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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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)

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

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.

Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) Dual Degree

The mission of our MSTP is to train a diverse and creative cadre of physician-scientists who will become leaders in their chosen fields of research, develop new knowledge, and translate it to enhance clinical practice. This training will serve the nation by developing physician-scientists who can accelerate the progress of biomedical research from the laboratory to the direct benefit of patients.

The MD is combined with a PhD program offered by the Graduate Program in Life Sciences (GPILS) in the following areas: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Epidemiology and Human Genetics, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Molecular Medicine, and Neuroscience.

Entrepreneurship and Communication Tracks for Doctoral Students

Graduates of PhD programs will find more job opportunities in more fields than ever before. However, the job market is rapidly becoming more competitive.

To address this, GPILS students can receive additional specialized training to better prepare them for careers in industry, government, science communication fields, and to enhance the skills they already have to make them more competitive for postdoctoral fellowships and faculty positions.

Students who complete all requirements will graduate with their doctorate and either a certificate in Scientific and Medical Entrepreneurship or Scientific Communication.