Pediatric Physician Scientist Training Pathway (PSTP)
The University of Minnesota Pediatric Physician Scientist Training Pathway (PSTP) is designed for residents with a strong commitment to careers as physician-scientists. Whether you have an advanced research degree (MD/PhD, MD/MPH, or equivalent) or significant prior research experience, our pathway provides the mentorship, protected research time, and institutional support needed to develop into an independent investigator.
Our program works closely with Pediatric Fellowship Programs in our Department to recruit and train future leaders in academic pediatrics. Through individualized mentorship, dedicated research experiences, and career development opportunities, trainees build a strong foundation for successful fellowship training and long-term research careers.
Research Training Pathways
PSTP residents typically pursue one of the American Board of Pediatrics research pathways:
- Integrated Research Pathway (IRP): Provides up to 12 months of protected research time during the three-year pediatric residency.
- Accelerated Research Pathway (ARP): Shortens residency training to two years while extending subspecialty fellowship training to four years, allowing for additional protected research time.
Faculty mentors work closely with each trainee to determine the pathway that best aligns with their research interests and career goals.
Program Highlights
In addition to all educational resources and funding available to categorical pediatric residents, PSTP trainees receive:
- Financial support to assist with moving expenses
- Additional research funding beginning in the third year of residency and continuing through fellowship training at the University of Minnesota
- Payment of General Pediatrics Board examination fees
- Additional funding for travel to scientific meetings and conferences during residency
- Support for publication costs during residency
- Individualized mentorship from physician-scientist faculty
- Tailored research and career development opportunities throughout residency
Meet Our Current PSTP Trainees
PSTP Program
Mike Anderson, MD, PhD
PL-2
Mike was an MD/PhD student at the University of Minnesota, where he studied rare forms of muscular dystrophy using structural biology and biophysics under the mentorship of Dr. Wendy Gordon. His research interests focus on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying pediatric diseases through structural and functional studies.
Ansley Conchola, MD, PhD
PL-2
Ansley's research background is in cell and developmental biology, with a PhD focused on epithelial cell differentiation during human lung development using primary and iPSC-derived lung organoid models. She plans to pursue Neonatology while developing innovative models to better understand lung vascular development and neonatal diseases such as pulmonary hypertension, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and necrotizing enterocolitis.
Mary Ann Etling, MD, MPH
PL-3
Mary Ann earned her MD from Indiana University (IU) School of Medicine and her MPH from the Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at IU. Her research and advocacy interests center on improving healthcare access for children and families, including global health work in Uganda and Kenya focused on reducing barriers to care for children with disabilities.
Megan Schmit Diop, MD, PhD
PL-3
Megan was an MD/PhD student at the University of Minnesota Medical School, where she trained under the mentorship of Dr. Anja Bielinsky in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics. She is interested in genetics and molecular mechanisms of disease and looks forward to expanding these research interests through the PSTP.
The Interview Experience
Applicants selected to interview for the Pediatric Residency Program who express interest in the PSTP will be invited to one of our dedicated PSTP interview days. During the interview, applicants receive:
- An overview of the Physician Scientist Training Pathway
- A one-on-one meeting with PSTP Director Dr. Bryce Binstadt
- Opportunities to learn about research resources, mentorship, and fellowship opportunities at the University of Minnesota
How to Apply
Applicants interested in the Pediatric Physician Scientist Training Pathway should:
- Apply to the University of Minnesota Pediatric Residency Physician Scientist Pathway Program through ERAS.
- Email Dr. Bryce Binstadt, PSTP Director, at [email protected] expressing your interest in the pathway and copy Amy Gaug, Senior Pediatric Residency Program Administrator, at [email protected] on this email as well.
Applicants may rank both the PSTP and the Categorical Pediatric Residency Program in the NRMP Match.
Learn More
We will host a virtual open house on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at 6:00 PM US Central Time Zone. This open house will be open to all potential Pediatric Residency Program applicants. After a general program overview, we will have a breakout room option for anyone who would like to learn more about our PSTP program with Dr. Bryce Bindstadt.
Join the PSTP virtual open house on Zoom
Any Further Questions?
Contact us at: