The focus of the NIH NIGMS funded Medical Scientist (MD-PHD) Training Program (MSTP) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is to train outstanding young people from across the United States in the intellectual discipline of being a scientific investigator and a thoroughly trained physician.

Although the ultimate career pathway for individual trainees may range from the conduct of basic biomedical research to clinical trials of novel therapeutic agents or procedures, the net effect of this cadre of investigators will be to increase the translation of basic biomedical understanding into clinical practice.

The UAB MSTP is a member of the UAB Graduate School: Graduate Biomedical Sciences Office and the University of Alabama at Birmingham Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine, and therefore must abide by all UAB policies that pertain to each group, respectively.

Related to the UAB MSTP’s funding association with NIH NIGMS, the UAB MSTP policies and procedures found within do not always align with UAB Graduate School or Heersink SOM policies. By itself, MSTP policies and procedures are applicable based on your matriculation and continued appointment through the UAB Medical Scientist (MD-PhD) Training Program. After consultation with either the Graduate School or Heersink SOM Leadership, the UAB MSTP Directors have oversight, input, and execution on the final approval of any program-based policies and procedures mentioned within or detailed in the UAB MSTP Handbook.

Administrative Structure

The MSTP Program Director is appointed by the Dean of the UAB Heersink School of Medicine (SOM) and oversees all aspects of the program. The MSTP Assistant Directors are nominated by the MSTP Director and the Dean of the School of Medicine. The MSTP Program Manager is a full-time staff member, who reports to the Program Director and manages all aspects of the program. The Program Coordinators assist with administrative duties and coordinates summer programs affiliated with the MSTP and Physician Scientist Development Office (PSDO). The UAB MSTP is located in the Physician Scientist Development Office at 912 18th Street, South, Birmingham, AL.

Talene Yacoubian, MD, PhD

Gregory Payne, MD, PhD

Stefanie Krick, MD, PhD

Chad Petit, PhD