The Making of a Physician-Scientist: a Dual-Degree Journey
As she completes her Ph.D. and continues her education in the NEOMED College of Medicine, Trinity Kronk reflects on leadership and the lessons learned along the way
By Jared F. Slanina
As most alumni of the College of Medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University can tell you, earning a medical degree is no small task. It’s long hours of studying, hands-on experiences in rotations and years of preparation to one day be responsible for the health of your patients. It clearly takes a high achiever who has dedication and gumption.
But simultaneously earning a Ph.D. along with an M.D.? Now that takes a unique individual.
Trinity Kronk, center, shared information on the OsTech device during a NEOvations Bench to Bedside competition, while Arnesto Solorzano Zepada, Ph.D. (’23), looks on.
It doesn’t take long to learn that medical student Trinity Kronk is far from ordinary. At the time this article was written, Kronk was preparing to defend her thesis, “Protective Roles of GPNMB and CD44 in the Progression of Post-Traumatic and Age-Related Osteoarthritis,” the last step in earning her Ph.D.
“My decision to pursue both an M.D. and Ph.D. came from a desire to not only care for patients directly, but also to impact patients on a broader scale through research,” Kronk said of her decision to earn dual degrees.
“I became interested in orthopaedics and was struck by how common and debilitating musculoskeletal conditions are yet how limited our treatment options remain beyond symptom management. That gap between what we see clinically and what we can offer patients motivated me to pursue research alongside medicine.”
A Personal Milestone
Kronk also enjoyed a personal milestone in the midst of her medical education. In 2023, Kronk gave birth to her first child. Her now three-year old son has brought her incredible joy and taught her things that can’t be learned in a classroom.
“Becoming a parent has been the greatest joy of my life, and it has also made me a better person,” said Kronk. “The lessons I’ve learned, such as patience, adaptability and perspective, will directly translate into me being a better physician.”
Though raising a family while juggling a very demanding educational and professional path may seem overwhelming, Kronk is certain that her status as a mother will only help improve her skills as a physician and researcher.
“Ultimately, I don’t see my role as a parent and my career in medicine as competing priorities, but as deeply complementary,” she said. “Being a mother has shaped how I show up for my family, for my work and for my future patients, and I truly believe it will make me a more empathetic, thoughtful and effective clinician.”
Kronk will begin her third year in the College of Medicine in Fall 2026, as she looks forward to integrating her research knowledge with the development of clinical skills. Her ultimate goal is to become an academic pediatric orthopaedic surgeon-scientist.
“Ultimately, I don’t see my role as a parent and my career in medicine as competing priorities, but as deeply complementary. Being a mother has shaped how I show up for my family, for my work and for my future patients, and I truly believe it will make me a more empathetic, thoughtful and effective clinician.”
Trinity Kronk
Her research experience has already gone a long way towards her growth as a budding physician and researcher.
“Research has also reinforced the importance of connecting basic science back to patient care,” Kronk said. “In my work studying mechanisms of joint degeneration in osteoarthritis, I’ve learned to continually ask how what we’re discovering in the lab could ultimately translate into better treatments. Keeping that broader purpose in mind has made the challenges of research more meaningful and has shaped how I approach both science and medicine.”
Leading by Example
As if her academic pursuits weren’t already enough, Kronk has become a staple of the NEOMED community through several leadership roles. She played an instrumental role in the creation of the Journal of Medical Sciences, a peer-reviewed publication that provides a platform for NEOMED students, faculty and affiliates to publish their scholarly work. She has also served on the board and held several leadership positions for NEOvations Bench to Bedside, a program in which students and professionals collaborate to develop medical innovations from concept to prototype.
“Leadership often requires persistence and the ability to stay focused on long-term goals while adapting along the way,” said Kronk. “I’ve also developed a deep appreciation for the value of a strong team and the importance of leveraging each member’s unique strengths. None of the work I’ve been part of could have been accomplished alone, and some of the most meaningful outcomes came from bringing together motivated individuals around a shared goal.”
It’s clear that Kronk understands the hallmark of a leader is surrounding yourself with the right people and leading by example to help build something remarkable.
“Building that kind of team, where people feel invested and supported, is paramount to creating real impact. Over time, I’ve realized that leadership is something I genuinely enjoy and feel naturally drawn to,” said Kronk. “These experiences have strengthened my confidence in leading initiatives, working alongside others, and contributing in a way that creates lasting, positive change.”
Trinity Kronk (center) earned her Ph.D. in 2026. She was hooded by Matthew Smith, Ph.D. (’17), and Fayez Safadi, Ph.D.
Kronk did such an impressive job in these leadership roles that she was appointed to the NEOMED Board of Trustees by Gov. Mike DeWine. Kronk began her appointment as a student trustee on Dec. 19, 2024, with her two-year term coming to a close in June 2026.
Kronk took a tremendous amount of pride in her role as a student trustee. She clearly understood it was a responsibility to take seriously by being a voice for her fellow classmates and contributing to the overall NEOMED community.
“I aimed to serve as a bridge between students and leadership, bringing forward insights shaped by my own experiences, being both a student in the College of Medicine and College of Graduate Studies, and those of my peers, while also helping to foster greater transparency and understanding of the broader institutional landscape,” said Kronk. “One of the most meaningful ways I was able to make an impact was by ensuring that student experiences and concerns were consistently represented in conversations about institutional priorities. Overall, the experience strengthened my ability to lead, communicate and advocate, and I’m grateful to have contributed a student voice to conversations that shape the future of the University.”