How about some energy here?

[coldchemist]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I just read some old posts and saw how active neuronix and jot and the old gang were during the application season, and I'm wondering what the hell is wrong with us? How about a little conversatioon?

I've been trying to decide what exactly I want to do with the MD/PhD. There are so many possibilities! Assuming we are all going into academic medicine, what medical specialty are you interested in, and what kind of research do you want to do?

I am really into physical fitness, and as a result I'm really interested in how the body uses and stores energy. I think I'll try for a research program in cell biology with emphasis on endocrinology and cellular signaling. After earning my PhD, I think pathology would really complement my research interests.

Anyone else?

 

[Neuronix]

lol you guys are pretty much just as active as we were at this stage. It's still early in the game.

Yes, I'm still around. I'm just exceptionally neurotic. 🙂

 

[KirsteenB]

Hi there,

Great idea: re: this thread topic.

Is anyone else out there interested in the teaching side of academic medicine? I've heard of some residency programs, post-MD/PhD, that encourage the completion of a Masters degree (as many specialty residencies do), but in Education. In addition to research, I'd love to spend a good bit of time teaching.

That's neat re: your interests in body and the energy. Have you considered specialties such as sports medicine or orthopaedic surgery?

On this end, in terms of research, I'm interested in gaining more skills in health outcomes research/health economics/epidemiology. I'd really like to be able to--no matter what type of specialty I end up entering--analyze and attempt to solve not only resource problems I encounter in my field, but also odd disease patterns or outcomes that I notice in my patient group. I like the idea of being skilled enough, not only in recognizing these issues, but being able to resolve them; and I imagine that there will be plenty in the coming years, unfortunately.

As to specialties, there are a few areas that I have considered and would like to explore further: cardiology, surgery, Obs/Gyn. I tend to prefer the hands on stuff, at this point but it's so tough to say prior to having had any experience in many other areas.

How about anyone else?

Cheers,
Kirsteen

 

[superdevil]

Assuming we are all going into academic medicine

Whoa, there! Maybe, maybe not...😀


Anyway, I'm not too sure about my "plan," and I'm curious as to what you guys will have to say about this since everyone seems to have their $h!t figured out already!

The medical specialty I've always dreamed of is radiology. As far as the PhD, though, I work in a cellular lab and am quite partial to that field (although I also enjoy pharmacology, I find that it isn't offered for a PhD in as many programs- especially non-MSTP ones). I realize that this combo may at first seem counter-intuitive as biomed engineering would likely better compliment radiology, even though I abhor math/engineering. Any thoughts on this?

 

[noy]

I have always had plans to teach after completing an advanced degree...

With 20 years of education under my belt it will be a duty to share with others...

 

[coldchemist]

Originally posted by noy
I have always had plans to teach after completing an advanced degree...

With 20 years of education under my belt it will be a duty to share with others...

Good point.

 

[coldchemist]

Originally posted by KirsteenB

That's neat re: your interests in body and the energy. Have you considered specialties such as sports medicine or orthopaedic surgery?

I have considered those, but for some reason neither of them appeal to me at this point. I am seriously considering academic medicine, but like I said, I think the best way to complement my research interests would be via pathology.

That said, my "interests" seem to change daily. It's not that I'm flakey...just that it's ALL so darned interesting.

Hey Neuronix--do you have a plan yet or are you waiting until your graduate years to figure this all out?

 

[coldchemist]

Originally posted by superdevil
Whoa, there! Maybe, maybe not...😀


Anyway, I'm not too sure about my "plan," and I'm curious as to what you guys will have to say about this since everyone seems to have their $h!t figured out already!

The medical specialty I've always dreamed of is radiology. As far as the PhD, though, I work in a cellular lab and am quite partial to that field (although I also enjoy pharmacology, I find that it isn't offered for a PhD in as many programs- especially non-MSTP ones). I realize that this combo may at first seem counter-intuitive as biomed engineering would likely better compliment radiology, even though I abhor math/engineering. Any thoughts on this?

Believe me, I'm far from having this figured out. But it is something I like to think about--especially after completing 19 secondaries that ask for my career goals.

As for your idea, your research doesn't necessarily have to complement your medical specialty. I think the major idea is that the graduate program will give you excellent research experience that will come into play when you decide what kind of research you want to do for a career. But who knows--a lot of people tend to get attached to the type of research they start out in, and that attachment grows along with their expertise. By the time you have to decide on a residency, you may be so attached to cell biology that you will want to pursue a more complementary specialty.

 

[Neuronix]

Originally posted by coldchemist
Hey Neuronix--do you have a plan yet or are you waiting until your graduate years to figure this all out?

I want to do a residency in neurosurgery. However, I am also considering some other surgical and surgery-like (e.g. Ophtho, interventional rads, rad-onc, etc) specialties. We'll see how my interests evolve.

For those of you interviewing, I highly recommend that you do not mention surgery as a possible career choice for yourself, especially at Penn. At best, you are going to meet alot of resistance, and it will likely keep you out of certain programs. I'd be happy to talk to anyone who is interested in this topic in private if they so desire.

My AIM is Neuronix2. Always feel free to chat if you find me on.

 

[Nuel]

Neuronix, I say ditto to your post regarding surgery. I used to consider being a surgeon myself (cardiovascular), however my interests have begun to shift towards something more like internal medicine/oncology largely due to my strong interests in research. I don't think I will be able to handle surgery versus lab demands particularly when I want to devote most time to lab. Well, I should be applying next year; I just felt I had to respond this post.

 

[coldchemist]

I can see why they wouldn't be too impressed by a desire to enter surgery. On the other hand, lots of graduates of MD/PhD programs end up going that route.

 

[Spacekat]

Originally posted by coldchemist
I am really into physical fitness, and as a result I'm really interested in how the body uses and stores energy.

coldchemist,

You're going to think this is a pretty wild suggestion, but it could really make you happy if you give it a chance. A lot of MD/PhD programs are now offering biomedical engineering as a PhD option. One of the subspecialties is biokinetics/biomechanics which is exactly defined by what you've said above.

I know engineering probably sounds pretty far out of the way, but you'd be surprised at how diverse it is. Most programs accept biology majors as well as engineers. Much research is done in cellular energy storage and so on, which means they need experts on both sides of the aisle.

 

[coldchemist]

Hmmm. That is an interesting suggestion. I'll look into it, but I think the reason I chose not to go that route had to do with a GRE requirement for most BME MD/PhD programs. Also, I have zero experience in engineering. I'll look into it again anyway. Thanks!

CC

 

[xanthines]

Keep in mind that I have no real basis for saying this..

but I think that once you're in a program, you have a pretty good degree of freedom to choose an area of interest. This MD/PhD guy in my lab didn't decide what his area would be until about the middle of his 3rd year. Of course, he'll probably take a little longer to finish than his classmates...

Anyways, once you're in, try out some BME classes and talk to the BME students/faculty. I can't tell the difference between some BME labs and "regular" molecular biology labs. Sometimes they seem to do roughly the same stuff.

Just my .01 cents (I have half a brain! 😉 )

-X

Originally posted by coldchemist
Hmmm. That is an interesting suggestion. I'll look into it, but I think the reason I chose not to go that route had to do with a GRE requirement for most BME MD/PhD programs. Also, I have zero experience in engineering. I'll look into it again anyway. Thanks!

CC

 

[noy]

I predict that BME will drive forward many aspects of medical research in the next 20 years. It's a great direction to go in since you don't need a formal endergraduate engineering education now to get in and do well.

Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical engineering are all well developed enough that the underlying principles are taught in undergread years, so you can't 'jump right in' at the graduate level. Current biomed grads are *defining* the principles that will be in textbooks 10 years from now. Being part of that is VERY exciting.

That doesn't mean you must be in an engineering lab, but if a neuro or applied biochem lab is doing similar stuff, you bet its in cooperation with an engineering department. Even in combination with the molecular bio/proteomics people, its the engineers who will implement all so many the advances into mass produced products. This is why I feel that its a good connection to clinical work, while still fulfilling that 'basic research' mandate that the NIH/MSTP has.

As far as I know, there is no need to commit to a specific PhD program before our second year of MSTP. And I do know that many programs are trying to grow and recruiting those interested in engineering.

Hmm... I read like a sales pitch, perhaps I should be selling cars!...

As for surgery, not the lifestyle for me, especially with plans to do more than clinical research. I'd love to work with surgeons though. I like the idea, but I would have to stop hitting the weights so often (fine motor skills would degrade too much...)

 

[coldchemist]

Originally posted by noy
As for surgery, not the lifestyle for me, especially with plans to do more than clinical research. I'd love to work with surgeons though. I like the idea, but I would have to stop hitting the weights so often (fine motor skills would degrade too much...)

I like lifting way too much. In fact, the reason why I'm going for the dual degree is that I hope to conduct research that will ultimately make my workouts more effective--or at least develop better steroids (j/k). 😎

 

[Neuronix]

Originally posted by xanthines
Keep in mind that I have no real basis for saying this..

No, you're right. Almost every program allows you the freedom to jump from a molecular graduate program to a BME program. This is why if a student isn't sure about molecular or BME, I always recommend that they apply moleclular and not talk so much about BME. The BME students are held to a higher standard at many schools, which is silly because once you're in you can choose anything you want. I think that the reason for this is that the BME grad departments are often more staunch about requiring GREs for admission (despite what I just said), and there tend to be alot of BME applicants while adcoms typically only want a small BME representation in their classes.

You'll want to confirm flexibility at your second looks for the programs you are considering. I'm interested in BME and that's what I did.

 

[noy]

Originally posted by Neuronix
.... This is why if a student isn't sure about molecular or BME, I always recommend that they apply moleclular and not talk so much about BME. The BME students are held to a higher standard at many schools, which is silly because once you're in you can choose anything you want. I think that the reason for this is that the BME grad departments are often more staunch about requiring GREs for admission (despite what I just said), and there tend to be alot of BME applicants while adcoms typically only want a small BME representation in their classes.
....

Wow. But for some of us, its so damn obvious that BME is the only choice (engineering undergrads, engineering research, etc...) that it would be ludicrous to say that I would be persuing any other graduate program. Will I really be competing on another level - eg, are there that more BME applicants - perhaps, but its a good fit for me...

 

[CrazyCarl]

Originally posted by KirsteenB
Hi there,

Great idea: re: this thread topic.

Is anyone else out there interested in the teaching side of academic medicine? I've heard of some residency programs, post-MD/PhD, that encourage the completion of a Masters degree (as many specialty residencies do), but in Education. In addition to research, I'd love to spend a good bit of time teaching.

Cheers,
Kirsteen

I am definitely going to make teaching an important part of my career. I would love to teach an undergrad course too (assuming I wind up at a school with their undergrad campus reasonably nearby). Here's another question: is anyone interested in curriculum design and the more administrative side of teaching? I know most people think of boring committee meetings when they hear the word "administration," but I think I would really enjoy having a hand in the way academia is structured and run.

 

[Primate]

Originally posted by CrazyCarl
Here's another question: is anyone interested in curriculum design and the more administrative side of teaching? I know most people think of boring committee meetings when they hear the word "administration," but I think I would really enjoy having a hand in the way academia is structured and run.

BRAVO! I think that far too little time is spent considering (or at least doing anything about - there's usually no shortage of "thinkers" in academia) the med/grad/undergrad curriculum and also how it is taught. I cannot tell you how many people I've spoken with that have tried to push the admin side (I have a background in it), precisely because they feel there aren't as many good people in it as there should be.

IMO (so stop listening now, if you haven't already), this type of work is part of our responsibility as MSTP $$ recipients. Unfortunately, many people don't think they have any responsibilities once they are accepted, as it's not a written part of their "contract." But that is for another thread.....

Fair warning, however, about committees in academia. Some of the reasons fewer people go the admin route is that there is usually a large amount of institutional inertia (ie it's hard to make changes) and that many of the people on committees are there just to hear themselves speak (please no snyde comments about the avg. length of my threads 😉 ). If you can get by these, you can really do some good.

P

 

[pathdr2b]

Originally posted by CrazyCarl
I am definitely going to make teaching an important part of my career. I would love to teach an undergrad course too (assuming I wind up at a school with their undergrad campus reasonably nearby).

I'm with you on the interest in teaching. However, since my career seems to be headed toward a government position, I hope to teach a class or two at the community college level to inspire these students (who are often disadvantaged) to careers in research.🙂

 

[coldchemist]

Better you guys than me...😀

I got enough of that noise as a TA.