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Graduate Program In Life Sciences (GPILS)

The Graduate Program in Life Sciences (GPILS) offers cutting-edge translational research training in basic, biomedical, clinical, and population sciences. We offer seven PhD granting graduate programs and three MS-level programs.

Our graduate programs cover the entire range of biomedical research and life sciences including the basics of protein structure and molecular biology, integrative systems physiology, virology, vaccine development, behavior, cognition, population-based genetics, and the impact of the environment on human health.


PhD Granting Programs

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Research areas include structural biology (crystallography and NMR spectroscopy), gene expression and regulation, cardiac muscle biology, DNA repair and cancer cell biology,  fluorescence spectroscopy, and viral DNA packaging.

Epidemiology and Human Genetics

Epidemiology and Human Genetics

Students admitted to the program choose one of three different research tracks: EpidemiologyMolecular Epidemiology, or Human Genetics.

Research areas in the Human Genetics track include complex disease genetics, biochemical genetics, gene mapping and function, infectious disease genetics, psychiatric genetics, pharmacogenetics, DNA instability, and cancer cytogenetics.

Research areas in the Epidemiology and Molecular Epidemiology tracks include vaccine evaluation, hospital epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance, issues in long-term care, disability in older adults, complementary and alternative therapies, global health and health disparities, veterinary epidemiology, injury epidemiology, cancer epidemiology, and genetic epidemiology of cardiovascular and other diseases.

Gerontology

Gerontology

The program provides an interdisciplinary and integrative perspective on the process of human aging and the experiences of growing old. The approach acknowledges the complex, dynamic, and bi-directional relationships among individuals and the historical, political, economic, environmental, psychological, social, cultural, and biological contexts in which aging occurs.

Molecular Medicine

Molecular Medicine

Students admitted to the program choose one of three different research tracks: Cancer Biology, Genome Biology, or Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Pharmacology.

Research areas in the Cancer Biology track include the identification of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, pathways of DNA damage and repair, cell cycle regulation, growth regulatory factors and cytokines, technological advancements in genomics, proteomics, and tissue arrays, and the development of successful cancer chemotherapies and immunotherapies based on the knowledge of specific molecular targets.

Research areas in the Genome Biology track include cancer genomics, human genomics, microbial genomics, model organism genomics, evolutionary and comparative genomics, and molecular processes surrounding gene and genome function.

Research areas in the Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Pharmacology track include brain development and behavior, cardiac biology, ion channels, GI and mucosal biology, gene regulation, synaptic transmission, molecular modeling, muscle biology, intercellular calcium signaling, membrane biology, and many other fundamental physiological processes at the cell and molecular level.

Molecular Microbiology and Immunology

Molecular Microbiology and Immunology

Research areas include microbial pathogenesis, immune cell function, inflammation, receptor signaling, prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene regulation, genetic manipulation of cell functions, tumor immunology and immunotherapy, vaccine development, functional genomics, gene delivery, and derivation of transgenic animals.

Neuroscience

Neuroscience

Research areas include addiction, synaptic and neural circuit form and function, neurodevelopment, neuroendocrinology, pain, schizophrenia, depression, neurodegeneration, stroke recovery, TBI, and cognition.

Physical Rehabilitation Science

Physical Rehabilitation Science

Research areas include neuromotor control, rehabilitation, musculoskeletal performance, rehabilitation epidemiology, and rehabilitation engineering and robotics.

MS Granting Programs

Cellular and Molecular Biomedical Science

Cellular and Molecular Biomedical Science

This program is designed to develop scientists for the post-genomic era by combining traditional areas of biomedical study, including molecular and cell biology, neuroscience, pharmacology, physiology, cancer biology, and genomics into a unique interdisciplinary graduate training program.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Research areas include structural biology (crystallography and NMR spectroscopy), gene expression and regulation, cardiac muscle biology, DNA repair and cancer cell biology,  fluorescence spectroscopy, and viral DNA packaging.

Epidemiology and Clinical Research (Epidemiology Track)

Epidemiology and Clinical Research (Epidemiology Track)

This track is only for internal applicants. Please reach out Jonathan Shinnick for more information.

Epidemiology and Clinical Research (Clinical Research Track)

Epidemiology and Clinical Research (Clinical Research Track)

This track is designed specifically to meet the needs of the clinician or clinician-in-training by providing a combination of coursework and research experiences needed for a successful career in clinical investigation. Students may select from multiple concentration areas: epidemiologic research, patient-oriented research, outcomes/health services research, human genetics, and research ethics.

Human Genetics and Genomic Medicine

Human Genetics and Genomic Medicine

This program is designed for students contemplating careers in human genetics, especially as it relates to health and disease. This track includes coursework, seminars, and supervised research culminating in a thesis. The MS in Human Genetics and Genomic Medicine follows a similar curriculum as the PhD Track in Human Genetics but with the second year devoted largely towards a master's thesis.

Events

News

June 1, 2024

Todd Gould, MD, (Psychiatry) comments on the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for treatment-resistant mental health conditions.

June 1, 2024

Margaret McCarthy, PhD, (Pharmacology) publishes a commentary and is featured on a podcast discussing the importance of sex and gender research in an era of misinformation and politicization.

May 24, 2024

Microbiome Science Company Hones In On Vaginal Health With New Launch

May 21, 2024

University of Maryland School of Medicine Launches Vaccine Development Program to Prevent Sepsis in Newborns

May 9, 2024

US Researchers Call for Robust Studies Into Dequalinium, a Bacterial Vaginosis Therapy Common in Europe

May 1, 2024

UMSOM Preclinical Study Finds Novel Stem Cell Therapy Boosts Neural Repair After Cardiac Arrest

April 25, 2024

Disadvantages, understaffing combine to ratchet up nursing homes’ antipsychotic reliance: study

April 5, 2024

Researchers Identify New Genetic Risk Factors for Persistent HPV Infections

March 20, 2024

New Study Reveals Insights into Lack of Durability in COVID Antibody Response to Infections & Vaccines

March 19, 2024

Newly Launched Musculoskeletal Physiology Service Center Strengthens the School of Medicine’s Shared Research Infrastructure

October 12, 2023

UM School of Medicine's Kirsten Lyke Elected as Member of Prestigious National Academy of Medicine

 

Student Publications

Student Awards and Honors


Other Resources


Contact Us

University of Maryland School of Medicine, Graduate Program in Life Sciences
655 W. Baltimore Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Email: GPILS-Info@som.umaryland.edu

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How To Apply

Application Deadlines


Office of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging


Student Spotlight

Meet Matthew Eason

Photo: Matthew Eason, second from left, is presented an award certificate by, from left, Phil Robilotto, Nancy Cowger, Jeff Purnell, Robert McCarthy, JD, PhD, and Rana Quraishi, PhD

Matthew was awarded second prize at the 2024 Graduate Translational Research Award for his project on how to utilize the protein obscurin to construct a new and effective therapy that inhibits metastatic spread of breast cancer tumors.

Matthew is an MD/PhD student in the Molecular Medicine program and conducts his research in Dr. Katia Kontrogianni-Konstantopoulos's lab.

Learn more about Matthew's achievements in The Elm.


Dissertation Defenses

More to come this fall!


Led by Jessica A. Mong, PhD

Jessica Mong, PhD is wearing a green blazer with a white blouse under it. She has shoulder length blonde hair and is smiling.

(she/her/hers)
Assistant Dean for Graduate & Postdoctoral Scholars
Professor, Department of Pharmacology
685 West Baltimore St, HSF I 580-I
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-706-4295
jmong@som.umaryland.edu