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Introduction to the Neurology PSTP Program

The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology at Northwestern University offers an integrated Physician-Scientist Training Program (PSTP) for graduates of MD/PhD programs and for recently graduated MDs who have had extensive experience in the conduct of research. The intent of this program is to facilitate the transition from neurology residency training to a productive career in biomedical research.

Program Details

Program Structure

Clinical Training

The program offers a training path for neurology residents interested in pursuing a research career, following the ACGME guidelines for creating flexible training paths for neurologists
euroscientists. Trainees are expected to complete an ACGME-accredited year of training in preliminary medicine. Neurology training includes a minimum of 18 months of clinical adult neurology rotations as required by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, including at least six months' experience in outpatient adult neurology. Clinical rotations will encompass both inpatient and outpatient rotations at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and affiliated clinics.

Research Training

Research training will start during the PGY-3 year. The trainees will be given the opportunity to spend their elective months doing either basic or clinical research. Trainees will be encouraged to work on research proposals for the junior investigator (K-award) to be submitted by the end of the residency.

UE5 NINDS Research Education Program

The department is a recipient of the UE5 NINDS grant for research education programs for residents, which allows interested and qualified trainees to start research training during the last year of residency. The selected trainee gets six to nine months' protected research time during the last two years of residency training. The trainee will be mentored by an experienced faculty member and prepared to submit a K junior investigator grant. The research track can be either clinical or bench work. The grant also provides funding for post-residency research fellowship training.

Guidance & Support

Research training will be completed under the mentorship of any faculty member at Northwestern University. Applicants will be encouraged to interview potential research mentors before or early during their clinical fellowship training. Final selection of a research mentor will be made with the assistance of the program mentor. During research training, a mentoring committee consisting of the program mentor, research mentor, and at least one other faculty member knowledgeable in the chosen area of research will be formed to assess the trainee and ensure progress toward independence.

Application Process

Interested applicants should apply to the Advanced Neurology Training Program of the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University through ERAS. In addition to their application through ERAS, applicants may submit a supplemental application. This supplemental application is required for participation in the track but is optional prior to the interview. However, completing the application prior to interviewing allows for a better-tailored experience by providing meetings with faculty of interest. After matching into the program, any incoming resident may also apply at that time.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does acceptance into the PSTP track require a PhD?
  No
• Are there monetary benefits to participation in the program?
  Yes. During each of your years within the Advanced Neurology training program, additional financial support will be provided for travel to national meetings, journals, research materials, etc.
• Do I need to apply to be considered?
  Yes, though the application is also accepted after match.
• Is there protected time for research?
  Yes, there is dedicated time during your training for research, regardless of UE5 award receipt. If you are awarded the UE5 grant, we typically reserve the last 6 months of your PGY-4 year for research (which would lead into your protected research year funded by the grant).
• What are the institution-wide resources for trainees in the PSTP?
  Northwestern University Center for Translational Science (NUCATS) provides investigators with valuable resources and consultation services, including clinical research support, consultations to aid interdisciplinary research, access to the enterprise data warehouse and research electronic data system, and assistance with research study design.