Physician-Scientist Training Program (PePSTP)
WashU Medicine and its Department of Pediatrics have a long and successful history of training pediatric physician-scientists. Our Pediatric Physician-Scientist Training Program (PePSTP) focuses on the critical period from completion of the combined MD/PhD degree through the clinical and mentored post-doctoral research training years. The PePSTP combines the outstanding clinical training environment of St. Louis Children’s Hospital with rigorous scientific training in the world-renowned laboratories across WashU Medicine.
Preferential access to subspecialty fellowships
Individualized training experience
Enhanced transitional mentoring
Educational funds + salary enhancement
4.4
Average MD/PhD interns per year
89%
Individual K award success rate
43
Trainees inducted since 2012
The WashU Medicine PePSTP was formalized in 2011, and the program has received substantial external support since 2013 from the Edward Mallinckrodt, Jr. Foundation, in memory of Oliver Langenberg, a St. Louis businessman and philanthropist who led the foundation for 50 years and died in 2012 at the age of 99.
Program structure
Trainees
The ultimate goal of the program is to ensure the successful launch of pediatric trainees into research-intensive faculty careers in academic medicine. Successful applicants will generally have both MD and PhD degrees, or be MD’s with a Master’s degree or other substantial research experience (including publications). Trainees in the PePSTP are encouraged to consider participating in the Accelerated Research Pathway (i.e., fast-tracking) as defined by the American Board of Pediatrics; to date, 60% of our PePSTP trainees have elected to follow the ARP. Presuming successful progress in the residency phase, trainees enjoy preferential access into any of the clinical fellowships offered within the Department of Pediatrics. Fellowship research training (beginning in Year 4 if on the ARP, Year 5 if on standard track) can be conducted within any laboratory across the broad biomedical research landscape of WashU Medicine.
Quick facts
- Our Pediatric Residency Program averages 4.4 MD/PhD interns per entering intern class
- The PePSTP has inducted 43 trainees since 2012, has graduated 21 trainees and has 12 trainees currently in the program
- Overall, the Department of Pediatrics has a K08 success rate of 89% and K-to-R success rate of 73%, both far above national averages
Key features
- A flexible, individualized training experience combining both clinical and research training.
- Enhanced mentoring to optimize transitions from clinical to scientific training and into the first academic faculty position.
- Preferential access into any of the subspecialty fellowships at WashU Medicine and SLCH.
- Discretionary educational funds and salary enhancement (see below).
Eligible applicants include graduates with a combined MD/PhD degree, or an MD degree and a strong record of scientific experience, including publications. PePSTP trainees must fulfill all eligibility requirements for our Categorical Pediatrics training program. The most competitive candidates will have a strong commitment to a research career in academic medicine (including subspecialty fellowship training following residency) and an outstanding academic record.
PePSTP trainees are guaranteed funding for both their clinical training years and their years of post-doctoral research. Senior fellows are encouraged to seek additional extramural funding (e.g., NIH K awards) to facilitate a subsequent transition to their first academic faculty position.
PePSTP Trainees receive additional funds to support their career development that include:
- Internship (Year 1): $3,000 for the purchase of computers, software, books
- Years 2 and 3: $2,000 per year for travel to national meetings or purchases of software or books
- Years 4, 5 and 6: $10,000 annual supplement to salary (reflected in the stipends shown below)
Stipends *
| Training year | Title | Annual compensation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Intern | $71,239 |
| 2 | Resident | $74,399 |
| 3 | Clinical Fellow | $77,597 |
| 4 | Research Fellow | $90,895 |
| 5 | Research Fellow | $94,439 |
| 6 | Research Fellow | $98,091 |
Program leadership
David Hunstad, MD
PePSTP Co-director
Email: dhunstad@wustl.edu
Michelle Gill, MD, PhD
PePSTP Co-director
Email: m.gill@wustl.edu
Drew Schwartz, MD, PhD
PePSTP Associate Director
Email: schwartzd@wustl.edu
How to apply
Learn about the additional information needed when applying for the PePSTP via the pediatric residency application process.