The Senior Physician Scientist (SPS) Mentor Program is a unique feature of the UC MSTP. In this program, each MSTP student is paired with a Senior Physician Scientist Mentor at the UC College of Medicine or Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, based on the student’s individual career goals, as well as clinical and research interests. The program is co-directed by Melanie Cushion, PhD, who is also the UC College of Medicine’s Senior Associate Dean for Research; and Arnold Strauss, MD, Director and Chairman Emeritus for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation, and renowned cardiologist and physician-scientist.

Each co-director recently received special recognitions in 2020:
• Dr. Cushion received the VA’s Senior Research Career Scientist (SRCS) Award recognizing VA health services researchers who are international leaders in their field.
• Dr. Strauss received a special recognition at the 2020 Annual Child Health Research Centers Virtual Meeting for his leadership in pediatric physician-scientist training.