Physician-Engineer Trainee Spotlights

Sarah Lipp

Why did you choose to become a physician engineer?

I received my undergraduate training in chemical engineering. I realized that as much as I enjoyed understanding separation columns, plug flow reactors, and process control, I was more fascinated by the filter capacity the kidney, the reactions going on in the mitochondria, and multi-organ hormone regulation of the endocrine system. So now, PID means pelvic inflammatory disease not proportional integral derivative controller, and we talk about CFTR (Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) not CSTRs (continuous stirred tank reactor).

Why is the joint IUSM-Purdue MD/PhD program a good fit for you?

I enjoy the flexibility of the joint IUSM-Purdue MSTP program: it was very important to me to do a clerkship before starting the graduate phase in order to start to solidify clinical knowledge and skills and see practical considerations of research advances. I had the opportunity to complete my surgery clerkship. Although intimidating at first, I grew more accustomed the flow and started to understand some of the clinical considerations. As a result of a subspecialty plastic surgery rotation at Riley Hospital for Children, I am now considering pediatrics as a clinical specialty, something I had not thought about: this has impacted who my clinical mentors are and modified my research focus. However, some in the program wanted to go straight into lab after USMLE Step 1, and the program provides the flexibility for this as well!

What is one of your most memorable experiences since you came into the program? What do you do for fun outside of the program?

Some of my favorite moments of the program have been the summer and winter retreat dinners and listening to fellow students converse. Hearing stories and advice about the boards and the wards, how they are navigating their journey to becoming a physician scientist, and the joys and laughter as we sail along.

What advice would you give to a prospective student?

Besides doing a clerkship before the research phase, advice would be a good selection of your PhD mentor is important. No one person will help you grow as a researcher or research exactly what you want to study long term (which might change anyways after clerkships, residency, and fellowship). But selection of a mentor that will help you develop is critical. For me, it was important to work with mice and have an engaged mentor who provides critical feedback and my PhD advisor, Dr. Calve, does a spectacular job.