A growing shortage of physician and surgeon scientists exists throughout the United States in nearly all medical and surgical specialties. The mission of The College of Medicine’s Physician Scientist Development Program (PSDP) is to expand, diversify, and strengthen the physician scientist workforce in all departments in the College of Medicine.

The PSDP provides residents and fellows with clinical and research training experience in a variety of sub-specialties while connecting them to postdoctoral research mentors. This program provides trainees with intensive preparation for a tenure track physician-scientist research career.

Following the completion of this program, learners will be able to:

Apply knowledge, skills, and abilities to conduct basic, translational, and clinical research to succeed in physician scientist careers
Increase research productivity and impact through publications, presentations, awards, grants (including NIH K and other K series) and competitive career development awards
Secure placement into competitive fellowships and faculty positions
Transition to independence, research impact and retention in physician and surgeon scientist careers

Why choose Ohio State?

This exciting new program was developed to inspire research-minded residents across a broad multidisciplinary spectrum of training programs to pursue a Physician Scientist or Surgeon Scientist career.

Residents and Fellows will have the opportunity to:

Engage in research education and postdoctoral research training during residency
Gain individualized impactful scientific training
Have access to a well-established mentorship team and career development opportunities
Interact with trainees in existing programs supporting physician scientist trainees and join a growing physician scientist community at The Ohio State University
Participate in a core curriculum focused on physician scientists development
Access grant writing workshops (“K / F Club, R Club)

Program structure

The program takes the traditional length of a categorical residency plus an additional 1-2 years mentored research to complete and is offered as a hybrid online and in-person program. PSDP offers two tracks based on your level of experience upon entering the program.

Track 1: Residents with minimal research experience
This track is a phased introduction and preparation to pursue 24 months of structured didactics, mentored research, and career development after postgraduate year 2 (PGY2).
- You will earn a Master of Medical Science degree with core curriculum in research design, biostatistics, research ethics and grant writing
Years 1–2: Programming and administrative support estimated 1-2 hours per month, establish mentorship team, participate in monthly physician scientists meetings.
Years 3–4+: Regular mentor/committee meetings estimated to be at least 1 hour monthly-schedule to be determined by mentor; mock study sections and other career developmental activities as advised by mentors estimated to average 1-2 hours monthly. Research protected time (minimum 80%).
Track 2: Residents with advanced research backgrounds (MD/MS/MPH, MD/PhD)
This track pursues 24 months of individualized research training after PGY3 that will create a Physician-Scientist Training Program (PSTP) and Surgeon-Scientist Training Program (SSTP) equivalent pathway.
- Curriculum includes advanced coursework and/or workshops in biomedical informatics, clinical trial research, computational biology, grant writing and other topics of interest
Years 1–2: Programming and administrative support estimated to be 1-2 hours monthly; consultation with mentor/committee approximately 1-2 hours monthly.
Years 3–4+: Regular mentor/committee meetings estimated to be at least 1 hour monthly-schedule to be determined by mentor; mock study sections and other career developmental activities as advised by mentors estimated to average 1-2 hours monthly. Research protected time (minimum 80%).

Eligibility

Categorical residents in all training programs in the College of Medicine who are in their first or second year of training, are training grant eligible, have at least 75% protected time for research (for 1-2 years during residency) and approval by the department chair and residency or fellowship program director to participate. Candidates with MD or MD, PhD are eligible to apply.

Referral to program

Referrals are accepted annually. Referrals for PSDP candidates must be submitted by departmental leadership (Department Chair and/or Residency Program Director). Candidates will be interviewed by our selection committee.

Refer a candidate

Application and selection process

Step 1: Referral submitted by departmental leadership
Step 2: Online application link is sent to referee
Step 3: Application must be completed by August 2024
Step 4: Candidates submit an application consisting of:

Personal statement (career aspirations, research background)
Curriculum vitae
Research interest summary

Step 5: Notifications sent to candidates and departments

Our leaders

Robert Baiocchi, MD, PhD

Program Director

The Ohio State's PSDP is directed by Robert Baiocchi, MD, PhD, a Professor of the Department of Internal Medicine and the Director of the Department of Internal Medicine’s Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP) Dr. Baiocchi’s research expertise is in the areas of immunology/experimental therapeutics of lymphomas and viral oncology. He has extensive experience providing mentorship to physician scientists to develop the next generation of physician scientists.

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Angela Butler

Program Manager

The Ohio State's PSDP is managed by Angela Butler. Angela brings a decade of experience in program administration and grant management to the program. Housed within the office of Physician Scientist Education and Training (PSET), her role supports department leadership across strategic and operational initiatives while helping residents and fellows navigate the difficult pathway to becoming physician/surgeon scientists.

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Physician Scientist Development Program (PSDP)