Battling skin cancer when he was only 19 years old planted a seed for the future of UT Southwestern postdoctoral researcher Dr. Dan Bennett.
That struggle not only led him to become a dermatologist but ultimately into UT Southwestern's new Physician Scientist Training Program, where he now researches the molecular makeup of fat cells in the scientific lab of molecular biologist Dr. Jonathan Graff, assistant professor in the Center for Developmental Biology.
Bennett, a third-year resident in dermatology, and Dr. Chris Adams, a third-year resident in endocrinology, both at UT Southwestern, are the first two physicians selected for the innovative Physician Scientist Training Program.
Directing the development of the Physician Scientist Training Program at UT Southwestern is Dr. Charles Ginsburg, associate dean of faculty development. Co-directors are Dr. Robert Munford, professor of internal medicine and microbiology, and Dr. David Russell, professor of molecular genetics.
"Drs. Adams and Bennett are two top notch young people who have the grit, tenacity, intelligence and drive to succeed," said Ginsburg, former chairman of pediatrics at UT Southwestern. "It's hard work becoming a physician scientist, and we think they have the qualities to be successful. This program will provide them the proper training, whether it is at the scientific wet bench or as a clinical investigator."
The PSTP and UT Southwestern's Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) both integrate patient care and research to prepare individuals as physician scientists. But the PSTP is a scientific training fellowship for postdoctoral researchers while the MSTP is a program for students leading to both the M.D. and Ph.D. degrees. The PSTP provides training specifically tailored to medical school graduates who have completed their residencies and are interested in research and academic careers.
Bennett's interest in research began at the Mayo Medical School in Rochester, Minn., where he received his medical degree in 1999. There he had the opportunity to spend one year in the Howard Hughes Medical Institute -- National Institutes of Health Research Scholars Program.
"It means a lot to me to work in the lab of one of the leading researchers in this field in what is essentially an extension of my dermatology specialization," said Bennett.
Graff said, "A critical element for modern medicine is to be able to train these young physician scientists with their vast clinical knowledge and fuse it with basic science because there is such a dearth of these unique individuals, and this is so critical for our nation's health."
Adams, who received his M.D./ Ph.D. from the University of Iowa College of Medicine in 1999, said being allowed to conduct experiments in the laboratory is like allowing an artist to paint.
Adams will research cholesterol metabolism and how it's regulated under the Picasso and van Gogh of the scientific world - Nobel laureates Dr. Michael Brown, director of the Erik Jonsson Center for Research in Molecular Genetics and Human Disease, and Dr. Joseph Goldstein, chairman of molecular genetics.
"I feel incredibly fortunate to be a part of this lab and the physician scientist program," said Adams. "Drs. Brown and Goldstein are great scientists and caring mentors and incredible role models. They're physicians who have just completely changed medicine with their research."
Brown said, "Our country has a severe and growing shortage of true physician scientists, i.e., people trained to the highest standards in clinical medicine and basic biologic science."
While encouraging physicians to pursue careers in research, Dr. Robert Alpern, dean of Southwestern Medical School, notes the PSTP will also drive another priority - recruiting the best physician scientists to the UT Southwestern faculty.
"The PSTP program provides a generous stipend to the trainee," Alpern said, "and incorporates them into the milieu of our Medical Scientist Training Program, which should provide outstanding training. We then hope the majority of the trainees will go on to join our faculty."
The PSTP is currently considering potential candidates for two more fellowships. Application deadline is in December. The PSTP will eventually support six fellows in two- to three-year rotations.
For more information on the PSTP, go to http://domino.peds.swmed.edu:8080/pstp.
Photo located at: http://www.swmed.edu/home_pages/news/pstp.jpg.
Cutline is: Drs. Chris Adams and Dan Bennett are the first two postdoctoral medical researchers in UT Southwestern's new Physician Scientist Training Program.
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