
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
- 6th year MD/PhD Candidates Katie Discipio (Left) and Grace Kwon (Right) in their natural habitat.
- MD/PhD Candidate Anthony "Tony" Pettinato in the Hinson lab at Jax-GM.
- UConn MD/PhD Students with Dr. Andrew Arnold at the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI) Dinner. Left-right) Maria Xu (GS2), Feria Ladha (GS3), Peter Larson (GS2), Victor Wang (GS2), Dr. Arnold, Katie Discipio (GS3), Grace Kwon (GS3), and Anthony Pettinato (GS2)
- Feria Ladha (MD/PhD G3) conducting her PhD research in cardiology at JAX-GM.
- 7th Year MD/PhD Student Alexandra Goetjen, M.S. presenting her ongoing thesis work in the lab of Jonathan Covault, MD PhD
- Peter Larson at ASM Microbe 2019
- MD/PhD Candidate Jennifer Chung working in an anaerobic chamber.
- 6th year MD/PhD Candidate Grace Kwon Presenting per research on long noncoding RNAs in asthma.
- UConn MD/PhD Student Maria Xu presenting her ongoing research in the laboratory of Anthony Vella.
- 5th year MD/PhD Candidate Victor Wang presenting his research.
- Left to Right: MD/PhD Candidates Victor Wang (GS3), Grace Kwon (GS4), and Michael Chung (GS4).
- UConn MD/PhD Student Maria Xu presenting her ongoing research in the laboratory of Anthony Vella.
- 6th year MD/PhD Candidate Michael Chung presenting his research on Prader-Willi Syndrome
External Fellowship Awards
Although a tuition waiver and full stipend funding are guaranteed through the entire length of our program, most of our students succeed in obtaining fellowship grants such as NIH F30 and American Heart Association awards. We provide extensive support for trainee grant applications including a mock study section with senior faculty members to prepare our students for success. To read about some of our current student fellowships success stories, read our MD/PhD Student Blog.
Residency Placement
Our students routinely match to physician-scientist training programs (PSTPs) and other competitive residencies in a broad range of specialties all over the country. For more details, check out our MD/PhD Program Fact Sheet and MD/PhD Student Blog.
To learn more about the success of our our past and current students, see our MD/PhD Student Blog, Student Profile Page, and MD/PhD Program Fact Sheet.
Applications
Applicants should have substantive research experience, a strong academic record, and prior clinical exposures. Applicants must complete the online AMCAS application, indicate on their application that they are applying to the UConn MD/PhD program, and complete the MD/PhD essay. Learn more about applying to the UConn PhD Program.
Check our our Instagram!
Happy Holidays from UConn MD-PhD!! ✨🪩🌸🫀🧁 ...
The first years are falling 🍂 for New England autumn 🍁 and ‘being real’ with the second years who recently met up at Parkville Market. One day at a time, they complete their didactic years of medical school before diving into their thesis work in year 3.
#uconnmdphd #physicianscientist ...
✨ Meet the M1s ✨
Next up, Rita Wang!
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#uconnmdphd #physicianscientist #mdphdtobe ...
✨ Meet the M1s ✨
Next, we introduce Jacob Brady!
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#uconnmdphd #physicianscientist #mdphdtobe ...
✨ Meet the M1s ✨
Here’s Joshua Lee!
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#uconnmdphd #physicianscientist #mdphdtobe ...
✨ Meet the M1s ✨
Say ‘hello’ to Sara Halili!
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#uconnmdphd #physicianscientist #mdphdtobe ...
✨ Meet the M1s ✨
Clement Ojo, everyone!
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#uconnmdphd #physicianscientist #mdphdtobe ...
✨ Meet the M1s ✨
Introducing Ashley Tucker!
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#uconnmdphd #physicianscientist #mdphdtobe ...
✨ Meet the M1s ✨
First up, Emma Carlson!
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#uconnmdphd #physicianscientist #mdphdtobe ...
Welcome to this fantastic cohort of 8 newly white-coated MD-PhD students! We cannot wait to see the energy and ideas you bring to the program. Congratulations on beginning a brand new chapter of your lives. Swipe ➡️ to see their transformations 🥼
(pictured R to L, clockwise in 1st photo: Kevin, Emma, Jacob, Clement, Joshua, Sara, Ashley, Rita)
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#uconnmdphd #physicianscientist #mdphdtobe ...
🩺🔬 Students from all years of the program and the program directors gathered for a summer retreat earlier this month to meet each other and learn about the different aspects of the dual-degree program. 🌞🌈🍉🍓🍊🍍
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#uconnmdphd #physicianscientist #mdphdtobe ...
🎊 Congratulations 🎊 to Nate Leclair and Patrick McMullan for receiving special recognition for their achievements during the graduate phase of the program!
#uconnmdphd #physicianscientist #mdphd ...
Student research spotlight💥
Pearl Sutter, G3 | Adventure seeker and recipient of the prestigious NIH NRSA-F30 Fellowship for her graduate work dissecting the role of adaptive immunity in a rare neurological disease.
And that’s not all. She was also awarded the 2022 American Society for Neurochemistry YIEE Travel Award *and* the 2022 presentation at the Immunology Conference and the 2022 AAP/ASCI/ASPA Joint Meeting Travel Award.
Well done, Pearl! ⭐️
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#mdphd #researchspotlight #huskyresearch #physicianscientist #medicalscientist ...
A big congratulations to all SIX students from the program who went above and beyond in their scientific endeavors to successfully defend their Ph.D. projects this past spring! 🎓✨🔬
#uconnmdphd #physicianscientist #mdphd ...
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 🕺🏻💃🏻 ...
Contact Information
MD/PhD Program Director Kim Dodge-Kafka, Ph.D. Email: dodge@uchc.edu MD/PhD Program Co-Director MD/PhD Program Co-Director MD/PhD Program Associate Director MD/PhD Executive Committee Chair | Program Administrator Ms. Tracy Dieli Phone: 860-679-2487 Email: dieli@uchc.edu Mailing Address |