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: Epidemiology, Molecular 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 designed to offer an MS degree to students pursuing a PhD in Gerontology or Pharmaceutical Health Services Research as part of our dual degree programs.
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
August 20, 2023
Research Discovers Less Toxic Therapy Against Multiple Myeloma
July 21, 2023
July 19, 2023
April 26, 2023
First-generation doctoral student shares his amazing STEM journey
March 31, 2023
Traumatic Brain Injury Interferes with Immune System Cells’ Recycling Process in Brain Cells
February 22, 2023
The Molecular Mechanism Behind Abdominal Aneurysms
January 24, 2023
Special Vascular Cells Adjust Blood Flow in Brain Capillaries Based on Local Energy Needs
January 6, 2023
UM School of Medicine Scientists Create First Extensive Brain Cell Data Repository
December 22, 2022
A Three-Dose Malaria Vaccine Shows Safety, Efficacy in West African Adults
December 12, 2022
November 14, 2002
Brain Area Thought to Impart Consciousness, Behaves Instead Like an Internet Router
October 31, 2022
NCI Grants Awarded to IHV to Prevent Cancer and Improve Screening in Sub-Saharan Africa
August 30, 2022
Effects of Drugs in Mice can Depend on the Sex of the Human Experimenter
August 2, 2022
Gene Mutations from Patients with Debilitating Seizure and Movement Disorder Created in Mice
July 28, 2022
Researchers Discover One of the Largest Known Bacteria-to-Animal Gene Transfer Inside a Fruit Fly
June 23, 2022
May 31, 2022
Student Publications
Student Awards and Honors
- MS Scholar Award
- PhD Thesis Project Award
- PhD Scholar Award
- Postdoctoral Fellow Excellence in Research Award
- Postdoctoral Fellow Excellence in Service Award
- Postdoctoral Fellow Excellence in Mentorship Award
- Faculty Excellence in Postdoctoral Mentorship Award
- Teacher of the Year Award
- The Elaine Miye Otani Memorial Award
- Alumnus Award
- The Dr. Mark Shirtliff PhD Student Mentor Award
Other Resources
- Campus Center
- HS/HSL Library
- Training Grants
- Summer Research for Undergraduates
- Reserve a Room
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