Research
Rochester’s MSTP exists to train the next generation of physician scientists to use clinical observations to fuel research, and to translate that research back into clinical tools. The keystone of this approach is completion of a rigorous Ph.D. program in the student’s field of interest. MSTP students have a wide variety of research opportunities available, with numerous programs in basic, biomedical, translational and public health sciences throughout state-of-the-art facilities in the School of Medicine & Dentistry, Strong Memorial Hospital, the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, the Arthur Kornberg Medical Research Building (KMRB), the Golisano Children's Hospital, the Saunders Research Building, and facilities that are part of the River Campus.
Tip: Due to the large number of departments, centers, and institutes, it is often easiest to search faculty through graduate program pages or by basic science department.
Participating Graduate Programs
| Program | Department(s) | Degree(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | Interdepartmental | Biochemistry |
| Biology | Biology (River Campus) | Biology |
| Biomedical Engineering | Biomedical Engineering (River Campus) | Biomedical Engineering |
| Biophysics, Structural, and Computational Biology | Interdepartmental | Biophysics |
| Brain and Cognitive Sciences | Brain and Cognitive Sciences (River Campus) | Brain and Cognitive Sciences |
| Cell Biology of Disease (Pathology) | Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Interdepartmental | Pathology |
| Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology | Pharmacology and Physiology | Pharmacology and Physiology |
| Chemistry | Chemistry (River Campus) | Chemistry |
| Epidemiology | Public Health Sciences, Division of Epidemiology | Epidemiology |
| Genetics, Development and Stem Cells | Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Genetics | Biochemistry Biology Biomedical Genetics |
| Health Services Research and Policy | Public Health Sciences, Division of Health Services Research and Policy | Health Services Research and Policy |
| Immunology, Microbiology and Virology | Microbiology and Immunology | Microbiology and Immunology |
| Optics | Optics | |
| Physics | Physics | |
| Neuroscience | Neuroscience, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Interdepartmental | Neurobiology and Anatomy Neuroscience |
| Statistics | Biostatistics and Computational Biology | Statistics |
| Toxicology | Environmental Medicine | Toxicology |
| Translational Biomedical Science | Interdepartmental | Translational Biomedical Science |
Catherine "Cathy" Pizzarello, Ph.D., MSTP Alumna (2025), IMV
How did you know your current lab is the right fit for you?
"My PI and I get along very well. She is understanding of my work/life balance needs since I have a family. Her research focus is in pediatrics, which fit my desire to go into pediatrics, but mostly I chose the lab for its environment. I never really feel unreasonably stressed out or pressured. I also feel heard, understood, and respected. My PI also provides me with plenty of opportunities to attend conferences and present my research."
What is the most interesting thing about your research project?
"[The most interesting thing about my research project is that I have] access to human samples (breast milk, infant stool, blood, etc.) that I can form research questions around (ex. immunophenotyping infants, examining effects of breast milk and infant microbiome on intestinal immunity, etc.)."
Any advice for aspiring physician-scientists?
"Hang in there haha!"