phd in medical genetics

Ph.D. Program

Graduate studies.

The Genetics Ph.D. program provides opportunities for graduate study in all major areas of modern genetics, including identification and analysis of human disease genes, molecular evolution, gene therapy, statistical genetics, application of model organisms to problems in biology and medicine, and computational and experimental approaches to genome biology.

An underlying theme in our Department is that genetics is not merely a set of tools but a coherent and fruitful way of thinking about biology and medicine. To this end, we emphasize a spectrum of approaches based on molecules, organisms, populations, and genomes.

We provide training through laboratory rotations, dissertation research, seminar series, didactic and interactive coursework, and an annual three-day retreat.

Students receive a competitive stipend ($51,600) for the 2023-24 Academic Year), tuition, health insurance, and a dental care stipend for a full four years. We also encourage students to seek additional fellowships, including but not limited to: NSF GRFP , NIH F31 , NDSEG , Stanford Bio-X fellowship , Stanford DARE , and Stanford CEHG Fellowship .

Lab Rotations

Students rotate through 3 laboratories during their first year in the Genetics Graduate Program. While most students start in Fall Quarter, students are encouraged to consider participating in the  Advance Summer Institute  for a smoother early transition into graduate school. There is a nomination & selection process. The department nominates, so if you are interested please let the department student services officer know. The program is not meant to be a source of summer bridge funding or simply an early rotation opportunity. There are many components to the program that require commitment of time and effort and the funding, reflects both the expectation of full participation and belief that participants should be compensated for these efforts. Office of Graduate Education does the selection for ADVANCE. There is no guarantee that if you are nominated that you will be of admitted into ADVANCE.

Rotations typically last one quarter each, but can be less and are contingent upon the faculty member agreeing to the rotation request. All Genetics students must rotate with at least 1 Genetics faculty member (primary or secondary appointment). Other rotations may be done with any Bioscience faculty.

While students may select a thesis laboratory after completing their third rotation, you can do more Selection of the dissertation research laboratory must be done with the faculty member's approval. Prior to committing to a dissertation laboratory, students are invited to discuss their selection with the Graduate Program Director. Students are welcome to join labs outside of the Genetics Department; if so, they will discuss with the Graduate Program Director whether transferring into that department would be beneficial.

Dissertation Research

Once a student selects a permanent laboratory, they begin their dissertation research that will last for approximately four years. All students are expected to publish at least one first-author paper about their research during this time period, and the work culminates with a thesis defense presentation and written dissertation. See the Genetics Student Handbook for more information.

Coursework, Qualifying Exams, and other Requirements

Students in the Genetics Graduate Program take the Qualifying Examination in the Fall Quarter of their second year of study. There are two parts to the exam, a written research proposal and an oral examination.

Ami Bhatt, Dylan Maghini, and collaborators from the University of the Witwatersrand visit with researchers and staff at the MRC/Wits Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit in Agincourt, South Africa.

Ami Bhatt, Dylan Maghini, and collaborators tour the MRC/Wits Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit labs and biobank facility in Agincourt, South Africa.

Service Requirement

Service and outreach are a critical component of a student’s development as a scientist, and offer unique opportunities to learn by interacting with individuals outside the Department. Students are expected to participate in a minimum of 60 hours of service and/or outreach work prior to defending their dissertation.

Supplementary Educational Activities

In addition to your courses, qualifying exams, and dissertation, the Genetics Department has arranged additional educational activities for students. These regularly occurring meetings are:

Current Issues in Genetics (CIG) Two people from the Genetics Department give 20-25 minute presentations about their current work at this weekly Friday meeting. Students in their third year and above are expected to present their work annually. This series gives students the chance to learn about the range of science going on in the department and provides a great opportunity to give formal presentations to peers and colleagues. 

Graduate Student Journal Club This weekly journal club is organized completely by graduate students from the Genetics and Developmental Biology Departments. At each meeting, one or two graduate students lead 30 minute discussions on their choice of a recent journal article. For the first three years of the Ph.D. program, each student presents once per academic year.

Refreshments are provided by the graduate students and reimbursed up to the current year limit. Reimbursement requires an original receipt to the Student Services Coordinator.

Frontiers in Biology  Every week, the Departments of Genetics, Developmental Biology, and Biochemistry host an external speaker through the “Frontiers in Biology” seminar series. First year students also take a course related to this seminar (GENE 215), where they discuss a relevant paper the day before and meet the speaker after the presentation. 

Frontiers is held most Wednesdays at 4pm in Clark Auditorium.

Other Seminar Series There are many other regular seminar series on campus that students choose to attend. Some of the most popular include:

Center of Law and the Biosciences lunchtime talks. See CLB events calendar or subscribe to the listserv

Evolgenome (organized by CEHG). See CEHG website or subscribe to the listserv

Teaching and Mentoring Academy Events. See TMA website or subscribe to the listserv

Discussing Developmental Data (3D). See events schedule

Biomedical Seminars. See events schedule or subscribe to the listserv

Requirements

Important forms.

Service Requirement Form Click Here

Other Important Info

Please examine the research interests and laboratory descriptions available from the Department Faculty page.

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs maintains a list of open postdoctoral positions. This site also provides useful information to those considering postdoctoral positions at Stanford.

Human Genetics and Genomics, PhD

School of medicine, ph.d. program.

The Johns Hopkins Human Genetics Training Program provides a training in all aspects of human genetics and genomics relevant to human biology, health and disease. 

Advances in human genetics and genomics continue at an astounding rate and increasingly they are being integrated into medical practice. The Human Genetics Program aims to educate highly motivated and capable students with the knowledge and experimental tools that will enable them to answer important questions at the interface between genetics and medicine. Ultimately, our trainees will be the leaders in delivering the promise of genetics to human health.

The overall objective of the Human Genetics program is to provide our students with a strong foundation in basic science by exposure to a rigorous graduate education in genetics, genomics, molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry and biostatistics as well as a core of medically-related courses selected to provide knowledge of human biology in health and disease. 

This program is also offered as training for medical students in the combined M.D./Ph.D. program.  Students apply to the combined program at the time of application to the M.D. program. (See section entitled Medical Scientist Training Program).

Research Facilities

Research laboratories are well equipped to carry out sophisticated research in all areas of genetics. The proximity to renown clinical facilities of the Johns Hopkins Hospital, including the Department of Genetic Medicine, and Oncology Center provides faculty and students with access to a wealth of material for study. Computer and library facilities are excellent. Laboratories involved in the Human Genetics Program span Johns Hopkins University; consequently supporting facilities are extensive.

Financial Aid

The program is supported by a training grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. These fellowships, which are restricted to United States citizens and permanent United States residents, cover tuition, health care insurance and a stipend during year one.  Once a student has joined a thesis lab, all financial responsibilities belong to the mentor.   Students are encouraged, however, to apply for fellowships from outside sources (e.g., the National Science Foundation, Fulbright Scholars Program, Howard Hughes Medical Institute) before entering the program.

Applicants for admission should show a strong academic foundation with coursework in biology, chemistry and quantitative analysis.   Applicants are encouraged to have exposure to lab research or to data science.  A bachelor's degree from a qualified college or university will be required for matriculation.  GREs are no longer required.

The Human Genetics site has up-to-date information on “ How to Apply .” For questions not addressed on these pages, please access the contact imformation listed on the program page: Human Genetics and Genomics Training Program | Johns Hopkins Department of Genetic Medicine (hopkinsmedicine.org) .

Program Requirements

The program includes the following required core courses: Advanced Topics in Human Genetics, Evolving Concept of the Gene, Molecular Biology and Genomics, Cell Structure and Dynamics, Computational Bootcamp,  Pathways and Regulation, Genomic Technologies, Rigor and Reproducibility in Research, and Systems, Genes and Mechanisms of Disease. Numerous elective courses are available and are listed under sponsoring departments.

Our trainees must take a minimum of four electives, one of which must provide computational/statistical training.

The HG program requires the “OPTIONS” Career Curriculum offered by the Professional Development and Career Office.  OPTIONS is designed to provide trainees with the skills for career building and the opportunity for career exploration as well as professional development training

Human Genetics trainees also take a two-week course in July at the Jackson Labs in Bar Harbor, Maine entitled "Human and Mammalian Genetics and Genomics: The McKusick Short Course" which covers the waterfront from basic principles to the latest developments in mammalian genetics. The faculty numbers about 50 and consists roughly in thirds of JAX faculty, Hopkins faculty and “guest” faculty comprising outstanding mammalian geneticists from other US universities and around the world.

The courses offered by the faculty of the program are listed below. All courses are open to graduate students from any university program as well as selected undergraduates with permission of the course director.

Trainees must complete three research rotations before deciding on their thesis lab.  They must also participate in the Responsible Conduct of Research sessions offered by the Biomedical Program; starting at year 3, students must attend at least two Research Integrity Colloquium lectures per year. 

Our trainees participate in weekly journal clubs, department seminars, monthly Science & Pizza presentations as well as workshops given twice a year on diversity, identity and culture.

At the end of the second year, trainees take their Doctoral Board Oral Examination.  Annual thesis committee meetings must be held following successful completion of this exam.

Average time for completion is 5.3 years.

Graduates from the Human Genetics program pursue careers in academia, medicine, industry, teaching, government, law, as well the private sector.  Our trainees are encouraged to explore the full spectrum of professional venues in which their training my provide a strong foundation. Driven by curiosity and a desire for excellence, our trainees stand out as leaders in the chosen arenas of professional life. They are supported in the development of their career plans by a program faculty and administration who are dedicated to their success, and by a myriad of support networks across the Johns Hopkins University, many of which are provided by the Professional Development Career Office of the School of Medicine.

• Working Groups
• Faculty Jobs
• Postdoc & Postgrad jobs

Graduate Program

• Fellowship in Laboratory Genetics and Genomics (LGG)
• Clinical Genetics and Genomics Residency Training Program
• Pathway Programs
• Research Labs
• Office for Strategic Research Development
• Spatial Technology
• Bioinformatics
• Project Submission
• Service Fees
• Centers & Affiliations
• Participate in Our Research
• Post-Doctoral
• Junior Faculty
• 2021 Recipient
• 2020 Recipient
• 2019 Recipient
• Leadership & Contacts
• Genetics Graduate Student Executive Council
• Committee Roster
• Equity and Inclusion Program (EQUIP)
• What is Clinical Genetics
• Our Clinical Team
• Clinics & Making Appointments
• Impacting COVID-19 Outcomes through Genomics (ICOG)
• Special Events

INFORMATION FOR

• Residents & Fellows
• Researchers

Teaching Responsibilities

Additional responsibilities, md/phd studies, admission & financial aid.

The program of study leading to the PhD degree emphasizes a broad approach to the fundamental principles of genetics, development and molecular biology combined with extensive research training. The program is designed to permit close interaction between graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty, while also encouraging full participation in the larger community of biological scientists at Yale.

The PhD program in Genetics is designed to provide the student with a broad background in general genetics and the opportunity to conduct original research in a specific area of genetics. The Genetics student is expected to acquire a broad understanding of genetics, spanning knowledge of at least three basic areas of genetics, which include molecular, cellular, organismal, and population genetics. Normally this requirement is accomplished through the satisfactory completion of formal courses, many of which cover more than one of these areas. Students are required to pass at least six graduate level courses.

Students enter the Genetic Graduate Program following the completion of their first year of studies within the BBS Program. Normally students entering the Genetics Graduate Program have selected a faculty thesis advisor with an appointment in the Department of Genetics. Advanced graduate study becomes increasingly focused on the successful completion of original research and the preparation of a written dissertation under the direct supervision of a faculty advisor along with the guidance of a thesis committee.

A qualifying examination is given during the second year of study. This examination consists of a period of directed reading with the faculty followed by the submission of two written proposals and an oral examination. Following the completion of course work and the qualifying examination, the student submits a dissertation prospectus (by the end of the sixth term) and is admitted to candidacy for the PhD degree. There is no language requirement.

The completed research is presented in the form of a written dissertation and a formal seminar. Typically four to six years are required in total to complete work for the PhD degree.

An important aspect of graduate training in genetics is the acquisition of communication and teaching skills. Students participate in presentation seminars and are asked to serve as teaching assistants during two terms (or the equivalent). Teaching duties normally involve assisting in discussion sections, seminar groups or laboratories, and grading, and do not require more than 10 hours per week. Teaching activities are drawn from a diverse menu of lecture, laboratory, and seminar courses given at the undergraduate, graduate, and medical school level. Students are not expected to teach during their first year.

Exchange of information with colleagues is an essential component of scientific life. The Genetics Department hosts a Genetics Journal Club as well as a weekly seminar series. Advanced graduate students present the results of their research to members of the Department in a Research in Progress series each year.

The annual departmental retreat consists of a weekend program of informal research talks, poster sessions, and discussions. This provides an outstanding opportunity to keep up-to-date with the diverse research underway in the department and to participate in vigorous scientific discussions. In addition to these intradepartmental activities, there are many additional seminar programs in which outside speakers from the U.S. and abroad present their work to the Yale scientific community. Students have the opportunity to meet with these guests as well as to select and host seminar speakers. Students are also encouraged to travel to scientific meetings and to present their research.

The breadth of the Program, the flexible nature of its graduate studies, and the increasing recognition of the importance of genetics and development in medicine make this Program ideal for MD/PhD students who wish to pursue a career combining basic and clinical research. Interested students should contact:

Kayla McKay, Registrar, MD/PhD Program Yale School of Medicine 367 Cedar St. New Haven, CT 06510-8046 Tel. 203.785.4403

All the resources for genetic and molecular biology research are available at the University. Major items include the Biomedical Computing Unit, nucleotide and peptide synthesis and sequencing, high throughput microarray technology for functional genomic and proteomic analysis, and facilities for electron microscopy, laser scanning, confocal microscopy, and transgenic mouse and hybridoma construction.

Research laboratories are located throughout the Yale University campus. The Departments of Cell Biology, Genetics, Immunobiology, Microbial Pathogenesis, Neurobiology, Pathology and a portion of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry are located in the School of Medicine, while the Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology Department, Computational Biology & Bioinformatics, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and the balance of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry are in the Science Hill area of Yale College.

Research in the biological and biomedical sciences has become increasingly integrated between Yale’s campuses and departments. Research laboratories are located both in the School of Medicine and in the Science Hill area of Yale College. The Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry Department, as well as interdepartmental programs in Neurobiology and Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, have branches in both campuses. The School of Medicine and Science Hill are within walking and bicycling-distance, and a free shuttle bus operates daily to provide transportation between these sites.

Three newly constructed buildings and renovated spaces have added state-of-the-art facilities to the Yale campus. The Boyer Center for Molecular Medicine at the School of Medicine helps bring together both basic and clinical scientists in areas such as molecular genetics, molecular oncology and development, and molecular neurobiology. The new Anlyan Center for Medical Research and Education houses laboratory space, the new Magnetic Resonance Research Center, the Section of Bioimaging sciences, modern teaching facilities and new animal care facilities. The Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Center for Molecular and Structural Biology provides a state-of-the-art teaching and research facility that brings together researchers from throughout the University to study gene expression and protein structure. This four-story structure on Science Hill is linked via bridges to the Sterling Chemistry Laboratory and the Josiah Willard Gibbs Research Laboratory. The Yale Center for Genome Analysis (YCGA) is a state-of-the-art DNA Sequencing Center Launched in 2010 on Yale's West Campus to provide a centralized facility for services, equipment and expertise required for carrying out large-scale sequence analysis studies. Yale has allocated entire building to YCGA with over 7000 sq. ft. of custom-designed laboratory and office space equipped with all modern amenities.

Admission to the Department of Genetics graduate program is through an interest-based track, usually the Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics & Development Track (MCGD) in the Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) . Appropriate preparation for graduate study in Genetics includes a bachelor’s degree in the natural sciences including course work in biology, chemistry, and mathematics. Almost all successful applicants have undergraduate or postgraduate research experience and have completed courses in genetics, biochemistry, or molecular and cell biology.

Approximately 25 new students enter the Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics and Development Track (MCGD) Track each year. Admission is competitive and is based on evaluation by an admissions committee of academic performance, potential, and letters of recommendation. The top applicants are invited to New Haven at the program's expense for a day of introduction and interviews to assist in the admissions decision.

Students accepted into our graduate program receive a full tuition scholarship including health coverage and a yearly allotment for travel to scientific meetings. All students also receive a stipend for living expenses for the duration of their graduate studies. In most cases, tuition and stipend funds are from predoctoral training grants awarded to Yale by the National Institutes of Health.

Financial aid from international students is extremely competitive and is arranged on an individual basis. International applicants are strongly urged to apply for scholarships or funding from their government or other agencies. Prospective students should submit a completed application form (download application forms), transcripts, graduate records exam scores, and letters of recommendation to the Office of Graduate Admissions by that date. International applicants are also required to submit scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Applications and further information may be obtained by contacting the following office:

Office of Graduate Admissions Yale University PO Box 208323 New Haven, CT 06520-8323 USA

Important Documents

• Graduate Student Handbook
• Genetics PhD Milestones & Deadlines
• Individual Career Development Plan Form
• Qualifying Committee Form
• 1st Thesis Committee Meeting Form
• 2nd+ Thesis Committee Mtg Form
• Genetics Advising Guidelines

• Graduate School
• Prospective Students
• Graduate Degree Programs

Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD)

Canadian immigration updates.

Applicants to Master’s and Doctoral degrees are not affected by the recently announced cap on study permits. Review more details

Go to programs search

The UBC Department of Medical Genetics is an inspiring and productive community of scholars of genetics and genomics. It is an outstanding provider of knowledge, technical expertise, and compassionate care for our patients. Faculty members in the Department of Medical Genetics are at the forefront of their fields using cutting edge genetic, epigenetic, genomic, and bioinformatic methodologies to gain insight into diseases such as cancer, diabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative and neurological disorders, and other genetic diseases. Research is highly interactive and often involves local, national, and international collaborations which further enrich the research experience.

Individual labs conduct clinical and/or translational research and basic experimental research engaging a wide variety of approaches including the use of model organisms such as mice, flies (D. melanogaster), worms (C. elegans), and yeast (S. cerevisiae).

For specific program requirements, please refer to the departmental program website

What makes the program unique?

The Mission of the UBC Department of Medical Genetics is to pursue basic and clinical research for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of genetic disease. Our goal is to be a world leader in the research, clinical practice, and teaching of Genetic Medicine. The Department is a respected source of information and advice to society. While focusing on key areas of genetic medicine, we view diversity of approach and techniques to be an essential strength of our Department.

I chose UBC as I wanted to attend a competitive and highly-ranked graduate school that would be recognized globally after I graduated. I also love the fact that Vancouver is a beautiful coastal city close to the ocean and the mountains, you'll never run out of weekend adventure options!

Amy Inkster

Quick Facts

Program enquiries, admission information & requirements, program instructions.

Grade Point Average (GPA) – Canadian applicants:

• GPA calculation of Canadian degrees is based on all upper-level courses taken in the most recent, full time degree.

Grade Point Average (GPA) – international degrees:

• Check your COUNTRY of education for minimum GPA and length of degree program to determine if your credentials meet UBC admission requirements. GPA calculation is based on the final, overall standing (grade) achieved in the last completed degree. Final standing is determined from your school's grading system.

1) Check Eligibility

Minimum academic requirements.

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:

• Canada or the United States
• International countries other than the United States

Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.

English Language Test

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.

Minimum requirements for the two most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet-based

Overall score requirement : 100

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

Overall score requirement : 7.5

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Other Test Scores

Some programs require additional test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Test (GMAT). The requirements for this program are:

The GRE is not required.

Prior degree, course and other requirements

Prior degree requirements.

MSc degree (focused on life sciences, biotechnology, etc.)

Course Requirements

Mandatory advanced-level courses in:

• Genetics and/or genomics

Strongly recommended advanced-level courses in one or more of the following:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Biostatistics (Statistics)
• Bioinformatics

Additional criteria:

• Relevant laboratory research experience
• Excellent references with assessment of research expertise and aptitude

Document Requirements

A complete application includes:

Application form

Letter of interest / intent (1 page)

Curriculum Vitae

References (3)

TOEFL or IELTS test scores – if applicable

Your application will not be reviewed, and therefore be rejected if your OVERALL AND COMPONENT test scores are below the required Medical Genetics minimum scores. There will be no exceptions. 

Official post-secondary transcripts; and degree certificates (international students)

• Unofficial transcripts, web transcripts and poor-quality scans are not acceptable. Do not include high school transcripts.
• Each transcript must be scanned as a single PDF document and MUST include the grading key.

Other Requirements

Successful applicants meet and often exceed the admissions and pre-requisite requirements:

• Typically have relevant, independent, multi-month (wet or dry) laboratory research experience;
• Typically have excellent, detailed reference letters with assessment of applicant's research expertise and aptitude by direct research supervisors, not just from course instructors;
• Often have won awards and/or published journal articles and/or presented posters or platform presentations and/or attended professional meetings and/or volunteered for science-related events (outreach, etc.)

2) Meet Deadlines

January 2025 intake, application open date, canadian applicants, international applicants, deadline explanations.

Deadline to submit online application. No changes can be made to the application after submission.

Deadline to upload scans of official transcripts through the applicant portal in support of a submitted application. Information for accessing the applicant portal will be provided after submitting an online application for admission.

Deadline for the referees identified in the application for admission to submit references. See Letters of Reference for more information.

3) Prepare Application

Transcripts.

All applicants have to submit transcripts from all past post-secondary study. Document submission requirements depend on whether your institution of study is within Canada or outside of Canada.

Letters of Reference

A minimum of three references are required for application to graduate programs at UBC. References should be requested from individuals who are prepared to provide a report on your academic ability and qualifications.

Statement of Interest

Many programs require a statement of interest , sometimes called a "statement of intent", "description of research interests" or something similar.

Supervision

Students in research-based programs usually require a faculty member to function as their thesis supervisor. Please follow the instructions provided by each program whether applicants should contact faculty members.

Instructions regarding thesis supervisor contact for Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD)

SEPTEMBER INTAKE - MSc and PhD Applicants:

• Supervisor commitment is not required by the application deadline (i.e. when submitting the online application form)
• Applicants who are deemed admissible will be notified, and then must secure the commitment of a research supervisor to receive an offer of admission to the UBC Medical Genetics Graduate Program.

JANUARY INTAKE – PhD Applicants Only:

• The Medical Genetics Graduate Program Office will open January applications only by request to PhD applicants who meet grade point average (GPA) and TOEFL/IELTS (if applicable) requirements and who have received a written commitment from a Medical Genetics Research Supervisor at the time of application.

Citizenship Verification

Permanent Residents of Canada must provide a clear photocopy of both sides of the Permanent Resident card.

4) Apply Online

All applicants must complete an online application form and pay the application fee to be considered for admission to UBC.

Research Information

Research highlights.

See Medical Genetics website for up-to-date articles featuring faculty research.

Research Focus

Research in the Department of Medical Genetics covers the study of human genetics with areas of focus in mammalian development, regulation of gene expression, genetic diseases due to single gene or complex inheritance, birth defects, reproduction, cancer, immunology, genomics, bioinformatics, ethics and population health.

Research Areas of Expertise:

• Cancer Genetics & Genomics
• Clinical Genetics, Genetic Counselling, Ethics & Policy
• Developmental Genetics & Birth Defects
• DNA Repair & Genome Stability
• Epigenetics, Epigenomics & Gene Regulation
• Genetic Epidemiology & Population Genetics
• Genomics & Bioinformatics
• Immunogenetics
• Neuroscience & Neurodegenerative Disease Genetics
• Pharmacogenomics
• Proteomics Stem Cells & Gene Therapy

Program Components

Medical Genetics Rotation Program: MSc and PhD applicants who have applied for the September-start, and who are highest ranked by the Medical Genetics Admissions Committee, will be offered the opportunity to join the Medical Genetics Rotation Program. The four top-ranked applicants are offered positions will also receive one-year Rotation Program Awards. Rotation Program students rotate through three different laboratories before choosing a final, thesis lab. Rotations are for nine-weeks each, from September to March. The Rotation Program is open to Canadians, Permanent Residents of Canada, and international applicants.

Medical Genetics Graduate Program students are encouraged to volunteer their leadership skills and talents to science-related departmental and community events and projects. There are many volunteer opportunities available through the University, at students’ research facilities, and in the local community. The Departmental student organization, the Medical Genetics Graduate Student Society (MGGSA), plans annual departmental events such as September Welcome and Research Day as well as on-going academic and social events.

Research Facilities

Medical Genetics graduate student training takes place at multiple state-of-the-art facilities, representing a diverse collection of training environments. These include several centres on the UBC Point Grey Campus (e.g. Life Sciences Centre, Brain Research Centre, Michael Smith Laboratories) and off-campus (e.g Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics,Terry Fox Laboratory at the BC Cancer Agency, etc.). Available research services and facilities include: animal modeling, biobanking, bioanalyzer, bioinformatics, DNA sequencing, flow cytometry, genotyping and gene expression, histology and imaging, transgenic facility, support to perform biostatistics, clinical trials, data management and access to health research and evaluation services.

Tuition & Financial Support

Financial support.

Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options, including merit-based (i.e. based on your academic performance) and need-based (i.e. based on your financial situation) opportunities.

Program Funding Packages

Stipend Amount and Duration:

The recommended minimum yearly stipend for full-time Medical Genetics thesis-based graduate students (Canadian and international) is:

PhD: $28,000

New and current doctoral students at UBC receive the President's Academic Excellence Inititiative PhD Award (PAEI) tuition award. International doctoral students also receive the International Tuition Award (ITA).The student pays any remaining tuition from their stipend.The stipend may come from an independent studentship award and/or from the Research Supervisor's research grant.

Admission to the Medical Genetics Graduate Program normally includes a commitment from the Supervisor to ensure that each student is supported to the recommended funding level. Exceptions to this policy may be granted under unusual circumstances. Financial support from personal resources is not acceptable as “funding” for incoming students in the Medical Genetics Graduate Program.

The duration of the annual stipend is normally two years for an MSc student and four years for a PhD student. After the two-year MSc and four-year PhD point, continued funding is at the discretion of the Supervisor. The Supervisor should inform their student in writing (with a copy to the Medical Genetics Graduate Program office) at least six months prior to the end-date of the student's stipend.

Funding depends both on satisfactory academic and research progress, as determined by the Student’s Supervisory Committee, and on the Research Supervisor's continued grant support. Termination of funding for other justifiable reasons must be approved by a majority of the Medical Genetics Graduate Advisory Committee.

University and External Awards:

Medical Genetics Graduate Program students receive funding from various sources; not all students will receive the same amount. Students receive a stipend which may come from an independent studentship award and/or from the Research Supervisor's research grant. If a student wins an award, their supervisor will top up their stipend.

Competitive Scholarships: National Science & Engineering Council (NSERC) & Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR); UBC Affiliated Fellowships; Medical Genetics Four Year Doctoral Fellowship (4YF).

Other UBC awards: Students may qualify for building-specific and research-specific awards.

Average Funding

• 9 students received Teaching Assistantships. Average TA funding based on 9 students was $5,309.
• 21 students received Research Assistantships. Average RA funding based on 21 students was $15,833.
• 5 students received Academic Assistantships. Average AA funding based on 5 students was $4,135.
• 26 students received internal awards. Average internal award funding based on 26 students was $11,242.
• 8 students received external awards. Average external award funding based on 8 students was $24,333.

Scholarships & awards (merit-based funding)

All applicants are encouraged to review the awards listing to identify potential opportunities to fund their graduate education. The database lists merit-based scholarships and awards and allows for filtering by various criteria, such as domestic vs. international or degree level.

Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)

Many professors are able to provide Research Assistantships (GRA) from their research grants to support full-time graduate students studying under their supervision. The duties constitute part of the student's graduate degree requirements. A Graduate Research Assistantship is considered a form of fellowship for a period of graduate study and is therefore not covered by a collective agreement. Stipends vary widely, and are dependent on the field of study and the type of research grant from which the assistantship is being funded.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)

Graduate programs may have Teaching Assistantships available for registered full-time graduate students. Full teaching assistantships involve 12 hours work per week in preparation, lecturing, or laboratory instruction although many graduate programs offer partial TA appointments at less than 12 hours per week. Teaching assistantship rates are set by collective bargaining between the University and the Teaching Assistants' Union .

Graduate Academic Assistantships (GAA)

Academic Assistantships are employment opportunities to perform work that is relevant to the university or to an individual faculty member, but not to support the student’s graduate research and thesis. Wages are considered regular earnings and when paid monthly, include vacation pay.

Financial aid (need-based funding)

Canadian and US applicants may qualify for governmental loans to finance their studies. Please review eligibility and types of loans .

All students may be able to access private sector or bank loans.

Foreign government scholarships

Many foreign governments provide support to their citizens in pursuing education abroad. International applicants should check the various governmental resources in their home country, such as the Department of Education, for available scholarships.

Working while studying

The possibility to pursue work to supplement income may depend on the demands the program has on students. It should be carefully weighed if work leads to prolonged program durations or whether work placements can be meaningfully embedded into a program.

International students enrolled as full-time students with a valid study permit can work on campus for unlimited hours and work off-campus for no more than 20 hours a week.

A good starting point to explore student jobs is the UBC Work Learn program or a Co-Op placement .

Tax credits and RRSP withdrawals

Students with taxable income in Canada may be able to claim federal or provincial tax credits.

Canadian residents with RRSP accounts may be able to use the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) which allows students to withdraw amounts from their registered retirement savings plan (RRSPs) to finance full-time training or education for themselves or their partner.

Please review Filing taxes in Canada on the student services website for more information.

Cost Estimator

Applicants have access to the cost estimator to develop a financial plan that takes into account various income sources and expenses.

Career Outcomes

53 students graduated between 2005 and 2013: 1 is in a non-salaried situation; for 4 we have no data (based on research conducted between Feb-May 2016). For the remaining 48 graduates:

Sample Employers in Higher Education

Sample employers outside higher education, sample job titles outside higher education, phd career outcome survey, career options.

The PhD program in Medical Genetics is a research-based, thesis-based program which generally takes five to six years to complete. Graduates find employment in the public and private sector, and also pursue further studies in the field of Medical Genetics. Following is a brief sample of occupations that our graduates are pursuing:

• Assistant Professor / Associate Clinical Professor, etc.
• Principal Investigator
• Canada Research Chair
• Post-doctoral Fellow
• Laboratory Genetics and Genomics Postdoctoral Fellow
• Fellow of the Canadian College of Medical Genetics
• Postdoctoral Clinical Laboratory Fellow
• Diagnostics Laboratory Manager
• Medical Doctor
• Clinical Molecular Geneticist and Cytogeneticist
• Research Program Manager
• Online Marketing Coordinator
• Scientific Sales Representative
• Research and Development Scientist

Alumni on Success

Job Title Scientist

Employer The Hospital for Sick Children

Job Title Teaching Professor/ Affiliate Professor of Teaching

Employer University of Victoria/ University of British Columbia

Steven Maltby

Job Title Research Academic

Employer Hunter Medical Research Institute & The University of Newcastle

Obi Griffith

Job Title Assistant Professor

Employer Washington University School of Medicine

Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats

These statistics show data for the Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD). Data are separated for each degree program combination. You may view data for other degree options in the respective program profile.

ENROLMENT DATA

Completion rates & times.

• Research Supervisors

Advice and insights from UBC Faculty on reaching out to supervisors

These videos contain some general advice from faculty across UBC on finding and reaching out to a supervisor. They are not program specific.

This list shows faculty members with full supervisory privileges who are affiliated with this program. It is not a comprehensive list of all potential supervisors as faculty from other programs or faculty members without full supervisory privileges can request approvals to supervise graduate students in this program.

• Arbour, Laura (northern and aboriginal health issues as they pertain to genetics)
• Austin, Jehannine (Clinical genetics (except cancer genetics); genetic counseling; genetics services; mental health)
• Birol, Inanc (bioinformatics, computational biology, genomics, transcriptome analysis, next generation sequencing, cancer, Bioinformatics, sequence assembly, transcriptomics, gene regulation networks, high throughput informatics for big data)
• Brooks-Wilson, Angela (Bioinformatics; Clinical oncology; Genetic medicine; Genomics; cancer families; cancer genetics; genetic susceptibility; human genetics; longevity; Super seniors)
• Brown, Carolyn Janet (Bioinformatics; Clinical oncology; Genetic medicine; Genomics; Health counselling; Applied Genetics; Chromosomes: Structure / Organization; DNA methylation; Epigenetic control of gene expression; Gene Regulation and Expression; Genes escaping X-chromosome inactivation; Long non-coding RNAs; X-chromosome inactivation; XIST RNA)
• Brunham, Liam (Medical, health and life sciences; Lipids; Genetics; Pharmacogenomics; Cardiovascular diseases)
• Carleton, Bruce (Pediatrics, clinical pharmacology, outcomes research, drug policy evaluation, health services research, drug safety and adverse drug reactions)
• Conibear, Elizabeth (Other basic medicine and life sciences; Protein trafficking in cell biology; Molecular genetics; Functional genomics; Membranes; Enzymes and Proteins; Vesicle Trafficking; Molecular Genetics; Neurodegenerative diseases; Protein Palmitoylation; Cell Signaling and Cancer)
• Dennis, Jessica (Bioinformatics; Genetic medicine; Administrative health data; Complex Trait Genetics; Electronic health records; Epidemiology; genetic epidemiology; Genetics of Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases; Machine Learning; Mental Health and Psychopathology in Children and Youth; Precision Health; statistical genetics)
• Eaves, Constance Jean (Normal and leukemic stem cells, normal and malignant breast stem cells)
• Elliott, Alison (Other health sciences; rare disease; genomics; Congenital Malformations; Skeletal and limb anomalies; Genetic Counselling; Health services implementation science)
• Evgin, Laura
• Friedman, Jan Marshall (Other clinical medicine; Genetic medicine; Genomics; Health counselling; Application of whole genome sequencing to diagnose genetic disease; Birth defects epidemiology; Clinical genomics; Developmental Genetics; Genetics and Heredity; Neurofibromatosis)
• Gibson, William (Genetic medicine; Genetic Diseases; Chromosomes: Structure / Organization; Epigenetics)
• Hayden, Michael (Genetic medicine; Health counselling; Neurosciences, biological and chemical aspects; Neurosciences, medical and physiological and health aspects; Diabetes; Disease progression; Drug development; Gene Therapy; Genetic Diseases; Huntington disease; Neurodegenerative diseases; Neurodegenerative disorders)
• Hieter, Philip (Molecular biology of eukaryotic chromosome transmission )
• Holt, Robert (Immunogenetics, Metagenomics - Infectious agents in Cancer, Cancer Genomes, Neurobiology, DNA Sequencing)
• Hoodless, Pamela (Computational cell biology; Cancer; Genomics; Medical and biomedical engineering; Nucleic acids studies; Developmental Genetics; Embryology; Embryonic Development; Epigenetics; Heart Valve / Valvular Diseases; Heart valve formation; Liver; Liver development; Stem Cells and Organogenesis; transcriptional regulation)
• Huntsman, David (hereditary cancer, molecular pathology, cancer biomarkers, Pancreas centre)
• Jefferies, Wilfred Arthur (Iron transport molecules)
• Jiang, Xiaoyan (Cancer drug development and therapeutics)
• Jones, Steven J (Bioinformatics, genome science, mutations, cancer progression)
• Kobor, Michael (Biochemistry; Bioinformatics; Genetic medicine; Genomics; Chromatin Biology; Epigenetics; molecular biology; Social Epigenetics)
• Langlois, Sylvie (Studies of genotype/phenotype correlations in single gene disorders; Validations of genomic tools for the study of mental retardation and prenatal screening for aneuploidy; Outcome studies related to prenatal genetic screening)
• Lansdorp, Peter (Genetic medicine; Application of single cell Strand-seq in precision medicine; Applied Genetics; cellular aging; Cellular Degeneration; Cellular Division; Complex Trait Genetics; DNA replication, epigenetics and stem cells; Gene Regulation and Expression; Genetic Diseases; Stem Cells and Organogenesis; telomeres; Telomeres, genomic instability, aging and cancer)

Doctoral Citations

Sample thesis submissions.

• Investigating and identifying genetic predictors for cisplatin-induced hearing loss and anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity
• The Caenorhabditis elegans nuclear hormone receptor NHR-49 functions in stress response pathway regulation
• Membrane contact site targeting and functions of Vps13 and related bridging lipid transporters
• Novel approaches for therapeutic modulation of gene expression in Huntington's disease
• Identification and functional analysis of the endosomal VINE complex in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
• Polycomb repressive complex 2 related syndromes : functional studies of human gene variants In Drosophila
• Therapeutic genome editing for the treatment of genetic diseases : testing the safety and effectiveness of CRISPR/Cas9 therapeutic base editing
• Deciphering H2A.Z-mediated transcriptional regulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
• Discovery of HPV-associated genomic alterations in cervical cancer
• Characterization of the lympho-neutrophil/monocyte restriction process in human cells
• An investigation of the role of pharmacogenetics in the development and prevention of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity
• DNA damage induced SUMOylation regulates intranuclear protein quality control in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
• Detecting DNA methylation using nanopore sequencing : from genome-wide analysis to haplotype-resolved and parent-of-origin phasing
• Investigating the role of transcriptional coactivator MED15 in beta cell maturation
• Assessment of biological markers to aid subtype classification in pediatric primary systemic vasculitis

Related Programs

Same specialization.

• Master of Science in Medical Genetics (MSc)

Further Information

Specialization.

Faculty in Medical Genetics are at the forefront of their fields employing cutting edge genetic, epigenetic, genomic and bioinformatic methodologies to gain insight into diseases such as cancer, diabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative and neurological disorders, and other genetic diseases.

Areas of research Include:

• Clinical Genetics, Genetic Counselling and Ethics & Policy
• Developmental Genetics
• Neurogenetics & Neurodegenerative Disease Genetics
• Stem Cells & Gene Therapy

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Departments/Programs may update graduate degree program details through the Faculty & Staff portal. To update contact details for application inquiries, please use this form .

I was looking for professors that were asking questions I was interested in. It so happened that quite a few of them were affiliated with UBC and were part of the vibrant and supportive academic community here. UBC also offers many scholarships and fellowships to help fund your PhD which was very...

Sharri Cyrus

I wanted to ensure, that I would be a highly competitive candidate for future pursuits after my PhD. UBC fulfilled this requirement as being a top university in the world, with a reputation of research excellence. Additionally, I wanted to study in a place that would offer a new experience;...

Khair Mufti

UBC is one of the top universities for research and teaching in Canada and around world. As I wanted to unite my background in pharmacology with my research passion and experience in Genetics to pursue my doctoral research in Pharmacogenomics, I found that UBC provides an excellent opportunity to...

Kevin Jeffers

Ultimately, it came down to location. My choices were between the University of Toronto’s Molecular Genetics and UBC’s Medical Genetics programs. Both schools had a lot to offer and were home to wonderful supervisors with exciting projects. However, Vancouver was more compatible for me in terms of...

The city and the sea

Take a break from studying with opportunities at your fingertips. Whether you want to settle down in a café or take your research outdoors, we have a place for you.

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Furthering our understanding of biology and human disease

Program Overview

The Department of Human Genetics at the University of Michigan was founded by Dr. James V. Neel in 1956 and was the first human genetics department in the United States. The initial focus of the department was human heredity, and this view has grown in breadth and depth through the genomic and post-genomic eras.

Our faculty include AAAS, National Academy and Institute of Medicine Fellows, Howard Hughes Investigators, and winners of University and Medical School teaching awards. Interactions among students and faculty ensure a comprehensive foundation in the many aspects of genetics, from genome function, to population diversity and the molecular mechanisms of disease. Collaborations within the department, across the University, nation-wide and internationally emphasize the crucial role of genetics in addressing global problems in human biology and disease.

A central mission of the Genetics and Genomics Graduate Program is to train students to confront these problems scientifically through a rigorous but flexible foundation in coursework and research.

Apply through our PIBS application

Graduate students have the opportunity to carry out interdisciplinary genetics research in diverse areas.

Examples of current research topics include:

• Cancer genetics
• Developmental genetics
• DNA recombination and repair
• Epigenetics
• Evolutionary and population genetics
• Genome structure, function, and regulation
• Genetic mapping of complex traits and diseases
• Medical genetics
• Molecular basis of Mendelian Disorders
• Neurogenetics
• Statistical genetics and genetic epidemiology

The multidisciplinary nature of this research is demonstrated by strong faculty involvement in the Genetics Training Program and Genome Science Training Grants, which are both supported by the NIH for 40 and 25 years, respectively. The Genetics Training Program is directed from the Department of Human Genetics, with faculty and student participation from five other PhD programs. The Genome Science Training Grant is co led by HG, with faculty and student participation from eight other PhD programs across the University of Michigan campus.

Genetics and Genomics students and faculty also participate in training programs in Bioinformatics; Cancer Biology; Genome Sciences; Organogenesis; Reproductive Biology; and Hearing, Balance, and Chemical Senses.

The core training in Genetics and Genomics consists of courses in molecular genetics, the genetic basis of human disease, and quantitative and statistical genetics. Additional courses are selected from within the Department of Human Genetics and throughout the University to strengthen one or more core areas. Coursework is designed to meet the individual training goals of students in the Program.

In addition to the core courses, students participate in the weekly student seminars, in which they learn to analyze and present research literature before the greater genetics community, including faculty and students. In the second year, students take Current Topics, a small class that focuses on current methods in genetic research through discussions of selected primary scientific literature, with student-led presentations.

The interactive and interdisciplinary nature of Genetics and Genomics is also highlighted by Departmental and training program seminars on cutting-edge topics presented by high-profile outside speakers, some of whom are selected by the students.

Preliminary Examination

Students take a preliminary examination during the Summer after their first year. The exam is a written and oral defense of the student’s proposed thesis research. Students advance to candidacy once they have passed the preliminary examination, completed certain course requirements, and received the approval of their thesis research mentor.

Teaching Requirement

While teaching is not a Program requirement, most Genetics and Genomics students spend at least one term as a teaching assistant, generally in their second or third year. Additional teaching opportunities are available through several outreach programs.

Expected Length of Program

After completion of required coursework, the doctoral dissertation is generally completed within 5 years of graduate study; however, this varies among students.

The Department of Human Genetics includes more than 21 Genetics and Genomics PhD students, as well as 27 primary faculty and 16 joint faculty whose primary appointments represent six additional departments. Up to eight students join our program each year and the Department is in an active growth phase with faculty added over the last few years and more recruitment planned.

Our students have received national fellowships and awards for their research, have served on national committees including in the American Society of Human Genetics, and have been recognized with the University of Michigan Distinguished Dissertation Award , the highest honor the University confers to recognize graduate student accomplishments.

Students get to know faculty and their research through numerous events throughout the year, including the Department retreat, Genetics and Genomics Retreat, the James V. Neel Lectureship, and the Thomas D. Gelehrter Lectureship. The Department of Human Genetics sponsors a seminar series of external speakers, short courses with several speakers on a related theme, and a weekly seminar given by trainees in the Department. There are also a variety of informal special interest groups that offer opportunities for students to present and get advice on their research findings.

Over 180 Genetics and Genomics PhD graduates have gone on to successful careers in academic research and teaching, biotechnology, and scientific consulting, among other professions.

Learn more about the Department of Genetics and Genomics.

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The Duke University Program in Genetics and Genomics (UPGG) is an umbrella graduate training program that spans several basic science and clinical departments and bridges the Medical Center and the College of Arts and Sciences. UPGG was founded in 1967 and supported by a continuous NIH training grant (Genetics & Genomics Training Grant 5T32GM007754) for more than 35 years and running.

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University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus

2024-2025 academic catalog, human medical genetics & genomics (phd).

The Human Medical Genetics and Genomics Graduate Program (HMGGP) at CU Anschutz is an interdisciplinary, interdepartmental program designed to coordinate outstanding graduate training and research opportunities in all aspects of Human and Medical Genetics. The HMGGP faculty are committed to a dynamic and outstanding program that provides training and mentorship to the next generation of leaders in the fields of human and medical genetics and genomics.

To learn more about the PhD in Human Medical Genetics & Genomics , please click here to view the information within the School of Medicine portion of the academic catalog.

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PhD in Medical Genetics

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Three years of supervised laboratory-based research (five years part-time) examined by thesis and an oral examination. Applicants are typically science postgraduates or clinically qualified doctors undertaking scientific training. Research is predominantly in the areas of cancer genetics and the genetics of rare disease and developmental disorders. The aim is to understand the cell biology of disease mechanisms using a wide range of disciplines including biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, bioinformatics and biostatistics. Specific research training relevant to your own project is provided in the laboratory in which you work. Further training is provided within the Addenbrooke's campus and elsewhere in the University, and includes postgraduate workshops on research techniques, research seminars, and postgraduate student education seminars on generic subjects such as intellectual property rights, statistics, bioinformatics, communication skills, writing a thesis or paper and entrepreneurship. Candidates wishing to take a shorter course of research may apply for the MPhil in Medical Science (Medical Genetics), which is also examined by thesis and an oral examination.

Those who wish to progress to a PhD after completing an MPhil will be required to satisfy their potential supervisor, Head of Department and the Faculty Degree Committee that they have the skills and ability to achieve the higher degree, and have the required funding in place for further study.

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the end of October. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the  Postgraduate Open Day  page for more details.

See further the  Postgraduate Admissions Events  pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.

Key Information

3-4 years full-time, 4-7 years part-time, study mode : research, doctor of philosophy, department of medical genetics, course - related enquiries, application - related enquiries, course on department website, dates and deadlines:, lent 2024 (closed).

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Easter 2024 (Closed)

Michaelmas 2024, easter 2025, funding deadlines.

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2024, Lent 2025 and Easter 2025.

Similar Courses

• Medical Science (Medical Genetics) MPhil
• Infection and Immunity PhD
• Biological Sciences (Crop Science) by advanced study MPhil
• Clinical Biochemistry PhD
• Biological Sciences (Developmental Biology) by advanced study MPhil

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Human Genetics and Genomics (Ph.D.)

Application process.

The Interdepartmental Ph.D. Program in Human Genetics and Genomics (HGG) is a multidisciplinary program aimed at training scientists broadly in areas of human genetics and genomics relevant to human health and disease. All students receive training in three core competencies: molecular, computational, and clinical genetics. Students are exposed to all aspects of human genetics research, from the patient to the underlying mechanism. Students are prepared to be the next generation of genomic scientists with various skills, e.g., induced pluripotent stem cells, animal modeling, family studies, and large-scale population-based datasets. They are also trained to translate their research results into improved medical care and public health interventions.

This program is a perfect fit for students from many scientific disciplines (such as biology, chemistry, biochemistry, mathematics, and computer science) who wish to train in molecular or statistical genetics. Our focus on genetics and genomics as applied to human diseases and traits makes this program unique; such focus is currently not present in other departmental or interdepartmental programs. The program includes a clinical training component, whereby students will rotate through medical genetics clinics and observe the application of human genetics in a health care setting. This activity will be coordinated with the existing Medical Genetics residency program and provide an opportunity for Ph.D. students to interact with M.D. medical geneticists.

Why a Ph.D. in Human Genetics and Genomics?

Key areas of research, dr. john t. macdonald foundation department of human genetics, john p. hussman institute for human genomics.

Human Genetics and Genomics offers a comprehensive program that prepares Ph.D. trainees for the challenges of modern science. I loved the clinical genetics rotation and the teaching module. I learned bioinformatics and worked in a molecular biology lab having state-of-the-art technology and supportive advice at hand. All in one program, all in the sunny and vibrant city of Miami. 

Boston University Academics

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PhD in Genetics & Genomics

For contact information, please visit the Graduate Program in Genetics & Genomics website .

The Graduate Program in Genetics & Genomics aims to teach our students not only how to apply the approaches of hypothesis-testing genetics and hypothesis-generating genomics to biomedical research, but also how to function as active members of the scientific community who can clearly communicate ideas, critically evaluate biomedical research, and mentor others in scientific scholarship.

Learning Outcomes

The doctoral programs in Graduate Medical Sciences at BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine are designed to train scholars to be leaders in their respective fields of biomedical research. Trainees become fluent in their areas of specialization, as well as develop competencies that provide the foundation for lifelong learning and practice in their chosen field. Trainees will demonstrate and apply the professional and scientific skills necessary to benefit society. The program objectives are delineated below.

By graduation, a Genetics & Genomics PhD student will:

• Generate an original body of work in the biomedical sciences that reflects critical thinking and independent thought.
• Demonstrate competencies in advanced research skills and critical thinking.
• Develop the ability to communicate both through writing and orally within their chosen field of expertise, with specialists and non-experts.
• Demonstrate a commitment to professional development and continued learning in their chosen field.

Toward this end, we have designed a complementary set of degree requirements to meet these goals consisting of traditional coursework, journal clubs, seminar series, and a research proposal–based qualifying examination for PhD students. The coursework will be completed during the first two years of study. Students matriculate in September of their first year as Program in Biomedical Sciences (PiBS) PhD students, and they choose their degree-granting program at the end of their first year. The academic program requirements below reflect the combined program of study.

Please see the general description of the MD/PhD program for combined degree requirements.

Course Requirements

• GMS FC 708 Professional Development Skills
• GMS FC 711 Foundations in Biomedical Sciences I: Protein Structure, Catalysis, and Interactions
• GMS FC 712 Foundations in Biomedical Sciences II: Structure and Function of the Genome
• GMS FC 713 Foundations in Biomedical Sciences III: Architecture and Dynamics of the Cell
• GMS FC 714 Foundations in Biomedical Sciences IV: Mechanisms of Cell Communication
• GMS FC 715 Foundations in Biomedical Sciences V: Translational Genetics and Genomics or  GMS MM 710 Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine
• GMS FC 721 Statistical Reasoning for the Basic Biomedical Sciences
• GMS FC 764 Professional Presentation Skills
• GMS GC 716 Social, Cultural, and Ethical Issues in Genetics, ENG BF 752 Legal and Ethical Issues of Science and Technology,  or GMS GE 706 Deconstructing Systemic Bias: Where Biology Ends and Bias Begins
• GMS GE 701 Principles of Genetics and Genomics
• GMS GE 703 Genetics and Genomics Colloquium I
• GMS GE 704 Genetics and Genomics Colloquium II
• 4 elective credits

For MD/PhD Candidates:

• GMS GC 716 Social, Cultural, and Ethical Issues in Genetics, ENG BF 752 Legal and Ethical Issues of Science and Technology, or GMS GE 706 Deconstructing Systemic Bias: Where Biology Ends and Bias Begins

See Courses for detailed descriptions.

Laboratory Rotations

Our PhD candidates participate in a minimum of three laboratory rotations to ensure exposure to a variety of scientific approaches. These rotations will last 10 weeks each, with one during the fall semester and two during the spring semester. The rotations are organized during the first year of study while the students are PiBS students and before they officially join the Graduate Program in Genetics & Genomics. PiBS students begin their first year of studies in the fall semester and join their degree-granting program at the end of the spring of their first year. Due to time constraints, MD/PhD students will have the option of joining a dissertation laboratory after two rotations. The academic and research components of the program together typically take 5–6 years of full-time academic study to complete for PhD students, and 4–5 years for dual degree MD/PhD students.

Teaching Requirement

Upon successful completion of the core courses, PhD students serve as teaching assistants (TAs) for one of the program’s courses. The TAs will lead discussion and review sections as well as support exam and homework grading. The TA assignments will be made according to academic performance in the courses in question and with student input. Acting as a TA for one course will satisfy the teaching requirement for the PhD degree, but further teaching opportunities will be available for students who are interested in developing these skills.

The Qualifying Process

Successful completion of the coursework and rotations during the first two years of graduate study will prepare the PhD students to advance to PhD candidacy through the qualifying process. This process depends on the following sequence of events:

• Completion of all required core and elective courses with a passing grade (A to B– average for all courses, with the exception of 900-level courses [research credits], which are graded on a Pass/Fail scale).
• Skilled preparation of a 5–10-page, written, grant-style dissertation proposal based on the dissertation research. This portion of the qualifying process will satisfy the written qualification requirement of Graduate Medical Sciences.
• Expert performance in an oral examination based on the written proposal. This forum will test the student’s ability to think critically about the area of their dissertation research and about biological problems in general. The examining panel will also be free to explore outside topics in order to assess the student’s knowledge of genetics and genomics broadly. The examining panel will be chosen by the student and dissertation advisor based on related areas of expertise to the proposed dissertation research. The panel will be composed of five faculty members, three members who must be faculty of the Graduate Program in Genetics & Genomics and two additional members who are faculty members at Boston University but outside the program. The examining panel will be required to adhere to the written guidelines of the Qualifying Examination Format Committee to ensure equitable administration of the exam.

Dissertation Research

Upon advancing to PhD candidacy, graduate students will focus on their dissertation research. This research will be conducted under the supervision of their chosen graduate advisor. The student will be responsible for conducting a rigorous, in-depth program of investigation into an area of research that is within the scope of their graduate advisor’s expertise and interests. The student’s progress will be assessed continuously by the graduate advisor and annually by a Dissertation Advisory Committee. This committee will be composed of the student’s advisor and at least four other faculty members with a minimum of two faculty members from the Graduate Program in Genetics & Genomics and one division faculty member from an outside program. The Dissertation Advisory Committee will serve to provide outside perspectives on the research program.

While the student is conducting dissertation research, they are expected to actively participate in program seminar series, lab meetings, and other research activities of their dissertation lab. It should be noted that the Boston University Genome Science Institute hosts seminars, including talks from prominent scientists from other institutions as well as talks from scientists with overlapping interests to the program here at BU. Students also have the opportunity to interact more privately with visiting seminar speakers through organized student lunch forums. Students and post-docs also participate in a Research in Progress series of seminars that gives trainees an opportunity to share their research and to learn more about the science going on in the Genetics & Genomics community of Boston University. Furthermore, students will be expected to complete the certificate program in “The Responsible Conduct of Research” that is currently available to the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine  through a series of four 2-hour workshops.

Although the period of dissertation research will not be limited in maximal duration, it is the job of the Dissertation Advisory Committee to facilitate expeditious progress toward the PhD degree. Once the research has developed into several chapters of publication quality work, the advisory committee will ask the student to begin compiling their written dissertation, and a date for the Graduate Medical Sciences public seminar and formal dissertation defense will be scheduled. The public seminar will be delivered to a general audience of Graduate Medical Sciences faculty, students, and researchers. Later that day, the public seminar will be followed by a formal dissertation defense, which will occur behind closed doors in the presence of the Dissertation Advisory Committee. This committee will evaluate the student’s dissertation defense and written dissertation for satisfactory completion of the degree requirements.

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nav = Genetics and Epigenetics

GENETICS & EPIGENETICS

Research in Genetic & Epigenetic labs is broadly focused on the fundamental genetic, epigenetic, and genomic mechanisms that control cell growth and differentiation, and that cause cancer and other human diseases.

Welcome to G&E!

The Genetics & Epigenetics (G&E) Program is a research-oriented PhD and MS program at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. The research in G&E labs is broadly focused on the fundamental genetic, epigenetic, and genomic mechanisms that control cell growth and differentiation, and that cause cancer and other human diseases. From basic science investigations to translational studies, G&E students and faculty are actively engaged in the pursuit of new scientific knowledge that could one day lead to clinical advances.

The Program aims to train students who are knowledgeable, critical, and productive independent scientists. We achieve this through cutting-edge research projects, classes, seminars, retreat, laboratory collaborations, social gatherings and career development activities.

G&E labs are located throughout the Texas Medical Center, including MD Anderson and UTHealth (McGovern Medical School, School of Public Health, School of Dentistry, and School of Biomedical Informatics). 

Image at right shows that, in inner mitochondria membrane, a lipophilic metabolite called ubiquinol (blue dots) is quenching lipid peroxides (which make inner mitochondria membrane “on fire”), and suppresses cell death called ferroptosis. From the lab of Boyi Gan, PhD. Mao, C., et al.  Nature 2021 . 

Welcome to the Genetics & Epigenetics Program!

As molecular biology and genomics have blurred the boundaries between biomedical graduate programs, our Genetics & Epigenetics (G&E) Program is distinguished by our fundamental research, all-round students, and committed faculty. We are proud of these core characteristics; they also help us to weather the uncertainties from the COVID-19 pandemic.

      As detailed on our website, the G&E Program tackles foundational questions in development and disease that can be grouped into five research areas: epigenetics, developmental genetics, human genetics, cancer genetics, and genome maintenance and repair. Using a diverse array of model organisms, such as fruit flies, worms, zebrafish, frogs, and mice, we are pinpointing key nodes of biology that become dysregulated in inherited or acquired abnormalities including cancer, and thus identifying potential diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to be further developed by biotech and pharmaceutical companies.

      Our Program of ~50 students is the Goldilocks size – small enough for individualized attention and large enough for vibrant academic and social interactions including retreats, symposia, and art shows. Our curriculum is designed and taught to hone skills in critical thinking, bioinformatics, and verbal and written communication. Numerous faculty-guided, student-led events help nurture organizational and leadership skills. As a result, having Genetics and Epigenetics on the diploma embodies well-balanced training.

      Our Program faculty are committed to spending their most precious commodity – time – to help students advance their intellectual and professional pursuits. A student’s success is inherently also their mentor’s, lab’s, program’s, and school’s success. This principle aligns with a fundamental motivation for any scientist to have an enduring legacy – both from their scientific discoveries and from mentoring the next generation of scholars.

      The pandemic shut down or delayed research and upended the work routine. However, despite the waves of cases, pandemic is temporary, whereas science is timeless. Social distancing does not mean social isolation. As scientists who are used to persevering and innovating, we are leveraging technology to bring people closer, as exemplified by the higher attendance of virtual thesis defenses, inclusion of international speakers in our science historical perspective series, and ease in joining virtual conferences at a lower cost and without the difficulties and expense of traveling.

      We have an invigorated commitment to improving our research community by recognizing individual needs and providing support and encouragement to ensure student wellness and success. A strong community is a foundation that empowers new perspectives and ideas to make science robust and innovative. Taken together, having Genetics and Epigenetics on the diploma embodies well-balanced training.

Francesca Cole, PhD, Program Director Rachel Miller, PhD, Program Co-Director

The G&E Program is broadly focused on the fundamental genetic, epigenetic, and genomic mechanisms that control cell growth and differentiation, and that cause cancer and other human diseases. From basic science investigations to translational studies, G&E students and faculty are actively engaged in the pursuit of new scientific knowledge that could one day lead to clinical advances. Below are the broad areas of research being performed in G&E Program labs.

Developmental Genetics

Human genetics, cancer genetics.

• Genome Maintenance & Repair

Nearly every cell in our body has the exact same genome, yet that DNA blueprint is interpreted differently in specific settings to create many different cell types. How is the same genetic code read so differently to generate this cellular diversity? How do defects in reading the code lead to pathologies?  

The answers to these questions are found in the study of epigenetics, which refers to heritable phenotypic changes that are not mediated by changes in DNA sequence but rather by alterations in genome organization.

DNA is highly compacted within the eukaryotic nucleus in the form of chromatin, which is built from repeating units of histone-DNA particles called nucleosomes.  Nucleosome placement, density, and higher order folding all impact accessibility of DNA sequences to transcription factors and regulatory proteins, thereby affecting patterns of gene expression.

Changes in chromatin structure control where, when and at what level genes are expressed during embryogenesis and after birth.  They also control cellular responses to environmental and physiological changes. Moreover, proper chromatin organization is crucial for maintenance of genome integrity. 

Epigenetic abnormalities are associated with loss of cell identity, genome instability, deregulated growth, and abnormal response to signal transduction pathways, thereby contributing to disease states.  

The G&E Program faculty are defining how epigenetic factors impact gene transcription, DNA recombination, DNA repair, and DNA replication in normal cells in order to understand how epigenetic abnormalities contribute to cancer development and progression. 

Since epigenetic changes are often reversible, our studies provide strong molecular frameworks for the development of new therapies targeting regulators of key epigenetic events such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, or expression of non-coding RNAs.

It is remarkable that a single cell, the fertilized egg, will consistently form an individual with differentiated tissues and organs, positioned correctly within the body. What are the genes that regulate these processes during embryogenesis? How do different cells and tissues interact to form functional organs and organ systems? Which genes when mutated lead to birth defects?

These types of questions can be answered by studying developmental genetics, which focuses on genes and genetic pathways that regulate embryological, postnatal, and regenerative processes.

In the G&E Program, numerous labs utilize genetic approaches in model organisms including Drosophila , C. elegans , Xenopus , zebrafish, and mouse, to study a variety of developmental processes.

These processes include cell fate and differentiation, inductive interactions between tissues, tissue morphogenesis and organogenesis, and stem cell biology and regeneration. A primary strength using these model systems is that these studies are predominantly carried out in vivo .

Interestingly, many of the genes used by the embryo during development are also deployed later in the adult organism to regulate physiological processes, including homeostasis, wound healing and regeneration. Thus, many of the G&E Program labs exploit these model systems to study genes involved in physiological processes that when altered lead to pathologies that mimic human diseases. Basic knowledge produced by developmental studies fuels translational and clinical research that one day will lead to disease therapies.

Why do some people have an increased lifetime risk for developing cancer or chronic conditions such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disease? Is there a genetic explanation for the repeated occurrence of these conditions among members of the same family? What are the genetic variants inherited within families that can be detected and linked to these conditions?

The answers to these questions are found in the study of human genetics. Human genetics research has the primary goal of identifying the molecular basis of inherited disorders, elucidating the genetic and genomic basis of chronic conditions, as well as developing computational tools based on analytical methods to identify disease susceptibility loci and individuals at risk for developing disease.

Human genetics research involves utilizing a broad set of techniques and knowledge, including the basic principles of molecular biology, mendelian genetics and the latest genomic tools, including next-generation DNA sequencing and bioinformatics.

G&E Program faculty are identifying mutations and genetic variants that provide a molecular explanation of inherited human diseases. Understanding the molecular basis of human genetic diseases can lead to disease prevention and the development of treatments and cures.

Cancer is a genetic disease. Mutations that cause cancer alter fundamental cell behaviors, including growth, proliferation, and migration.  How do you identify genes that influence cancer formation and progression?

One way is to use human genetics to identify cancer-causing gene mutations that are inherited. Another way is to correlate genetic lesions found in sporadically occurring tumors. A powerful approach to identify and understand cancer-causing genes is to use model organisms.

In the G&E Program, these model organisms include the fruit fly ( Drosophila ), the nematode worm ( C. elegans ), zebrafish, and the mouse. These systems can be used for large-scale in vivo genetic screens to identify cancer-causing genes or candidate cancer-causing genes can be engineered to create models of human cancer. These powerful genetic systems have led to the identification of genetic pathways that regulate cell behaviors that when mutated lead to tumor formation and metastasis.

Human patients and families with genetic defects contribute to our studies and help inform our thinking as we ultimately hope that this knowledge can provide cures.

Genome Maintenance and Repair

The genome is constantly being challenged by internal and external forces that cause DNA damage. DNA damage results from both programmed cellular processes, such as those required for meiotic crossover and antibody diversity, and spontaneous damage, such as errors in DNA replication, the cellular generation of damage-inducing chemicals, exposure to irradiation or chemicals present in the environment.

Cells have developed many distinct ways to repair DNA damage, but not all DNA damage is properly repaired. Incorrectly repaired DNA damage can lead to genome rearrangements from point mutations to chromosome breaks or loss. Incorrectly repaired DNA can also lead to programmed cell death.

How do cells recognize, respond to and correctly repair DNA damage? How does improper repair influence genome stability? How does failure to repair lead to programmed cell death? How do cancer cells with genome damage bypass cell death?

Many G&E Program laboratories are uncovering how cells recognize and respond to DNA damage, with an emphasis on the genetic and epigenetic factors involved in these processes. G&E Program labs are defining the protein complexes and enzymatic activities that recognize and repair different types of DNA damage, while discovering signaling pathways induced to impose cell cycle checkpoints, to facilitate DNA repair, and to promote other cellular process such as programmed cell death. Ultimately these discoveries will lead to novel strategies for increasing the vulnerability of cancer cells to specific therapeutic strategies.

Click the text link below to see list of G&E faculty seeking students, along with one-page research summaries of many of the faculty. See research profiles of all G&E faculty via the GSBS G&E Faculty Directory . 

G&E Faculty Seeking Students

GNE - Faculty Insight Series

July 11 2024, gne - easy science communication club.

van Hoof named 2023 Darlington Mentor awardee

Alumna Jovanka Gencel-Augusto, PhD, earns the UC President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship; offers insight into the pursuit of postdoc opportunities

Faculty members Piwnica-Worms, Richard Wood elected to National Academy of Sciences

Cole named 2022 Oldham faculty award recipient

Ahmed Emam, MS, publishes research on genomic instability in Nature Cell Biology

Activities and awards.

G&E Program Events - Each 2nd Thursday from 12:30 - 1:30 pm (each series will rotate)

G&E GEM Student Seminar Series.  Two students present their thesis research in 20-minute talks. Everyone welcome!

Easy Science Coffee Club.  This club offers a focus on presentation skills in a fun and easy way.  For students only.

G&E Faculty Insight Series . Informal dialog (without slides) with a faculty member about their career and how they have navigated scientific and career challenges. Everyone welcome!

2023 G&E EVENTS

G&E Annual Retreat : October 27-28, 2023 Camp Allen, Navasota, TX Keynote Speaker: John Rinn, PhD,  Leslie Orgel Professor of RNA Science., BioFrontiers Institute University of Colorado Boulder, Department of Biochemistry

G&E/Quantitative Sciences Summer Social: June 7th, 5 - 7 pm G&E Annual Spring Career Symposium : May 10th, 9 am - 5 pm G&E Spring Rotation Talks : May 8th at 2:30 pm and May 9th at 10 am G&E Winter Rotation Talks : March 9th and 10th at 2 pm G&E/Neuroscience Arts Showcase : February 15th, 3 - 5 pm G&E Lunar New Year Event: January 23rd, 4 - 6 pm G&E Fall Rotation Talks:  December 12th and 14th at 1 pm

2021 and 2022 G&E EVENTS

G&E Annual Retreat : November 4-5, 2022 G&E Annual Spring Career Symposium: May 20th, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm G&E Spring Rotation Talks:   May 11th and 12th at 1:00 pm

2021 - Present G&E Winter Rotation Talks: March 2nd and 3rd, at 1:30 pm G&E March GEM Student Seminar: Every 2nd Thursday of the Month

Annual Events

G&E 2021 Annual Retreat: October 22-23, 2021 G&E 2021 Spring Career Symposium: April 23, 2021:   Schedule and Information G&E and Neuroscience 2021 Arts Showcase:  January 27, 2021 .  More information and Exhibitor Program G&E 2021 Lunar New Year Event :   February 25, 2021 

2021 G&E Gem Student Seminar Series scientific and career challenges. 

July GEM: Malcolm Moses (Richard Behringer lab): "Identifying enhancers in sex determination" and Ruoyu Wang (Wenbo Li Lab): "Mapping m6A modification on nascent RNAs"

June GEM: Celine Kong (Jichao Chen lab): "Role of endothelial NTRK2 in respiratory virus-induced lung injury" and Jie Ye (Jianjun ZHang and Nicholas Navin labs): "The impact of subclonal diversity on clinical outcomes in localized NSCLS"

May GEM: Ahmed Emam (Bin Wang lab): "Investigating the role of Abro1 in DNA damage-induced immune response" and Archit Ghosh (Kunal Rai lab): "Disentangling hierarchical chromatin loops in melanoma metastasis"

April GEM: Jace Aloway (Richard Behringer lab): "ACVR1 signaling in sex determination" and Phuoc Nguyen (Wenbo Li lab): "Improving immune checkpoint therapy to breast cancer by targeting RNA binding protein"

March GEM: Ruth Barros De Paul (John Tainer lab): "Unveiling the role of G-quadruplex DNA and G4-22 in human genetics" and Jellisa Ewan (Ambro van Hoof lab): "Investigating the uncharted functions of the Dcp2 decapping enzyme"

February GEM: Amelie Albrecht (Xuetong Shen lab): "Actin tyrosine phosphorylation as a novel regulator of PI3K signaling" and Frederick Robinson (Giulio Draetta lab): "TP53 dependent adaptation to XPO1 inhibitor unmasks novel sequential drug combinations in colorectal cancer"

January GEM: Safia Essien (George Eisenhoffer lab): "Assessing the role of MIF in apoptosis-induced proliferation in zebrafish

G&E Rotation Talks

December, March and May annually

G&E G&E Faculty Insight Series (FIS)

June 2022: Momoko Yoshimoto, MD, PhD, Associate   Professor, Center for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, IMM, McGovern Medical School April 2022: Blaine Bartholomew, PhD,  Professor, Epigenetics & Molecular Carcinogenesis, MD Anderson March 2022: Margarida Santos, PhD, Assistant Professor, Epigenetics & Molecular Carcinogenesis, MD Anderson January 2022: Sharon Dent, PhD, Professor and Chair, Epigenetics & Molecular Carcinogenesis, MD Anderson October 2021: Pierre McCrea, PhD, Professor, Genetics, MD Anderson May 2021:   Rachel Miller , PhD, Associate Professor, Pediatrics-Research, UTHealth April 2021 : Richard Wood, PhD, Professor, Epigenetics & Molecular Carcinogenesis, MD Anderson March 2021 : George   Eisenhoffer, PhD, Assistant Professor, Genetics, MD Anderson January 2021 : Michelle Hildebrandt, P:hD, Associate Professor, Lymphoma-Myeloma, MD Anderson

G&E Historical Perspectives in Science Lecture

July 2021 : Nathaniel Comfort, PhD, Johns Hopkins University February 2021: Nicole  Nelson, PhD, Univ. Wisconsin-Madison

Congratulations G&E Student Fellowship, Scholarship and Award Recipients! (partial list, 2020-2023)

Mary Adeyeye (Advisor, Xiangli Yang, PhD) Michael E. Kupferman, M.D. Fellowship. Dr. Kupferman, 2023-2024

Vahid Bahrambeigi (Advisor, Anirban Maitra, MBBS) Dr. John J. Kopchick Fellow, 2023 Rosalie B. Hite Fellowship, 2022-2023 renewal American Legion Auxiliary Fellowship in Cancer Research, 2022-2023 Rosalie B. Hite Fellowship, 2021-2022

Bhargavi Brahmendra Barathi (Advisor, Jason Huse, MD, PhD) 1st place Elevator Speech Competition, Pre-Candidacy PhD, MS & SMS, 1st Year - GSBS Student Research Day 2023

Ahmed Emam (Advisor, John Tainer, PhD) Steve Lasher and Janiece Longoria Graduate Student Research Award in Cancer Biology, 2023-2024

Shannon Erhardt (Advisor, Jun Wang, PhD) Jesse B. Heath, Jr. Family Legacy Award, 2023-2024 2nd place, Oral Presentation Skills, Pre-Candidacy PhD, MS & SMS, 1st Year - GSBS Student Research Day 2022

Safia Essien (Advisor, George Eisenhoffer, PhD) American Legion Auxiliary Fellowship in Cancer Research, 2020-2021, 2021-2022 Tzu Chi Scholar, 2020

Melissa Frasca (Advisor, Francesca Cole, PhD) Linda M. Wells GSBS Outreach Award, 2023

Maria Gacha Garay (Advisor, Jichao Chen, PhD) R.W. Butcher Student Achievement Award, 2023-2024 Larry Deaven Ph.D. Fellowship in Biomedical Sciences, 2022-2023

Archit Ghosh (Advisor, Kunal Rai, PhD) Dr. John J. Kopchick Fellow, 2021

Dalia Hassan (Advisor, Jichao Chen, PhD) T.C. Hsu Memorial Scholarship, 2023-2024

Mo-Fan Huang (Advisor, Dung-Fang Lee, PhD) Dr. John J. Kopchick Fellow, 2024 Rosalie B. Hite Fellowship, 2023-2024 renewal The Antje Wuelfrath Gee and Harry Gee, Jr. Family Legacy Scholarship, 2022-2023 Rosalie B. Hite Fellowship, 2022-2023

Ericka Humphrey (Advisor, Yejing Ge, PhD) Wei Yu Family Endowed Scholarship, 2023-2024 Deans Excellence Scholarship - Renewal, 2022-2023

Celine Kong (Advisor, Jichao Chen, PhD) Dr. John J. Kopchick Fellow, 2023 Renewal

Rhiannon Morrissey (Advisor, Gigi Lozano, PhD) NIH F31 Fellowship, 2020-2023 American Legion Auxiliary Fellowship in Cancer Research, 2020

Nick Newkirk (Advisor, Swathi Arur, PhD) American Legion Auxiliary Fellowship in Cancer Research, 2023-2024 - Renewal American Legion Auxiliary Fellowship in Cancer Research, 2022-2023

Sreepradha Sridharan (Advisor, Michael Galko, PhD) American Legion Auxiliary Fellowship in Cancer Research, 2023-2024

Heather Tsong (Advisor, Andrea Stavoe, PhD) Investing in Student Futures Fellowship, 2022-2023 2nd place, Oral Presentation Skills, Post-Candidacy PhD - GSBS Student Research Day 2023

Llaran Turner (Advisor, George Eisenhoffer, PhD) American Legion Auxiliary Fellowship in Cancer Research, 2023-2024 1st place, Oral Presentation Skills, Pre-Candidacy PhD, MS & SMS, 1st Year - GSBS Student Research Day 2023

Mith V (Advisor, Gigi Lozano, PhD) Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Endowment Scholarship, 2023-2024 Dean’s Excellence Scholarship - Renewal, 2023-2024

Brandy Walker (Advisor, Rachel Miller, PhD) Gigli Family Endowed Scholarship, 2023-2024

Ruoyu Wang (Advisor, Wenbo Li, PhD) Dr. John J. Kopchick Fellow, 2023 Renewal Presidents' Research Excellence Award, 2022-2023 GSBS Presidents' Research Scholarship, 2022 John and Rebekah Harper Fellowship in Biomedical Sciences, 2022-2023 renewal John and Rebekah Harper Fellowship in Biomedical Sciences, 2021-2022

Hanghui Ye (Advisor, Nicholas Navin, PhD) Sowell-Huggins Fellowship in Cancer Research, 2023-2024 renewal Sowell-Huggins Fellowship in Cancer Research, 2022-2023 renewal Sowell-Huggins Fellowship in Cancer Research, 2021-2022

2023 G&E Student Service Award Recipients

Vahid Bahrambeigi Shannon Erhardt Majo Gacha Garay Dalia Hassan Ericka Humphrey Josh  Lindenberger Anna Miao Richa Nayak Nick Newkirk Sreeja Sridharan Heather Tsong Llaran Tuner

Communications

List of photos on back cover of 2021 G&E Newsletter

LIFE OUTSIDE OF LAB

First Row  (left to right) Momoko Yoshimoto, MD, PhD : Walking the Old faithful trail at Yellowstone National Park (Grotto Geyser) Bill Mattox, PhD : On the Sonoma County Coast, north of San Francisco Anna Miao: Crab lining in Galveston! We got up around 4AM, drove to Galveston and took ferry to fishing port. With a chicken leg and a net, we caught around 20 crabs ?! Richard Wood, PhD: Hiking in New Mexico with Geoff Stradling, 2021

Second Row (left to right) Dalia Hassan: This is my cat, Biso! Jace Aloway: My wife and I took our dog, Sasha, on a backpacking trip up Mt. Harvard of the Rocky Mountains. We spent a few days exploring the nearby towns before hitting the trail where we spent three days enjoying the beautiful sights Swathi Arur, PhD: Start of the hike from Lake Louise to the Tea House (which lies beyond the mountains visible in the backdrop) at Banff Peaches (cat on the left) and Luna (cat on the right) : Sreeja recently fostered kittens without a mother. She and her husband decided to keep Peaches, who is currently 4 months old! Keeping Peaches out of trouble is a full-time occupation. Their other cat, Luna, is not very impressed with Peaches.

Third Row (left to right) Archibald: Han Bit Baek’s precious fur baby! Celine Kong : Garba dance with friends! Richard Wood, PhD: Reserva Los Huemules, Patagonia, 2019 Melissa Frasca : With lab friends at Wildseed Farms to see wildflowers.

Fourth Row (left to right + ½ line down) Rachel Dittmar: Family portrait with Evan and Hattie Dittmar Sasha : I belong to Jace Aloway and his wife! Francesca Cole, PhD: Lemon Meringue with her daughter, Rowan Leia: I belong to Melissa Frasca! Sreeja Sridharan: At her wedding with husband, Jacob Rutherford Michelle Hildebrandt, PhD : “Our foal was born! ‘Stich’ will be my daughter's next show horse”

Fifth Row (left to right) Mango: Dr. Junwoo Lee and his wife adopted their dog, Mango. He sometimes breaks Junwoo’s action figures. Most recently, Mango broke Jedai Obiwan. Celine Kong : Ugly Sweaters Christmas Celebration with friends! Fernando Benavides, PhD : “I've been playing guitar almost all my life. This is a tribute band I am with now in Austin” Rosie: I belong to Dr. Francesca Cole and family!

G&E on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/UTGSBSGnE

G&e on facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/131236770777190/      , latest g&e students to win gsbs fellowships and scholarships .

Ericka Humphrey (Advisor, Yejing Ge, PhD): 2023-2024 UTHealthLeads MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate Student School Fellows Heather Tsong (Advisor, Andrea Stavoe, PhD): 2023-2024 UTHealthLeads MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate Student School Fellows Mo-Fan (Elena) Huang (Advisor, Dung-Fang Lee, PhD): Dr. John J. Kopchick Fellow, 2024 Mith V (Advisor, Gigi Lozano, PhD): Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Endowment Scholarship, 2023-2024 Mary Adeyeye (Advisor, Xiangli Yang, PhD) : Michael E. Kupferman, M.D. Fellowship. Dr. Kupferman, 2023-2024 Shannon Erhardt (Advisor, Jun Wang, PhD): Jesse B. Heath, Jr. Family Legacy Award, 2023-2024 Brandy Walker (Advisor, Rachel Miller, PhD): Gigli Family Endowed Scholarship, 2023-2024 Dalia Hassan (Advisor, Jichao Chen, PhD:) T.C. Hsu Memorial Scholarship, 2023-2024 Ahmed Emam (Advisor, John Tainer, PhD): Steve Lasher and Janiece Longoria Graduate Student Research Award in Cancer Biology, 2023-2024 Majo Gacha Garay (Advisor, Jichao Chen, PhD): R.W. Butcher Student Achievement Award, 2023-2024 Ericka Humphrey  (Advisor, Yejing Ge, PhD) : Wei Yu Family Endowed Scholarship, 2023-2024 Heather Tsong (Advisor, Andrea Stavoe, PhD): 1 st Place Platform Talk - 2023 G&E Retreat Han Bit Baek (Advisor, Swathi Arur, PhD): 2 nd Place Platform Talk - 2023 G&E Retreat Llaran Turner (Advisor, George Eisenhoffer, PhD): People’s Choice Platform Talk - 2023 G&E Retreat Samantha Mota (Advisor, Michael Galko, PhD): 1 st Place Pre-Candidacy Poster (tie) - 2023 G&E Retreat Sseu-Pei Hwang (Advisor, Catherine Denicourt, PhD): 1 st Place Pre-Candidacy Poster (tie) - 2023 G&E Retreat Anna Miao (Advisor, Don Gibbons, PhD): 1 st Place Pre-Candidacy Poster (tie) - 2023 G&E Retreat Mo-Fan (Elena) Huang (Advisor, Dung-Fang Lee, PhD): 1 st Place Post-Candidacy Poster - 2023 G&E Retreat Majo Gacha Garay (Advisor, Jichao Chen, PhD): 2 nd Place Post-Candidacy Poster - 2023 G&E Retreat Guillaume Trusz (Advisor, Michael Curran, PhD): 1 st Place Pre-Candidacy Poster Flash Talk - 2023 G&E Retreat Jace Aloway (Advisor, Richard Behringer, PhD): 1 st Place Post-Candidacy Poster Flash Talk - 2023 G&E Retreat Melissa Frasca (Advisor, Francesca Cole, PhD):  Linda M. Wells GSBS Outreach Award, 2023 Mo-Fan (Elena) Huang (Advisor, Dung-Fang Lee, PhD): Rosalie B. Hite Fellowship, 2023-2024 renewal Hanghui Ye (Advisor, Nick Navin, PhD): Andrew Sowell - Wade Huggins Fellowship in Cancer Research, 2023-2024 renewal Llaran Turner (Advisor, George Eisenhoffer, PhD): 2023-2024 American Legion Auxiliary Fellowship in Cancer Research Vahid Bahrambeigi (Advisor, Anirban Maitra, MBBS):  Dr. John J. Kopchick Fellow, 2023 Mo-Fan (Elena) Huang (Advisor, Dung-Fang Lee, PhD): The Antje Wuelfrath Gee and Harry Gee, Jr. Family Legacy Scholarship, 2022-2023 Celine Kong (Advisor, Jichao Chen, PhD): Dr. John J. Kopchick Fellow, 2023 Renewal Heather Tsong (Advisor, Andrea Stavoe, PhD): Investing in Student Futures Fellowship, 2022-2023 Ruoyu Wang (Advisor, Wenbo Li, PhD): Dr. John J. Kopchick Fellow, 2023 Renewal Ruoyu Wang (Advisor, Wenbo Li, PhD) : 2022-2023 Presidents' Research Excellence Award  Ruoyu Wang (Advisor, Wenbo Li, PhD) :  2022 GSBS Presidents' Research Scholarship Ericka Humphrey (Advisor, Yejing Ge, PhD) :2022-2023 Deans Excellence Scholarship - Renewal Hanghui Ye (Advisor, Nicholas Navin, PhD) : Sowell-Huggins Fellowship in Cancer Research, 2022-2023 renewal Ruoyu Wang (Advisor, Wenbo Li, PhD) : John and Rebekah Harper Fellowship in Biomedical Sciences, 2022-2023 renewal Vahid Bahrambeigi (Advisor, Anirban Maitra, MBBS) : Rosalie B. Hite Fellowship, 2022-2023 renewal Vahid Bahrambeigi (Advisor, Anirban Maitra, MBBS) : American Legion Auxiliary Fellowship in Cancer Research, 2022-2023 Maria Gacha Garay (Advisor, Jichao Chen, PhD) : Larry Deaven Ph.D. Fellowship in Biomedical Sciences, 2022-2023 Nick Newkirk (Advisor, Swathi Arur, PhD) : American Legion Auxiliary Fellowship in Cancer Research, 2022-2023 Mo-Fan (Elena) Huang (Advisor, Dung-Fang Lee) : Rosalie B. Hite Fellowship, 2022-2023

See list of G&E student award recipients in ' Awards' section.

G&E GSBS Student Research Day 2023 Award Winners:

Llaran Turner ( Advisor, George Esienhoffer, PhD):  1st place, Oral Presentation Skills, Pre-Candidacy PhD, MS & SMS, 1st Year Bhargavi Brahmendra Barathi (Advisor, Jason Huse, MD, PhD): 1st place Elevator Speech Competition, Pre-Candidacy PhD, MS & SMS, 1st Year  Heather Tsong (Advisor, Andrea Stavoe, PhD): 2nd place, Oral Presentation Skills, Post-Candidacy PhD 

G&E GSBS Student Research Day 2022 Award Winners:

Shannon Erhardt (Advisor, Jun Wang, PhD):  2nd place, Oral Presentation Skills, Pre-Candidacy PhD, MS & SMS, 1st Year Raisa Reyes Castro (Advisor, Swathi Arur, PhD):  1st place, Poster Competitions, Post-Candidacy PhD

Boyi Gan Receives 2021 MD Anderson Faculty Achievement Award in Basic Research (August 2021)

Boyi Gan, PhD, G&E faculty member and Associate Professor, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology at MD Anderson is the recipient of the  MD Anderson Dallas/Fort Worth Living Legend Faculty Achievement Award in Basic Research. His award will be presented at the Faculty Honors Convocation later this year.

David Johnson, PhD Receives 2021 Oldham Faculty Award (August 2021)

David Johnson, PhD , G&E faculty member and Professor, Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis at MD Anderson is the recipient of the 2021 D. Dudley and Judy White Oldham Faculty Award. As noted in the GSBS Essential: "The purpose of the award is to recognize an exceptional faculty member who consistently demonstrates excellence in service and leadership at the school". 

G&E Director Wins McGovern Teaching Award (July 2021)

Dr. Jichao Chen, G&E Director and Associate Professor of Pulmonary Medicine-Research at MD Anderson wins 2021 McGovern Award for Outstanding Teaching. This award recognizes excellence in teaching based on the educator’s knowledge of the subject, interest in/enthusiasm for teaching, interest in and understanding of students, responsiveness to student questions and encouragement of independent thinking, and accessibility to students. Each year, GSBS students nominate and vote for the winner. 

G&E Library

G&E offers a lending library located in Amy Carter’s office at GSBS. More than 40 books will be available for check-out. From biology textbooks, scientific resources and biographies, to R programming, writing guides, and personal productivity, you'll find a huge breadth of topics of interest to our graduate program community. See book list here .  

G&E Social Media

Francesca Cole, PhD G&E Program Director Associate Professor, Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis MD Anderson Cancer Center Office: South Campus Research Building, 3SCRB4.4109 Email: [email protected] | Tel: 832-750-7185

Rachel Miller, PhD G&E Program Co-Director Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School Office: MSE R414 Email: [email protected] | Tel: 713-500-6537

Amy Carter G&E Program Manager GSBS Office - BSRB S3.8332a Telephone: 713.745.0659 email: [email protected]

Alternatively, use our A–Z index

Attend an open day

PhD/MPhil Medical Genetics / Overview

Year of entry: 2024

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We require applicants to hold, or be about to obtain, an Upper Second class Honours degree, or the equivalent qualification gained outside the UK, in a related subject area for entry to a PhD programme. A Lower Second class Honours degree may be considered if applicants also hold a Master's degree with a Merit classification.

Full entry requirements

See full guidance on how to choose a project and submit an application on our websi te . You should then complete the online admissions application form to apply for this programme. Ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission, or this may delay the processing of your application.

Application deadlines

You must submit your application for a postgraduate research programme before the relevant deadline to be considered. You will not be able to apply after these deadlines have passed.

• January entry: 15 October (of the year prior entry)
• April entry: 15 January (year of entry)
• September entry: 15 June (year of entry)

Programme options

Programme overview.

• Learn from some of Europe's leading researchers while undertaking your own project.
• Access some of the best research facilities in the world at both the University and in hospitals around Greater Manchester.
• Undergo training in transferable skills critical to developing early-stage researchers and professionals through the Doctoral Academy's training programme.
• Conduct research at a university ranked 6th in the UK (QS World University Rankings 2023).

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:

• PhD (full-time) UK students (per annum): Standard £4,786, Low £11,000, Medium £17,500, High £23,000 International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard £27,000, Low £28,500, Medium £34,500, High £40,500
• PhD (part-time) UK students (per annum): Standard £2393, Low £5,500, Medium £8,750, High £11,500 International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard £13,500, Low £14,250, Medium £17,250, High £20,250

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

Contact details

Programmes in related subject areas.

Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.

• Biosciences

Regulated by the Office for Students

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website .

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website .

For IBMG students, year one consists for required coursework and electives, including at least three laboratory rotations for credit (G718). At the end of the first year of IBMG, students selecting Medical and Molecular Genetics (MMGE) register for summer coursework or research credit hours as an incoming MMGE PhD student. In the fall semester of the second year, students complete the core coursework requirements for MMGE PhD degree, including the qualifying examination process to reach candidacy. Year 3 and beyond are typically spent completing the dissertation research.

All MMGE PhD students are required to take at least 12 coursework hours in Medical and Molecular Genetics from the following course groups.

• Required Medical and Molecular Genetics Core Courses Q625 Introduction to Clinical Genetics (1cr), Q580 Basic Human Genetics (3cr), Q640 Special Topics in MMGE (1cr), and Q660 Medical and Molecular Genetics Seminar presentation (1cr counts towards genetics requirements).
• MMGE-Related Open Admission Elective Modules G724 Molecular Cancer Genetics, G725 Gene Therapy, G727 Animal Models of Human Disease (1 credit each) or any other advanced course offerings in the department (courses with a “MGEN-Q” prefix in the course number).

G716 Molecular Biology and Genetics (3 credits), G848 Bioinformatics, Genomics, Proteomics and Systems Biology (2 credits), B651 and B652 (Biostatistics I and II, 3 credits each), G788 Next Generation Sequencing, and G890 Methods in Molecular Biology and Pathology (3 credits).

Transfer Credit

• Fall Semester

Select a research mentor

Research Safety Courses

• Summer Semester Q800 Independent Research in Medical Genetics – 4 cr.
• Spring Semester G505 The Responsible Conduct of Research – 1 cr. (or G504 Introduction to Research Ethics – 2 cr.) Qualifying Exam Part I (Written Comprehensive Exam) G855 Research Biostatistics – 1 cr. (or G651 Biostatistics I – 3 cr.) Prepare for Qualifying Exam Part II (Written Proposal and Defense) Q625 Introduction to Clinical Genetics (1 cr., 1st 5 weeks)* G XXX Minor Elective(s) – 1-5 cr. Q580 Basic Human Genetics (3cr.) Q660 Medical Genetics Seminar (1 cr. each Fall/Spring semesters) Q640 Special Topics in MMGE (1 cr.) Q800 Independent Research in Medical Genetics – 1-12 cr. per semester Q800 Independent Research in Medical Genetics – 1-12 cr. per semester
• Summer Semester Q800 Independent Research in Medical Genetics – 4 cr. minimum

Q800 Independent Research in Medical Genetics – 1-12 cr. per semester Q660 Medical Genetics Seminar (1 cr. each Fall/Spring semesters) Complete Qualifying Exam Part II (Written Proposal and Defense)

Years Four and Five

Q800/G901 Independent Research in Medical Genetics – 1-12 cr. per semester Q660 Medical Genetics Seminar (1 cr. each Fall/Spring semesters until 90 credits) Defend and Submit Dissertation

24 credits of didactic coursework total are needed for PhD (major genetics courses and minor electives) 90 credits total (including independent research credits) are needed for graduation.

Curriculum for MD/PhD Dual Degree Program

MD/PhD students are not required to take G715-G717 but are required to perform research laboratory rotations for credit. MD/PhD students must complete 12 credit hours in genetics-related courses, including the required core Medical and Molecular Genetics PhD courses in the fall as well as the seminar presentation for one credit. MD/PhD students are also required to complete the requirements for a minor. In the case of combined MD/PhD students, up to 30 hours of non-clinical medical courses may apply toward the PhD degree with approval of the student’s committee and the Graduate School.

The University of Manitoba campuses are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Ininew, Anisininew, Dakota and Dene peoples, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. More

University of Manitoba

University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, R3T 2N2

Biochemistry and Medical Genetics (PhD)

Earn a Biochemistry and Medical Genetics (PhD) in this four-year immersive program with a wide-range of potential thesis projects related to the following areas of research: cancer, computational biology, epigenetics, genetic basis of development and disease and regenerative medicine.

Program details

Admission requirements.

• Rady Faculty of Health Sciences • Faculty of Graduate Studies

• Doctor of Philosophy

Expected duration

• 4-5 years

Study with us

Dive into the thrilling world of biochemistry and medical genetics. From computational biology to molecular cytogenetics and beyond, your graduate studies begin here. The Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics strives to provide a stimulating educational experience that will motivate its students to become outstanding independent investigators, practitioners and teachers.

Cutting-edge research facilities

In addition to laboratories, The Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics offers common research support facilities and equipment to students and faculty. The department is home to biochemistry, molecular biological sciences and medical genetics expertise, creating an intellectually enriching research and teaching environment.

Dedicated faculty

Our faculty are locally, nationally and internationally recognized for their teaching and research accomplishments, having received prestigious awards for both. Moreover, our faculty members play a tremendous role in providing health care services to individuals and families affected with genetic and metabolic disorders.

The Faculty of Graduate Studies and the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences offer a four to five-year program of study leading to a Biochemistry and Medical Genetics (PhD).

Expected duration: 4-5 years

Tuition and fees:  Tuition fees are charged for terms one and two and terms four and five. A continuing fee is paid for term three, term six and each subsequent term. (Refer to Graduate tuition and fees .)

In addition to the minimum course requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section , students must meet the following requirements depending on their method of entry.

Students entering with a thesis-based MSc must:

• Complete a minimum of 9 credit hours of coursework
• Complete and successfully defend a doctoral thesis

Students transferring from the Biochemistry and Medical Genetics (MSc) must:

• Complete 6 credit hours in addition to the 10 credit hours required in fulfillment of the MSc program

Sample course offerings

Here are some examples of the courses offered for this program:

• BGEN 7020: Proteins
• BGEN 7070: Special Topics in Human Genetics
• BGEN 7090: Principles and Practice of Human Genetics
• BGEN 7130: Genetic Epidemiology of Human Populations
• BGEN 7180: Clinical and Molecular Cytogenetics
• BGEN 7200: Topics in Biochemistry
• BGEN 7250: Gene Expression and Epigenetics
• IMED 7120: Medical Biochemistry
• IMED 7170: Medical Genetics
• IMED 7200: Cancer Biology

For a full list of courses and descriptions of each, please visit the Academic Calendar .

The following are minimum requirements to be considered for entry into the Biochemistry and Medical Genetics (PhD) program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

To be considered for admission to the Biochemistry and Medical Genetics (PhD), you must have:

• A thesis-based master's degree (of at least two years in duration) or equivalent in biochemistry, genetics or a closely related field
• a cumulative GPA of 3.5 over a 4.5 scale or equivalent and no grade less than C+ in courses taken during the master's program

In some cases, master's students who have made excellent progress in the first year of their program, may be considered for a transfer to the PhD program. Please refer to the Faculty of Graduate Studies supplementary regulations for more information.

In addition to the admission requirements described here, all applicants must meet the minimum admission and English language proficiency requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies .

How to apply

Applicants must interview (by email or virtually) with a potential supervisor prior to applying and obtain confirmation from the supervisor that the supervisor will accept them if they are approved and offered admission by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. This potential supervisor must be a University of Manitoba Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics faculty member.

The Biochemistry and Medical Genetics (PhD) program accepts applications for Fall, Winter and Summer entry. Applications must be completed online and include several parts:

• $100 application fee (non-refundable)
• Unofficial copies of transcripts and degree certificates
• Supervisor support (must be confirmed prior to applying)
• Statement of intent
• Two letters of recommendation (must be requested from within the application)
• Proof of English language proficiency (if required)

Please read the Faculty of Graduate Studies online application instructions before beginning your application.

Application deadlines

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Architecture reviews applications in March.

Applications open up to 18 months prior to start term.

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated.

Start or continue your application

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for City Planning reviews applications in March.

Winter applications are accepted on a case-by-case basis.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Design and Planning reviews applications in March.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Interior Design reviews applications in March.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Landscape Architecture reviews applications in March.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Anthropology reviews applications in March/April.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . Please contact the department for admission committee review timelines.

Applications open September 1 of year prior to start term.

Applications open   up to 18 months prior  to start term.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for History reviews applications in February.

Applications are reviewed on a  rolling basis .

Applications open July 1 of year prior to start term.

Applications are reviewed on a  Committee basis . The Committee for German and Slavic Studies reviews applications in February/March.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis .

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Management reviews applications in February / March.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Physical Therapy reviews applications in April / May.

Applications open  August 1 of the year prior to start term.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . Please contact the department for admission committee review timelines.

Program currently undergoing review, applications will not be opening at this time.

Select Preventive Dental Science in the Program drop-down on the application form.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Educational Administration, Foundations and Psychology reviews applications in March / April.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Education reviews applications in February / March.

Applications are reviewed after the deadline, with decisions issued in March - April.

Currently not accepting applications to this program.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . Please contact the department for admission committee review timelines.

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated. Applications received by the March 1 deadline for a September start-date will receive first consideration for any available funding. Late applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis for any available funding, please contact the department for further information.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Human Rights reviews applications in January - March.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Law reviews applications in January - March.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Nursing (MN) reviews applications in April / May.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Nursing PhD reviews applications in February / March.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee reviews applications as per the timelines noted below each table.

Winter applications reviewed in October Summer applications reviewed in February Fall applications reviewed in June

Winter applications reviewed in June Summer applications reviewed in October Fall applications reviewed in February

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated. This includes having the support of a faculty supervisor before you apply.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Natural Resources Management reviews applications in March - June.

After the annual application deadline (see below), applications are reviewed on a committee basis by the Faculty of Social Work internal admissions committee. Once this process is complete, decisions are sent to all applicants in March / April. 

Applications open  July 1 of year prior to start term.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Social Work reviews applications in March / April.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Music reviews Fall term applications in December / January, and Winter term applications in July.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Occupational Therapy reviews applications in May / June.

Master of Occupational Therapy regular program  applications open September 15 of the year prior to deadline .

Master of Occupational Therapy accelerated program  applications open October 1  of the year prior to deadline .

The name of your confirmed supervisor is required at the time of application. To identify a prospective thesis research supervisor on your application, please  contact Immunology Faculty members .

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Community Health Sciences reviews applications in March / April.

The name of your preferred supervisor is required at time of application.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . Students selected for in-person interview will be notified in February.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Physician Assistant Studies reviews applications in April.

Offers of admission will be released to successful applicants on May 17, 2024 from the University of Manitoba Master of Physician Assistant Studies, the same day as the University of Toronto BScPA Program and McMaster University Physician Assistant Education Program. The three institutions are pleased to provide applicants their offers on the same day to help with the decision-making process.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Pharmacology and Therapeutics reviews applications one month after the application deadline.

Applications for Pathology MSc are reviewed on a  rolling basis .

Applications for Pathologist Assistant are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Pathologist Assistant reviews applications in April / May. 

The Pathologist Assistant program only admits Canadian and US students every two years. The Fall 2023 intake has been suspended. The next intake is tentatively scheduled for Fall 2025.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Statistics reviews applications in March / April.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Biological Sciences reviews applications one month after deadline.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Indigenous Studies reviews applications in February and June.

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated. For those who wish to be considered for scholarships, applications must be received by January 15 of the year in which you're seeking admission.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions Committee for Applied Human Nutrition reviews applications in February.

Les demandes d’admission sont évaluées par un comité . Le comité d’admission évalu les demandes durant les mois de Mars et Avril.  

Les demandes peut être surmise jusqu’à concurrence de 18 mois avant le début de premier trimestre.

Toute demande d’admission en ligne doit être déposée, avec documents à l’appui, au plus tard aux dates indiquées.

Soumettre ou continuer votre application

Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics

Through innovative research and scholarship, the Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics working to understand, prevent and treat disease, including genetic disorders.

Financial aid and awards

There are a variety of awards and funding options available to help you pay for school as a student in the Max Rady College of Medicine.

Tuition and fees

Learn more about tuition and fee requirements associated with graduate studies at UM.

Academic Calendar

Explore program requirements and detailed descriptions of required and elective courses offered in the Biochemistry and Medical Genetics (PhD) program.

Explore the Max Rady College of Medicine

For over 125 years, the Max Rady College of Medicine has contributed to education, research and clinical service. Western Canada’s first medical school, the College develops qualified medical graduates who distinguish themselves through excellence in clinical care, health system innovation and leadership, and internationally recognized research.

• Programs of study
• Student experience
• Community and partners

Explore the Faculty of Graduate Studies

Discovery happens here. Join the graduate students and researchers who come here from every corner of the world. They are drawn to the University of Manitoba because it offers the opportunity to do transformational research.

• Funding, awards and financial aid
• Graduate student experience

Keep exploring

Discover more programs

With over 140 graduate programs across multiple faculties, schools and colleges, the University of Manitoba offers more learning, teaching and research opportunities than any other post-secondary institution in the province.

• Immunology (PhD)
• Human Anatomy and Cell Science (PhD)
• Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (PhD)
• Physiology and Pathophysiology (PhD)

Join the students and researchers who come here from every corner of the world.

What it's like to be a UM student

Be adventurous, challenge yourself and make a difference.

Opportunities for Indigenous students

Experience a world-class education in the heart of Canada.

Why international students study with us

We offer state of the art facilities with 140 years of history.

Our campuses

Admission and application inquiries.

Faculty of Graduate Studies Room 500 UMSU University Centre 65 Chancellors Circle University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus) Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

[email protected] Phone: 204-474-9377

Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Program inquiries

The Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics Room 336 Basic Medical Sciences Building 745 Bannatyne Avenue University of Manitoba Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9 Canada [email protected] Phone: 204-789-3593 Fax: 204-789-3900

• MD-PhD Program >
• Education and Training >
• PhD Program Overview >
• Participating Programs >

Genetics, Genomics, & Bioinformatics

The MD-PhD required curriculum for the PhD consists of 72 credit hours from required and elective courses, drawn from these lists.

Prerequisites from the first two years of medical education curriculum

Genetics, genomics and bioinformatics requirements.

These two electives are typically completed during the first and second year in the program; thus, after the first two years, there are no further formal course requirements.

Your major requirement in the  first semester  in the program is the Dissertation Proposal (GGB 606). Your research proposal process will begin with a Thesis Research Prospectus presentation. This 30-40 minute seminar will give an overview of the research in your lab, the objectives of your thesis research within that context, and the specific aims of the work you plan to complete toward those objectives. The written proposal you prepare and submit to your committee will follow the format of a NIH pre/post-doctoral fellowship. This proposal will be an outline of your doctoral research and thesis. The research proposal is the program’s “preliminary examination” in the doctoral program.