Internal Medicine Physician Scientist Training Program
The U-M Medical School Department of Internal Medicine is highly committed to the development of academic physicians and physician scientists. As an integral component of this commitment, the Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP) was created in 2005 with the goal of developing the next generation of University of Michigan academic researchers.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR
Thank you for your interest in the University of Michigan Department of Internal Medicine Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP). We provide our scholars with individualized and comprehensive support and mentorship through every step of their development. Each trainee is able to select from a wide variety of research opportunities under the guidance of highly accomplished scientists. In addition, we provide the support necessary for the successful transition of each trainee into an independent research career. In this regard, we make certain that there are resources for research training during fellowship, and we also provide incentives that include a minimum of $75,000 of start-up funds and $60,000 in faculty salary bonuses.
Our leadership team includes Dr. Joanna Spencer-Segal, MD, PhD (Program Director), Dr. Thomas Sisson, MD (Assistant Program Director), and Stephanie Pennington (Administrative Assistant). Dr. Spencer-Segal came to the University of Michigan in 2011 to join our PSTP after graduating from the Tri-Institutional MD-PhD program in New York City. She is associate professor in the Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes and the Michigan Neuroscience Institute. Her laboratory focuses on glucocorticoid control of brain function and behavior in multiple contexts including in critical illness survivors. She is also the medical director of the U-M Multidisciplinary Pituitary Program.
Dr. Thomas Sisson is a graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School, Internal Medicine Residency, and the Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship. He was the director of the PSTP for eight years before transitioning to his current role as assistant director. He is also the director of the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Program. His laboratory studies the molecular mechanisms of lung fibrosis.
Our physician-scientist program was launched in 2004 Since then, most of our program graduates have successfully competed for federal funding including NIH K08, R01, and R21 grants and VA career development awards. In line with the goals of our program as a physician-scientist pipeline for our institution, most of our federally funded graduates remain at the U-M and comprise a rich community that provides peer mentoring to the next cohort of trainees.
Ultimately, we are very excited about the success of our program, and we look forward to recruiting the next group of trainees to join our family.
Go Blue!
Joanna Spencer-Segal, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Director, Physician Scientist Training Program
Thomas Sisson, MD
Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Assistant Director, Physician Scientist Training Program
Contact Us
Training and Environment
Clinical & Research Training
The Department of Internal Medicine is committed to the policies and procedures of the American Board of Internal Medicine’s Research Pathway, assuring that individuals will be eligible for board certification in Internal Medicine and in their subspecialty of choice.
For the PGY-1 and PGY-2 years, individuals participate fully in the categorical internal medicine program. Because of the shortened residency training period, rotation scheduling will be individualized to assure appropriate experiences before entering the fellowship program.
The duration of the program will be six-seven years, depending on the individual’s choice of subspecialty training program. Individuals are eligible for Internal Medicine Board Certification in August of the PGY- 5 year, and for Subspecialty Board Certification in November of the PGY-6 or PGY-7 year.
During the final year of the program, faculty appointment as a clinical instructor is anticipated, based on satisfactory clinical and research progress.
Individuals enrolled in the program participate in career development activities during their training, including monthly program meetings, yearly progress meetings with program leadership, and interaction with MSTP students. The internal medicine PSTP is part of a larger institution-wide community of physician-scientists that is directed by the Office of Physician Scientists under the leadership of Kathleen Collins, MD, PhD. This office arranges quarterly workshops under the guidance of Alison Affinati, MD, PhD, a program graduate, devoted to physician scientist career development and covers topics such as negotiations, time management, and funding sources).
Research Environment
The Department of Internal Medicine provides a vibrant, interactive environment for basic, clinical, and translational research. This environment allows our trainees to easily identify mentors and establish collaborations across departments. Several centers and institutes provide an innovative approach to interdisciplinary research. Examples include the Institute for Health Policy and Innovation, the Weil Institute of Critical Care Medicine, the Frankel Institute for Heart and Brain Health, the Center for Chronic Pain and Fatigue, and the Michigan Neuroscience Institute.
Application and Match
Applying to the Program
Thank you for your interest in the University of Michigan Physician Scientist Track Program. For the 2025-2026 recruitment season, interviews will take place from Friday, November 21, 2025 – Wednesday, January 7, 2026. Interview offers will be sent on Tuesdays and Fridays at approximately 3:00 PM EST.
Applications will be reviewed based first on gold signals and then by silver signals. We will review additional applications if we have additional interview spots available. If you are couples matching, you both need to signal the program in order to be reviewed early in the process. Our first interview offers will be sent on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. Additional information regarding start time, end times and second look opportunity will be made available if you are invited to interview.
Application to the Program
Candidates for the Physician Scientist Training Program are those who are completing their medical school experiences with an MD and an additional advanced degree (such as PhD, MPH, MS). Applicants with significant research experience, but who have not received an advanced degree, should contact Stephanie Pennington.
Interested applicants must apply to the University of Michigan Internal Medicine Residency Program through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), using the program number for the Categorical Internal Medicine Residency Program in addition to the Physician Scientist Track. Applicants are encouraged to submit application materials and letters of reference early in the application process. The Residency Program cannot provide potential applicants with information regarding their competitiveness for the program prior to review via ERAS.
After the ERAS application has been reviewed, the Residency Program will contact qualified individuals. Selected applicants will be contacted to schedule interviews, along with a request for supplemental information.
Dedicated interview dates have been reserved for physician scientist applicants. The extended interview process enables the applicants to closely interact with program leaders, subspecialty fellowship directors and division chiefs, current physician scientist trainees and medicine residents. Additionally, the interviews will include the opportunity to interact with several potential research mentors.
After the interview process, the Residency Program will maintain communication with each applicant to provide additional information and to answer questions.
The Match
The Internal Medicine Residency Program strongly supports the match and offers positions to physician scientist applicants only through the match. Applicants should apply using the NRMP match number provided after you have interviewed with the program. Please note that there is a separate match number for the categorical program, and you should apply to both categorical and physician scientist track match numbers if you want to be considered for both.
Acceptance into the residency program assures physician scientist applicants of a position in the selected fellowship program(s) for the PGY-3 year.
Our Residents & Fellows
Maria Adelus, MD, PhD
Cardiovascular Medicine
Paul Morse, MD, PhD
Hematology & Oncology
Mark Taylor, MD, PhD
Joseph Aicher, MD PhD
Hematology & Oncology
Matthew Trendowski, MD, PhD
Hematology & Oncology
Hannah Abraham, MD, PhD
Hematology & Oncology
Russell Bonneville, MD, PhD
Hematology & Oncology
Jay Li, MD, PhD
GI & Hepatology
Ian Waters, MD, PhD
Hematology & Oncology
Program Leadership
Thomas H SIsson, MD
Clerkship Director and Associate Director
Physician Scientist Training Program and Fellows
Internal Medicine
Medical School
Joanna Spencer-Segal, MD, PhD
Program Director, Internal Medicine
Research Associate Professor, Michigan Neuroscience Institute
Medical School
