Nevada Med School Trains Physician-Scientists for Research

A new generation of doctors in Nevada is learning to do something most physicians never attempt: solve medical mysteries in the lab while caring for patients in the clinic.

The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine now offers the state's only M.D./Ph.D. program, training physician-scientists who can work in both worlds. Over seven to eight years, students complete medical school while earning a doctorate in research, emerging with skills to translate scientific breakthroughs into real treatments.

The program currently enrolls 10 students and accepts two new learners each year. Its small size creates tight-knit mentorship that helps students navigate the demanding dual path.

"The physician-scientist serves as a bridge between those worlds," said Kovi Bessoff, M.D., Ph.D., who co-leads the program with Mary Burtnick, Ph.D. The approach trains doctors to spot problems at the bedside and develop solutions in the laboratory.

Ryan Gustafson, now in his fourth year, exemplifies this blend. After completing two years of medical school, he transitioned into doctoral research focused on engineering proteins to fight glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer.

"My career as a physician will allow me to see patients and provide treatments that directly improve their health outcomes," Gustafson said. "My training as a scientist lets me ask the questions behind those treatments and go looking for the answers."

His research combines computational tools with laboratory experiments to design proteins that could make future cancer therapies more precise while reducing side effects.

Why This Inspires

The program addresses a critical need in modern medicine. As diseases grow more complex, healthcare needs professionals who understand both the microscope and the stethoscope.

These future physician-scientists won't just prescribe existing treatments. They'll create new ones based on problems they witness firsthand in patient care, bringing laboratory innovations directly to the people who need them most.

Nevada now has homegrown talent positioned to tackle medical challenges specific to the state while contributing to global scientific progress. The students train where they'll likely practice, keeping expertise local.

For patients facing conditions without good treatments, this new generation offers hope: their doctors might also be the researchers discovering tomorrow's cures.