Indiana University School of Medicine M.D./Ph.D.

05/15/2026

Happy Graduation Day, Indiana MSTP Class of 2026! 🎓✨ Cheers to your bright future ahead—can’t wait to see all you accomplish! 🥂👏

05/14/2026

Well done, Dr. Couetil!

What if doctors could better predict whether cancer will spread—and avoid unnecessary treatments?

Researchers at IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center and Indiana University School of Medicine are working to make that possible. Their new platform analyzes signs of damage in cancer and normal cells to help identify which tumors are likely to become life-threatening.

This work could help more patients safely choose active monitoring instead of aggressive treatment.

Learn how this research is shaping the future of cancer care decisions: https://ow.ly/vW1450YV8x8.

05/13/2026

Lexi’s MSTP journey was marked by opportunity, teamwork, and growth.

One of her favorite memories was presenting her research in South Korea, an experience that combined scientific exchange with the chance to broaden her perspective through international travel.

Her most iconic MSTP moments came through the program’s vertical mentoring competition—winning the inaugural event and then doing it again this past year! 🏆 The experience highlighted the power of collaboration and mentorship within the MSTP community.

Lexi is deeply grateful to the people who carried her through the journey, including friends, family, her fiancé, and her furry companions, whose support made even the longest days manageable.

Looking ahead, she is excited to pursue work at the intersection of computational modeling and imaging, with the goal of guiding patient‑specific treatment plans.

05/12/2026

Neal’s most meaningful MSTP memories came from simply spending time together. From playing pickleball with fellow MSTP students in West Lafayette to reconnecting as a cohort at retreats and winter dinners, those shared moments brought balance and community to a demanding journey.

One of his most iconic MSTP moments was presenting his research at SMRA in Japan. The experience offered the chance to meet researchers whose work he had long followed, engage with the global scientific community, and explore Japan along the way.

He is deeply grateful to the many people who carried him through, family, friends, mentors, and the MSTP community, whose support made the journey possible.

Looking ahead, Neal is excited to pursue research focused on novel imaging techniques to better understand neurovascular and neurodegenerative disorders, continuing to ask questions that can advance both science and patient care.

05/11/2026

Throughout her time in the MSTP, the moments that meant the most to Kaitlyn were the connections she built with family, friends, and science.

Some of her favorite memories came from Mother–Daughter trips with her mom, including visits to Walt Disney World and Disneyland. special moments of togetherness woven into a demanding journey.

Her most iconic MSTP experiences came through traveling for conferences, vacations, and meeting friends and mentors who will remain part of her life long after training. Those opportunities shaped not only her career, but her perspective on what this path could offer.

Kaitlyn is deeply grateful to the people who carried her through her parents, Gramsie, and Pappaw; her amazing friends; and her furry family members, Beau, Lily, Murphy, Sadie, Finnegan, and Chessie, who brought constant comfort and joy.

Looking ahead, Kaitlyn plans to continue advocating for true healthcare while exploring and defining what it means to be a physician‑scientist to her.

05/08/2026

Justin’s time in the MSTP was shaped by moments that balanced challenge with steady growth along the way.

One of his favorite memories was joining the program after MS2 and attending his first retreat in Bloomington—a milestone that helped solidify his place within the MSTP community.

One of Justin’s most iconic moments came during his PhD defense, when a simple mistake meant sending family and friends the wrong Zoom link. Despite the mix‑up, the defense went on and became a reminder that even major milestones don’t always go exactly as planned.

Justin is deeply grateful to the many people who carried him through the journey, including mentors, lab members, cohort friends, family, and the broader MSTP community, who offered support every step of the way.

Looking ahead, Justin’s next goal is to further develop the work from his PhD—transforming preliminary data into real technology that can meaningfully impact patient care.

05/07/2026

Reflecting on his time in the MSTP, Jonathan shares moments that will stay with him long after graduation.

Two of his favorite memories came from retreat keynotes that left a lasting impression. Hearing Dr. Samuel Shem, author of The House of God, speak was a dream come true. His candid insights into medicine helped shape how Jonathan thinks about healthcare and will continue to guide him moving forward. Equally unforgettable was the opportunity to interview Dr. Peter Hotez on stage, a prolific vaccine scientist whose work has saved countless lives.

One of Jonathan’s most iconic MSTP moments came after winning a Best Poster Award and presenting his work at a conference in Dallas, a milestone that marked both personal and professional growth.

Jonathan credits his journey to the unwavering support of his fiancée, Carlee; his parents, John and Lynn; his sister, Erica; and an incredible MSTP cohort who made every challenge more manageable.

Up next, Jonathan is headed to Baylor College of Medicine for combined adult and child medicine training. His career goals include caring for socially and economically vulnerable populations, particularly those with limited English proficiency, while continuing research in reward physiology, obesity, and exercise.

05/06/2026

Looking back on her time in the MSTP, Michelle’s memories are equal parts meaningful, memorable, and a little humorous.

One of her favorite experiences was traveling to Hawaii 🌺 for Cytokine 2022 with the Kaplan Lab—a perfect blend of science, collaboration, and shared adventure.

Some of her most iconic MSTP moments came with an unexpected twist. After years studying asthma in mouse models, Michelle developed seasonal allergies, mouse allergies, and asthma herself. The mice may have gotten the last laugh—but the lesson was memorable. 🐁

Michelle is deeply grateful to the many sources of support that carried her through, including her husband, Nathan; her friends and family; and her beloved “Ameowno Acids” 🐈 (Hisstidine, Purroline, Felinealanine, and Meowthionine), who offered constant comfort along the way.

Looking ahead, Michelle is excited to pursue a career in dermatology, with a focus on complex medical dermatology, and to continue applying her scientific training to patient care.

05/05/2026

Looking back on his time in the MSTP, Luke finds meaning in the people, the process, and the perspective gained along the way.

One of his favorite memories came from relating to a classmate early in medical school. In M1, Andrew was funny, warm, and felt familiar—a fellow engineer navigating medicine while slightly in over his head. They even ran at the same pace. Years later, watching Andrew run a marathon faster than Luke’s mile pace, successfully fulfill the aims of his F30, and make it all look effortless—whether in a bowtie or wraparound Oakleys—became a powerful reminder of how much people can grow over the course of this program.

Luke’s most iconic MSTP moment came late in his PhD, when he had to convince his P*s that his third aim was no longer viable. He proposed a fundamentally reimagined approach to achieve the same goal—and was heard, supported, and trusted. That revised aim became his favorite part of the project.

He is deeply grateful to the many people who carried him through: friends, family, partners, and pets who gave meaning to the hard days; P*s Natalia Rodriguez and Jackie Linnes for entrusting him with ambitious work at the intersection of public health and engineering; his PhD cohort and lab communities; the supportive residents and attendings at Riley; and the MSTP leadership and administration who provided guidance, structure, and steady advice along the way.

Looking ahead, Luke remains committed to using engineering to enable impactful public health interventions in resource‑limited settings. His goals include making vaccines more deliverable, affordable, and testable—and, at some point, building a very large garden on his roof.

05/04/2026

As Daniel looks back on nearly a decade in the MSTP, one moment rises above the rest—matching into psychiatry and celebrating with the partner, friends, and family who helped make the journey possible.

His most iconic MSTP moments reflect resilience and growth. From successfully defending his PhD during the COVID years, to late‑night retreat breakfasts at Denny’s with friends, to building a life in Indianapolis as a dog dad and aspiring guitarist—each chapter shaped the physician‑scientist he’s become.

Daniel is deeply grateful to those who carried him through: Maryssa, Sagara, Thom, and his family for their constant belief and encouragement; his pets, Mayo and Barry, for endless joy and levity; Dr. Kim and Dr. Karahan for guiding his graduate research during a uniquely challenging time; and Dr. Herbert and Dr. Gaston for steadfast leadership through the pandemic years.

He also extends his thanks to Dr. Sims, Dr. DeBosch, and Dr. Sheets, and to the behind‑the‑scenes engine of the MSTP—Lori and Josie—for the tireless work that keeps the program running.

Looking ahead, Daniel will remain in the Indianapolis area as a psychiatry resident. His goals include advocating for individuals with mental health conditions, expanding access to care through collaborative and virtual models, and pursuing clinical research at the intersection of mental health, AI, and neuro‑immuno‑metabolic science.

But first things first—his top priority is becoming the best intern he can be.

05/03/2026

Celebrating dedication and hard work at the IUSM White Coat Ceremony.

Congratulations MSTP MS2s!