Physician Scientist Track

The Stanford Pediatrics Residency Physician Scientist Track is designed to encourage and support physician-scientist residents on their career paths to become academicians and clinician-investigators. This track includes MD/PhD, MD, and DO residents who have had extensive prior research experience and desire to be pediatric subspecialists. This program allows research-focused pediatrics residents to have dedicated time, mentorship and support to develop into physician-scientists.

At Stanford, we have a track record of cultivating and fostering the careers of physician scientists. We offer this additional match for physician scientist applicants interested in a research intensive career in pediatrics. Both the Physician Scientist Track (4 positions/year) and Categorical Track are available to physician scientist applicants, and research intensive candidates may apply to both. However, we can only support the American Board of Pediatrics’ alternative pathways (IRP and ARP) for residents on the Physician Scientist Track. Of note, the physician-scientist track is designed for applicants seeking training in pediatrics. Applicants seeking a combined residency program (child neurology, pediatrics-genetics, or pediatrics-anesthesiology) should apply directly to the combined program, which can also support physician-scientist residents. If you are unsure which program to apply to, feel free to reach out by email.

For those on the Physician Scientist Track, we can allow three different potential schedules, depending on your interests:

• Integrated Research Pathway (IRP): 3 years residency + 3 years fellowship; allows for 11 months of research during residency
  
• Accelerated Research Pathway (ARP): 2 years residency + 4 years fellowship; includes 2 months of electives during residency and  allows for an extra year of research during fellowship

Schedule

We strategically plan our physician scientist track residents' schedules.

• First Year:
  • Lighter months interspersed to allow you to explore potential labs/mentors; also can do clinical electives
  • Research or elective time in 2 2-week blocks
• Second-Third Years: We strive to offer research months either clustered or spread out depending on your preference
• Continuity Clinic:
  • During research months, option of clinic full day 2x/month or half day weekly

Representation & Mentorship

• Dedicated Physician Scientist Advisor for track  
• Physician Scientist representative on residency council (nominated by peers)
• Mentorship through the Bridge to K program to help launch independent investigator career

Research Curriculum

• Have option of: 
  • Scholarship Academy or Intensive Course in Clinical Research
  • Grant Writing Course
  • Manuscript Writing Course
• Scholarly Concentrations

Research Funding

• For residents in the IRP and ARP pathways:
  • Mary Leonard Physician Scientist Track Grants ($10,000 individual grant per resident)
  • $2,000 travel grant for presenting at conference if submit first draft of paper
• For all physician-scientist residents:
  • May apply for other internal or external grants
  • Funding for all 3 years of fellowship if applicant accepted into a Stanford fellowship position (requires MCHRI application)
  • Bridge to K Program: Provides funding for Instructor position as bridge between fellowship and faculty appointment
  • Mentorship for K and F32 awards

Resources

• 
  Dr. Alvira’s APS/SPR videos:
  • Webinar Opening Plenary – The Curving Path to Pediatric Research Success
  • Webinar Grantsmanship

Botham Manuscript

How to gain a competitive edge in grant writing (by Orit Rapaport, Justin Crest and Crystal Botham)

Making the Right Moves: A Practical Guide to Scientific Management for Postdocs and New Faculty