3. Fitting the “MD/PhD Mold” Just Right with Dr. Zahra Ghiassi-Nejad
Release Date: 07/16/2021
5. Master of Mentorship with Dr. Scott Friedman
The MuD/PhuD Mind Project
I’m so delighted that my PI from my grad school years, the great Dr. Scott Friedman, agreed to be a guest on my podcast. He exemplifies excellent mentorship and today, in fact, teaches others how it's done. For anyone looking to mentor others in the lab or otherwise, listen up and take notes! Also, please refer to his beautifully written Master’s Perspective written in Hepatology in 2015 (available on website: mudphudmindproject.com).
info_outline
4. Pen to Paper - Time Management Step 1
The MuD/PhuD Mind Project
We are going to start by focusing on Time Management, one of my absolute favorite things to coach.
info_outline
3. Fitting the “MD/PhD Mold” Just Right with Dr. Zahra Ghiassi-Nejad
The MuD/PhuD Mind Project
My very first podcast guest is a rockstar physician-scientist and also a dear friend, Dr. Zahra Ghiassi-Nejad. The title of this podcast was inspired by something she said “Wait a minute...no one needs to tell me what to do and I can do it however I want to...or however I want to decide to proceed - use both of the degrees or one of them” “I get to decide” - those are very powerful words and words matter! Sometimes these words are forgotten along the way of this long training journey. She came to the US from Iran on an F1 visa to attend NYU for undergrad. Despite what others...
info_outline
2. My Big WHY
The MuD/PhuD Mind Project
The beautiful thing about the journey we will take into looking at our mind with curiosity is that it mirrors what we already do in research. We start with the scientific question. Why do we want to answer that question? Why is it important to us? It may help someone I’m curious (just because I want to) It sounds interesting or exciting to know the answer It sounds like fun I want you to ask yourself why you are doing the research you are doing. Then ask yourself why you keep doing it. Is your ‘big why’ compelling enough to get you through the obstacles that are in...
info_outline
1. Preview for The MPMP Podcast
The MuD/PhuD Mind Project
Mission: To serve as a platform for sharing stories and insight from other physician-scientists and pay it forward. This knowledge has been hard earned and I can’t think of a better way to give back than to share it with all the budding physicians scientists out in the world who are filled with big dreams and high hopes! This podcast is also for you seasoned physician-scientists especially if you have developed a hard edge over the years and perhaps some bitterness at the NIH pay line. Join us here to regain some inspiration and learn some tools to get you back to your...
info_outlineMy very first podcast guest is a rockstar physician-scientist and also a dear friend, Dr. Zahra Ghiassi-Nejad. The title of this podcast was inspired by something she said “Wait a minute...no one needs to tell me what to do and I can do it however I want to...or however I want to decide to proceed - use both of the degrees or one of them”
“I get to decide” - those are very powerful words and words matter! Sometimes these words are forgotten along the way of this long training journey.
She came to the US from Iran on an F1 visa to attend NYU for undergrad. Despite what others said about her visa status, she was determined to pursue a combined MD/PhD degree. She said it best: “You can’t get there if you don’t try.”
Zahra was there by my side in the lab during our graduate school years and we share many special memories. She is now an attending physician in radiation-oncology at Mt Sinai Hospital in NYC and enjoys helping her patients get the life-saving treatment they need to combat cancer. She has two beautiful children, a loving husband and is also on a personal growth journey.
Some of the reflections we went through about our joint experience in the grad school years, dated more than a decade back. We spoke about our wiser selves and how we have a perspective now that we couldn’t see back then. We both share that with you here.
Dr. Zahra Ghiassi-Nejad’s advice to MD/PhD trainees:
- Never lose sight of the “why” you are putting yourself through an 8-9 year program when you are in the lab years pipetting and repeating experiments.
- The lessons you learn in the lab are more valuable than the specific project you work on.
- It is always okay in the end and if it isn’t okay, then it isn’t the end. (John Lennon made popular, but likely an old Indian proverb)
I hope you walk away knowing that no matter how you do the path, it is the right way. The right way is the way you decide for yourself.
The opinions provided on this podcast represent those of myself and of my invited guests. They do not represent the opinions of any particular institution. This is not professional advice and for your entertainment only.