2026 Annual Meeting NACST

National Association of Clinician Scientist Training Conference

Adapting to Thrive: Physician-Scientist Training in a Shifting Landscape

Tuesday, July 14, 2026 Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott HQ · Bethesda, MD 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
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5 Program Sessions
1 Keynote Address
5 Lightning Talks
2 Networking Breaks
1 Shapiro Award Dinner

Program Agenda

Tuesday, July 14, 2026
9:00–9:15
Opening
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Chris Williams, MD, PhD — NACST President
9:15–10:05
Keynote Address
Keynote Address (50 min)
The NIH's vision for supporting the physician-scientist workforce going forward, and the NIH Director's support for physician-scientists specifically. Introduction & moderation: Chris Williams.
JB
Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD
18th Director, National Institutes of Health (NIH)
10:05–11:05
Session I
Navigating MSTP Training in a Changing Funding and Review Landscape
Moderators: Justin Baca / Talia Swartz
NIH/NIGMS Panelists: Kenneth Gibbs, Behrouz Davani, Mohammed Aiyegbo (PO), Adam Heuberger (SRO)
MSTP Leadership: Myles Akabas (MSTP director & study section reviewer), Gordon Buchanan (recent MSTP renewal experience), Linda Varvel (Program Admin Perspective)
11:05–11:25
Break
Refreshment & Networking Break (20 min)
11:25–12:05
Session II
Postgraduate Physician-Scientist Training Update
Moderators: Kyu Rhee / Patrick Hu
PSTP Pathway Overviews: Peter Gruber (Surgery, Yale); Dave Mankoff (Radiology, Penn); Chas Emala (Anesthesiology, Columbia); Jay Vyas (Umbrella/IM); Misty Good (Pediatrics)
12:05–12:15
Group Photo
Group Photo — Hotel Staircase (All Attendees)
12:15–1:05
Lunch
Lunch (50 min)
1:05–1:50
Session III
MD/PhD Outcomes & Workforce Data
Moderators/Presenters: Myles Akabas; Jose Cavazos
1:50–2:35
Session IV
Admissions Update & Yield Challenges
Moderators: Randy Seay / Andrew Zinn / Jose Cavazos
2:35–3:05
Lightning Talks
Lightning Talks (5 × 5 min)
Moderators: Lourdes Estrada / Alison Slominski
3:05–3:25
Break
Discussion / Refreshment / Networking Break (20 min)
3:25–4:25
Session V
Best Practices in Advising on Specialty Selection
Chris Williams: What specialties do MD/PhDs choose in 2026 (10 min)
Talia Swartz: Advice to trainees from MD/PhD and PSTP Directors (20 min)
Panel: Ginny Bumgardner (OSU, Surgical Specialties); Dave Dawson (UCLA, Pathology); Jason Yustein (Emory, Pediatrics); Talene Yacoubian (UAB, Neurology); Yoji Shimizu (University of Minnesota)
Moderators: Patrick Hu / Chris Williams
Concurrent: Administrator Programming — Dallas/Atlanta Room · Moderators: Linda Varvel / Stefanie Varghese
4:25–4:40
Closing
Wrap-Up & Closing Remarks
4:40–6:00
Social
Networking & Free Time
6:00 PM
Awards Dinner
Dinner, Business Meeting & NACST Service Award Ceremony
Annual dinner celebrating the NACST community, including the business meeting and the presentation of the Bert Shapiro Award for excellence in physician-scientist training.

Venue & Registration

Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott HQ

Address
7707 Woodmont Avenue · Bethesda, MD 20814
Date
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Program Hours
9:00 AM – 4:40 PM · Evening dinner 6:00 PM
Parking & Transit
Directly on the Red Line Metro (Bethesda station). Valet parking available on-site. A short walk to Bethesda Row and Marriott International's headquarters.
Registration

Register through Eventbrite. Questions about registration or the program may be directed to the NACST organizing committee.

Register Now
For questions, comments, or more information contact mdphdassociation@gmail.com