When Paul Tyagi applied to the joint M.D.-Ph.D. program at Florida Atlantic University’s Schmidt College of Medicine and the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI), he wasn’t just looking for another academic milestone. He was looking for a place that aligned with his values, challenged his thinking, and equipped him with the knowledge and skills to address neurodegenerative diseases in a meaningful way. According to Paul, he has found it in his classes and research experiences at MPFI and FAU.
A Florida native, Paul’s path to medical science wasn’t a straight line. He took time after earning his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Central Florida to work at a Molecular Diagnostics company, developing cost-effective testing systems to help make high-quality care more accessible.
He later conducted research at the University of California, Berkeley, studying the effects of mammalian circadian rhythms on malaria parasites. This research sparked a deep interest in neuroscience and further compounded his commitment to pursuing both medicine and research.
“After having moved across the country, I wasn’t eager to relocate again, but learning about FAU’s dual-degree program left a strong impression on me,” he recalls. “While at UCF, I attended a seminar where medical students from across the state answered questions from pre-med students. I remembered that one student representing FAU stood out, not just for what he said, but how he said it. He gave concrete examples of how the school advocates for its students’ success and ensures that every voice is heard.” Deciding that if he moved back home, it would be for the right fit, and he chose to apply to FAU. “And if I get in, then it’s meant to be,” he says.
Now in his second year of the M.D./Ph.D. program, Paul has completed his first year of medical school and is beginning the graduate research phase.
His rotation in Dr. Sarah Stern’s lab focused on discovering novel cell types of the insular cortex utilizing robust gene expression profiling techniques. The insular cortex is a key brain region involved in processing internal bodily signals and assigning importance to sensory information. In certain eating disorders, anxiety, addiction, and in neurodegeneration, these processes are disrupted, therefore understanding its genetic and functional landscape may open new paths for targeted therapies.
His rotation in Dr. Lin Tian’s lab focused on developing new tools to study Parkinson’s disease long before motor symptoms emerge.
“The goal of the rotation was to understand the workflow behind developing a genetically encoded sensor and to learn how to use that technology for real-time visualization of pathology of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s.” That mission is deeply personal for Paul. Several of his grandparents lived with neurodegenerative disease, and he saw firsthand how brain diseases can have devastating effects.
“There’s this loss of dignity in death that feels soul-crushing. My grandmother had Alzheimer’s for almost a decade. Right after my white coat ceremony, I visited her. With her condition deteriorating, she didn’t know who I was for the last few years, but then I finally had the chance to tell her that her grandson is going to be a doctor. Her eyes lit up with joy, and it felt like my abuela was hanging on for that moment.” Paul’s grandmother passed away shortly after.
Long-term, Paul hopes to launch a biotech company that develops affordable therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases, combining his medical training, research experience, and commitment to equity. His journey underscores the kind of student the M.D./Ph.D. program is designed for: curious, resilient, and determined to use science and medicine to make a difference.
The program’s structure, one year of medical school, several years of graduate neuroscience research, then a return to clinical training, creates a unique bridge between patient care and scientific discovery. Students benefit from the world-class resources of both institutions, including MPFI’s advanced imaging technologies and FAU’s collaborative, systems-based medical curriculum.
When asked what stands out most about the M.D./Ph.D. experience so far, Paul doesn’t hesitate.
“During my interview, I saw the imaging equipment at MPFI – tools that are not readily accessible or require specialized training – available to its researchers, along with experts who are eager to teach you how to use them. That was a game changer, I told myself, I have to go here.” When asked about his favorite imaging “toy,” Paul grins. “I got to see the mini-2P microscope. This tiny, super-powerful brain camera that lets scientists watch neurons in action while animals are moving around naturally. That felt like science fiction.”
Throughout his time in the program, Paul has found strength in the collaboration between FAU and MPFI. While the two institutions offer distinct experiences – clinical training at FAU and cutting-edge neuroscience at MPFI – he’s found value in both and cites a mentorship culture shared by both institutions: “Talking to anyone in the program is very easy. If you want to collaborate on something, that would be a non-issue. People are always open to answering questions.”
For students considering the M.D./Ph.D. path, Paul offers this advice:
“Really figure out what it is that drives you and what it means to have the opportunity to join this profession. Have an idea of what your long-term career goals are and if you truly need both degrees. And remember, the more you think you know, the more you become aware of how much remains unknown. So, keep asking questions. Stay humble, work hard, and ideally, you get in and out in eight years.”
You can learn more about MPFI and FAU’s joint M.D. / Ph.D. program here.
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