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.