The Department of Pediatrics at the University of Michigan is strongly committed to the development of the next generation of academic pediatric physician scientists. The University of Michigan Pediatric Physician Scientist Training Program (PPSTP) is offered as a mechanism to encourage and develop Pediatric Residents who are committed to a research career. Applicants with advanced degrees such as M.P.H. or PhD are encouraged to apply, but an advanced degree is not required for participation in the PPSTP.
The PPSTP allows dedicated research time during residency for participation in research projects mentored by faculty at the University of Michigan. The Department supports science broadly and has established this program to support the career development of residents interested in health services, clinical, translational, and basic science research. The PPSTP is endorsed and supported by the Chair, all Division Directors, and all Fellowship Directors in the Department.
Integrated Research Pathway (IRP) - 3y Residency with 2 clinical years and 1 research year (10 blocks). Research months would replace clinical electives. IRP participants must receive American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) approval prior to 9 months into HO1 year. There is no formal integration with a fellowship program in this track.
Accelerated Research Pathway (ARP) - 2y Residency and 4y Fellowship with extra research year during fellowship. ABP approval must be obtained prior to 9 months into HO1 year. This is closely coordinated with Division and Fellowship Directors and the match is still required for fellowship.
Medical Genetics Residency Program participants
PPSTP fellows are assigned a faculty mentor aligned with their research and/or clinical aspirations in the HO1 year. The PPSTP faculty mentor may not necessarily be the research project mentor but will help with career guidance. Mentors from faculty outside the Department are welcome.
PPSTP fellow specific conferences on career development
Grant opportunities for research supplies and support.
Access to core facilities and equipment in the Department of Pediatrics
Financial support for research supplies/costs up to $15,000 based on each individual's needs and goals.
Assistance in the Transition to Fellowship/Faculty Programs
Postdoctoral Research Training Program
K12 Program (CHRC)
Pediatric Endocrinology T32 on Developmental Origins of Disease
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology T3
Eligible candidates for the PPSTP are those who have completed medical school and are committed to a career that incorporates significant time dedicated to research. Applicants should have significant prior research experience that may include an additional advanced degree (such as Ph.D., M.P.H., M.S.);an advanced degree beyond an M.D. is not required. Applicants should apply to the Categorical Pediatric Residency Program or Medical Genetics/ Pediatrics Residency Program at the University of Michigan and will be asked to submit a supplementary PPSTP application when invited to interview
• Applications to these Residency Programs should be submitted through ERAS.
• After ERAS applications have been reviewed, the Residency Program will contact qualified individuals to schedule interviews and a brief supplemental application for the PPSTP will be requested for those interested in the program.
• Supplemental PPSTP interviews will be scheduled during the Residency Program Interviews based on the applicant’s research and fellowship interest on one of the four pre-scheduled PPSTP dates.
• Applicants will either rank the Medical Genetics/ Pediatrics Residency (if applicable) or rank the PPSTP track for the Categorical Pediatrics Residency. Applicants also have the option to rank the regular track for the Categorical Residency if desired.
• Applicants to the PPSTP will rank the PPSTP track through the NRMP.
Questions about the PPSTP or inquiries about eligibility should be sent by email to David Olson, MD, PhD or Carey Lumeng M.D. Ph.D., PPSTP Co-Directors or to Heather Burrows M.D. Ph.D., Residency Program Director.
Resident and Fellow Research Grant Program - Residents and fellows may apply for the Pediatric Department’s Intramural Resident and Fellow Research Grant Program funding, which provides research grant awards twice per year following scientific merit review.
Biostatistics and Data Management Unit - The Pediatric Department provides access to PhD and Masters-level biostatisticians and data managers with expertise in quantitative and qualitative research methods. The group can work with you to clean, organize, simplify, and code existing study data and create analysis ready datasets. The goal of the program is to strengthen pediatric research and patient care by providing guidance and expertise in biostatistics, statistical programming, and clinical data management.
Children’s Clinical Trials Support Unit - The Children's Clinical Trials Support Unit (C-CTSU) specializes in clinical trials involving the pediatric population. Building on the existing success of investigator-initiated and NIH trials, the Children’s CTSU aims to continue growing the number of pediatric industry-sponsored trials, all while remaining focused on providing the safest clinical research environment for the children enrolled as participants.
MICHR – The Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR), is one of 60 Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) nationally funded by the National Institutes of Health to support clinical research. MICHR hosts the Mentored Clinical Scientists Career Development (MICHR K) award. This is a two-year award for junior faculty to provide protected time for a clinician scientist to focus on conducting clinical research. Awardees receive 75% protected time, $25,000 for research costs and $5000 for tuition expenses annually. The Institute offers frequent educational opportunities to learn about the conduct of clinical and translational research. MICHR provides a robust and diversified Education and Mentoring Program that offers more than 100 workshops each year for faculty, staff, fellows, and students. MICHR also offers a variety of research management support services, including consultation, project management, regulatory support, biostatistical analysis, data management, biomedical informatics, and more.
Biomedical Research Core Facilities (BCRF) – Numerous core facilities offer access to cutting edge technology and assistance with research project that normally require specialized approaches. Cores include those to assist with microarray experiments, bioinformatics, flow cytometry, microscopy, DNA sequencing and high throughput genetic technology, proteomics, metabolomics, and transgenic animal development. These cores are very successful in assisting trainees in study design and analysis.
Training Grants - Training grants support research training for fellows and are an excellent avenue for exposure to a range of researchers and to provide a more structured training experience. The medical school administers ~30 NIH institutional training grants and the Pediatric Department hosts two T32 training grants. Overall, 72 percent of fellows trained over the past ten years hold academic appointments. In addition, the Pediatric Department hosts one of 12 K12 Child Health Research Career Development Award programs in the nation, which is now in its 29th year and supports junior faculty pursuing research careers.
CHEAR - The Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Unit of the University of Michigan is a multidisciplinary health services research unit, based in the Division of General Pediatrics that brings together faculty from multiple pediatric subspecialty disciplines, other departments from the school of medicine and multiple schools and institutes across the University of Michigan. CHEAR focuses specifically on the evaluation of child health care and child health programs or policies in relation to other areas of social concern of child welfare policy. The CHEAR Unit conducts projects which involve both primary data collection and secondary data analysis, and utilizes both quantitative and qualitative research methods where appropriate. A full time research staff includes data programmer/analysts, master's-level research associates, research assistants and support personnel.
School of Public Health - The School of Public Health offers many statistical analysis courses, ranging from introductory level to in-depth courses covering a variety of aspects of experimental design and analysis. The UM Institute of Survey Research (ISR) offers annual summer institutes with research training on survey methods with national and international expert lecturers. In addition, the Center for Statistical Consultation and Research (CSCR), located at the UM Rackham Graduate School, offers many workshops, and the staff and graduate students of the Center are available for consultation.