The Jury was particularly impressed by Prof. Filipowicz Sinnreich’s career path, which combines cutting-edge clinical medicine with outstanding basic research. The award winner also acts as a mentor for the next generation of scientists. Despite her demanding professional commitments, she sets an remarkable example in balancing family life and career. Find out more about the reasons for this choice and Prof. Filipowicz Sinnreich’s career path in our press release.

The data collected for this study confirms that the National MD-PhD Program remarkably promotes promising physicians who remain active in both research and clinical practice in the long term. Eight years or more after completing the MD-PhD – when most have a stable position – 55% are working in a paid research position, 64% continue their scientific activity in a university hospital and 25% hold a professorship. The complete study and two complementary «Viewpoints» can be found online on Swiss Medical Weekly (Volume 154, No. 7).

This year’s grants amount to a total of CHF 2.4 million and cover the salaries of 13 young researchers. Details are given in the synopsis below. We conducted a survey of former MD-PhD grantees to assess whether the national MD-PhD program is reaching its goals and paving the way for a career as physician-scientist. The data collected suggest that this is indeed the case. The link to the full study and information on the future of the national program can be found on our website.