PhD Students Secure Coveted Fellowships

Megan Skains and Brent Kisby, PhD students, secured American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellowships. Skains earned the fellowship for research on human voltage-gated channel Kv1.1, a protein that holds vital implications in sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. Kisby received his fellowship for research on brain vascular endothelial cells related to chronic alcohol consumption.

Neal hinkle

Megan Skains and Brent Kisby’s fellowships will support further training and research.

Best of Both Worlds

Rising MD/PhD interest

Data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) shows more intrigue in becoming a physician scientist. Because of that, there is increased interest from faculty within TTUHSC to eye more students for those dual roles.

A 2019 AAMC survey shows since the 1970s, the number of graduates from physician scientist programs has increased nationally from about 200 to nearly 5,000. Michael Blanton, PhD, program director for the TTUHSC MD/PhD program, said that can be attributed to medical students who want a career that includes research.

“These are Type A personalities, typically,” Blanton said. “We try to let them know that it’s essentially an eight-year program. You may be able to finish in seven, but you’re really talking about a four-year PhD and a four-year medical degree.”

student selection

Those accepted into the program start summer sessions through the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, where they rotate through research labs to choose a research mentor. Then, the curriculum is through the School of Medicine during the fall and spring semesters.

Nationally, students graduating from programs like TTUHSC’s are interested in joining academic institutions to continue their research, which is also happening within the university.

Many students find equal interest in getting clinical experience by seeing patients and want to continue their research. But it is a highly selective program — “under the microscope,” as Blanton puts it. Applicants are required to meet both the School of Medicine’s and GSBS’ admissions requirements.

who gets in?

Within the last decade, Blanton and his team have also worked to admit more students into the program. Currently, less than 2% of TTUHSC medical students are admitted. That is about 20 students enrolled most years. The goal is to increase that to 28, adding three to four students per year.

“Over the years, students have realized, you know, there’s zero unemployment, right?” Blanton said. “It is always fun to say that, but I think, again, it’s the dual interest. It allows them to shape a career.”

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