Course Faculty
Student Limit of 12
Quantitative Medicine and Innovation in Physiologic Sciences (QUIPS)
The QUIPS Discovery Pathway is organized into two main themes: 1) Quantitative Medicine (QU), and 2) Innovation in Physiologic Sciences (IPS).
Quantitative Medicine (QU)
As new technologies are developed and refined, the amount and resolution of data continue to increase. Quantitative methods can integrate and summarize massive amounts of data from multiple sources. These methods can be used to diagnose diseases, choose appropriate therapies, find therapeutic targets, or develop novel strategies. The training of physician-scientists requires understanding quantitative methods to contribute to advances in the field of medicine and provide the highest quality of care.
This section prepares students for collaboration with quantitative modelers by 1) teaching concepts in systems modeling of physiology and pathophysiology and 2) building on statistical concepts used to interpret reports of study outcomes.
Systems models are mathematical representations of physiology or pathophysiology. They incorporate key relevant components such as tumor-immune system or glucose-insulin dynamics. They are used to study disease progression and therapeutic interventions. They integrate available information into a quantitative framework in order to support predictions of outcomes, simulations of “what if” scenarios, and better decision-making.
Students will receive instruction and perform hands-on exercises, hear from experts in quantitative methods applied to disease, learn about principles of systems modeling, and discuss and generate their own schematic systems models.
Innovation in Physiologic Sciences (IPS)
These sessions focus on cutting edge basic science as it pertains to physiology and medicine. Dynamic faculty members will present and guide discussion of a cutting-edge advance in topics that the scholars cover in their medical curriculum blocks. These sessions may cover an article or technique or a change in thinking in the field. The goal is to have a dynamic interactive session on the following topics:
Microbiology & Immunology
Cancer
Respiratory System
Cardiovascular System
Kidney & Urinary Tract
Dermatology & Musculoskeletal
Neuroscience
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Endocrinology & Reproduction
Hematology
Objectives
- Identify and understand the concept of systems models
- Describe the impact of various systems model approaches on understanding physiology and pathophysiology
- Compare and contrast systems models and machine learning models
- Analyze and critique systems models for multiple diseases
- Explain capabilities of systems models and the data/resources required to support them
- Analyze and critique landmark and breakthrough studies for multiple diseases
Activities
- Interactive monthly presentations by experts in quantitative systems modeling and in major physiologic systems
- Summarizing a systems model from the medical literature
- Investigating a setting that could benefit from a systems modeling approach
- Creating a small systems model diagram
Assessment
- Attendance at all lectures and seminars
- Teamwork in small-group activities
- Completion of all assignments on time
- Active participation in group discussions during the course
- Certificate of Distinction will be considered for students who complete above requirements AND one of the following:
- Conduct a research project on a clinical outcome (complete with critical evaluation of the statistical analysis) with acceptance for presentation at a national meeting or a manuscript submitted for publication
- Design a prospective clinical study to be implemented as part of the Clinical Practicum (including a statistical design and analysis plan)
- Create a novel systems model of a medically-relevant problem:
- design a study to support the model, including types of data and statistical analysis that would be needed; accepted for presentation at a national meeting or in a manuscript submitted for publication
- OR in collaboration with a quantitative modeler, analyze the model to determine the most influential pathways in the model; accepted for presentation at a national meeting or in a manuscript submitted for publication