• Server Updates
    We will be completing server updates between 3:00 - 6:00 AM Eastern on Wednesday, March 25. Thanks for your patience while we improve SDN!

My Medicinal-Mathematic Dream?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

derpie_sk8r_boy

Full Member
7+ Year Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2014
Messages
16
Reaction score
0
Points
4,551
  1. Non-Student
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
So...

I'm very interested in both theoretical mathematics AND medicine. If I were to go the MSTP route, I would definitely do something to mix real analysis/topology and modern neuroscience research. So, I was wondering if this is something viable? And, if it currently isn't, can I MAKE IT VIABLE?

I know this then might make all of my research incomprehensible by all the other neuroscience researchers, because I know they're not going to have the grasp in higher maths (stochastic theoretical proof based topology processes) necessary to understand my research. So, I guess only mathematicians and other theoretical biologists* would be able to chip in.


*a VERY select few of elite theoretical biologists
 
So...

I'm very interested in both theoretical mathematics AND medicine. If I were to go the MSTP route, I would definitely do something to mix real analysis/topology and modern neuroscience research. So, I was wondering if this is something viable? And, if it currently isn't, can I MAKE IT VIABLE?

I know this then might make all of my research incomprehensible by all the other neuroscience researchers, because I know they're not going to have the grasp in higher maths (stochastic theoretical proof based topology processes) necessary to understand my research. So, I guess only mathematicians and other theoretical biologists* would be able to chip in.


*a VERY select few of elite theoretical biologists

whether it would be possible would depend on the rules that individual programs have for selecting a research mentor. depending on their funding (NIH mstp versus non-NIH funded md/phd programs) they may require your graduate work to be within certain departments or under certain mentors. the best advice i can give you is to find the researchers who are working in the field most similar to what you want to study and then see what options are available for working with them, like whether they are aligned with an md/phd program. for example, columbia has a theoretical neuroscience department whose researchers might be eligible to take on an md/phd student (maybe--i don't know).

however, i would question whether an md/phd is really appropriate for what you want to do. if what you're interested is so theoretical that only a "VERY select few of elite theoretical biologists" would understand it, it's questionable how relevant it would be to modern medicine. how much experience do you have in medical settings? are you sure you want to be a practicing physician? why not just go through a regular phd program for neuroscience?
 
Absolutely viable. Look for schools with good computational biology faculty.
 
Top Bottom