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UTHSCSA
DEAN’S MESSAGE

range of support provided. One of the notable examples is the Patients. Journal of Immunology. 189(7): Oct 1, 2012.
workshop here called “F-Troop.” A play on the old television PMCID: PMC3448828.
show of the same name and the F30 grant, the F-Troop is a Vo DT, Subramaniam D, Remke M, Burton TL, Uren PJ,
rigorous series of weekly meetings led by Linda McManus, Gelfond JA, de Sousa Abreu R, Burns SC, Qiao M, Suresh
PhD, a professor in the department of pathology and director U, Korshunov A, Dubuc AM, Northcott PA, Smith AD,
of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. The workshop schools Pfister SM, Taylor MD, Janga SC, Anant S, Vogel C, Penalva
students in developing strong fellowship applications. The LO. The RNA-binding protein Musashi1 affects medul-
grants mean full support for the duration of the latter half of loblastoma growth via a network of cancer related genes and
the students’ MD/PhD coursework and research, therefore is an indicator of poor prognosis. American Journal of
they are very competitive. Pathology. 2012 Nov; 181(5): 1762-72.
According to José E. Cavazos, MD/PhD, director for the This success has made the competitive program even more so.
MD/PhD program and assistant dean in the School of Medi- “The accomplishments of our students have led to a surge of
cine and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, much of the high-quality applications from across the nation,” Dr. Cavazos
credit for the high rate of grant success is due to Dr. McManus’ said. “More than 170 applications were received for the five first-
workshop. The group meets weekly for three months leading year MD/PhD positions in the 2014 enrollment cycle.”
up to the students’ submission for the grant. Mentoring is an important part of the program and the
“The impact Dr. McManus’ F-Troop workshop has had on process. Dr. Cavazos said they model this aspect on the values
the program cannot be overstated,” Dr. Cavazos said. “Her expressed in the AAMC’s 2008 compact between biomedical
commitment to these students has really made a difference for graduate students and their research advisors. Particular to this
the students and the entire program.” program is one of these objectives which states the goal of grad-
uating clinician-scientists that are “well-trained and possess the
FUTURE INVESTIGATORS foundational skills and values that will allow them to mature
According to the NIH, participating institutes award the into independent scientific professionals of integrity."
F30/F31 fellowships to qualified applicants with the potential As I write this, soon-to-be graduates of the program are in-
to become “productive, independent, highly trained physician- terviewing for residencies at the most prestigious medical
scientists and other clinician-scientists, including patient-ori- schools and facilities in the country. They are following the
ented researchers in their scientific mission areas.” These future precedent set by the faculty and previous students with a robust
investigators will have both clinical knowledge and skills in and rigorous program.
basic, translational or clinical research. It also should be noted The mentoring and training of clinician-scientists, with a
that five students who are currently pursuing DDS/PhD de- focus on subjects that will make a significant difference in the
grees at the Health Science Center also have received NIH F30 clinical setting – and the translation tools and processes to get
fellowships. those innovations to the bedside – are the goals this program
The long list of publications by the students as either lead works hard to achieve. Based on the accomplishments of these
or co-author is very impressive. Just a small sampling (below) students and graduates, I am certain this program is already
gives you an idea of the significant work being performed by having a positive impact on health and the practice of medi-
the students (whose names are highlighted by bold type). cine. Congratulations and accolades to all those involved in its
Blanc L, Ciciotte SL, Gwynn B, Hildick-Smith GJ, Pierce execution are well deserved.
EL, Soltis KA, Cooney JD, Paw BH, Peters LL. Critical
function for Rasa3 in vertebrate erythropoiesis and Dr. Francisco González-Scarano is dean of the
megakaryopoiesis. Proceedings of the National Academy of School of Medicine, vice president for medical af-
Science. USA. 2012; 109(30):12099-104. fairs, professor of neurology, and the John P. Howe
Kwek S, Dao V, Roy R, Hou Y, Alajajian D, Simko JP, III, MD, Distinguished Chair in Health Policy
Small EJ, Fong L. Diversity of Antigen-Specific Responses at the University of Texas Health Science Center
Induced In Vivo with CTLA-4 Blockade in Prostate Cancer at San Antonio. His email address is scarano@uthscsa.edu.

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