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Overview

Program Overview

The MD/PhD program at SUNY Upstate Medical University is designed for college graduates who seek the medical training and advanced research skills required for careers in academic medicine and medical research.

Our highly integrated program fully prepares students to become expert physician scientists. Courses and seminars specific to MD/PhD students provides information on cutting edge research, training in grant writing and presentation skills, and a formalized structure for the integration of the medical and research components of MD/PhD training.

Students in the program receive a full tuition waiver and an annual stipend of $32,000. Our students generally find it very easy to live on their stipends, because the cost of living in Syracuse is very low compared to other cities. 

We're SUNY

SUNY Upstate Medical University is part of the State University of New York, the largest university system in the United States, with 427,000 students on 64 campuses. SUNY is one of the Top 25 US Institutions for patents issued each year. Our scientists are committed to discovering fundamental, new knowledge (basic science) as well as devising new treatments for illness and disease (clinical science). Our research impacts the treatment of dozens of conditions, including HIV/AIDS, cancer, cardiovascular disease, cerebral palsy, diabetes, fetal alcohol syndrome, hepatitis C, leukemia, lupus, macular degeneration, meningitis, multiple sclerosis, post-polio syndrome and tuberculosis.

Big University, Individual Attention

More than 10,000 people - professors, doctors, nurses, scientists, allied professionals - work at SUNY Upstate Medical University, making it the largest employer in the region. We offer dozens of medical services and clinical trials unique to Central New York, drawing patients from throughout the state, northern Pennsylvania, Vermont, and parts of Canada.

Our faculty encourage and support each student's academic success, and provide an intellectually challenging environment. The success of our academic programs is evident in our student's licensures, residencies and post-doctoral positions.

Still, each student receives individual attention from the Director and Program Coordinator of the MD/PhD Program and other faculty members. SUNY Upstate works diligently to ensure each student receives assistance--whether academic advising, help with scheduling, selecting a laboratory, or learning strategies. Visiting applicants frequently cite the friendliness of students and staff as one of our most appealing features.

Granting institutions include the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Science Foundation, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Autism Speaks and numerous private corporations.

Message from Andrea Cifonelli, MD/PhD Program Coordinator

My office oversees and maintains the MD/Phd Program, in collaboration with both the College of Graduate Studies and the College of Medicine. Tracking student progress while meeting individual needs in both the graduate and medical school is essential throughout the program's dynamic years. I am committed to maintaing our strong MD/PhD community. Our weekly MDPhD Grand Rounds with "family meals" fosters connection and builds lasting relationships among all training levels. Other oppportunties to gather are integrated regularly into various physician-scienctist training opportunties such as clinical workshops, alumuni panels, career development seminars and conferences. As the MD/PhD program coordinator, I am a reliant and physical presence for all our MD/PhD candidates from start to finish. Feel free to reach out to learn more about our program. E-mail me at cifonela@upstate.edu.

 

 

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