Medical Research Track

The Medical Research Track is an established residency program within the Weill Department of Medicine that aims to recruit and train the next generation of leading physician-scientists. The curriculum provides rigorous training in clinical medicine and allows trainees to reach subspecialty training by their third year (PGY3). Individuals who match into this program are also matched into the fellowship program of interest within our department. As a "fast track" or research pathway resident, the full training commitment includes an additional two years to be added at the end of subspecialty clinical training, for the sole purpose of research and establishing an academic career. Most candidates in this program have a significant background in research (typically M.D./Ph.D. or similarly intensive training) and identified a specific scientific niche.

With a renewed commitment to biomedical research, Weill Cornell Medicine continues on an unprecedented commitment to deliver groundbreaking, interdisciplinary discoveries and future leaders in biomedical research. New scientific initiatives, housed in the 480,000 square foot Belfer Research Building (a centerpiece of this expansion), include interdisciplinary programs in the areas of cancer, cardiovascular disease, global health, metabolic health, inflammatory bowel disease, and an innovative set of partnerships between Weill Cornell Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Rockefeller University, and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, termed the Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, Inc. (Tri-I TDI) and Bridge Medicines, that aim to expedite early-stage drug discovery into treatments and therapies for patients. Importantly, these initiatives have also been accompanied by parallel investments in trainee mentorship across all stages of their professional career paths, including a specific emphasis on physician-scientists.

The Department of Medicine holds physician-scientists among its most unique and valued assets. Accordingly, it offers the MRT program as a formal 24-month curriculum that can accelerate clinical training in internal medicine and additional subspecialty training (if desired) to facilitate the ultimate initiation of an independent research-based career. Candidates with substantive training in, and a clearly defined commitment to, research are encouraged to apply. (Please note: the Supplemental Application is required for consideration into this program.)

Highlights of the Medical Research Track

  • Dedicated advisers to facilitate exploration of research training opportunities within Weill Cornell Medical College, Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and the Hospital for Special Surgery
  • Personalized career development sessions during outpatient practice time
  • Medical Research Elective time for meeting faculty and learning about various laboratories' areas of focus
  • Quarterly physician-scientist grand rounds, peer-group meetings among fellow physician-scientist trainees, and faculty career development activities
Medical Research Track

As prescribed by the research pathway of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), this track provides extensive, coordinated training in clinical sciences and basic biomedical research. The first two years are identical to the categorical residency program with the addition of career development workshops and personalized academic mentorship. In addition, candidates within the Medical Research Track are afforded elective time to explore the scientific offerings of the Tri-Institutional Community and future potential laboratory opportunities. By the PGY3 year of training, Medical Research residents are fully immersed in their clinical subspecialty field of choice, after which they commit to spend 80 percent of their time in full-time research training, and 20 percent of their time in clinical work.

Matched applicants are assured a fellowship position in their chosen subspecialty, or may choose to pursue fellowship elsewhere.

Internal Medicine Research Pathway

TrainingDuration
Internal Medicine (direct patient responsibility - 20 months)24 months
Research (80%)36 months
Ambulatory Clinics During Research (10%)1/2 day per week
Additional Clinical Training During Research (10%)May be intermittent or block time
TotalFive Years
Internal Medicine ExaminationSummer, R-5

Subspecialty Research Pathway

TrainingDuration
Internal Medicine (direct patient responsibility - 20 months)24 months
Subspecialty Clinical12-24 months*
Research (80%)36 months
Ambulatory Clinic During Research1/2 day per week
Total6-7 years*
Internal Medicine ExaminationSummer, R-4
SubspecialtyFall, R-6 or 7*

* based on the subspecialty
Taken from ABIM Policies and Procedures February 2011

Program Director

Kyu Y. Rhee, M.D., Ph.D.

Program Director, Medical Research Track
Professor of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College
Attending Physician, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center
Advisory Committee for the Medical Research Track

Advisory Committee for the Medical Research Track

Weill Cornell Medical Research Residency
Omar Abdel-Wahab, M.D.

Oncology, MSKCC

Laura Alonso, M.D.

Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism

David Artis, Ph.D.

Jill Roberts Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease; Gastroenterology & Hepatology

Louis Bridges, M.D., Ph.D.

Rheumatology, HSS

Mary E. Charlson, M.D.

Clinical Epidemiology & Evaluative Sciences

Augustine M.K. Choi, M.D.

Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine

Barry S. Coller, M.D.

Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Rockefeller

Ronald G. Crystal, M.D.

Genetic Medicine

Olivier Elemento, Ph.D.

Precision Medicine

Dan Fitzgerald, M.D.

Center for Global Health

Roy M. Gulick, M.D., M.P.H.

Infectious Diseases

Manuel Hidalgo, M.D., Ph.D.

Hematology & Medical Oncology

Julianne L. Imperato-McGinley, M.D.

Clinical and Translational Science Center; Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism

Gopakumar Iyer, M.D.

Oncology, MSKCC

Philip Kantoff, M.D.

Medical Oncology, MSKCC

Bruce B. Lerman, M.D.

Cardiology

Steven Lipkin, M.D., Ph.D.

Precision Medicine

Randy Longman, M.D., Ph.D.

Gastroenterology & Hepatology; Roberts Institute

Vicky Makker, M.D.

Oncology, MSKCC

Fernando Martinez, M.D.

Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine

Ari M. Melnick, M.D.

Hematology & Medical Oncology

Carl F. Nathan, M.D.

Microbiology & Immunology

Virginia Pascual, M.D.

Gale and Ira Drukier Institute for Children’s Health (Rheumatology)

Geoffrey Pitt, M.D., Ph.D.

Cardiovascular Research Institute

Shahin A. Rafii, M.D.

Regenerative Medicine

Joseph M. Scandura, M.D., Ph.D.

Hematology & Medical Oncology

Manikkam Suthanthiran, M.D.

Nephrology & Hypertension

Jedd D. Wolchok, M.D., Ph.D.

Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center; Hematology & Medical Oncology

Contact Information

Mailing Address

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/
Weill Cornell Medical Center
Weill Department of Medicine 
525 East 68th Street, Box 130
New York, NY 10065

Residency Office

530 East 70th Street, M-507
New York, NY 10021
Tel: (212) 746-4749
NYPCornell-IMResidency
@med.cornell.edu

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