The nine-month program (September to May) includes four tracks based on strengths at Duke University School of Medicine:
- Duke Scholars in Infectious Diseases
- Duke Scholars in Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Disease
- Duke Scholars in Neurosciences
- Duke Scholars in Oncology and Cellular Therapies
Each track is directed by physician-scientists with clinical and research expertise in the training focus area. Each track accepts five to 10 scholars, who participate in clinical rounds, clinically relevant journal clubs, and clinical conferences where interesting patients are discussed.
In each track, scholars have the unique opportunity to:
- Gain firsthand exposure to the clinical areas related to their field of basic research,
- Learn about the bench-to-bedside translational process,
- Understand key aspects of clinical trials,
- Identify unmet clinical needs that may be addressed through their scientific expertise, and
- Develop confidence in interacting with and engaging clinician partners.
The time commitment for each track is approximately 6-8 hours per month, to include:
- Approximately 4 hours of a clinical shadowing experience
- 2-3 hours of clinical conferences and/or journal clubs
Additional experiences include:
- Specialty clinical exposure two-to-four times per year, each for approximately 1-1.5 hours. These may include clinical laboratories, clinical diagnostic centers, and diagnostic laboratories. The specific experiences are customized to each track.
- Thinking Translationally presentations for two-to-three sessions per year, one each academic term. The sessions will each last approximately 1.5 hours.
The program provides a high-impact experience with a modest time commitment to dramatically enhance each trainee's laboratory experiences without detracting from their primary research mission. Therefore, the program does not provide additional financial support.
Applications for 2025-2026 open April 21, 2025 | Deadline: May 12, 2025
Acceptance into DSMM is through a competitive application process, and eligible trainees across Duke University are encouraged to apply. Please review the following before applying:
Access the application portal:
A New Generation of Scientists
Through the DSMM experience, we hope to prepare a new generation of scientists to better address critical problems in human health and to develop productive collaborations with clinical partners to achieve greater success in garnering research support.
By the end of the program, we hope DSMM scholars will have a new understanding of and perspective for clinically impactful research.
Contacts
DSMM is directed by Neil Surana, MD, PhD, assistant professor in pediatrics, and coordinated by Molly Matlock.