Should I be doing research under a M.D. for residency apps?

[blueberryblast333]

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I'm sorry if this is a silly question....but does it matter that no one in my research group is pursuing an MD, but are all graduate students (with my PI holding a PhD in bioengineering)? Will that look strange on residency apps?

I'm researching x-ray crystallography methods and molecular modeling to look at hereditary cancers (among other things). I absolutely love the research I do. I realize it's basic science rather than clinical work, but I really enjoy it.

I'm currently an M2 and am aiming for a residency in radiology in the future. Does it matter that my research is more about molecular modeling than "radiology-related" research? It's not especially focused on any medical specialty in particular....

Thanks in advance for any replies!

 

[AcademicNeurosurgery]

Not necessarily. Doing research with an MD in your field is helpful largely because they can speak to your qualifications for the specific field with credibility. In other words, a PhD's recommendation that you will become a great radiologist won't hold as much weight. For residency apps, the point of LORs is to say that you are a good candidate for whatever specialty you are applying to.

That said, you shouldn't switch labs just for this reason. You seem to be enjoying your project (which is most important). All this means is that when applying to residency, you can either 1) choose not to include a letter from your PI or 2) include a letter from your PI but make sure all the rest of your letters are from radiologists. Option 2 can be advantageous if you plan to apply to academic programs that strongly value research. I would recommend continuing on in this lab you are in and finding ways to push your work to publication.

 

[Datypicalpremed]

Not necessarily. Doing research with an MD in your field is helpful largely because they can speak to your qualifications for the specific field with credibility. In other words, a PhD's recommendation that you will become a great radiologist won't hold as much weight. For residency apps, the point of LORs is to say that you are a good candidate for whatever specialty you are applying to.

That said, you shouldn't switch labs just for this reason. You seem to be enjoying your project (which is most important). All this means is that when applying to residency, you can either 1) choose not to include a letter from your PI or 2) include a letter from your PI but make sure all the rest of your letters are from radiologists. Option 2 can be advantageous if you plan to apply to academic programs that strongly value research. I would recommend continuing on in this lab you are in and finding ways to push your work to publication.

Everything aforementioned + the fact that MD does not equal more productive lab. If the PhD lab you are currently in pumps out 3 publications out each year for you to potentially get your name on and the MD lab pumps out only 1 each year, which lab do you think will beef up your application more (at least, in terms of # of publications)? It's important to consider these things before burning any bridges.

TBH I used to be obsessed about joining a "physician scientist" lab as I thought it would be a great way to find a mentor for my own aspirations. But then I realized that the PIs who also do clinical work tend to only spend a fraction of their time in the lab. Which generally meant less chances to get guidance on my project, time to interact with them, momentum, etc. I can understand your concern about wanting to do research related to your field of interest - perhaps someone more senior than I and in radiology can share their opinion. But from what I've been told, so long as you can spin a nice story about how your research can apply to the field you should be good. X-ray crystallography research should be an easy sell for radiology.

 

[Goro]

I'm sorry if this is a silly question....but does it matter that no one in my research group is pursuing an MD, but are all graduate students (with my PI holding a PhD in bioengineering)? Will that look strange on residency apps?

I'm researching x-ray crystallography methods and molecular modeling to look at hereditary cancers (among other things). I absolutely love the research I do. I realize it's basic science rather than clinical work, but I really enjoy it.

I'm currently an M2 and am aiming for a residency in radiology in the future. Does it matter that my research is more about molecular modeling than "radiology-related" research? It's not especially focused on any medical specialty in particular....

Thanks in advance for any replies!

How on earth would a PD know who is in your lab, other than your PI? Even then, pubs usually don't list credentials.

 

[AcademicNeurosurgery]

How on earth would a PD know who is in your lab, other than your PI? Even then, pubs usually don't list credentials.

They probably wouldn't know. I imagine the only time a PI's credentials come into play is with regards to LORs and making phone calls to residency programs. With the latter, a PhD making a phone call would probably never happen/is useless.

 

[blueberryblast333]

Thanks everyone for all the advice! I think I'll continue staying in this lab and hopefully get some publications soon.