About OPSD

Dean Mary E. Klotman established the Office of Physician Scientist Development (OPSD), to oversee the BWF-funded Duke Integrated MD-Scientist Development Program and to more broadly streamline coordination and oversight of physician scientist development within the School of Medicine.

The early successes and broad reach of OPSD initiatives demonstrate the value of centralizing programs and leveraging resources to break down barriers to successful physician scientist careers. We know that physician scientists bring unique and critically important perspectives to their science. The decline in the pool of physicians pursuing research puts future advances in biomedical research at risk. By investing in an integrated comprehensive program for mentoring, scientific training and support, we expect to both increase the number of trainees who enter the physician scientist pipeline and reduce the loss of trainees from this path at critical career stages. Learn more about our services and programs.

OPSD Faculty and Staff

Rasheed Gbadegesin, MD, MBBS
Associate Dean for Physician-Scientist Development

David G. Kirsch, MD, PhD
Associate Faculty Director

Allison McElvaine, PhD
Director

Michelle Cooley
Senior Program Coordinator

Cyndi Duke
Operations Coordinator

Letter from the Leadership

Dear Colleagues,

Duke University School of Medicine is committed to fostering a community of successful physician-scientist scholars and mentors.

Since 2018, the Duke Office of Physician-Scientist Development (OPSD) has served as a central resource to leverage and extend access to research and career support programs across the institution.

Today, all 16 clinical departments within the Duke School of Medicine have joined us in our mission. We are excited to be national leaders in physician-scientist development.

Consider all that Duke has to offer - and join our physician-scientist community!

Rasheed A. Gbadegesin, MBBS, MD

Associate Dean, Physician-Scientist Development

Contact Us

Address

Medical Sciences Research Building 1, Suite 301

203 Research Drive

Durham, North Carolina 27710

Email: opsd@dm.duke.edu

Phone: 919-660-3182

URL: medschool.duke.edu/opsd

Twitter: @DukeOPSD

Education and Professional Development Programs

We recruit and prepare talented individuals, from medical students through junior faculty, to develop successful careers as physician-scientists.

Basic Science Research Track for Master of Health Sciences Degree
Research Careers Ahead! Professional Development Series
Basic Science Student Interest Group
Student and Post-Baccalaureate Research Programs

Integrated Research and Clinical Training

We develop and implement robust physician-scientist training programs across the institution.

Research in Residency training pathways, including 4 NIH R38 programs accessible to 50% of Duke clinical departments
Integrated research training programs during medical school, residency, and fellowship
Merit-based technician support awards to enable continuity of research during clinical training

Scholarships and Research Funding

We offer a range of funding opportunities to support medical students, trainees, and junior faculty conducting research.

Burroughs Wellcome Fund Medical Student Scholarships for Research Years
Poindexter Medical Student Scholarships for Research Years
Burroughs Wellcome Fund Scholarships for the Master of Health Sciences Degree, Basic Science Research Track
OPSD Technician Support Awards
Physician-Scientist Junior Faculty Strong Start Awards

Concierge Mentorship

We match early-career investigators to seasoned mentors for tailored career guidance.

Research and career resources
Funding opportunities
Scholarship oversight committees
Grant scientific concept reviews
Awards and honors

Community

We build community among physician-scientists and trainees at all levels.

Networking and social events
Annual physician-scientist symposium

What We Do

"How do we create physician-scientists that go on to be both great clinical and researchers? Fostering this 'rare' breed begins in medical school. The Duke Office of Physician-Scientist Development is doing everything right to support students"

Brooke Evans, Medical Student

"The OPSD program provides a platform for structuring feasible goals, accessing vast research resources and fostering multi-disciplinary engagement early in a physician-scientist's career."

Ibukun C. Akinboyo, MD

Assistant Professor, Pediatrics