MD/PhD Training in the MVM Program Program Overview: Students accepted into the MD / PhD Program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine may choose to complete their PhD training in the Molecular Virology and Microbiology Program. Completion of the PhD degree in the MVM program typically takes 4 years. The table below outlines the timetable for MD/PhD students in the MVM program. GS - S1 Summer MS1 Fall / Spring GS - S2 Summer MS2 Fall / Spring MS2.5 Summer GS - S3 Summer GS1 Fall . . . GS4 MS3 MS4 First lab rotation Medical school courses Second lab rotation if needed Medical school courses 8 wk clinical clerkship Third lab rotation PhD program in BMG  . . .  Graduate from PhD program     The summer before starting at the medical school, students who wish to pursue the MD / PhD are highly encouraged to do a lab rotation at that time. Ideally, this is the lab in which the PhD research will take place. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact program faculty according to their areas of interest or the MVM Director for advice on lab selections. First year of medical school. Second lab rotation. Discussion of the thesis topic with the future graduate advisor is highly encouraged. Second year of medical school. First 8 week long clinical clerkship. By the third lab rotation, the research conducted during the third rotation should be related to the Ph.D. thesis topic selected with the thesis advisor. MD/PhD students enter the MVM program with an academic standing of second year PhD students. The class work from medical school years one and two are accepted as equivalent to the first year PhD curriculum. Other requirements (rotations, comprehensive exams, thesis committees)are the same for MD/PhD students as they are for the PhD students and are described in more detail in the MVM handbook To remain in the MD / PhD program, it is critical to defend the thesis by October of the sixth year (e.g. if you start your PhD program in August 2010, you must defend before October 2015). During the PhD program, students are required to complete three longitudinal clinical clerkships. The third and fourth years of medical school include 60 weeks of required clerkships. Elective rotations may include additional research or clinical experiences. For more information, contact Dr. Neal DeLuca, Director of the MVM Program (ndeluca@pitt.edu). Participating Faculty and their Research Interests: DeLuca, Neal (Program Director) HSV gene expression in productive and persistent infections. Flynn, Joanne Immunology and Pathogenesis of Tuberculosis. Khan, Saleem Role of microRNAs in human papillomavirus-associated cancers, & in aging; DNA helicases. Kinchington, Paul Examines the ways in which two neurotrophic herpesviruses interact with the host cells, particularly the sensory neuron. Montelaro, Ronald Elucidate the intricate interactions between viral pathogens & host immune responses. Parniak, Michael Involving biochemistry, biophysics, chemistry, molecular biology & molecular virology in a variety of projects related to HIV/AIDS.