Students in the Medical Scientist Training Program

Stony Brook University medical students who are in the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) are encouraged to explore the biomedical research opportunities within the Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Program and apply for admission to the Program. The curriculum is modified for MSTP students in recognition of the preclinical coursework that they complete in the first two years of medical school and it allows these students to satisfy the requirements for the Ph.D. in a timely manner.


First Year

Fall Semester

HBM 599 Graduate Research in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
Original investigations under faculty supervision.
HBM 690 Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Seminar
A weekly meeting devoted to current work performed by students in the Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Graduate Program.
HBM 691 Readings in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Literature
Readings in microbiology literature covering areas of molecular biology and genetics.
HBM 640 Molecular Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis (for MSTP students who have joined an infectious disease laboratory)
This course covers the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis of a selected group of very important viral and bacterial pathogens. While MGM faculty members teach much of the course, a significant portion of the material is presented by invited lecturers who are leaders in their fields. Rather than present a "bug parade," the course focuses on principles of microbial pathogenesis as illustrated by the best understood viral and bacterial pathogens. The course is directed to graduate students, post-doctoral and medical fellows, and advanced medical students who are contemplating careers in infectious disease research.
HBP 533 Immunology (for MSTP students who have joined an infectious disease laboratory)
Principles of immunology for graduate students in the biological sciences, including definition of antigens and antibodies, specificity of the immune response, immunoglobulin structure, the genetics of immunoglobulin synthesis, cellular cooperation in the immune response, hypersensitivity, tolerance immunogenetics.

Spring Semester

HBM 599 Graduate Research in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
Original investigations under faculty supervision.
HBM 690 Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Seminar
A weekly meeting devoted to current work performed by students in the Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Graduate Program.
GRD 500 Integrity in Science
This short course is designed to introduce students to the major issues in the ethics of science and research. Using a combination of readings - written and web-based - videos, lectures, case discussion and other exercises, students will investigate the moral values intrinsic to science and the professional and social values with which scientists must comply. Each class will begin with an introductory lecture followed by discipline-based, small group discussions designed and managed by faculty from the department or program from which the graduate students come.
HBM 522 Biology of Cancer (for MSTP students who have joined a cancer research laboratory)
A course on the biology of cancer with the emphasis on cancer as a disease of man. Lectures address human cancer as seen by the clinician and as basic research relates to human diseases. This course provides students with a link between courses in cell and molecular biology and the application of this basic information to tumor management. Offered every other year.
HBM 693 Research Proposal Preparation in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
A course, based upon the literature in molecular genetics and microbiology, to instruct students in scientific writing and the preparation of research proposals. The course will be organized in three parts. In the first section of the course, students will become familiar with the components of the research proposal and will read and evaluate proposals written by the training faculty. Lectures given by the course co-directors will cover the basics of scientific writing, research proposal preparation and the problems and concerns commonly voiced by reviewers of research proposals. In the second section, students will develop two short proposals in the area of molecular genetics and microbiology that are unrelated to their graduate research. One of these short proposals will be selected for development into a full proposal. In the third section, students will develop and write the full proposal. The students’ skills in proposal preparation will be enhanced by critiquing the short and full proposals presented by other students in the second and third sections of the course.

Second Year and On (before advancement to candidacy)

HBM 599 Graduate Research in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
Original investigations under faculty supervision.
HBM 690 Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Seminar
A weekly meeting devoted to current work performed by students in the Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Graduate Program.
HBM 695 Advanced Readings in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology (elective)
A seminar in changing topics in molecular genetics and microbiology such as virology, bacteriology, cancer biology, vaccines, drug discovery, mycology and parasitology.

Second Year and On (after advancement to candidacy)

HBM 699 Dissertation Research in Microbiology
For the student who has advanced to candidacy. Original research will be under the supervision of the dissertation advisor and advisory committee.
HBM 690 Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Seminar
A weekly meeting devoted to current work performed by students in the Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Graduate Program.
HPM 695 Advanced Readings in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology (elective)
A seminar in changing topics in molecular genetics and microbiology such as virology, bacteriology, cancer biology, vaccines, drug discovery, mycology and parasitology.

MSTP alumni from the Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Program

Bhagwat, Anand (Ph.D. 2016; M.D. 2018)
Chabra, Inderjit (Ph.D. 2006, M.D. 2008)
DeJesus, Nidia (Ph.D., 2007; M.D. 2009)
Iafrate, Anthony John (Ph.D. 1998; M.D. 2000)
Kaplan, Leonard (Ph.D. 1986, M.D. 1988)
Lee, Benjamin (Ph.D. 1997, M.D. 1999)
Motley, Michael (Ph.D., 2020, M.D. 2022)
Nomakuchi, Tomoki (Ph.D. 2016; M.D. 2018)
Parsons, Ramon (Ph.D. 1992, M.D. 1994)
Patel, Hiren (Ph.D. 2016; M.D. 2018)
Psonis, John (Ph.D. 2019; M.D. 2021)
Werneburg, Glenn (Ph.D. 2016, M.D. 2018s)