PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACTPhysician scientists are widely respected as a crucial bridge between bench and bedside conducting rigorousand relevant research to provide their field with novel evidence-based interventions for improved treatment andoutcomes of patients. This intersectional career comes with distinctive challenges and responsibilities. While ripefor collaborations and interdisciplinary projects the workforce lags in terms of representation of women andminorities compared to the traditional physician training.The American Physician Scientist Association (APSA) is a student led organization by trainees for traineesand strives to be the student physician-scientists' leading voice for improving educational opportunitiesadvancing patient-oriented research and advocating for the future of translational medicine. The University ofArizona College of Medicine is honored to host the 2020 APSA West Regional Meeting to promote novelinterdisciplinary collaborations support for underrepresented students in the field of academic medicine andmeaningful discussions on our responsibilities as chimeras in the world of science and medicine.The overarching goal of the 2020 APSA West Regional Meeting is to foster meaningful relationships amongstall stages of future and current physician scientists. These relationships are an essential piece in the successfulnavigation of the unique path toward a career as a clinical investigator and will contribute to the long-term goalof advancing patient-centered research.