The M3D PhD Program trains students to use advances in basic sciences to solve problems relevant to human disease; and to use insights from human disease processes to solve fundamental biological problems. The M3D PhD Program is a collaborative effort among the School of Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, SCRI (Seattle Children’s Research Institute) and Fred Hutch.  Thesis research is supervised by two mentors, one a basic scientist (the Research Mentor) and the other a clinician scientist (the Clinical Mentor), enabling students to complement their experimental work with exposure to relevant problems in the clinic.  Students may identify Research Mentors from qualified faculty members with a primary appointment in one of those participating departments; faculty from other departments may train M3D PhD students, provided that the faculty member commits to support the student while in training.

The M3D Program is designed for students to complete PhD training in five years, ready to take the next step in careers in academia, biotech, the pharmaceutical industry, education, publishing and public policy. Three core courses focus on mechanisms of disease, the impact of basic science on medicine, and human genetics, providing a rigorous intellectual foundation. Each student participates in Chief of Medicine rounds, and some students may also opt for a mentored clinical rotation in a more focused area relevant to the student’s thesis research. Students choose electives reflecting their own interests from the deep and varied menu offered by UW basic science and engineering departments.

Dual Mentorship: Research and Clinical Mentors

A key feature of M3D PhD Program training is dual mentorship of each student.  The Research Mentor provides laboratory space and supervises thesis research; and the Clinical Mentor promotes and facilitates awareness of the clinical significance of the project.

Research Mentors

The Research Mentor is the direct supervisor of student research, providing guidance on choice of project, advice on experimental strategies, and support in developing communication skills necessary to career development.

Clinical Mentors

The Clinical Mentor promotes and facilitates awareness of the clinical significance of the project. Faculty with clinical expertise in any department may serve as Clinical Mentors.

M3D Student Handbook

The M3D Program guidelines and curriculum along with Graduate School policies and procedures can be found in the M3D Student Handbook