The UCLA Medical Scientist Training Program

Educational Programs

Departmental Seminars
A wide variety of programs are available to supplement the MSTP trainee’s formal education. Students are encouraged to attend research seminars sponsored by basic science and clinical departments to enhance their understanding of current research activities of visiting scientists and faculty. Many graduate departments offer laboratory workshops, journal clubs and symposia that are open to students.

Orientation
New MSTP students, with their faculty and student advisors, participate in a one-day orientation program in late June or early July. This program gives trainees an opportunity to meet with colleagues, administrators and faculty prior to the medical school Foundations Program in August. The program includes welcoming remarks by the deans and directors with whom the students will interact throughout their career in the MSTP. The Student Affairs Office provides information regarding the general orientation and upcoming programs. The MSTP administration and current students orient the new trainees on issues such as how to choose a lab rotation, graduate training, stipends, travel funds, etc. The program concludes with a lunch to honor the new trainees. The New Trainee Orientation supplements the week-long orientation required of incoming medical students held in early August.

MSTP Tutorial Series
The series is a student-run activity to which faculty are invited to discuss their research or topics of interest to biologists and physicians. Speakers present a review of a central topic in their field allowing students an opportunity to learn beyond their own field of interest. Occasionally, student panels will discuss a topic of practical importance to the group, such as preparing for oral exams, preparing for residency applications, etc. The intent of these sessions is to foster scientific discussion and social interaction among the MSTP group. These informal seminars are held throughout the academic year and dinner is served. The MSTP Tutorial Series is mandatory for all first- and second-year MSTP trainees. 

MSTP Research Conference
 The Annual Research Conference is held in the fall on the UCLA campus. A major function of the conference is to assess the progress of a student's research training, particularly those in the PhD phase of the program. MSTP students in the graduate phase are chosen to deliver oral presentations or posters of their current work. This scientific meeting provides an opportunity for new and advanced students and program faculty to interact and share ideas regarding the progress of their research. Faculty from all departments and disciplines in basic science and clinical medicine are invited to attend. Attendance at the conference is mandatory for all students in the program.

Annual MSTP Distinguished Lecture
The Annual Medical Scientist Training Program Distinguished Lecture series is a program organized by the MSTP students. A committee of students selects an eminent scientist whose research program is of great interest to them and to the UCLA community. The student hosts invite the individual and organize the schedule of visits with faculty and students as well as a dinner reception in honor of the speaker. For a list of past speakers, please click Distinguished Lectures.

Clinical Longitudinal Elective
This program is designed to prepare MSTP trainees in the final year or two of their thesis work to re-enter clinical medicine. The program matches MSTP trainees with STAR mentors who can provide them with a longitudinal outpatient experience that will re-acclimate them to medicine. The goal of the program is not so much the acquisition of medical knowledge, but rather familiarization with patient contact, clinical thinking, physical examination skills, outpatient medicine and continuity care. A mandatory two-week clinical refresher is offered to trainees getting ready to return to the clinical curriculum after the completion of the Ph.D. dissertation.

Scientific Interactions at Caltech

There are multiple seminar programs devoted to a variety of topics in the biological sciences: Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology; General Biology; Neurobiology; Biochemistry; Computational Molecular Biology; Immunology; Computational Neural Systems. In addition, there is a student-hosted seminar series that has attracted many prominent speakers to Caltech. The flexible and lively intellectual atmosphere at Caltech also nurtures a dynamic program of informal seminars, journals clubs and joint group meetings where students and postdoctoral fellows have an opportunity to hear about recent scientific development and to hone their public speaking skills.