Brandon Tan, MD, has been selected as one of the 2023 Dean’s Scholars for his research project “lipid modulation of serotonin 3 receptor structure and function.”
The Dean’s Scholars program provides up to two years of financial support and mentorship to aspiring, early-career physician-scientists, along with dedicated time for conducting laboratory research. While many physician-scientists hold medical and doctoral degrees, the Dean’s Scholars program aims to strengthen the research skills of those who have earned only medical degrees.
Tan underwent a competitive application process that required interviews with senior faculty and presentations of his proposed project. His project explores how the serotonin 3 receptor—implicated in nausea, depression, anxiety, and psychosis—changes its activity when the lipid environment is altered. His hope is that the information gleaned from the study proves useful in the creation of new medications targeting the serotonin 3 receptor.
Currently, Tan is a PGY5 and a trainee in our Academic Scholars Advancement Program (ASAP) which was designed to accelerate the careers of physician-scientists in anesthesiology and position them to make groundbreaking scientific discoveries. Tan will graduate from the Pediatric Fellowship program in 2023.
“The ASAP has been invaluable in granting me the time and mentorship to start my career,” says Tan. “Dr. Cheng is an excellent mentor who has been focused on my development as a physician-scientist. I look forward to the next few years of learning more from and with him.”
His mentor, Wayland Cheng, MD, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Division of Basic Research in the Department of Anesthesiology and an alumnus of ASAP.
“Brandon is a talented physician-scientist, who is passionate about his research. ASAP gave him time to develop this project and prepare an impressive application,” says Cheng. “As an alumnus of ASAP myself, it is exciting to see a graduate of the program receive this prestigious award.” Learn more about the annual award, current and past recipients, and Dr. Tan’s research on the Division of Physician-Scientists website.