Bridge Year Story: Aman Mangalmurti, UVA '17

UVA Today: Off Grounds & On the Job

"Often, the best part of UVA alumnus Aman Mangalmurti's week is time spent in local clinics with children and their parents.

Mangalmurti, who graduated in 2017, now works at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD in the Post-Baccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award program. The neuroscience graduate is working in the Shaw Lab, a child psychiatry research group studying attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.

"When you work with young kids, you hope you are making a long-lasting impact," he said. "ADHD affects so many people, so there is an opportunity for our research to have a large impact."

The lab tracks groups of children over time, studying their symptoms and social environments and using neuroimaging to track how their brains are developing. Mangalmurti said they especially focus on creating and analyzing large data sets - big data is a growing emphasis in neuroscience - and on patients' genetic makeup...

After his fellowship at the NIH ends this year, he hopes to enroll in an MD-PhD program and continue gaining research experience, likely still focused on pediatric health.

"One day, I would love to run my own lab, and perhaps be a professor," he said.

Read the full story >>

Summer Research Early Identification Program

SR-EIP is a research experience designed for undergraduates interested in applying to PhD or MD-PhD programs. Students work for 8-10 weeks in the summer under the guidance of a faculty or research mentor at a participating Leadership Alliance* institution. Through one-on-one collaborations, students gain theoretical knowledge and practical training in academic research and scientific experimentation. All participants make oral or poster presentations of their research at the Leadership Alliance National Symposium.

Students receive a stipend, and housing and travel expenses are covered by the host institutions.

Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must currently be enrolled full-time in an accredited public or private college or university in the U.S. All applicants must:

• Be in good academic standing with a 3.0 GPA or better
• Demonstrate a committed interest to pursue graduate study toward a PhD or MD-PhD
• Have completed at least two semesters and have at least one semester remaining of their undergraduate education by the start of the summer program
• Be a U.S. citizen or have permanent resident status at the time of application.

*Note: The SR-EIP is not designed for students pursuing professional training for careers in the practice of law, business administration, clinical medicine, clinical psychology, or the allied health professions.

Application deadline: February 1, 2018
Application requires: 

• Biographic and academic information
• Resume
• Statement of purpose
• Two letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts

For more information and application, see this link. 

*The Leadership Alliance is a national consortium of leading research and teaching colleges, universities, and private industry. The mission of the Alliance is to develop underrepresented students into outstanding leaders and role models in academic, business, and the public sector.

2018 Gateways to the Laboratory Summer Program

Overview

Applications for the 2018 Gateways to the Laboratory Summer Program are now being accepted. Applications are due February 1. Access the application here. Some highlights of the program include its unique blended learning and virtual mentoring format. Find out more about the program here. Finally, many students who participate in the program have incredible outcome. More information about that is located here.

 

Eligibility Information

1. You must be a 1st or  2nd year students at the time of applying
2. You must be an underrepresented minority student or student with a disability
3. You must be a U.S Citizen or Permanent Resident
4. You must be interested in pursuing combined MD-PhD degrees after college

Additional Information

For more details about the Gateways to the Laboratory Program, check out the “Tri-I Pod” podcast which is available on iTunes! Especially check out episodes 3 and 4.

If you have any additional questions please contact the Weill Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan Kettering Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program at mdphd@med.cornell.edu.

Health Career Connection (HCC) Summer 2018 Internship Program

Program Description

1. This internship program is a paid full-time 10-week internship placement in a partner organization. Interns work under the direction of a preceptor and work on meaningful projects that are educational and benefit the organization and its community.
2. Interns can gain exposure, hands-on experience, and mentorship in a variety of settings in health care/public health.
3. The Internship stipend ranges between $3,000 and $4,000
4. Workshops on key professional and personal development topics including leadership, advocacy, cultural competence, life and career planning and graduate education preparation will be held.
5. Opportunities for community building and networking with peers, professionals, and alumni are available.
6. Partner schools include- School of Public Health at: UC Berkeley, UCLA, Harvard University, Columbia University, UNC Chapel Hill, UC Riverside, CSU Fresno and Schools of Medicine at: UCSF PRIME, UCLA PRIME, Stanford University and Wake Forest.

Eligibility

1. Candidates must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program or have recently graduated from an undergraduate institution.
2. Recent graduates must have completed their degree within the last three years.
3. Candidates who are enrolled in a post-baccalaureate are eligible to apply.
4. Graduate students are not eligible to apply.
   

How to apply
Follow this link: https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/44203-Health-Career-Connection

The application is now live and closes on December 20th, 2017.

Additional information:

1. Visit www.healthcareers.org for more details
2. Please email info@healthcareers.org with any questions or concerns
3. Clinical or medical internships are not offered; however, pre-med students with interest in exploring other or related health career options are welcome to apply.

Southeastern Medical Scientist Symposium 2017

The Southeastern Medical Scientist Symposium (SEMSS) is an annual meeting of MD-PhD students, MD students, and undergraduates from the southeastern United States. The goal of the symposium is to bring together faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students to foster discussion about physician scientist career paths and research and encourage a collaborative and interdisciplinary educational environment within the region.

SEMSS 2017

Atlanta, GA

November 18-19th

Hosted by students in the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at Emory University
Highlight: UVA '15 Alum, Carey Stewart Jansen, current Emory MSTP student

Interested?
Apply for an Undergraduate Student Travel Award!

20 awards will be given to undergraduate students interested in exploring careers as physician-scientists. 

Deadline: September 15, 2017

More information

Q&A Session with the American Physician Scientists Association (APSA)

 

Thursday, July 27^th:  The American Physician Scientists Association (APSA) will hold an interactive Q&A session on the 2017-2018 MSTP and MD-PhD application process. 

Featured experts are Dr. Robin Lorenz from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Dr. Skip Brass from the University of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Kerry O'Banion from the University of Rochester. 

The session will be hosted via GoToMeeting (www.gotomeeting.com) on Thursday, July 27th at 6pm EST. GoToMeeting may be accessed via phone or computer and a meeting specific call-in number will be made available before the session.

There will be a follow-up discussion forum on Medstro (https://medstro.com/groups/american-physician-scientists-association) the following week for further discussion and questions.

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine - April 21 Open House

Join the PCOM community at our DO Open House on Friday, April 21st in Philadelphia!

Registration and tours will begin at 4:00pm in Evans Hall.  Participants that evening will learn more about our admissions process, as well as the curriculum, osteopathic manipulative medicine and financial aid. Faculty and currently enrolled students will be available to provide additional insight into the academic experience on campus. Details regarding directions, parking and the campus map can be found at pcom.edu.

Tours will be conducted and light refreshments will be served.For more information and to rsvp, please visit:
http://www.pcom.edu/admissions/visit/visit-philadelphia/Doctor-of-Osteopathic-Medicine-Open-House-April-21-2017.html

MSU Summer Undergraduate Physician-Scientist-Training Education & Research Program

The Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine offers a 'SUPER" program to undergraduate students who plan to pursue a career as a physician scientist. Students interested in combined DO-PhD training for a career as a physician-scientist are offered an opportunity to:

• conduct research
• gain exposure to clinical care
• experience the excitement of an academic medical environment

Program Information: 

• May 30 - August 4th, 2017 
• $2500 stipend
• University Housing accommodations provided for any student outside of the greater Lansing area. Vehicle required for transportation off campus to participate in clinical portion of the program

Eligibility:

• Current 2nd and 3rd years
• 3.5 or higher GPA 
• Minimum two full semesters of research experience
  *students with extensive research experience but less than 3.5 GPA still encouraged to apply
• US citizen or permanent resident

Save the Date! 2018 Application Meetings

Are you preparing to apply to a health professional program
in the 2017-18 application cycle? 

 Pre-Health Advisors will provide specific information on the required application components, importance of timing, and recent UVA application trends specific to each health profession.
Save the date for meeting corresponding with your health profession of choice!
*Make sure to verify dates and times on Handshake once the Spring Semester begins*

Physical Therapy Application Meeting
Monday, 1/23

5:00 - 6:00 PM

Bryant Hall, Recruiting Room
Co-Sponsored by the Pre-Physical Therapy Club and Pre-Health Student Leadership Advisory Board

Dentistry Application Meeting
Monday, 1/23

6:30 - 7:30 PM
Bryant Hall, Recruiting Room

Co-Sponsored by the Pre-Dental Society and Pre-Health Student Leadership Advisory Board

Physician Assistant Application Meeting
Tuesday, 1/24
5:00 - 6:00 PM
Bryant Hall, Recruiting Room
Co-Sponsored by the Future Physician Assistant Society and Pre-Health Student Leadership Advisory Board

Pharmacy Application Meeting
Tuesday, 1/24
6:30 - 7:00 PM
Bryant Hall, Recruiting Room Co-Sponsored by the Pre-Pharmacy Club and Pre-Health Student Leadership Advisory Board

Optometry Application Meeting
Wednesday, 1/25
6:30 - 7:30 PM
Bryant Hall, Recruiting Room Co-Sponsored by the Pre-Optometry Club and Pre-Health Student Leadership Advisory Board

Medicine Application Meeting 
Monday, 1/30
6:00 - 7:00 PM
OR
Wednesday, 2/1
5:00 - 6:00 PM
Bryant Hall, Recruiting Room
Co-Sponsored by the Daniel Hale Williams Pre-Medical Society, American Medical Student Association, Women in Medicine Initiative, and Pre-Health Student Leadership Advisory Board

Veterinary Medicine Application Meeting
Wednesday, 2/1
6:30 - 7:30 PM
Bryant Hall, Recruiting Room




Co-Sponsored by the Pre-Veterinary Society and Pre-Health Student Leadership Advisory Board

SIBS Undergraduate Research Program and PARAdiGM

Introducing Summer in Biomedical Sciences (SIBS) Undergraduate Research Program 2017, and the Preparation for Graduate and Medical Education (PARAdiGM) 2017!

Both of these programs introduce outstanding undergraduates to the exciting career options of being a scientific investigator while also being a practicing physician.These two eight week programs are held concurrently from June 1-July 28, 2017. Students will receive stipends and free on-campus housing but will be responsible for their own meals, for travel to and from Birmingham, and other expenses.

Students in both programs will be introduced to the concept of scientific research, principles of scientific experimentation, the proper methods of data analysis, the interpretation, presentation, and translational applications of research results, and to clinicians who practice at academic medical centers. 

Summer in Biomedical Sciences (SIBS) Undergraduate Research Program

http://www.uab.edu/medicine/sibs/ 

Our goal in offering this fellowship is to give talented undergraduate students the opportunity to experience the challenges and rewards of intensive, hypothesis-drive laboratory research. This experience should help students make well informed decisions about future career plans.  Previous research experience is not required. We especially welcome applications from students who are interested in research as a potential career, including students interested in PhD and MD/PhD programs. We accept fifteen students per summer into this program. We expect applicants to SIBS to have completed at least their sophomore year of undergraduate coursework. We anticipate that successful candidates will typically demonstrate grade point averages of 3.0 (“B”) or higher, especially in science, math, and related areas. 

Preparation for Graduate and Medical Education (PARAdiGM)

http://www.uab.edu/medicine/paradigm/

The PARAdiGM program focuses on undergraduates from diverse and underrepresented minority backgrounds, and offers the opportunity to participate in the program for two summers. In addition to working in the laboratory of a faculty mentor with an actively funded biomedical research program, PARAdiGM participants will learn about careers in academic medical centers (AMCs) by shadowing clinician-investigators in their clinics, as well as on in-patient rounds. At the end of the first summer in the program, the students will write an abstract and participate in both a local and national poster presentation of their research results. The students will also receive instruction in essay writing, MCAT preparation, and critical career skills. The ultimate goal of the program is to provide undergraduate students with an understanding and appreciation of the biomedical research process so as to encourage them to pursue careers studying patients and their diseases after further postgraduate training in graduate and medical education. Previous research experience is not required in order to apply.  The PARAdiGM program is especially useful for students who do not have local access to biomedical research and/or academic physician-scientist role models. 

Applications must be submitted online and the deadline is February 15, 2017

Students can learn more about SIBS at www.uab.edu/sibs, about PARAdiGM at http://www.uab.edu/medicine/paradigm/ or by contacting Robin Lorenz at rlorenz@mcuab.edu.  

2017 Gateways to the Laboratory Summer Program in NYC

Applications are now open for the 2017 Gateways to the Laboratory Summer Program for Pre-MD-PhD students. 

• 10 weeks of independent research at either Weill Cornell Medical College, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, or the Rockefeller University
• Present and participate in weekly journal clubs
• Scrub into surgeries at New York Presbyterian Hosptial
• Give an oral, written, and poster presentation of your research in front of your family (who are flown in for the event), friends, and colleagues
• Receive on going mentorship by your "Big Sib" (a current MD-PhD student), as well as weekly meetings with the Program's leadership
• Receive a stipend of $4,300 (minus the cost of housing)
• Gateways alumni are accepted and matriculate to the top MD-PhD programs in the country

Eligible participants include: 

• First and second year students (at time of application) only
• Underrepresented minority and/or disadvantaged backgrounds or have a disability
• US Citizens / Permanent Residents
• Students who wish to pursue the combined MD-PhD degrees after college

Application deadline: February 1

Learn more: 

• Program information and application
• Tri-I Pod podcasts - Episode 3 and 4 (also available on iTunes)

Lasker Lessons in Leadership Advice for Young Scientists Webcast - 11/9

WHAT: LIVE Career and Leadership Discussion for Young Scientists with Dr. Jeremy Nathans,
 Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Neuroscience, and Ophthalmology  at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine 

WHEN: Wednesday, November 9th, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

WHERE: videocast.nih.gov 

ABOUT DR. JEREMY NATHANS

Dr. Jeremy Nathans is a professor of molecular biology and genetics, neuroscience and ophthalmology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His research focuses on molecular mechanisms of visual system development, function, and disease.

Dr. Nathans is responsible for landmark discoveries that have changed our understanding of how humans see the world. His investigations into the mechanisms that allow us to see colors led him to identify the genes that code for color-vision receptors in the light-sensing cones of the retina. This breakthrough finding allowed him to show that variations in these genes cause color blindness. His work has also led to new understandings of the development, function and survival of the retina.

Dr. Nathans received his undergraduate degree in Life Sciences and Chemistry from MIT and earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry and M.D. from Stanford University. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Genentech, Inc. Dr. Nathans joined the Johns Hopkins faculty in 1988.

He serves on the editorial board of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and is on many scientific advisory boards including The Foundation Fighting Blindness and Merck Research Laboratories. He became a member of the Institute of Medicine in 2011 and his work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Edward M. Scolnick Prize in Neuroscience by the McGovern Institute at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Social Histories: Interprofessional Clinician Storytelling

Please join the UVA Compassionate Care Initiative for the 2nd Annual "Social Histories" event. The event consists of an interprofessional panel of doctors, nurses and social workers. Learn about providing more present, safe care to patients. FREE Sticks Dinner provided; event is open to all!

Date: Wednesday, October 19th
Time: 7-9 p.m. 
Location: McLeod Hall Auditorium

Pre-Med Bloggers Needed

Do you want to write about what keeps you motivated as a pre-med, challenges you have faced and overcome, or a meaningful patient interaction? The AAMC wants to hear from you! Aspiring Docs Diaries is looking for pre-med bloggers to tell their story. If interested, please submit a blog post for consideration to aspiringdocs@aamc.org. 

Read blog posts by pre-meds, med students, and residents >>

Ask Admissions Webinar

AAMC presents the Ask Admissions Webinar. Three medical students will share their professional and academic trajectories, and highlight tips learned throughout their journey to medical school. You will also here from admissions officers at those students' schools about what made their applicant stand out, what their schools are looking for in a potential student, as well as helpful tools and resources for aspiring physicians. There will be dedicated time for Q&A so please come prepared with questions!

Date: Wednesday, September 21st
Time:  8pm - 9:30pm EST

Panelists:

• Jim G. Castellanos
  MD/PhD Candidate
  Weill Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan Kettering Tri-Institutional MD/PhD Program
• Michael Duerden
  MD Candidate
  University of Washington School of Medicine
• Kelly Foster
  MD Candidate
  FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
• Ruth Gotian, MS
  Administrative Director, MD-PhD Program
  Weill Cornell Medical College
• Andria Williams, MBA
  Director of Admissions and Recruitment
  FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine

Space is limited so please register ahead of time! Click here to register today! This webinar will be recorded and made available on the AAMC Website two weeks after the webinar.

MD-PhD Interviewing Calendar

Most of the MD-PhD Programs around the country joined forces to create a National MD-PhD Program Interview/Revisit Day Calendar.  For those applicants with multiple interview offers, this might help organize your time and interview dates.  To date, 61 MD-PhD Programs (that’s nearly every active MD-PhD Program in the country) are represented on this calendar.

This calendar may also be accessed through the AAMC MD-PhD webpage:

www.aamc.org/mdphd