FTG 0033 – Doctor Doctor: Acing the M.D./Ph.D. Program with Pediatrician Dr. Kristin Lambert '14, '19g, '21g

Overview: Dr. Kristin Lambert ’14 Agr, ‘19g & ’21g Medicine is a pediatric resident at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. She earned her MD and PhD from Penn State’s College of Medicine after completing the Early Assurance Program in partnership with the Schreyer Honors College. Kristin gives a guided tour through the MD/PhD program that will be of assistance to Scholars interested in either or both degrees, including insight on approaching medical school with a degree other than biology or chemistry – she earned her BS in Immunology & Infectious Disease with Honors in Biology from Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. She also has advice for all Scholars as she reflects on developing leadership in the Penn State Blue Band, dancing in THON, dropping courses and adjusting learning & studying strategies, and the importance of mentors and paying it forward in any discipline.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Kristin Lambert ’14 Agr, ‘19g & ’21g Medicine is a pediatric resident at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. She graduated from the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences in 2014 with a B.S. in Immunology & Infectious Disease with Honors in Biology. She was the inaugural student in the Schreyer Early Assurance MD/PhD Program at the College of Medicine, so that upon graduation, Kristin matriculated at the Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey. She was a dual-degree trainee at Hershey, pursuing both a Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD). Her doctoral research focused on the genetic regulation of inflammation in asthma and allergic disorders. She is a member of the Scholar Alumni Society Board and the 2018-2019 recipient of the Outstanding Scholar Alumni Mentor Award for her contributions to her mentees in the Mentoring with Honors program.

Episode Specifics:

In this episode, Kristin shares her insights on:

· Choosing the Schreyer Honors College as a second-generation Penn Stater for its small school feel at University Park

· Using available resources to find majors that ignite passion and can set you up for career success

· Gaining life & professional skills from activities like marching in the Blue Band as a Scholar

· Advice for THON dancers to prep for their 46 hours, and encouragement for Scholars to connect their personal and career passions in their involvement

· Finding research opportunities as a novice researcher and completing the honors thesis in a different discipline than your major

· Clarifying perceptions about pre-requisite majors for medical school

· Finding summer opportunities outside of the Career Days events

· The value of connecting with the College’s Career Development staff

· All things MD/PhD:

o The early assurance program for Scholars at the Penn State College of Medicine, and what it’s like attending the CoM and working at the Penn State Children’s Hospital

o Determining a focus within medicine

o The dynamic of medical school and graduate school coursework sequences for 7-9 additional years of formal education

o Selecting and completing a dissertation in the MD/PhD – and the benefit of the honors thesis as a foundation

o A crash course on asthma, Kristin dissertation area

o Things Scholars can be doing now in preparation for graduate and/or medical school

o Academic/research “family trees”

o The residency match program

o The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical education

o Staying involved as a volunteer with the Honors College

o The financial and relational aspects of committing to an MD/PhD program

· Dropping and re-taking courses and still graduating with honors

· Thoughts on mentorship, especially from those who came before you