UChicago MSTP

Inter-MSTP Retreat!

It’s lovely to meet up with our Chicago-area future physician-scientist peers. Learning about their work and hearing from current physician-scientists is the best way to spend a day!

Thank you to everyone who came; it was wonderful to host you.

Welcome to MSTP Coffee Hour! It was so nice to chat with everyone as the quarter is starting.

Don’t miss your chance to pick up a pastry, a drink, and some conversation during this month’s Coffee Hour (Thursday before Student Council Meeting)!

Grand Rounds has returned for the academic year!

We started off strong with a UChicago MSTP alum, Dr. Alan Hutchison, as our clinical expert on the topic of Hepatology! We also heard great presentations from Randy Melanson and Dr. Arpit Panda.

Our next Grand Rounds will be Nov 19th on the topic of Adult Neurology!

Curious about a graduate degree in the biosciences?

Join one of our Virtual Open Houses to get more information!

Out and about with the birds, the bikes, and the big warning signs!

It was lovely spending time next to the Michigan waves with everyone- connecting with students across the program and enjoying a long walk on the beach.

Out and about with the birds, the bikes, and the big warning signs!

It was lovely spending time as a group next to the Michigan waves, taking time to connect with other students in the program, and taking a long walk on the beach.

Meet a special MSTPet: Fred!

Caretaker: Dr. Georgina Voegele (Human Body Lecturer)

When did you get your pet and Why?
-March 2025… because my youngest son asked repeatedly for a “wiener dog” and then did a research project about dachshunds at school.

Best part of having a pets?
-People stopping us on the street to ask about him is fun!

We love our MSTPets!

2025 Annual Retreat Rehash!

It was a great time at our annual retreat!!! We’re so happy everyone made it out to learn about the science everyone is doing, get advice from physician scientists further along (special thanks to Dr. Swartz and the panelists from the UChicago fellowship!), refresh our first aid skills, meet our new peers, play trivia, learn about everyone’s hobbies (congrats Yena!), and relax in nature!

It’s always great to get together! See you all next year!

Admin Spotlight!

Nija Givens is our Assistant Director for Admissions and Student Affairs!

Admin spotlight: Alison Anastasio!

We’re grateful for the time she spent helping us, and, similar to the bittersweet feeling of graduations, we wished her a bittersweet goodbye last week- knowing that she’s going to do spectacularly in her future position!

Meet MSTPets: Mo, Java, Cardamom, and some surprise guests!

Caretaker: Hannah Taylor (G2)

When did you get your pet?
-Mo: December, 2020
-Java: February, 2024
-Cardamom: March 2025

Best part of having a pets?
-Seeing all of them hang out together :-)

More cool facts:
-Cardamom was originally being fostered but then the other cats loved her so much that we couldn’t put her up for adoption (lol)
-Hyde Park Cats originally named Java, “Goblin”.
-Cardamom was found and fostered by 4 different MSTP homes before staying with Hannah.
-Java loves all of the other cats!

We love our MSTPets!

In partnership with the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, the Pritzker School of Medicine/BSD MSTP program will recruit and train the next generation of MD-PhD physician scientists who will train in both medicine and quantum biology through the new Berggren Center for Quantum Biology and Medicine at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering established by a generous $21M gift from philanthropist Thea Berggren. “By drawing on UChicago Medicine’s strengths in biomedical research and clinical care, the center will help ensure quantum breakthroughs move from bench to bedside,” said Mark Anderson, Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs and dean of the UChicago Biological Sciences Division and the Pritzker School of Medicine. “Also, through innovative training programs, including a quantum-focused pathway for current and future physician-scientists, the Center begins to build a workforce that can continually look for new ways of diagnosing and treating disease.”

This generous donation from Thea Berggren, along with establishing the center, will support MD/PhD trainees doing dissertation research in Quantum Medicine!