Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University
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Medical Scientist Training Program (MD-PhD Program)

Students are supported both academically and financially.

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Early career development

The objective of this program is to develop aspiring researchers in basic medicine who are able to respond to rapid advances in medicine and medical care, and social changes. To this end, the program allows 6th-year students at the School of Medicine, Hokkaido University who wish to become medical researchers to take required subjects (8 credits of Required Core Subjects of the Doctoral Program of the Graduate School) and Inter-Graduate School Classes (up to 2 credits) while enrolled in the study of the curriculum for 6th-year students in the School of Medicine.

Students in the 5th and 6th years of the School of Medicine may take the screening test for this program and, on passing, will receive a non-refundable scholarship (covering the examination fee for the Doctoral Program, admission fee and 3 years' tuition for the graduate school). While the student is in the 6th year, financial support will also be provided to the student's affiliated department aiming to subsidize the expenses to be incurred related to the student. Amount of the support is equivalent to the half years' tuition fee for the Graduate School of Medicine.

MD-PhD Program

Message from a Graduate of the MD-PhD Program

Medical Doctor “&” Doctor of Philosophy

Specially Appointed Assistant Professor, Department of Cell Physiology,
Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University

KASHIWAGI Sayaka

Since April 2020, I have been engaged in research and education as a specially appointed assistant professor in the Department of Cell Physiology (Prof. Yusuke Ohba).

I have been interested in general science since I was a child and entered Hokkaido University as a general science student intending to enter graduate school in the future. The MD-PhD course was thus an ideal system for me and I decided to enter the School of Medicine.

At my department we constructively elucidate the operating principles of the "cell," which is the basic unit of life. I am currently investigating the effects of various ions on cellular functions such as endocytosis and membrane trafficking. I believe the advantage of performing basic research through the MD-PhD course is that one can receive a medical education. The experience of learning how individual organs and the human body work, and of being in a clinical setting, will serve as a strong motivation to continue one’s research.

(As of April 2022)