will be via the NRMP and will be based on commitment to and potential for a career in academic medicine as a physician-scientist.
For more information, or to submit an application, please contact:
Jon Lomasney, M.D.
Director of Pathology PSTP
Department of Pathology, Ward 3-223
Northwestern University
303 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
email: j-lomasney@northwestern.edu
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