Paths into medicine: From student researcher to physician-scientist

December 1, 2026 at 6:30 PM ET

Medicine is more than one path. Join two NSHSS scholars for an honest conversation about research, medical school, residency and the choices that shaped their careers. Hosted by NSHSS Fellows, this live online panel is open to all NSHSS members interested in medicine, biomedical engineering, research or public health. Bring your questions for live Q&A.

What you'll learn: 

  • How to find and land research opportunities as a student
  • What medical school, residency and fellowship look like, step by step
  • How AI and new technology are changing medicine and research
  • How to stay motivated through a long training path
Medicalcareers 2026

Meet the speakers

Yan Leyfman, MD

Hematology-Oncology Fellow, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

Dr. Leyfman is a physician-scientist focused on cancer immunotherapy and AI. He earned his MD at the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine and completed his residency at Mount Sinai South Nassau. He is co-founder and executive director of MedNews Week and an NSHSS member from the class of 2011.

Sara Kaufman

Charles R. Westgate Scholar, Johns Hopkins University

Sara has conducted biomedical research at Johns Hopkins Medicine since 2023, including a project modeling a heart condition with cardiac organoids. She is an Astronaut Scholar, Davidson Fellow and Coca-Cola Scholar, and received the 2021 NSHSS Notorious RBG Women of Tomorrow Scholarship.