About the Academy
The National Academy Of Future Physicians And Medical Scientists Is Dedicated To Supporting Talented Students Achieve Their Dreams Of Becoming Medical Leaders
ABOUT THE ACADEMY / Academy Leadership / Our Story / For-Profit vs Non-Profit / Supporting Organizations
Our History
2013
14
40,000
Academy Leadership
Mario Capecchi, Ph.D.
Science Director
Dr. Mario Capecchi currently serves as Science Director to the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists. Dr. Capecchi, a biophysicist, is a Distinguished Professor of Human Genetics at the University of Utah School of Medicine.
He is best known for his groundbreaking work in gene targeting in mouse embryo-derived stem cells. He was awarded the 2007 Nobel Prize in Medicine, along with Martin Evans and Oliver Smithies, for their work in finding ways to manipulate the mammalian genome by inserting new genes into cells.
This research led to the breeding of “knock-out mice” and “knock-in mice,” animals with a single gene removed or inserted. Dr. Capecchi’s knock-out mice allow scientists complete freedom regarding how to manipulate the DNA sequences in the genome of living mice. His research interests include analysis of early mouse development, neural development in mammals, gene therapy, and production of murine models of human genetic diseases.
Dr. Capecchi’s current research at the Capecchi Lab at the University of Utah School of Medicine is on modeling certain neuro and psychiatric disorders and pediatric cancers to measure and ultimately develop human therapies.
About The Academy
America is facing a national crisis. At current graduation and training rates, there will soon be a shortage of as many as 150,000 primary care doctors and specialists, according to the American Association of Medical Colleges. This will result in inequality and hardship for large numbers of U.S. citizens.
While the major cause of this shortage will be too few medical schools, it is essential to continue inspiring qualified young people to become doctors and medical scientists. For this to happen, numerous negative messages about joining the profession must be countered.
Additionally, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education will continue to play a critical role in enabling the U.S. to remain the economic and technological leader of the 21st-century global marketplace.
Shockingly, in the United States, virtually everyone can list names of multiple movie stars and athletes, but two-thirds of Americans can’t name a single living scientist, according to a Research!America National Poll.
The National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists was chartered as a nonpartisan, taxpaying institution to help address this crisis by working to identify, encourage and mentor students who wish to devote their lives to the service of humanity as physicians, medical scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians.
Most Academy programs and services are completely free of charge.
Among the free services are online social networks for future doctors and medical scientists to communicate; opportunities for students to be guided and mentored by physicians and medical students; and regular communications for parents and students on college acceptance and finances, skills acquisition, internships, leadership training, career guidance, and much more.
Online leadership training will include units on confidence building, study skills, time management, listening and speaking skills, likability, negotiating, and problem-solving.
These are the real-world survival skills that leaders will need to succeed in the 21st century.
The National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists was founded on the belief that we must identify prospective medical talent at the earliest possible age and help these students acquire the necessary experience and skills to take them to the doorstep of this vital career.
For Profit Vs Non-Profit
The Academy is part of the quickly growing trend of “socially responsible tax-paying organizations,” having incorporated social responsibility into our founding and activities.
We believe that if we are efficient, if we demand responsible practices at every level and, above all, if we hold ourselves to the highest ethical conduct, we can achieve tremendous, long-term successes for students who wish to serve humanity as physicians, medical scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians.
What does this mean to you?
- No burden on the taxpayer. Part of the taxes you pay goes to support every organization that pays no taxes;
- No grant money. We ask for no money from public organizations, leaving that money available for other purposes.
Instead, we will self-fund all our free services and millions of dollars of full scholarships each year, all using tuition money from events we sponsor.
We have the greatest respect for the work of the thousands of non-profit charities and educational institutions that improve the future of our citizens and humanity.
We believe the government and nonprofit sector are necessary to address society’s greatest challenges but require additional assistance. It is this higher purpose to which we commit ourselves; our impact on society, our employees and the community.
Supporting Organizations
The Society of Torch and Laurel
The Society of Torch & Laurel is a high school honors program developed by the National Society of Collegiate Scholars to recognize high school high-achievers and provide them and their families with the vital tools to successfully transition to college.
The National Society of Collegiate Scholars
The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) is an honors organization that recognizes and elevates high-achieving students. NSCS provides career and graduate school connections, leadership and service opportunities, and gives out more than $1 million annually in scholarships, awards, and chapter funds.
College Admission Central
College Admission Central supports exceptional high school students aiming for the Ivy League and Top-Tier with personalized coaching. Our CEO, Dr. Deborah Bedor (University of Pennsylvania) is one of the nation’s most beloved and respected college advisors. She develops unique STEM, research, entrepreneurial, and creative pursuits that make each applicant stand out to Admissions.
American Medical Student Association
The American Medical Student Association (AMSA), founded in 1950 and based in Washington, D.C., is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States. AMSA is a student-governed, national organization.
American College of Surgeons
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) is a scientific and educational association of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to improve the quality of care for the surgical patient by setting high standards for surgical education and practice.
Proud Member of
The STEM Education Coalition’s mission is to raise awareness amongst policymakers at every level about the critical role that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education plays in enabling the U.S. to remain the economic and technological leader of the global marketplace of the 21st century. The Coalition believes that our nation must improve the way our students learn STEM and that the business, education, and STEM communities must work together to achieve this goal.
Proud to be Listed
The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the leading organization of and voice for principals and other school leaders across the United States. NASSP seeks to transform education through school leadership, recognizing that the fulfillment of each student’s potential relies on great leaders in every school committed to the success of each student. Reflecting its long-standing commitment to student leadership development, NASSP administers the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, National Elementary Honor Society, and National Student Council.
