Department of Communication & Public Affairs

News Release
Date: August 15, 2006
Contact: Patricia M. Hansen, Director of Communication/Public Affairs
732-235-6307, hansenmp@umdnj.edu

UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Hosts MD/PhD Symposium

For Immediate Release

New Brunswick--UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) held its second annual MD/PhD program symposium July 17 at the Child Health Institute of New Jersey (CHINJ). Peter Amenta, MD, PhD, interim dean of RWJMS opened the symposium along with Terri Goss Kinzy, PhD, MD/PhD program director for the medical school, and Francesco Ramirez, PhD, director of CHINJ. Ronald A. Morton, MD, chief of the Division of Urology at RWJMS, and director of the Center for Clinical and Translational Research gave the keynote address on Key Lessons on a Career as a Physician Scientist.

"The MD/PhD program is developing the next generation of medical and scientific leadership," explains Dr. Amenta. "I am very proud of our students and their faculty mentors."

The symposium provided the MD/PhD candidates the opportunity to present their research findings to their peers, faculty advisors, administrators and invited guests. Overall 12 research projects were presented and topics ranged from adult stem cell research in neuroscience, to biomaterials research. This year members of the UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine DO/PhD program, also participated.

"This program is a vibrant intellectual platform that brings together basic science and clinical care to create a new cadre of physicians," states Dr. Ramirez.

The MD/PhD dual degree program is jointly sponsored by UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and partner institutions Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and Princeton University. Course study may be undertaken at any one of the cooperating institutions.

Graduates of this program are uniquely positioned to become leaders in biomedical research and academic medicine. For more information on the MD/PhD program, please call 732-235-5016 or visit the MD/PhD Program website.

Photo caption: MD/PhD student Emmanuel Gabriel, presents his research project entitled New Tumor Vaccines at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School's MD/PhD program symposium. The program is jointly sponsored with Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and Princeton University. Editor's note-Emmanuel Gabriel is from Hillsborough, NJ. High resolution photo is available.

Photo caption: MD/PhD student Denise Livingston, presents her research project entitled Estrogen Effects on the Brain, at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School's MD/PhD program symposium. The program is jointly sponsored with Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and Princeton University. Editor's note-Denise Livingston grew up in Colts Neck, NJ and now lives in Highland Park, NJ. High resolution photo is available.