MD/PhD programs that emphasize physics

[FictiousForce]

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Are there programs out there that allow you to specialize the PhD towards physics? I know the Harvard MD/PhD has the MIT MEMP (Medical Engineering and Medical Physics) which offers a concentration in Physics, but are there others out there like it?

Physics is something that deeply interests me and medicine is the career path I want to take—so, naturally, I want to do an MD/PhD with a physics emphasis.

 

[mercaptovizadeh]

Are there programs out there that allow you to specialize the PhD towards physics? I know the Harvard MD/PhD has the MIT MEMP (Medical Engineering and Medical Physics) which offers a concentration in Physics, but are there others out there like it?

Physics is something that deeply interests me and medicine is the career path I want to take—so, naturally, I want to do an MD/PhD with a physics emphasis.

As admirable as the attitude may be, the physics that probably interests you is not the one that suffuses biology. I also majored in physics. You will not find particles, much of E&M, classical mechanics, special relativity, or gravitation here!

If you like statistical mechanics (thermodynamics, and then on to non-equilibrium thermodynamics, kinetics, and transport processes/diffusion), as well as fluid mechanics, then maybe a physics angle in medicine is for you. Maybe some condensed matter/soft matter physics as well. Of course, imaging modality research goes into things like nuclear physics.

So yes, there is some physics in medicine/biology at this time, but it's an eclectic mix and not what we usually think of when we think of physics.

 

[physasst]

Yep, the only thing I would add, is I saw a strange ad posting last year looking for an MD with a PhD in atmospheric physics to study health effects related to global warming. Not sure how much of a field that might become, but as the climate continues to warm (regardless of cause) there may be an increased need for physicians/providers to be able to understand long term health consequences related to this from a policy perspective. Could be a creative niche.....unsure on demand for services though.

Otherwise, if you're interested in imaging, as the other poster alluded to, nuclear physics could be a good match.

 

[Neuronix]

Biophysics PhD here. The key is that you need to look for applied physics programs, which are typically included in biophysics or engineering. You can still take classes in a physics department, but a physics department is typically geared more towards basic physics (particles, astrophysics, etc...) with a lot of undergraduate teaching and lengthy basic, often theoretical, theses that are not applicable to medicine.

 

[Fencer]

There are PhDs in Radiological Sciences spanning fMRI, PET and other diagnostic techniques to the Radio-oncological (treatment) disciplines. There is also Biomedical Engineering. PM me if you are interested in learning more about these programs at our MD/PhD program.