Five Upstate Medical University students will receive both an MD and a PhD.

The work involved in achieving two doctorates can take almost a decade to complete depending on one’s circumstances. And that’s not all, some of these students have married and started families.

Upstate’s MD/PhD recipients are listed here along with their hometowns, degree-granting program, dissertation sponsor, and undergraduate institution.

Kyle Alpha, Jordan, N.Y.; Anatomy and Cell Biology; Christopher Turner, PhD, St. Bonaventure University.

Alan Blayney, Ottawa, Ontario; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Stewart Loh, PhD; McGill University.

Liam Coyne, Buffalo, N.Y.; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Xin Jie Chen, PhD; Cornell University.

Ronald Miller 3d, Liverpool, N.Y.; Neuroscience; Daniel Tso, PhD; SUNY Binghamton.

Laura Szczesniak, Whitesboro, N.Y.; Pharmacology; Richard Wojcikiewicz; SUNY Geneseo.

Caption: Receiving both an MD and PhD at Upstate's Commencement are, from left, Kyle Alpha, Liam Coyne, Alan Blayney, Laura Szczesniak, and Ronald Miller (inset).