Graduating PhD with only a second co-first paper

[MD2025-applicant]

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Hi everyone, I would like to get your opinion on the situation I am in. I am an MSTP finishing up my 4th year in the program. I am 2.5 years into my PhD (our school does 1.5 year curriculum).

I was recently informed that my PI is seriously considering an offer at another institution and if he accepts, he will start moving and closing the lab at the end of this year.

I currently have one co-first authorship in a C/N/S level paper in which I am second co-first author. If my PI accepts the offer and moves, I will be allowed to graduate my PhD at the end of this year (3 years total) and return to clerkships on time. Or I can try to stay for another year either in the remnants of my lab as it’s shutting down or find another lab to finish my other projects and hopefully get another first authorship paper in which I am either the sole first author or first co-first. Following my PI to the new institution is not an option.

My question is, if I graduate early this year with just my one second co-first paper, how will this look and affect my chances for PSTP programs in specialties such as IM and Derm? Do I still have a shot at PSTPs or should I apply categorical? Or is the best option that I stay another year and hopefully finish up and put out my other first author paper.

 

[SurfingDoctor]

I'm kinda of surprised your school would let you do that. Having a first-author paper is required to graduate from our school (and some programs require a second in submission). That being said, if the PI leaves, so does the funding to support you so I guess they're just as happy to move you along.

I can't speak for IM or Derm unfortunately, but at least for Pediatrics, PSTP slots are not competitive. It's not like there are a ton of MD/PhD going into Peds though, so anyone wanting to do protected research is a diamond in the rough.

Irrespective of that, papers (and first-author papers) are the currency. However, in moving to a new lab with a new project, how much can you really achieve, leading to a first-author paper in 1 year? That seems unlikely on the surface. And since you still need to graduate from medical school, residency (and other additional training?), is the opportunity cost worth it to get an additional paper? I would say "yes" if it was a sure thing, but it doesn't sound like a sure thing. The thing you don't want to do is spend a year with nothing to show for it.