Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP)

General to All Tracks

The STAR Program begins with approximately 12-24 months of fellowship clinical training, followed by combined clinical and research training in one of four research career tracks. STAR fellows also receive assistance in finding a research mentor and laboratory, guidance during graduate school training, grant writing training and career development mentorship through monthly seminars. The directors meet regularly with fellows to oversee their success in becoming independent clinician-scientists.

Track 1. Physician Scientist - Basic Science

This track is for physician scientists committed to careers combining basic science research with subspecialty medicine. Graduate courses and research are undertaken to fulfill requirements for the PhD degree. Mentors may be chosen from UCLA's basic science programs including:

Biological Chemistry
Biomathematics
Biomedical Engineering
Experimental Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Human Genetics
Microbiology and Immunology
Molecular Biology
Molecular Genetics
Molecular and Medical Pharmacology
Neuroscience
Physiology
Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology

A partnership between UCLA School of Medicine and California Institute of Technology enables STAR fellows the option of pursuing their PhD studies at Caltech.

Track 2. Physician Scientist - Health Services/Outcomes Research

This track is for physician scientists committed to careers combining clinical medicine with health services/outcomes research. Graduate courses and research are undertaken with faculty mentors from the Division of General Internal Medicine in the Department of Medicine, the Departments of Health Services, Biostatistics, or Epidemiology in the School of Public Health or the Pardee-RAND Graduate School. This track leads to a PhD.

Track 3. Physician Scientist - Postdoctoral Research

This track is ideal for physician scientists who have already completed a PhD, such as MSTP graduates. It allows for a smooth re-entry into research and state-of-the-art technology. Mentors are chosen from among basic science and health services departments, as well as from the Caltech and Pardee-RAND programs.

Track 4. STAR Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP) – Residency Level

This track is ideal for physician scientists who are in the residency stage of their career. The STAR PSTP was devised to provide enhanced opportunities in basic, clinical or health services research for residents committed to pursuing physician-investigator careers following clinical training.