Stanford offers an extraordinary range of research and scholarly pathways for MD students, from faculty-mentored concentrations to fully funded physician-scientist training programs. This page brings them together under shared coordination, creating a more coherent and connected experience across every scholarly track.

Scholarly Programs

The following programs support MD students in pursuing in-depth scholarship, funded research, and advanced degrees alongside their medical training.

• Scholarly Concentrations: A required, faculty-mentored program of study with 18 areas spanning foundational and applied domains. Students complete structured coursework and develop skills in critical thinking and scholarly inquiry.
• MedScholars: A fellowship supporting funded student research locally and off-site, carried out under the direction of faculty across the medical school, hospital, and university.
• Dual Degree Programs: Stanford offers a range of dual degree pathways, including MD/MPH and MD/PhD, through the medical school and across the university. See all options.
• Research Assistantship: Students may be appointed as research assistants on a faculty member's grant for up to 50% time per quarter, with an accompanying stipend and tuition allowance.
• Finding a Mentor: The CAP network is a university-wide directory and collaboration platform where students can explore faculty research and connect with potential mentors.

Physician Scientist Programs

Stanford's physician-scientist pathways offer MD students the flexibility, funding, and mentorship to pursue clinical investigation at depth. Students may pursue non-degree research exposure or graduate with an MD/MS or MD/PhD.

• Physician-Scientist Training Program (PSTP): Supports broad biomedical research across the medical school, university, and global health settings.
• Berg Scholars: Berg Scholars pursue an MS in Biomedical Investigation while enrolled in the MD program.
• Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP): One of the nation's most recognized MD/PhD programs, preparing students for careers dedicated to biomedical research.

Contact Us

For questions about research and scholarly programs, please reach out to the appropriate contact below.

Faculty

• PJ Utz, MD, Associate Dean for Medical Student Research: pjutz@stanford.edu
• Laurence Baker, Director of Scholarly Concentrations: laurence.baker@stanford.edu
• Catherine Blish, Co-Director, MSTP MD-PhD Program: cblish@stanford.edu
• Katrin Chua, Co-Director, MSTP MD-PhD Program: kfchua@stanford.edu

Staff

• Celina Ng, Director, Office of Research and Scholarship: celinang@stanford.edu
• Natalie Marino, MedScholars: nmarino1@stanford.edu
• Samara Meir-Levi, Physician-Scientist Training Program: samaraml@stanford.edu
• Dennis Bua, Medical Scientist Training Program: dbua@stanford.edu
• Tony Tieu, Medical Scientist Training Program: tonytieu@stanford.edu