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The Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP) is designed to successfully train physician scientists to be the next generation of leaders in academic psychiatry.

The program integrates clinical and research training cementing the resident's identity as both a physician and researcher.

The program is open to one resident per year.

Successful completion of a MD or DO degree and a PhD in a relevant scientific area are required for admission.

The Program's leaders are:

Training Program Overview

PGY 1 & 2

During the first half of the residency training, PSTP residents focus on clinical training, finding a primary research mentor and defining their scientific interests. During the PGY 1 Year the residents will spend 1.5 months on the research unit at the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center (MPRC). In the PG-2 year there are three continuous months of protected research time, during which the resident will not have call duties.

PGY 3 & 4

In the second half of their residency, PSTP trainees will have an extensive mentored research experience. PSTP trainees will continue to design and refine their research project, generate and interpret data, present and publish, and lay the groundwork for an independent career. The PSTP trainee will have 20% (third year) and 75% (fourth year) protected time for research.

Research Training

The primary research training experience will be a mentored research experience. Our research leading faculty engage in many disciplines within psychiatry and neuroscience, with research opportunities ranging from the bench to the bedside.

Each PSTP trainee will be required to select a primary mentor in the first year of their residency, who will work with the trainee in developing a research project and will engage the trainee in ongoing work within the laboratory of the mentor.

The PSTP trainee will also be expected to select a secondary mentor prior to the middle of their second year of residency. The secondary mentor will provide mentorship on career development and augment the training from the primary mentor if needed. The resident, in coordination with their primary mentor, will complete an "individualized development plan" by the middle of their PG2 year.

Manuscript Writing Training

Training in grant and manuscript writing is a critical focus for future independent investigators and as such, PSTP trainees will have the option to enroll in courses through the University of Maryland School of Medicine Office of Research Career Development. Learn more:

Research Ethics

Given the importance of research ethics and the acquisition of scientific leadership skills, PSTP trainees will also take the following courses if they have not taken them during PhD training: 

PSTP Seminar

All PSTP trainees will participate in the monthly Physician Scientist Training Program Seminar. This is a forum where trainees, faculty and invited psychiatry and campus neuroscience researchers discuss current developments in the field, their own research and discuss examine career options over lunch. The PSTP Seminar is a part of the PSTP curriculum for the entire four years. The focus of these seminars is career development, expansion of understanding of the research environment in psychiatry, and expanding core research skills through discussion with successful University and Department faculty and visiting physician scientists.

Additional Benefits: Funding up to $50,000 to use during your residency for approved research projects and to facilitate your career development will be provided by the department.

Training Program Details

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