Chonnam National University (CNU) and the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) have been selected for the 2024 Global Physician-Scientist Training Program, funded by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and managed by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute. The program provides 1 billion KRW (approximately $800,000) for one year.
The consortium, led by CNU with GIST as a partner, will develop programs to train physician-scientists specializing in medical AI and immunotherapy. Named MAXIIMUM (Medical AI-X, Immunotherapy-based Innovative Medicine for Unmet Medical Needs), the initiative aims to address unmet medical challenges through cutting-edge AI and immunotherapy solutions.
Combining GIST’s expertise in AI and life sciences with CNU’s medical resources, the program will train early-career professors, residents, and fellows as future physician-scientists. Participants will gain hands-on knowledge from CNU’s medical school and hospital while benefiting from joint degrees and exposure to global training systems at institutions like Stanford and Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Jungjun Min, Director of Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital, emphasized the program’s significance, stating, “This initiative will lay the groundwork for developing future leaders in medical science through a structured training and education system.”
The Ministry of Health and Welfare selected three consortia: CNU-GIST, Seoul National University-KAIST, and Catholic University of Korea-POSTECH. The program seeks to foster global talent in biomedicine by developing training programs, promoting international collaboration, and creating a robust ecosystem for physician-scientist development.