Brief Description |
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The Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine at the University of Virginia offers rigorous and comprehensive Ph.D. level training geared towards individuals who wish to pioneer major advances in our understanding of the molecular basis of human disease through biomedical research. Students are provided a thorough grounding in cell biology, molecular biology, and biochemistry, as well as exposure to a variety of key medical areas. Their studies and research are personally directed by two mentors working in tandem, one from a basic science department, and the other from a clinical department in the School of Medicine. Under such guidance, students gain an appreciation of key biomedical problems, valuable experience in interdisciplinary teamwork, a broad-based understanding of the clinical underpinnings of their research projects, and most importantly the knowledge and ability to apply the scientific knowledge gained from their basic research projects to advancing the understanding of disease and developing new potential therapies, diagnostic methods, and cures. The doctoral training program includes opportunities for gaining both clinical and pharmaceutical industry experience, and graduates have broad professional career opportunities in academia, and the biomedical industry. Students take a mixture of graduate school courses including "Gene Structure Expression and Regulation (BIMS 811)," "Cell Structure and Function (BIMS 812)," and "Protein Structure-Function (BIOC 508)," as well as a number of elective Medical School courses including Physiology, Pharmacology, Genetics, and Pathology. Link to Courses Students also take a course specifically developed for the Molecular Medicine and M.D./Ph./D. (MST) Programs entitled "Molecular Basis of Human Disease" which includes a series of joint lectures by basic and clinical scientists on contemporary biomedical research that has resulted in major advances in our understanding and/or treatment of human disease. Students complete 2-3 laboratory rotations, preferably at the clinical/basic interface by the end of the first year, and then choose their mentors and the interdisciplinary division in which they would like to specialize including such areas as Cancer, Cardiovascular Pathology, Development and Reproduction, Endocrinology, Immunology, Infectious Diseases, or Neuroscience. In their second year, students complete their course requirements including several advanced clinical and basic research courses in their chosen specialty area. Considerable time is available in the second year for students to conduct research leading up to preparation of a formal thesis research proposal. The student is provided extensive guidance and advice in this process by their co mentors and their Ph.D. Thesis Committee. The program supplements departmentally based and interdisciplinary degree granting programs with a number of unique training activities and courses that promotes the goals of the Molecular Medicine Program. Activities include a monthly research in progress dinner that focuses on student presentations. There is also a Molecular Medicine lecture series that is jointly run by M.D./Ph.D. (MST) and Molecular Medicine Graduate students. Student's select internationally recognized scientists conducting pioneering work in molecular medicine and get to host the faculty member for a dinner and round-table discussion. Recent speakers have included Dr. Alan Steers the discoverer of Lyme's Disease, and Dr. Brian Druker who headed a team of investigators who developed a highly specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor recently approved by the FDA for treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia. Students also participate in specialized workshops that promote their skills in conducting translational research including Patents-Intellectual Property; Biotechnology; Alternative Scientific Careers, Grant Writing/Review, and many others. Students typically complete their thesis projects within a 4-year period, and are expected to publish their findings in high quality peer-reviewed journals. Each student has an individual Molecular Medicine Student Advisory Committee that assists students in selecting courses, lab rotations, and mentors. In addition, this committee assists students in identifying and setting up clinical training activities to supplement their doctoral training programs. Examples of such activities include clinical shadowing, participation in case study discussion groups, and attendance at Clinical Grand Rounds-Lectures. |