Annual Report 2023
Medical Scientist Training Program
Table Of Content
About Our Program
Meet Our Team
Vision And Mission
Admissions
Our Students
Our Match
Our Programs
Our Alumni
Dissertations and Publications
Contact Us
About the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)
Since 1977, the MSTP at Mount Sinai has been supported by a T32 training grant from the NIH. The training of our students starts the summer before their first year of medical school, with a laboratory rotation of their choice. At the end of the summer, they officially begin our MD-PhD curriculum with a dual degree curriculum that takes place during the pre-clinical phase of medical school. Students then transition to their graduate school years, and our students will choose to conduct their thesis research Finally, after defending their thesis, they will return to medical school for clinical training, completing both degrees.
Letter from the Director
I am delighted to share the accomplishments and highlights of the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Our program continues to prepare exceptional individuals to become physician-scientists, bridging the gap between research and clinical practice
Our students have achieved outstanding academic accomplishments throughout the year and demonstrated a strong commitment to scientific inquiry. They represent diverse research interests and contribute to a collaborative and inclusive community
Located in the vibrant city of New York, our program offers unique opportunities for trainees to live and learn in a dynamic ecosystem. They benefit from cultural richness, collaborative partnerships, and access to abundant resources
We appreciate your support in shaping the success of our program and advancing biomedical research. Please explore our comprehensive annual report for more information on our trainees' achievements and future initiatives
Thank you for your collaboration, and we look forward to the exciting endeavors ahead.
-Talia TALIA H. SWARTZ, MD, PHD
SENIOR ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR MD-PHD EDUCATION DIRECTOR, MEDICAL SCIENTIST TRAINING PROGRAM
ISMMS MSTP '2008
Meet Our Team
TALIA H. SWARTZ, MD, PHD
SENIOR ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR MD-PHD EDUCATION DIRECTOR, MEDICAL SCIENTIST TRAINING PROGRAM
Dr Talia H Swartz serves as the Director of the MD-PhD Program at Mount Sinai, overseeing and providing guidance to students pursuing the combined medical and research training pathway
URAINA CLARK, PHD
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS AND ENRICHMENT
Dr Clark is the Associate Director for Student Affairs and Enrichment, supporting students in the MD-PhD Program at Mount Sinai by providing resources, mentorship, and opportunities for personal and professional development
PRAVEEN RAJU, MD, PHD
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRAMMING
Dr Raju is the Associate Director for Career Development and Programming, offering guidance and resources to MD-PhD students at Mount Sinai to foster their career development and help them navigate the diverse opportunities available in academia, industry, and beyond
BIANCA TAYLOR, MSED ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR
Ms. Taylor serves as the Administrative Director, providing essential administrative support and operational oversight to ensure the smooth functioning of the MD-PhD Program at Mount Sinai.
Vision And Mission
Vision
To train a diverse group of students within a warm and inclusive community, fostering rigorous, compassionate, and innovative physician-scientists and leaders in the revolution of biomedicine.
Mission
Our mission is to educate a diverse cadre of future physician-scientists in a rigorous, integrated dual degree program that prepares them to contribute to the improvement of human health through careers in a variety of clinical specialties and biomedical research environments.
Over the past years, our institution has strongly emphasized increasing the diversity of the physician-scientist workforce We firmly believe that a diverse workforce brings unique perspectives, experiences, and ideas essential for driving innovation, addressing health disparities, and providing equitable healthcare We are pleased to report that our efforts have yielded positive results, with a noticeable increase in the number of matriculants who self-identify as women and individuals from underrepresented groups in science and medicine (URiSM) This work continues to be a priority
3301 AVERAGE NUMBER OF PREMATRICULATION RESEARCH HOURS
PATHWAY PROGRAMS:
FLEXMED FLEXGRAD MD-TO-MSTP
36%
45% WOMEN UNDERREPRESENTED IN SCIENCE AND MEDICINE
Admissions 1975-1983 1984-1993 1994-2003 2004-2013 2014-2023 40 30 20 10 0
% Women URiSM
AVERAGE
23 UNDERGRADUATE INSTITUTIONS 11 APPLICANTS INTERVIEWED MATRICULANTS 589 87 11
AGE (RANGE 21-26)
Our Students
Our students are passionate about science and medicine, embodying a drive to excel in their studies and research They actively seek collaboration, fostering a dynamic learning environment where diverse perspectives come together. Over 50% of recent graduates have collaborated on publications with fellow MSTP students, reflecting our program's commitment to collaboration and the professional growth of our students. Together, they strive to make meaningful contributions to scientific and medical research
94 students
47% identifying as women
30% identifying as underrepresented in science and medicine
8 multidisciplinary training areas
8 years average time to degree
26 students with F30/F31 awards, 48% success rate
96% of students publish by the time they graduate with an average of 5.6 publications and 2 first-author publications
more than 50% of recent graduates collaborated on a publication with another MSTP student
Our incoming class
We are thrilled to introduce the exceptional incoming class of the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Comprising a diverse group of highly accomplished individuals, this year's cohort brings a wealth of experiences, talents, and passions that will undoubtedly enrich our program.
Bukola Ajanaku (GGS)
Michael Beauzile (NEU)
Manan Krishnamurthy (CAB)
Juhana Habib (IMM)
Alexander Chung (NEU)
Young Jun Song (NEU)
Naomi Freilich (GGS)
Braxton Schuldt (NEU)
Emily Leventhal (AIET)
Chinonso Nwakama (NEU)
Kennedy Salamat (AIET)
Our Match MSTPMatch
96%ofgraduates pursueresidencyafter graduation
Mostcommon specialties
InternalMedicine30% Pediatrics13%
Pathology11%
Neurology8%
Psychiatry5%
Areasofresearchafter graduationinclude: translational(50%),basic (45%),clinical(41%)
1977-2023
Mostcommon institutions
ColumbiaPresbyterianUniversityMedCtr
BrighamandWomen'sHospital
HospitaloftheUniversityofPennsylvania
NYPWeill-CornellMedicalCenter
UniversityofCaliforniaSanFrancisco
YaleNewHavenHospital
78%ofgraduatespursue academia,industry,federal agency,orfederalinstitutes aftertraining
283 graduates in45years
44%stayinNY
22%stayat MountSinai
6% Midwest 15% West
68% Northeast 10% South
Topstates outside ofNY CA12% MA 11% PA7% MD4% CT4%
Our Alumni
Our alumni, who completed their training over a decade ago, have excelled in their respective fields, with an impressive 38% holding leadership positions in academic medicine, industry, and government In the realm of academic medicine, our alumni have assumed influential roles as department chairs, division heads, and research institute directors. Their expertise and vision have driven innovation, collaboration, and advancements in medical education, research, and patient care
Furthermore, our alumni have made significant contributions to industry leadership. As executives, directors, and managers in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies, they have utilized their research expertise to guide strategic initiatives, drive product development, and shape industry standards Their ability to bridge the gap between research and commercialization ensures the translation of groundbreaking discoveries into tangible benefits for patients.
In the government sector, our alumni have taken on leadership positions in regulatory agencies, policy-making bodies, and public health organizations They actively contribute to shaping public health policies, advancing scientific agendas, and improving healthcare systems. Through their influential roles, they address critical health challenges, promote evidence-based practices, and advocate for equitable access to healthcare
The exceptional success of our alumni, with 38% holding leadership positions in academic medicine, industry, and government, highlights the effectiveness of our training programs and the caliber of individuals we nurture We take great pride in their accomplishments and remain committed to cultivating the next generation of leaders who will continue to make transformative contributions to medicine, research, and healthcare
Academia 676% ClinicalPractice 193% Industry 92% Other 1%
Our Alumni
Our Programs
School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) is home to dozens of top-funded research institutes, centers, and laboratories, collaborating across disciplines to make swift and meaningful advances in medicine.
MSTP-specific programs:
Physician-Scientist Career Advisors
Meet the Physician-Scientist
JEDI (Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion)
Table for 8
MSTPhamilies
Medical Scientist Grand Rounds
MSTP Survival Skills / Leadership Course
Annual Retreat
MSTP Virtual Convocation
AIET CAB DRS GGS IMM MIC NEU DMT
The Icahn
DRS
Recent Dissertations
Alice Chen-Liaw, PhD (IMM, Mentor: Jeremiah Faith, PhD)
Gut microbiota bacterial strain richness is species-specific and limits therapeutic engraftment
Donald Doanman, PhD (MIC, Mentor: Benjamin K. Chen, MD, PhD) Single Cell Analysis of Acute and Latent HIV Infection using Novel Reporter Systems
Michael Espino Horesh, PhD (IMM, Mentor: Dusan Bogunovic, PhD)
Gain-of-Function Variants in JAK1 cause Autoimmunity, Atopy, Colitis, and/or Dermatitis (JAACD Syndrome)
Iain Forrest, PhD (GGS, Mentor: Ron Do, PhD)
Integration of large-scale genetic and clinical data in population-based biobanks for precision medicine
David Gonzalez, PhD (DRS, Mentor: Nicole Dubois, PhD)
Transient Notch Activation Converts Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Cardiomyocytes towards a Purkinje Fiber-like Fate
DeAnalisa Jones, PhD (PTD, Mentor: Eric Sobie, PhD)
Modeling the ultrastructural features of ventricular cardiomyocytes: Implications for Ca2+ signaling in heart failure
Kaustubh Kulkarni, PhD (NEU, Mentors: Daniela Schiller, PhD and Xiaosi Gu, PhD) A computational psychiatry approach towards momentary craving
Rachel Levantovsky, PhD (IMM, Mentor: Judy Cho, MD) Advances in understanding IBD pathogenesis across populations via multimodal data integration
Randal Serafini, PhD (NEU, Mentor: Venetia Zachariou, PhD)
Studies on Epigenetic and Transcriptional Regulation of Peripheral Nerve Injury in Mesocorticolimbic Circuitry
Camille Spencer-Salmon, PhD (NEU, Mentor: Kanaka Rajan, PhD) Dynamical foundations of task-related computation
Lauren Stalbow, PhD (GGS, Mentor: Ruth Loos, PhD) A genotype-first approach to diabetes
Christian Stevens, PhD (MIC, Mentor: Benhur Lee, MD)
Viruses are the Best Cell Biologists: Viral Engineering to Deliver Gene Editing Tools and Interrogate SARS-CoV-2 Entry
Select Publications
Bu K et al. "Identifying correlations driven by influential observations in large datasets." Brief Bioinform. 2022 Jan 17;23(1):bbab482. PMID: 34864851; PMCID: PMC8769929.
Chen ST et al. "A shift in lung macrophage composition is associated with COVID-19 severity and recovery." Sci Transl Med. 2022 Sep 14;14(662):eabn5168. PMID: 36103512; PMCID: PMC10117220.
Forrest IS et al. "Genome-first recall of healthy individuals by polygenic risk score reveals differences in coronary artery calcium." Am Heart J. 2022 Aug;250:29-33. PMID: 35526571.
Frere JJ et al. "SARS-CoV-2 infection in hamsters and humans results in lasting and unique systemic perturbations after recovery." Sci Transl Med. 2022 Sep 28;14(664):eabq3059. PMID: 35857629; PMCID: PMC9210449.
Gonzalez DM et al. "Dissecting mechanisms of chamber-specific cardiac differentiation and its perturbation following retinoic acid exposure." Development. 2022 Jul 1;149(13):dev200557. PMID: 35686629; PMCID: PMC9340554.
Malle L et al. "Autoimmunity in Down's syndrome via cytokines, CD4 T cells and CD11c+ B cells." Nature. 2023 Mar;615(7951):305-314. PMID: 36813963; PMCID: PMC9945839.
Malle L et al. "Excessive negative regulation of type I interferon disrupts viral control in individuals with Down syndrome." Immunity. 2022 Nov 8;55(11):2074-2084.e5. PMID: 36243008; PMCID: PMC9649881.
Plaza-Jennings AL et al. "HIV integration in the human brain is linked to microglial activation and 3D genome remodeling." Mol Cell. 2022 Dec 15;82(24):4647-4663.e8. PMID: 36525955; PMCID: PMC9831062
Serafini RA et al "SARS-CoV-2 airway infection results in the development of somatosensory abnormalities in a hamster model " Sci Signal 2023 May 9;16(784):eade4984 PMID: 37159520
Spindler MP et al "Human gut microbiota stimulate defined innate immune responses that vary from phylum to strain " Cell Host Microbe 2022 Oct 12;30(10):1481-1498 e5 PMID: 36099923; PMCID: PMC9588646
Stalbow LA et al "The contribution of functional HNF1A variants and polygenic susceptibility to risk of type 2 diabetes in ancestrally diverse populations " Diabetologia 2023 Jan;66(1):116-126 PMID: 36216889; PMCID: PMC9729131
Zhou RW et al "A local tumor microenvironment acquired super-enhancer induces an oncogenic driver in colorectal carcinoma " Nat Commun 2022 Oct 17;13(1):6041 PMID: 36253360; PMCID: PMC9576746
Honors and Awards
DeAnalisa Jones, PhD
MSTP Service Award
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Achievement Award Ceremony
Fred Kwon, MD, PhD, ISMMS MSTP '2023
Burton Drayer Prize in Radiology and Biomedical Imaging
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Achievement Award Ceremony
Steven Chen, MD, PhD, ISMMS MSTP '2023
Jeffrey Modell Clinical Immunology Prize
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Achievement Award Ceremony
DeAnalisa Jones, PhD
Excellence in Mentoring Award
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Student Council
Chittampali Yashaswini
Excellence in Mentoring Award
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Student Council
Daniel Weiss, MD, PhD, ISMMS MSTP ‘1988
Terry Ann Krulwich Award
Mount Sinai Alumni Awards
David A. Braun, MD, PhD, ISMMS MSTP ‘2013
Young Physician-Scientist Award
American Society for Clinical Investigation
Andrew Chow, MD, PhD, ISMMS MSTP ‘2014
Young Physician-Scientist Award
American Society for Clinical Investigation
Benjamin Goldman-Israelow, MD, PhD, ISMMS MSTP ‘2016
Young Physician-Scientist Award
American Society for Clinical Investigation
Yonit Lavin, MD, PhD ISMMS MSTP '2018
Young Investigator Award
Conquer Cancer, American Society of Clinical Oncology
Contact Us www.mssm.edu/education/mdphd SinaiMSTP mountsinaimstp SinaiMSTP mstphamily.slack.com mdphdprogrammountsinai SinaiMSTP To support the MSTP
