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PhD Biomedical Sciences

Explore, experiment and experience before deciding on your path

Are you passionate about advancing discoveries to treat and prevent diseases? Envision yourself studying alongside distinguished mentors and colleagues as you make an impact on biomedical research at the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

Discover the PhD in Biomedical Sciences

As a student in the PhD Biomedical Sciences umbrella program, you’ll join a community recognized for collaboration, achievements and outcomes to prepare you to become a science leader.

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Explore your research interests

PhD Programs of Study

By taking three research rotations by the end of your first year, you’ll discover the research area that interests you the most. This experience reflects the school’s emphasis on intellectual curiosity. Ultimately, with the support of faculty and staff, you will determine the bestfit for you and choose one of our seven programs of study:

Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology

Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology – study the areas of molecular, cellular and regulatory biochemistry, molecular biophysics, chemical biology and structural biology

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology – study the development and application of computational and mathematical models to biological problems, with an emphasis on the now-available, high-throughput genomic and proteomic data

Cancer Biology

Cancer Biology – study biochemistry, genetics, molecular and cell biology, and the clinical aspects of cancer to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human cancers

Immunology and Microbiology

Immunology and Microbiology – study the molecular and cellular basis of immune responsiveness, molecular mechanisms of viral replication, host-pathogen interactions, and the control of viral, bacterial and parasitic infections

Interdisciplinary

Interdisciplinary – study a combination of approaches to biomedical research that may include classical genetics, molecular genetics, genomics/proteomics, biochemistry, and light and electron microscopy

Neuroscience

Neuroscience – study areas such as the neural, molecular and genetic mechanisms that underlie nervous system development, learning and memory, addiction, glial responses to neuronal injury, and circadian rhythmicity.

Translational Science

Translational Science – study solutions to clinical problems by applying the power of cutting-edge biological tools

Career Exploration

student in research lab Our graduates become leaders in all sectors of biomedicine including research, education, policy and entrepreneurship. In your third year of study, you can participate in small group Career Pathways Communities to learn about academic and industry research options, policy and regulatory affairs, business and commercial development, and more.

Student Spotlight

Getting Results…

PhD candidate aims to make gene therapy techniques safer

PhD candidate Suk Namkung has lived on three continents. He aims to investigate and advance a new generation of gene therapy viral vectors.

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Musically minded PhD candidate targets movement disorders through fruit flies

PhD candidate Lucas Restrepo tackles movement disorders using fruit fly genetics and, in his spare time, plays the banjo.

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PhD student aims to develop novel immunotherapies to conquer ALS

Summer camps fueled PhD student Ashley Harkins’ passion for neuroscience and led her to study neuroinflammatory disorders at UMass Chan.

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PhD candidate seeks to develop first clinically approved antifungal vaccine

PhD candidate Maureen Hester has experienced UMass Chan as an undergraduate intern, research laboratory technician and as a PhD student. Her research targets Cryptococcus neoformans, a fungal pathogen that can cause pneumonia and progress to meningitis.

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