Office of Physician Scientist Development
Duke’s Office of Physician-Scientist Development (OPSD) was established in 2018 to develop and sustain a vibrant community of physician-scientist researchers at Duke. Trainees in the Hematology/Oncology Trainees are encouraged to participate in the following programs:
- Research Careers Ahead! seminars. This monthly professional development series given by leading researchers at Duke aims to inspire students, trainees and junior faculty to embrace a research career. Seminars provide information and skills required to develop a career in academic medicine.
- Concierge Mentoring Program. The OPSD Scholars program provides individual support for trainees and junior faculty who seek career guidance in addition to their clinical and research mentorship. Each OPSD Scholar is paired with a “Master Mentor”, an experienced faculty investigator with substantial experience in research and mentorship. The Master Mentor works one-on-one with each scholar to help devise short-, medium-, and long-term goals and to identify resources both within and external to Duke to help meet those goals. Each mentor/mentee pair is also assigned an OPSD coordinator who organizes meetings, documents mentoring discussions and progress towards goals, and serves as a program liaison and resource for the Scholars during their participation in the program.
- The Master of Health Sciences Basic Science Research Track (BSRT): Launching in August 2020, the BSRT offers a Master’s level curriculum for trainees interested in pursuing laboratory-based research and provides instruction in skills required to perform rigorous basic science, including: statistic methods for basic science, project and personnel management, scientific communication skills and research funding. Courses use a flipped-classroom design with classroom time dedicated to application of material to specific research problems. Videos will be available online to provide trainees with information and instruction when and as needed.
- OPSD funding opportunities: The OPSD provides direct research funding support for medical students, and research technician support for fellows and junior faculty.
- Annual Physician-Scientist Symposium: The OPSD hosts an annual half-day symposium that highlights the work of physician-scientist trainees, from medical student through junior faculty.
Lefkowitz Society
The Lefkowitz Society is named for Robert J. Lefkowitz, MD, professor of medicine in the Division of Cardiology and recipient of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry 2012. The Leftkowitz Society provides a home for MD and MD/PhD post-graduate trainees in Duke training program who are pursuing careers with a primary focus on basic and translational research as physician-investigators.