The MIT Physician Scientist Research Group investigates how physician-scientists shape biomedical discovery, innovation, and the health economy. Trained in both clinical medicine and scientific research, physician-scientists play a critical role in translating clinical insights into research questions—and research findings into new diagnostics, therapeutics, and technologies.
We study the evolution, segmentation, and long-term impact of the physician-scientist workforce across generations, institutions, and innovation domains. Our work focuses on how physician-scientists contribute to different stages of the translational pipeline; how their roles have changed as biomedical innovation becomes more specialized and collaborative; and how systemic pressures, funding structures, and institutional models influence their career trajectories.
As the number of physician-scientists continues to decline, and as their roles become increasingly fragmented across stages of innovation, understanding these dynamics has never been more urgent. We provide actionable insights that inform training pathways, workforce policy, and translational strategy—ensuring physician-scientists are supported, retained, and empowered to drive impact across the continuum of biomedical research.
1. Innovation Pathways & Translational Impact
Exploring how physician-scientists contribute to different phases of the biomedical innovation pipeline—and how those contributions have shifted across time and generations.
Translational Impact Across Generations (Current)
This project analyzes how physician-scientists have contributed to research translation and commercialization across generations. We assess trends in patenting, startup formation, clinical trial leadership, and translational grant activity to understand how physician-scientists operate within the full pipeline—from ideation to implementation. We investigate how generational shifts, institutional environments, and training pathways have led to increased segmentation, and identify the profiles of physician-scientists who operate across multiple stages versus those siloed within a single phase.
Our work in this area is supported by three interconnected technical efforts:
- Data Collection, Curation & Classification: We collect and clean data from diverse sources including OpenAlex, Dimensions.AI, ClinicalTrials.gov, NIH RePORTER, and USPTO. Using natural language processing and pretrained models like BERT, we classify written outputs (e.g., papers, grants, patents) into basic science, translational, clinical, and commercial categories to understand where physician-scientists engage along the pipeline.
- Name Disambiguation: To ensure accuracy in attribution, we are developing scalable machine learning–based approaches (e.g., graph neural networks, PHNet, HGCN, GHAC) to distinguish between individuals with similar names. This step is critical for linking physician-scientist outputs across datasets and over time.
- Data Visualization & Insight Generation: We design interactive visualizations and longitudinal analytics that make trends in innovation, influence, and segmentation visible across generations, institutions, and research domains. These tools allow us to compare the structure and evolution of physician-scientist contributions across cohorts and career stages.
Discovery-to-Deployment Mapping (Current)
Focusing on specific biomedical innovations, this project traces the lifecycle of discovery from initial concept through development and commercialization. We map the contributors—researchers, inventors, clinicians, and entrepreneurs—and identify the points at which physician-scientists enter and influence the process. This work examines the rise of interdisciplinary, multi-actor translational teams and evaluates how the fragmentation of the physician-scientist role affects the continuity of knowledge, speed of translation, and long-term innovation outcomes.
2. Mentorship, Networks & Scientific Lineage
Studying how physician-scientists mentor future innovators and how knowledge, collaboration, and influence flow across academic and translational networks.
Mentorship Networks & Generational Influence (Paused)
This project maps mentorship and collaboration networks among physician-scientists using co-authorship, co-inventorship, and funding relationships. We examine how mentorship shapes career progression, research translation, and innovation leadership across generations—and how changes in institutional support and career structure influence the durability of these networks.
3. Workforce Development & Funding Policy
Evaluating how public funding, institutional design, and workforce planning influence the recruitment, development, and long-term sustainability of physician-scientists.
NIH Training Programs & Pipeline Sustainability (Paused)
This project investigates the role of NIH funding—particularly MSTP, F30/F31 fellowships, and T32 grants—in shaping physician-scientist development. We analyze how funding is distributed across specialties, institutions, and time, and assess how early-career support relates to later innovation outcomes. The project contributes to national conversations about physician-scientist decline and informs future investment strategies at a time when translational readiness is a growing federal priority.