The Department of Genetics Genome Sciences embraces a unified program devoted to outstanding research and teaching in all areas of genetics, with particular emphases on genetics and genomics, human and model system genetics, animal models of human disease, stem cell models of human disease, epigenetics and the regulation of gene expression, therapeutic targets of human genetic disease, as well as developmental genetics. Faculty conduct internationally recognized research programs in each of these areas. They also are committed to training the next generation of leading genetics researchers. The Department has several affiliated programs that provide additional research and training opportunities, including the at and the at the .
The GGS graduate program has maintained an active student body for many years and consistently has 25-30 students enrolled. The student body provides the momentum and driving force for research in the department. During the last six years, GGS students published 1st author papers in Cell Stem Cell, Genome Research, Nature, Nature Biotechnology, Nature Genetics, Science, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Since 2012, eight GGS students have been awarded pre-doctoral fellowships from American Heart Association and the National Institutes of Health. A 2015 graduate, Olivia Corradin, was recently selected to be a Whitehead Fellow, a highly selective and prestigious program at the Whitehead Institute and MIT that provides support for her own independent research program right out of her graduate studies without further postdoctoral training.
The department has a strong, long-standing commitment to providing excellence in graduate education. The department offers a well-developed training program that integrates courses, workshops, journal clubs and student seminars to help students to develop research capabilities as well as other crucial skills such as oral and written presentations. Students are expected to present a research seminar annually to the department followed by a brief session that critiques the presentation by faculty members. The graduate program directors, the department chair and the thesis committee chair formally review students’ academic progress annually. The time to degree in 2013-2019 is 5.42 years. The program supports students’ career development by advising students on teaching opportunities, obtaining clinical laboratory experience, etc.
How to Apply
Applications to the PhD program in Genetics and Genome Sciences are through the Biomedical Scientist Training Program (BSTP), which provides access to most of the biomedical science PhD programs at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ during the first semester.
The BSTP is a highly competitive program. You are encouraged to apply in the fall or early winter (by October 15) and begin your studies the following summer. Your application will be considered by the Admissions Committee as soon as it is complete, and applications are accepted until January 1.