u/Extreme-Piano-7968

As an incoming college freshman (microbiology) interested in pursuing an MSTP (MD/PhD program), I’m aiming to become either a pathologist or a research scientist. I’m drawn to pathology because it combines lab work with patient care, but I’m also very passionate about research. I have a few questions:

1. Do physician-scientists typically split their time between clinical practice and research, or do they focus more on one?
2. Are MD/PhD graduates able to conduct independent research, or do they mostly work in collaboration with others?
3. How far can a physician-scientist go in terms of career advancement with an MD/PhD?
4. What is the primary work environment for physician-scientists: labs, medical settings, or a mix of both?
5. How does the career of a physician-scientist differ from that of someone with just an MD or just a PhD?
6. Can MD doctors (without a PhD) conduct their own research or assist in research projects?
7. And if you have completed MSTP, what advices do you have?