
John H. Morrison, PhD, Dean of the Graduate School of Biological Sciences
We are looking for students who have had sufficient exposure to research in biological sciences, chemistry, physics, mathematics, or engineering to have convinced them that the investigative mode with all its uncertainties, need for fortitude and perseverance, and its moments of intense gratification is one which they urgently wish to have as part of their professional lives. Further, we seek students who have, through research, coursework, reading, and contemplation, decided that the research that they would like to pursue in their predoctoral training is in areas that have biomedical impact or connection. Finally, the students' aptitudes and prior coursework should have provided a strong basis for building an even more sophisticated and more research-oriented level of mastery of biomedical sciences.
All applicants apply "Flexible Entry" so that those with less focused interests or with interests that span disciplines (e.g., molecular endocrinology or signal transduction and receptors) are offered a year of interdisciplinary rotations. Students are initially guided by Directors of Multidisciplinary Training Areas (MTAs) and Graduate School faculty. During the first year, students identify the laboratory (or sometimes collaborating laboratories) and MTA that are the optimal training environment. Applicants who enter the Program with clearly defined interests can enjoy the guidance of and research rotation interaction with a finely-honed group of faculty from the very beginning, even though they will not formally declare a MTA until the end of the first-year of study.
Deadline: The final deadline for submission of all application materials is January 15. For competitive consideration for a position in the Program, please note that review of applications will begin on September 10.