Through generous funding obtained from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, the Pritzker School of Medicine with support from CHeSS and the Institute of Translational Medicine, has developed BEST-PREP, a longitudinal training program to support the development of MD-only students seeking careers that will include rigorous basic/translational research. BEST-PREP leverages the exceptional scientific resources and mentorship available to Pritzker students. 

Click here to view details about the Pritzker School of Medicine Certificate in Translational Research.

Key features of BEST-PREP include:

MS1 Foundations

CCTS 33000 Scientists Advancing the Forefront is a basic/translational science course that meets weekly November through March and will highlight breakthroughs in basic science and their translation to patient care, scientific reasoning skills, and state-of-the-art research methods. 

Summer Research Program

BEST-PREP will support funding for students completing Basic/Translational Research during SRP. 

Burroughs Wellcome Fellowship 

The Burroughs Wellcome Fellowship will support 3 students/year for a Research Year between MS3 and MS4. Application will be in MS3, and students will be notified of acceptance by Spring MS3.

Participation in the Burroughs Wellcome Fellowship Includes:

• Funding for University enrollment and health insurance during the Research Year
• $25,000 stipend during the Research Year
• $5000 toward lab supplies
• $2500 for conference travel
• Completion of Essentials of Patient Oriented Research (EPOR) offered by the Institute for Translational Medicine
• Completion of 4 research months in MS4 (fellows are exempt from the MS4 basic science requirement)
• Participation in Senior Scientific Session
• Funding to cover MS4 tuition and fees
• Opportunity to apply for preferential consideration for select UChicago Residency Programs (Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, OB/Gyn)

Program Rationale

Why BEST-PREP? Why cover MS4 tuition?

Students conducting Basic/Translational Science research often report they do not have enough time to complete their research during the traditional 4-year medical school curriculum. The BWF Fellowship addresses this barrier by providing students with a competitive stipend to support an additional year of research in between the third and fourth years of medical school.

Why cover MS4 tuition?

National data suggests that debt burden is a significant obstacle to trainees interested in careers as physician-scientists. BEST-PREP seeks to address this barrier. 

Why preferential consideration for residency programs?

Students devote significant time and resources toward the residency interview process. BEST-PREP seeks to alleviate this burden and allow students to devote more time in MS4 to their research. Preferential consideration for UChicago residency programs also allows BEST-PREP students to maintain a relationship with their research mentor throughout residency and remain engaged in the research environment.

Certificate in Basic/ Translational Science

Students who complete the Burroughs Wellcome Fellowship Research Year and submit an end-of-year report that meets the criteria for excellence as determined by the steering committee will receive a University-issued Certificate in Basic/Translational Science to recognize their training and accomplishment.

Application requirements

Coming Soon

Contact BEST-PREP Faculty and Staff

Please contact Kelsey Bogue at kbogue@bsd.uchicago.edu with any questions.

.BEST-PREP Faculty and Staff

Julian Solway, MD
BEST-PREP Director
Dean for Translational Medicine
Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics

Vineet Arora, MD, MAPP
BEST-PREP Co-Director
Dean for Medical Education
Herbert T. Abelson Professor of Medicine

Rachel Wolfson, MD
BEST-PREP Co-Director
Associate Professor of Pediatrics

Arlene Chapman, MD
Professor of Medicine

Erika Claud, MD
Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine

Ron Cohen, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine 

John Cunningham, MD
Professor and Chair of Pediatrics

Adrianne Dade, MD
Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology

Ernst Lengyel, MD, PhD
Professor and Chair of Obstetrics & Gynecology

John McConville, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine

Lisa McQueen, MD
Associate Professor of Pediatrics

David Meltzer, MD, PhD
Professor of Medicine, Public Policy, and Economics

Funmi Olopade, MD, FACP
Professor of Medicine

Anne Sperling, PhD
Professor of Medicine

Kelsey Bogue, MA
BEST-PREP Program Manager 

Paige Fairchild, MPH
Manager of Medical Education, PSOM