NIH Awards U of A College of Medicine $2.3M for MD/PhD Program Expansion

The University of Arizona’s College of Medicine – Tucson has received significant backing from the National Institutes for Health (NIH) to expand its dual-degree MD/PhD program. With nearly $2.3 million awarded over the next five years, this funding marks a notable increase from the initial $805,000 grant awarded in 2021. This boost underscores the program’s status as one of the nation’s elite Medical Scientist Training Programs (MSTP), a distinction held by only about half of the more than 100 MD/PhD programs across the United States.

Dr. Hossein Ardehali, director of the MD/PhD dual degree program, commented on the competitiveness of the grant. “This grant was more competitive than ever as the NIH’s budget for MSTP has remained relatively steady while the number of slots in the nation continues to increase. We are fortunate to be among very few MSTP-funded programs nationwide that are increasing the size of their programs,” he said.

Established in the 1980s, the MD/PhD program at the U of A guides students through a rigorous curriculum, combining medical school with extensive research training. Students spend the first two years in medical education, followed by in-depth laboratory mentorship to earn their doctorate, and conclude with the final two years of medical school. This structure is designed to integrate clinical practice with scientific research, addressing gaps in training for both MDs and PhDs. Dr. Ardehali explained, “A lot of MDs don’t get the required training to study the molecular basis and the mechanism of disease. A lot of PhDs don’t have access to patients. The MD/PhD program allows trainees to take care of patients and do research. We train them to be good physicians, good scientists and good leaders.”

The program currently supports over 40 students, with a record admission of 11 new students this year, compared to eight last year and five in the preceding year. The U of A’s status as an R1-designated institution, reflecting the highest level of research activity, provides an enriched environment for these students, preparing them for successful careers.

Dr. Todd Vanderah, co-director of the MD/PhD program, highlighted the importance of mentorship in the program’s success. “The program owes its success to strong commitments from the dean, department chairs and center directors, all of whom recruit and retain both research scientists and physician-scientists who are excited about mentoring students – with over 110 mentors available,” he stated. “No matter what field our students aspire to, there is someone here who will train them how to be the best scientists they can be.”

In addition to the College of Medicine’s achievements, the U of A College of Nursing has also secured a $1 million T32 institutional training grant from the NIH. This grant will support the new Training in Health Research for Innovative Vital Healthcare (THRIVE) award, assisting four doctoral students annually in the nursing PhD program by covering essentials such as stipends, tuition, research expenses, and professional development opportunities. More information about this initiative can be found here.