UConn’s MD/PhD program provides students with an intellectually stimulating and highly integrated educational experience leading to completion of both the MD and PhD degrees. With many alumni matched to highly competitive residencies, the UConn MD/PhD program prepares its graduates for successful careers in both medicine and science.
Mission
The mission of our MD/PhD program is to prepare individuals of outstanding potential for productive careers as physician-scientists. The program emphasizes the development of skills necessary to become a highly competent and caring physician and to perform, evaluate, and communicate the results of independent research in the biomedical sciences.
Furthermore, we strongly believe in the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in science and medicine. Essential to this is our giving opportunities for students of all backgrounds including underrepresented minority groups, disadvantaged backgrounds, and those with disabilities. We are committed to provide individualized support for students from underrepresented or underprivileged backgrounds.
Our program is dedicated to high quality medical and graduate education tailored to the needs of the individual student. We are a close-knit community of students, faculty, and staff. Collegiality and mentorship are key aspects of the program.
Dedication to Diversity
The MD/PhD program at UConn Health is fully dedicated to making an environment that is inclusive and accepting of all of our students. To this end, we value diversity in all its forms, and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply to join our community of learning.
We believe that having a wide range of lived experiences adds value to the discussions we have with one another. As future healthcare providers and researchers, understanding differences in lifestyles and cultures help us provide the best care for our patients. The program works towards having a diverse environment to encourage dialogue and strengthen our understanding. Through this, we aim to add diverse and culturally competent physician-scientists to the work force.
We also emphasize outreach to underrepresented communities in our surrounding area through a variety of programs. These programs provide mentorship and education about the career paths in science and medicine, including physician-scientists. Through these, we aim to spread awareness and encourage diversity in the science and medical field in the future.
We welcome you to explore the many ways in which the UConn MD/PhD program, the School of Medicine, and the Graduate School work to ensure that UConn is a safe and welcoming environment for all. We also ask you to reach out to us with any questions about the MD/PhD program’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Program Structure
MD/PhD students matriculate for the first 18 months with the regular MD students before they pursue their graduate studies, taking four years to complete their PhD, and then return for clinical clerkships. During the first two years, in addition to completing the preclinical requirements of the medical school curriculum, students pursue select graduate school coursework and two to three laboratory rotations. Incoming MD/PhD students have the option to complete their first laboratory rotation the summer before matriculation.
There is an emphasis in continuity of clinical education, providing opportunity to practice clinical skills on patients from the start of medical school and throughout the graduate phase, better preparing students to excel in clinical rotations. Students remain actively involved in the program during all phases of their training via weekly research club, symposiums, leadership opportunities, and other events.
As part of the longitudinal clinical experience, students are required to continue clinical activities in community service clinics or in specialty clinics for a half day per month during the graduate phase in order to maintain their clinical skills. Following successful completion of requirements for the Ph.D. degree, students return to medical school to complete two years of clinical training.
For a full breakdown of program structure, see our page on the M Delta Curriculum for MD/PhD Students.
Medical Education
UConn School of Medicine is one of the nation's leading public medical schools, featuring a modern, case-based learning curriculum, early clinical experience, and state-of-the-art facilities for clinical simulation, virtual and cadaverial anatomy education
MD/PhD students engage in UConn School of Medicine's industry-leading M Delta curriculum.
Learn more about UConn School of Medicine's Curriculum.
Graduate Education
During the graduate phase, students pursue intensive thesis research in one of seven areas of concentration (AOC) in biomedical science and complete additional coursework required by their AOC. The Biomedical Science AOCs are:
| Cell Biology | Neuroscience |
| Genetics & Developmental Biology | Skeletal Biology and Regeneration |
| Immunology | Systems Biology |
| Molecular Biology and Biochemistry |
The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine
The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) offers collaborative research training opportunities for our students in mammalian genetics and genomic medicine on our UConn Health campus. Our students have the option to complete lab rotations and perform their Ph.D. thesis research with a JAX faculty member at the Jackson Laboratory on our Farmington, CT campus at UConn Health, if the JAX faculty member has an appointment as a faculty member of the UConn Graduate School. Learn more about the cooperative PhD program and JAX-GM.
Facilities
Students
Albert Yu Kayaking at Keystone
Check our our Instagram!
All the very best 🍀 to our second year students who are currently tackling their USMLE Step 1 exam! And congratulations to those who have already finished!
You are almost done with the didactic portion of medical school and will *step* into graduate phase very soon! 🕺🏻🪩🔬
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#uconnmdphd #physicianscientist #mdphdtobe
Student research spotlight💥
Redwan Bhuiyan, G3 | Recipient of the prestigious NIH F30 Grant for his research on the genomics of type 2 diabetes.
Well done, Redwan! 💫
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#mdphd @nihgov #researchspotlight #huskyresearch #physicianscientist #medicalscientist
Congratulations to Grace Kwon & Michael Chung on matching into residency programs with flying colors! 🎉🩺🔬👏🏽
Student research spotlight💥
Tima Karginov, G3 | Athlete, creative developer, and winner of the 2022 AHA Predoctoral Fellowship, a 2-yr. fellowship for research on T cells, RNA splicing, and cardiovascular disease.
And that’s not all. He was also awarded the 2021 AAI Young Investigator Award for top poster presentation at the Immunology Conference and the 2022 AAI Travel Award for his oral presentation at the American Association of Immunologists Conference.
Well done, Tima! ⭐️
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#mdphd @american_heart #researchspotlight #huskyresearch #physicianscientist #medicalscientist @thecurbsiders @hartbeattc
We work hard during the block but also like to have fun and enjoy each other’s company; sharing ideas and thoughts amongst each other makes us strong together. Happy spring break to everyone!! 🌻🌸🌿🌷
We work hard (as seen here) and play hard (stay tuned…) 😴😮💨🤪📚
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Congratulations to the M1s on finishing Block B LEAP, and to the M2s on finishing Stage 1 and entering their preparations for Step 1!
One last push before a summer of sun 🌞 and science 🕺🏻💃🏻
Happy holidays from the UConn MudPhud family’s furry friends 🐾✨ They stick with us through thick and thin: reading papers, making presentations, studying for hours for LEAP exams… we love them.
Hope everyone has a wonderful year’s end in preparation for a 2022 that is filled with great science and acing the board exams!
And for the grand finale of the ✨Meet our M1s✨series, say HI to Itaevia Curry-Chisolm !
🩺 What are you most excited about in starting the program?
I am most excited for CLIC because I look forward to working with senior practitioners to learn through experience and establish my flow as a clinician.
🤝 Why did you choose UConn for your program?
UConn is one of the most diverse medical schools in the country and offers many opportunities to mentor K-med school. It also allowed me to explore a new location.
💄💃🏿 What's a fun fact about yourself?
When I was younger, my mom worked as a cosmetologist and let me run around the shop. This fostered a love of all things beauty, and I practice these skills regularly.
🎨📸 What do you like to do for fun?
I like art and photography! Although I'm not nearly as gifted with drawing a picture over writing a paper, I love taking fashion photos.
🦠🧠 Research interests
I am deeply interested in immunology and neuroscience and hope to find a lab home that allows me to further explore.
#UConnMDPhD #whitecoatceremony #medschoollife #mdphd #medschool #combineddegree #doubledoc #biomedicalsciences #uconnnation #science #research #md #phd
✨Meet our next M1✨ Sadik Karma!
🧫🔬What are you most excited about in starting the program?
Summer rotations! Although med school has its joys, I miss science and am excited to figure out my scientific niche. I’m also excited for the end of block A to have more free time to do the things that I enjoy.
🥼 Why did you choose UConn?
I low-key did not have a lot of options due to me being an F1 student lmao. But no seriously, what swayed me towards UConn is the people. I am going to spend a big chunk of my life here and wanted to spend it with people with whom I got along. During 2nd look day, I saw how nice everyone is and I knew this is where I belonged.
🏆 Fun fact
I once got a participation trophy…for existing. I don’t mean participation, I literally mean just existing.
👾🎮 What do you like to do for fun?
Who is fun? Never heard of her. Lol no, I like reading a lot, especially historical fiction novels. I also enjoy playing video games (my favorite is Hellblade: Senua’s sacrifice) and watching TV (David from Schitts Creek is my spirit animal). I am also a very social person so I spend a lot of time with friends and family.
🧠 Research interests:
Still a work in progress. Broadly, I like basic science, development, genetics,
& mental health. Yet, I am approaching labs with an open mind and still exploring topics that interest me. I am really glad UConn has a variety of research topics to choose from and they really encourage exploration. Plus, upper class people share experiences from their rotations so you can make an informed decision.
🌞 What did you do over the summer?
I worked, because you know, money. I also went to Seattle & LA over the summer with friends. It was really fun! Seattle is a beautiful city and we got to see Mt. Reiner (gorgeous!) I visited friends in LA and we explored different places—most notably, West Hollywood. Very gay. 🏳️🌈
❤️🔥 Anything else?
I am really glad I made the decision to join UConn. My cohort and I have gotten really close over the past couple of months, and I am looking forward to spending the next 8 years with them!! If you have any Qs, please do not hesitate to reach out.
✨Meet our next M1✨— Isha Walawalkar!
🤓 What are you most excited about in starting the program?
I am excited about starting a period of my life when I can pursue my dream career and be unapologetically myself - whether it be nerding out about an uber-specific biological phenomenon or getting excited about cadaveric anatomy, all while being surrounded by peers who enjoy doing the same. ☺️ As a dual degree student, I am looking forward to an academic experience that prepares me to become a part of a generation of physicians who can bring science and health justice to the forefront of medicine.
🌲🧬 Why did you choose UConn?
UConn simply had an ideal combination of good people (who foster a sense of community and collaboration), good science (research faculty implementing cutting-edge techniques and investigating ‘hot’ topics in their respective fields), and good medicine (TBL and CLIC). Also, Farmington is filled with trees, which I love, and it is not far from home.
🙊 Fun fact!
I am fluent in 4 languages, understand a 5th, and am learning a 6th. 🤪
🎞🎾☕️ What do you like to do for fun?
While I’m not studying, in the lab, or sleeping, I love practicing photography, going on hikes, playing/watching tennis, chilling in coffee shops, trying new cuisines, going to art museums, and watching movies. I also run an Instagram page about my career path, STEM outreach, and my favorite coffee shops called @catalystsandcoffee !
🧬 Research interests
I am very passionate about research that interrogates post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in the process of early vertebrate development and the parallels that can be drawn to understanding the progression of many cancers.
🌄 What did you do over the summer?
A hike-packed 4 days in Acadia National Park! That Cadillac Mountain sunrise was one of the most breathtaking sights. 🤩
😎 Anything else?
Feel free to reach out with any Qs about the program!
#UConnMDPhD #whitecoatceremony #medschoollife #mdphd #medschool #combineddegree #doubledoc #biomedicalsciences #uconnnation #science #research #md #phd
✨Meet our M1s✨
Introducing Raphael Serna!!
🩺 What are you most excited about in starting the program?
I am most excited about learning clinical skills and applying them during CLIC. Fortunately, we get to begin practicing our clinical skills at CLIC in the first month!
👨🏻🔬 Why did you choose UConn for your program?
I chose UConn for the unique team based learning education, the opportunity to mentor students and the research available at UConn and JAX.
🔧 What’s a fun fact about yourself?
I enjoy doing home improvement work and taking the before and after pictures. The biggest project I have tackled has been doing a complete re-roofing job.
🐢 What is a fun thing you did over the summer?
This past summer, I went snorkeling in Puerto Rico and had the opportunity to release baby sea turtles in Oaxaca, Mexico.
🫀Research interests
I previously did research studying the metabolic reprogramming that occurs in hepatocytes during carcinogenesis. I am interested in conducting research in the areas of cancer, metabolic syndrome or cardiovascular disease. I look forward to being able to mentor students about research during my PhD years at UCONN.
#UConnMDPhD #whitecoatceremony #medschoollife #mdphd #medschool #combineddegree #doubledoc #biomedicalsciences #uconnnation #science #research #md #phd
The ✨Meet our M1s✨series continues with the one and only Marta Stetsiv !
🥼🩺 What are you most excited about in starting the program?
I am most excited about learning new topics and skills both in class and hands-on. I think CLIC will be a great opportunity to grow my confidence and put my knowledge from the classroom and clinical skills into practice!
🧑🏻🔬Why did you choose UConn?
I chose UConn because there are a variety of labs here to choose from in different topics that are of interest to me. I am excited for my upcoming rotations and finding “the one” (lab) for me!
🛩 What’s a fun fact about yourself?
I have flown planes in the past. I’m hoping to finish my private pilot license sometime in the future.
🌃 🏝 ⛰ What do you like to do for fun? And what is a fun thing you did over the summer?
I enjoy traveling to new cities, beaches, and mountains. This summer I went to Chicago and New York. I hope to explore New England more with my newfound friends here ☺
🔬🦴Research interests
I am interested in neurodegenerative and musculoskeletal research. Last summer I did my first research rotation studying bone development!
#UConnMDPhD #whitecoatceremony #medschoollife #mdphd #medschool #combineddegree #doubledoc #biomedicalsciences #uconnnation #science #research #md #phd
Next up in this fall’s ✨Meet our M1s✨series: Sam DeRosa 👏🏽👏🏽
🥼 What are you most excited about in starting the program?
Getting to work with patients through Clinical Immersion in the Community (CLIC), which started within the first month of school!
🧫 Why did you choose UConn for your program?
The team-based learning environment & interesting research opportunities.
⛸ Fun fact!
I was a competitive figure skater from the age of 9 and through college. Now, I still skate for fun from time to time.
🐶 What is a fun thing you did over the summer?
I adopted a puppy!
🧬 Research interests
Genetics and neurodegenerative disease
#UConnMDPhD #whitecoatceremony #medschoollife #mdphd #medschool #combineddegree #doubledoc #biomedicalsciences #uconnnation #science #research #md #phd
We are super excited to be kicking off the ✨Meet our M1s✨series. First up, is *drumroll please*.....
Karen Osei-Boamah 👏🏽🎉
📚What are you most excited about in starting the program?
I am excited about my future upcoming summer rotation because I cannot wait to learn new techniques and possibly find my thesis lab.
🧬 What drew you to UConn?
I chose UConn because they had UConn Health & JAX lab PIs that were conducting research in my areas of interest and the students in the program seemed friendly. I also liked the team based learning structure of the curriculum. Overall, UConn seemed like a place I could thrive at.
😎 Fun fact!
I moved around quite a bit growing up. I was born in Toronto, ON. Then my family moved from Canada to Connecticut, Connecticut to Maryland, Maryland to Nevada, Nevada to Maryland, Maryland to Georgia, and finally Georgia to Maryland. Due to moving around a lot, I had little qualms about going to college in Louisiana. My only real concern was whether I would be able to withstand the warm, humid climate.
🍿What do you like to do for fun?
I like being a couch potato. All I really need is some good food and a good show to be content. I love some good seafood and soul food. Currently, my top shows are New Girl, The Middle, My Wife and Kids and Loki.
🔬Research interests:
Molecular neuroscience
#UConnMDPhD #whitecoatceremony #medschoollife #mdphd #medschool #combineddegree #doubledoc #biomedicalsciences #uconnnation #science #research #md #phd
>1 month after the white coat ceremony, we have only 5 minutes to post on here between studying and meal prep 🤓👩🏾💻🧑🏻💻📚
Here come our newly white-coated M1s.👩🏻⚕️👨🏽🔬👩🏿🔬👨🏽⚕️
P.S. We are excited to be one of the most diverse cohorts to date. ✨✨
#UConnMDPhD #whitecoatceremony #medschoollife #mdphd #medschool #combineddegree
Congrats to Drs. Ladha and Pettinato on defending your theses this past month! We wish you the best of luck as you move on to M3! 🩺
#mdphd #thesis #science #medicine #jax #uconn #health #dualdegree
A HUGE CONGRATS to @prof_peej on publicly defending his dissertation, "The Aging Microbiome: Metagenomic Characterization Identifies Potential Pathogenicity Risk Factors and Therapeutic Approaches” 🎉🎉
It was a pleasure to listen to you talk about your passion for microbiology, pathogens, aging, and genetic engineering!
Swipe thru for celebratory pics with a modern dinosaur ➡️➡️➡️
#mdphd #thesis #research #biology #medicine #science #md #phd #gradschool #medicine #uconn #health
Happy holidays, from our homes to yours! UConn MD/PhD students are taking a well deserved winter break and finding safe and relaxing ways to recharge, from baking to dressing up our pets.
#md #phd #mdphd #mstp #doctor #futuredoctor #science #medicine #holidays #celebrate #warmandcozy #petstagram #petsofinstagram
Meet our M1’s:
Mian Horvath!
🧬 What excites you the most about starting an MD/PhD program?
I am most excited about the actual starting - to learn how to be a doctor 👩🏻⚕️, to learn science 🧫 , and to get to know everyone. Right now, there's a feeling you get when you've worked so hard for so long to reach this point!
🔬 What drew you to our MD/PhD program?
When I interviewed, I really liked the atmosphere and camaraderie. We are going to be here for a really time, so I wanted an actual community, which I felt like I get from UConn!
🌞 What's a fun fact/hobby about you?
During quarantine, I started making sourdough bread! I'm currently working on a roasted garlic and rosemary loaf. 🍞
We would like to congratulate MD/PhD candidates Anthony “Tony” Pettinato, Feria Ladha @ferialadha, and Rachel Cohn @rcohn435 for their publication in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation. As members of the Hinson laboratory at Jax, students Pettinato, Ladha, and Cohn leverage powerful genetic research techniques to study cardiac dysfunction. Their paper “Development of a Cardiac Sarcomere Functional Genomics Platform to Enable Scalable Interrogation of Human TNNT2 Variants” provides a better understanding of how mutations in cardiac muscle proteins can lead to heart disease and failure. Get more information from the link in our bio!
