phd research topics in biochemistry

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Offered By: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Onsite | Full-Time | 5 – 6 years

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About the PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program

In the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology PhD program, faculty, and students work together to increase knowledge of the biochemical and molecular bases of normal and abnormal cellular processes. Our program trains students to be successful independent scientists and gives them the knowledge, research training, and leadership skills to continue to provide new insights into the biomedical issues that have a profound impact on public health. Cancer biology is a historical and continuing area of interest for many faculty in our program, which has been supported in part by a training grant from the National Institutes of Health’s National Cancer Institute since 1975.

Students engage in a rigorous course curriculum and a range of structured and informal activities outside the classroom and lab to build their skills. They will pursue their thesis research in the lab of one of our over forty training faculty across the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

Visit our dedicated PhD program website to learn more about the diverse research training opportunities of the program.

PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program Highlights

Our position within the School of Public Health provides a unique setting in which students learn how biochemistry, molecular biology, physical chemistry, cell biology, and genetics can be used to solve significant problems in public health and medicine. Our program offers:

• Training faculty from across the School of Public Health and the School of Medicine
• A strong grounding in the science of biomedical and public health research through a core curriculum that includes courses taught by leading experts from the Schools of Public Health and Medicine
• Training outside the lab and classroom in key skills such as communications and leadership
• Opportunities to build strong communications skills through a range of speaking venues including journal club, research colloquium, department retreats, and national meetings
• Teaching Assistant service to build teaching and interpersonal skills, with options for additional training and professional development through the Johns Hopkins University Teaching Academy to further develop skills
• Access to the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Professional Development and Career Office , offering excellent career services and professional development,  including the BMB-required OPTIONS program, a guided process of career exploration for paths from medicine to biotech to academia and beyond
• Opportunities to participate in community service and outreach, with a focus on our East Baltimore neighborhoods, through the Johns Hopkins University community engagement and service-learning center, SOURCE

Training faculty across the School of Public Health and the School of Medicine

Schools that students can take courses in: Public Health, Arts & Sciences, Medicine, and Engineering

Two-month rotations in the first year prior to selecting thesis lab

Average number of incoming students in the BMB PhD degree program each year

What Can You Do With a PhD In Biochemistry And Molecular Biology?

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology PhD program prepares students for a range of biomedical and health sciences careers, including in academia, industry, policy, and beyond. Visit the Graduate Employment Outcomes Dashboard to learn about Bloomberg School graduates' employment status, sector, and salaries.

Sample Careers

• Research Scientist
• Science Policy Adviser
• Biotech Executive
• Senior Scientist
• Patent Lawyer
• Science Policy Analyst/Advocate
• Science Writer/Journalist
• Biological Sciences Teacher

Topic Areas

The BMB PhD program faculty conduct research to gain new insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying normal and abnormal cellular processes, and their relevance as targets for improving health and treating disease. Our training program places particular emphasis on mechanistic approaches to research problems, and cancer biology has had a prominent place in our research interest for over 50 years .

Common topic areas within our faculty's diverse research interests include:

• Biophysics and Structural Biology
• Cancer Biology
• Chemical Biology and Proteomics
• Cell Biology
• Cellular Stress and Cell Signaling
• Genetics, Genomics, and Gene Regulation
• Immunology and Infectious Diseases
• Translational Research

Curriculum for the PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

The BMB PhD offers students a rigorous course curriculum, including a set of common core classes from the Schools of Public Health and Medicine. Students further tailor their curriculum with elective courses chosen based on interests and career goals, with options that span the Schools of Public Health, Medicine, Engineering, and Arts and Sciences. A rich array of seminar programs and journal clubs are also available to all students.

Browse an overview of the requirements for this PhD program in the JHU  Academic Catalogue  and explore all course offerings in the Bloomberg School  Course Directory .

Admissions Requirements

For the general admissions requirements see our How to Apply page. The specific program also requires:

Prior Research Experience

Laboratory research experience (from academia, industry, etc.) is required

Prior Coursework

Strong background in the sciences, particularly in chemistry, biochemistry, or biology

Standardized Test Scores

Standardized test scores (GRE) are optional for this program. The admissions committee will make no assumptions if a standardized test score is omitted from an application, but will require evidence of quantitative/analytical ability through other application components such as academic transcripts and/or supplemental questions.  Applications will be reviewed holistically based on all application components.

Program Faculty Spotlight

Ashani T. Weeraratna

Ashi Weeraratna, PhD, studies how cancer cells move to distant sites and how changes in the normal cells around a tumor contribute to their movement, especially as we age.

Michael J. Matunis

Michael Matunis, PhD, studies how protein modification by SUMO—the small ubiquitin-related modifier—drives changes in key cellular pathways from stress response to DNA repair.

Jennifer M. Kavran

Jennifer Kavran, PhD, MS, MPhil, is a biophysicist who investigates how cells communicate with each other and their environment.

Danfeng Cai

Danfeng Cai, PhD, combines advanced microscopy, genomics, and proteomics to tease out the functions of protein condensates in cells, with a focus on cancer.

Vivien Thomas PhD Scholars

The  Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative (VTSI)  is an endowed fellowship program at Johns Hopkins for PhD students in STEM fields. It provides full tuition, stipend, and benefits while also providing targeted mentoring, networking, community, and professional development opportunities. Students who have attended a historically Black college and university (HBCU) or other minority serving institution (MSI) for undergraduate study are eligible to apply. To be considered for the VTSI, you will need to submit a SOPHAS application, VTSI supplementary materials, and all supporting documents (letters, transcripts, and test scores) by December 1, 2024. VTSI applicants are eligible for an application fee waiver , but the fee waiver must be requested by November 15, 2024 and prior to submission of the SOPHAS application.

Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the JHU PhD Union, the minimum guaranteed 2025-2026 academic year stipend is $50,000 for all PhD students with a 4% increase the following year. Tuition, fees, and medical benefits are provided, including health insurance premiums for PhD student’s children and spouses of international students, depending on visa type. The minimum stipend and tuition coverage is guaranteed for at least the first four years of a BSPH PhD program; specific amounts and the number of years supported, as well as work expectations related to that stipend will vary across departments and funding source. Please refer to the  CBA to review specific benefits, compensation, and other terms.

In the BMB PhD program, all full-time PhD students who remain in good academic standing will receive the above support through the entire duration of the program.

Need-Based Relocation Grants Students who  are admitted to PhD programs at JHU starting in Fall 2023 or beyond can apply to receive a need-based grant to offset the costs of relocating to be able to attend JHU.   These grants provide funding to a portion of incoming students who, without this money, may otherwise not be able to afford to relocate to JHU for their PhD program. This is not a merit-based grant. Applications will be evaluated solely based on financial need.  View more information about the need-based relocation grants for PhD students .

Questions about the program? We're happy to help.

Mike Matunis, PhD PhD Program Director

Roza Selimyan , PhD BMB Executive Director for Academic Affairs and Education Programs

Erika Vaitekunas Administrative Specialist

[email protected]

The application deadline for Fall 2023 is November 30, 2023.  Please apply here . Please sign up to receive information about our biochemistry program and follow us on Twitter . 

  Study Among the Best

With 2 Nobel Laureates, research recognized by membership in the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and 6 faculty in the National Academy of Sciences, Duke’s  Department of Biochemistry  is one of the pre-eminent programs in the country. We offer a wide range of research options and close collaboration with our  faculty —training you to become a skilled scientist who’s ready for academia, industry, or government.

Biochemistry PhD graduate students learn the fundamental concepts in biochemistry and physical biochemistry and the critical analysis of published research through:

• Faculty mentored research
• Graduate coursework
• An environment that leverages knowledge from in and outside the university

You will work with primary and/or multi-disciplinary  faculty  to choose a thesis topic from a wide range of current research projects including:

• Analysis and design of protein and RNA structure
• Biogenesis of membrane proteins
• Cytoskeleton structure
• Drug design
• Enzyme mechanisms
• Glycoproteins
• Ion channel structure and function
• Membrane receptors and signal transduction
• Membrane vesicle production and function
• Mechanisms of DNA repair and DNA repair defects in tumor biology
• Mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis, drug resistance, and tolerance
• Metalloproteins
• Prokaryotic and eukaryotic transcription and gene regulation
• RNA modification
• X-ray crystallography and NMR studies on macromolecular structure and folding

Broaden Your Horizon. Focus Your Career Plan

We provide  resources  that start you on your career trajectory with leadership instruction, professional development, and teacher training workshops. In a testament to our career development, our graduates have taken positions in academia, industry, and government agencies.  See where they're working .

Our Location Fosters Collaboration

The  Department of Biochemistry  is an integral part of the world-renowned  Duke Medical Center  and sits adjacent to the Arts and Sciences Campus—placing our faculty and students in the center of a highly productive and collaborative scientific community

"Duke  is very committed to taking care of its students—there is always someone who is ready to help and support you. The biochemistry department especially feels like home! "  —Grace Hooks, 2019 Matriculant

We’re Here to Help   

You’ll have access to multiple  resources  that will help you transition to your PhD in Biochemistry and make your graduate experience just a little bit easier.

The Duke Graduate School The Graduate School  fulfills the academic, financial, social, personal, and cultural needs of all graduate students by promoting diversity, encouraging faculty/student communication, and advocating for your primary student role—immersion in your research.

The Department of Biochemistry Within the department, there are the Faculty Advisory Committee ,  Research Mentors ,  Curriculum Advisors ,  and the  Biochemistry Graduate Student Office  that works for your success and helps you plan for your future. 

The Biochemistry Graduate Student Council (BGSC) This  BGSC  is composed of five, annually elected members who represent the graduate student body. Three members serve as core BGSC representatives; the fourth member coordinates volunteer and outreach opportunities; while the fifth member is the department's Graduate and Professional Student Government (GPSG) representative. The BGSC helps identify and solve graduate student life issues by working with the department and the Graduate School.  And at monthly meetings, the council and interested students discuss upcoming BGSC hosted events.

Biochemistry Mission Statement

The mission of the Duke University Biochemistry Graduate program is to educate and mentor students from diverse backgrounds in the fundamentals of biochemical principles and practice through courses and research by (1) guiding students in their thesis research project, and (2) preparing them for a career in research, education, or other disciplines. The program promotes a commitment to excellence in research scholarship and fosters a spirit of creativity, service, and respect, within an environment that is ethical, inclusive, and diverse.

Graduates from our program will have the necessary knowledge, research skills, and career guidance in the field of biochemistry to succeed in a research and/or scientific career . Specific program aims are:

• Coursework: Graduates will be trained in a broad understanding of cellular structure and function at a molecular level; with deep knowledge in specific disciplines such as nucleic acid biochemistry, molecular genetics, biophysical methods, mechanistic enzymology, glycobiology, and membrane biogenesis, dynamics, transport, and receptor biology; and critical scientific thinking skills.
• Research: Develop student skills a) in the laboratory and/or with computational research in order to reveal new biological principles; b) to perform in-depth analysis, interpretation, and presentation of research results; and c) to conduct ethical and responsible research.
• Career Development: Prepare graduates for careers in interdisciplinary biochemical fields through training in scientific research, responsibility and ethics, teaching, and science communication.

Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology, PhD

School of medicine, fields of study and research.

The Departments of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Neuroscience, Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, and Physiology jointly provide a program of study leading to the PhD degree. The objective of the Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology (BCMB) program is to provide students with the breadth of knowledge and research training that will prepare them for their own independent and productive careers.  Strong emphasis is placed on molecular and cellular approaches to fundamental problems in research areas covered by the participating departments. The focus on a broad background in basic science for all students promotes the study of problems of biomedical importance from a mechanistic perspective. The multi-departmental nature of the program fosters a collaborative environment that is ideal for graduate training, and promotes the extensive interaction and collegiality that is a hallmark of Johns Hopkins science.

Training includes a rigorous and broad-based first year curriculum, research rotations in three different laboratories, a proposal-based qualifying exam (along with a proposal-writing workshop), and thesis research in the laboratory of one of more than 100 participating faculty members. Once they join a laboratory, students establish a departmental affiliation and participate in their departmental journal clubs and seminars. At the same time, students continue to maintain their BCMB identity and affiliation in a number of ways. These include attending the annual BCMB retreat, assisting in the recruitment of new students, hosting a one-day symposium with outside speakers, and participating in a monthly student research colloquium (organized by BCMB students for their peers). There is no formal teaching requirement for BCMB students, but many opportunities for gaining teaching experience are available.

Due to the multidisciplinary focus of the BCMB program, students are very well prepared for the full breadth of modern biomedical science careers. Greater than 90% of students in the BCMB program complete the PhD degree. The average time to degree over the last 10 years is 5.7 years. On average, BCMB students publish 4 research papers with 2 as first author.

To date, there are over 750 BCMB graduates; many hold leadership positions in academia, industry, government and other sectors. At least 97% of graduates in the last 5 years are following career paths in laboratory research, medicine, or research-related careers.

The lecture halls and the research laboratories are located in the Wood Basic Science Building and the adjoining Physiology, Biophysics, Hunterian, Preclinical Teaching, Ross Building, Miller Research, and Rangos Buildings. Modern equipment and state-of-the-art core facilities are available to students. This includes electron microscopes, confocal microscopes, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers, mass spectrometers, HPLC and gas-liquid chromatographs, protein sequencers, peptide synthesizers, oligonucleotide synthesizers, X-ray diffraction equipment, as well as instrumentation for microarray analysis and deep sequencing.

Collaborative Facilities

All seven departments enjoy excellent working relationships with other departments in the medical school and with departments at the Homewood campus.

Financial Support

All students accepted into the BCMB program receive full tuition, health and dental insurance, and stipend support for the duration of their studies.

Admission Requirements

Candidates for admission should show a strong academic foundation with coursework in biology, chemistry, physical sciences, and quantitative analysis. A bachelor's degree from a qualified college or university will be required for matriculation.

The BCMB website has up-to-date information on “ How to Apply ” and “ Frequently Asked Questions .” For questions not addressed on these pages, please email [email protected] .

Program Requirements

Students must successfully complete all eight courses of the “Foundations of Modern Biology” core curriculum, and the Core Discussion course in the first three quarters of year one. During the fourth quarter, students complete two electives, the “BCMB Responsible Conduct in Research” course, and the “Method, Logic and Experimental Design” course.  Three additional elective courses are required in the advanced years of study in addition to the BCMB "Seminar" and "Writing a Paper" courses.

An oral examination, conducted as prescribed by the Doctor of Philosophy Board of the University, must be completed before the end of the second year. Subsequently, students are required to participate in annual thesis committee meetings as they work on their thesis project, to review research progress and discuss plans for the next year.​​​

Usually in year five, the student's thesis committee agrees that the student is nearing completion of their research and will be ready to write a dissertation. The student's advisor and one other member from their thesis committee will read and approve the dissertation. The student must present a public seminar on their completed thesis research.

The BCMB program recognizes the importance of students’ professional development and career exploration during their graduate studies. In order to better integrate professional development into the training, the BCMB program is formally participating in the “OPTIONS” Career Curriculum offered by the Professional Development and Career Office (PDCO). During the first two years, students attend workshops and panel discussions facilitated by professionals in different fields discussing their career paths, what each profession entails, how the graduate training relates to the required skills and knowledge, and what additional skills would be useful. Several of the speakers are BCMB program alumni, and offer to follow-up with interested students, fostering a sense of community. In year 3, students join an OPTIONS Career Community which comprises six monthly workshops that provide exposure to careers and skills assessment (e.g., Academic Research; Business and Finance; Biotech and Pharma; Science Communication and Policy; Academic Teaching; etc.). In year 4 and beyond, students meet with a career coach to create a plan for gaining more career-relevant experiences and/or participate in an internship.

The first year required courses are as follows:

Courses are detailed under the course descriptions listed in the entries of the Departments of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Neuroscience, Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, and Physiology, or as Interdepartmental.

• Doing a PhD in Biochemistry

A PhD in biochemistry aims to train students in the fundamentals of biochemical research and equip them with skills that will help them analyse data and develop new research ideas.

The basics of a PhD in Biochemistry

Biochemistry involves the study of the chemical processes and structures that occur in living organisms, from bacteria to humans. Biochemical methods are often used in medical research to better understand the causes of diseases such as cancer, AIDS and heart disease, and in related areas such as pharmacology, drug discovery and toxicology, research into the effects of toxins.

A doctorate in biochemistry is an advanced qualification designed to train students in their chosen subject. It involves carrying out original research on a specific topic under the supervision of an academic supervisor.

Daily activities of a Biochemistry doctorate student

As a PhD student in biochemistry, your typical daily activities will vary depending on the stage of the program you are in, but can include attending laboratory seminars, meeting with supervisors to discuss the progress of your research project or thesis, designing and conducting experiments in the laboratory, analysing biochemical data using specialist software packages, and creating scientific journals.

Lines of Research

Biochemistry is one of the most diverse scientific disciplines, but there are many areas in which you can specialise to develop more specific knowledge. Possible research topics include:

• Biochemistry of single-celled organisms
• Biochemistry of prokaryotes
• Biochemistry of eukaryotes
• Bioinformatics and computer biology
• Molecular structural biology
• Bioactive molecules
• Genomics and systems biology
• Systems medicine and human health
• Synthetic biology, synthetic therapeutics, clinically relevant therapeutic design
• Biotechnology
• Molecular Biology

Due to the broad range of topics within the discipline, your research project may see you performing research on the structure of proteins, investigating cell metabolism, bioenergetics, cellular stress and biochemical factors within the nervous system. You may perform research in functional genomics, viral biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, or better understanding the immune processes.

Browse PhDs in Biochemistry

In-situ disposal of cementitious wastes at uk nuclear sites, capturing vibration to drive chemical change, development of fluorescent organic molecules for application in super-resolution imaging techniques, atomic layer deposition of novel nanolayer materials for solar cells, coventry university postgraduate research studentships, research proposal.

Besides pre-defined projects, your doctoral supervisor may recommend that you propose your own specific topic that comes closest to your personal interests, or they may simply suggest a broad topic as a starting point, such as Alzheimer’s, bioinformatics, proteins or human diseases. In both cases, you will need to produce a research proposal to explain your proposed research objectives and ensure that it is scientifically sound.

How long does it take to get a PhD in Biochemistry?

In the UK, a full-time doctoral student will usually take 3 years to complete their PhD in Biochemistry. Part-time PhD students should expect to take closer to 6 years to complete their research project.

Most Biochemistry PhD students will first register as MPhil students, typically completing an upgrade viva after 18 months, before officially becoming registered as a PhD student. Whilst your supervisor will provide mentorship, it’s ultimately the responsibility of postgraduate students to ensure their project and studies run on time and that they meet the deadlines expected of them.

What are the typical entry requirements for a Biochemistry PhD Programme?

In terms of applications, most UK universities require at least a 2:1 undergraduate degree or the equivalent grade from a university outside of the UK. Further, your degree will need to be in a field relevant to Biochemistry.

If English is not your first language, you will have to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as part of your application. Usually, this is a minimum IELTS test score of 6.5 for research programmes however this may be higher from one university to another, and from one programme of study to another.

How much does a Biochemistry PhD cost?

UK based postgraduate research students will pay annual tuition fees of around £4,500/year. Part-time students should expect to pay lower fees, with some variability between institutions about how this is calculated.

For international students (including now EU students), the annual tuition fee is approximately £23,500/year, equating to £70,500 over 3 years.

As with every PhD degree, potential students will need to consider additional costs such as living costs and any bench fees that may be expected by their particular project or graduate school. It’s a good idea to discuss these, along with any potential scholarships or funding opportunities, with your potential supervisors before starting your postgraduate degree.

Career options for Biochemistry PhD graduates

Upon completing a PhD in biochemistry, you may be wondering what comes next? Well, there is a wide range of choices because a doctorate in biochemistry allows you to work in many fields, including pharmaceutical and agricultural research, academia as a university lecturer, industry as a senior scientist, researcher or manager, as well as in research or at government institutes.

A PhD in biochemistry can open the door to many career opportunities in the academic world, such as lecturing and researching at universities. An academic career need not be limited to teaching – if you want to continue your research in a university environment, a PostDoctoral Research Fellowship (PDF) is ideal. It allows you to work on a research project in your field of interest, secure a salary and build on your research skills and experience.

This is perhaps the most popular area for PhD biochemists. The industry is constantly looking for people who can contribute their knowledge of biochemistry in combination with laboratory science. Companies looking for biochemists include pharmaceutical companies, agricultural research organisations, animal testing laboratories and analytical laboratories.

Government and research institutes

Government and health institutes, such as the Food Standards Agency (FSA) or the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), often require people with a PhD in biochemistry. As a biochemist in a government agency, you can test food samples for contamination or monitor and test new vaccines and drugs. Alternatively, you could be the perfect candidate for working in a forensic laboratory because of your ability to analyse chemical reactions.

Research charities

Charities are one of the primary employers of PhD biochemists. They provide much-needed information about biological research, which is not always available. Charities such as Cancer Research UK (CRUK), Diabetes UK and Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK) attach great importance to a PhD and consider it an invaluable asset to their research teams.

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The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology doctorate degree program at IU School of Medicine typically takes five years to complete. The program includes two years of course work and three years of conducting original research full-time, culminating in a PhD thesis. This program prepares graduates for careers in academic research and teaching or in the business and industry side of bioscience.

Program Requirements

Graduation requirements.

• A minimum of 30 credit hours of didactic coursework
• A minimum of 45 credit hours of research (B855)
• A minimum of 90 credit hours consisting of required and elective courses
• A scholarly thesis based on approved original research with oversight from a faculty mentor. Potential research topics include structural biology, signal transduction, drug development, regulation of gene expression, cancer biology and metabolic disorders.
• Minimum 3.0 GPA and a B- or better in all PhD coursework

Curriculum Year One

Biochemistry PhD students must take at least two (of the available eight) two-credit Biochemistry core courses (BIOC-B811, GRDM-G805, G807, G817, G848, G852, G825, G826), which are offered among spring electives for the Indiana Biomedical Gateway Program (IBGP) or in the fall. These may be taken in year one or later years.

• GRDM-G715 Biomed I – Biomedical Science I – Biochemical Basis of Biological Processes*: 2 credits
• GRDM-G716 Biomed II – Biomedical Science II – Molecular Biology and Genetics*: 2 credits
• GRDM-G717 Biomed III – Biomedical Science III – Cellular Basis of Systems Biology*: 2 credits
• GRDM-G505 Responsible Conduct of Research*: 1 credit
• GRDM-G700 Translating Foundational Science to Contemporary Knowledge*: 1 credit
• GRDM-G702 Entering Biomedical Science Research*: 1 credit
• GRDM-G718 Research in Biomedical Science (first rotation): 2 credits

Biochemistry Core Electives

• GRDM-G805 Diabetes and Obesity: 2 credits
• GRDM-G825 Advanced Topics in Molecular Biology: 2 credits
• GRDM-G826 Synthetic Biology and Biologics: 2 credits

Research Communication (one of the following)

• COMM-C534 Distilling Your Message*: 1 credit
• COMM-C533 Improvisation for Scientists*: 1 credit
• ENG-W533 Science Writing for Public Readers*: 1 credit
• GRDM-G507 Reagent Validation as a Means for Enhanced Research Reproducibility*: 1 credit
• GRDM-G718 Research in Biomedical Science Rotations 2 and 3: 4 credits
• Indiana Biomedical Gateway Program open enrollment electives
• GRDM-G817 Molecular basis of cell structure and function: 2 credits
• GRDM-G852 Concepts of cancer biology: 2 credits
• GRDM-G807 Structural and chemical biology: 2 credits
• GRDM-G848 Bioinformatics applications to proteomics and genomics: 2 credits

Biochemistry Course Descriptions

Curriculum Year Two

Fall- Total of 10 credit hours

• GRDM-G855 Experimental Design and Research Biostatistics*: 1 credit
• BIOC- B890 Seminar: 1 credit
• Major course requirements: variable
• Minor course requirements: variable
• BIOC-B855 Research: variable

Spring- Total of 10 credit hours

• BIOC-B803 Advanced Biochemistry: 1 credit

Curriculum Years Three through Five

During years 3 through 5, the student will take didactic courses if needed to fulfill either requirements for the biochemistry major or their chosen minor. In year 3, the student will typically register for a total of 10 cr. hours each fall and spring, including 1 cr. hour of BIOC-B890. 4 credit hours of B890 are required before advancing to candidacy.   The student will advance to candidacy upon completion of both major and minor coursework and having reached a total of 30 or more didactic hours of coursework as well as successful defense of their thesis proposal which serves as the students qualifying examination.

Work will continue in the field of the candidate’s thesis. Emphasis will be on the ability to pursue research with relative independence and responsibility.

Curriculum for Dual Degree (MD/PhD) Program

MD/PhD students are not required to take GRDM-G715-717 but are expected to perform lab rotations during summer breaks from medical school classes. MD/PhD students must take two or more of the two-credit Biochemistry core courses (GRDM-G805, G807, G817, G852, G825, G826, G848) along with other courses required of IBMG and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology PhD students (GRDM-G505, G655, G855, BIOC-B803 and B890 [4x]).

Thesis Requirement

After a laboratory for thesis research is chosen, an advisory committee consisting of at least three faculty from Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and one external faculty member is formed with the approval of the thesis advisor and departmental chairperson. Upon advancement to candidacy, a thesis research committee is similarly formed but may consist of different faculty.

Financial Aid

 PhD students with eligibility to work in the U.S. receive a competitive annual stipend without a Teaching Assistant requirement ($29,000 for the 2020-2021 academic year) as well as tuition scholarships and health and dental insurance. Find additional financial aid information from the IUPUI Office of Student Financial Services .

Ph.D. in Biochemistry

General info.

• Faculty working with students: 31
• Students: 55
• Students receiving Financial Aid: 100%
• Part time study available: No
• Application Terms: Fall

Application Deadline: December 2

Meta Kuehn Director of Graduate Studies Department of Biochemistry Box 3711 Duke University Medical Center Durham, NC 27710

Phone: (919) 681-8770

Email: [email protected]

Website:  http://www.biochem.duke.edu

Program Description

Graduate students in the Duke Biochemistry Department engage in faculty-mentored research and graduate coursework that develops an understanding of fundamental concepts in biochemistry, physical biochemistry, as well as the critical analysis of published research. Students choose thesis topics from a wide range of research projects under current study by primary and secondary faculty in the department, which include: enzyme mechanisms, signal transduction, cell cycle control, cytoskeleton structure, prokaryotic and eukaryotic transcription, genetic diseases, glycoproteins, DNA partitioning/segregation, plasma membrane receptors, cellular differentiation, gene regulation, mechanisms of DNA repair and DNA repair defects in tumor biology, processing of DNA, RNA modification, mRNA decay and translational control, multidrug resistance and tolerance, membrane vesicle biogenesis, microbial toxin activity, endocytosis, insertion of proteins into membranes, ion channel structure and function, metalloproteins, post translational modification, drug design, analysis and design of protein and RNA structure, and X-ray crystallography and NMR studies on macromolecular structure and folding. The department is located in a large, research-oriented medical center, which is immediately adjacent to the arts and sciences campus, fostering a productive and collaborative scientific community.

• Biochemistry: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Biochemistry: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Biochemistry: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Biochemistry: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

Application Information

Application Terms Available:  Fall

Graduate School Application Requirements See the Application Instructions page for important details about each Graduate School requirement.

• Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts required with application submission; official transcripts required upon admission
• Letters of Recommendation: 3 Required
• Statement of Purpose: Required
• Résumé: Required
• GRE General: Optional
• GRE Subject tests (Biology, Chemistry): Optional This program does not require applicants to provide GRE (Graduate Record Examination) or other graduate entrance exam scores, but does allow you to upload scores if you feel they enhance your application. If you choose to submit test scores, you may enter them on the Test Scores page. If you choose to enter self-reported test scores, official test scores will become a required component of your application.
• English Language Exam: TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test required* for applicants whose first language is not English *test waiver may apply for some applicants
• GPA: Undergraduate GPA calculated on 4.0 scale required

Department-Specific Application Requirements (submitted through online application)

Statement of Purpose Guidelines The mission of the Duke University Biochemistry Graduate program is to educate and mentor students from diverse background in the fundamentals of biochemical principles and practice though courses and research by (1) guiding students in their thesis research project, and (2) preparing them for a career in research, education, or other disciplines. The program promotes a commitment to excellence in research scholarship and fosters a spirit of creativity, service, and respect, within an environment that is ethical, inclusive, and diverse.

Writing Sample None required

Additional Components Optional Video Essay: How would a Duke PhD training experience help you achieve your academic and professional goals? Max video length 2 minutes; record externally and provide URL in application.

We strongly encourage you to review additional department-specific application guidance from the program to which you are applying: Departmental Application Guidance

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Biochemistry, Biophysics and Chemical Biology, PhD

The Graduate Group in Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Chemical Biology (BBCB) is devoted to the education and training of doctoral students in quantitative, mechanistic and molecular frontiers of biochemistry and biophysics, broadly conceived. The goal is to produce the next generation of scientists, scholars, educators and leaders in biomedical sciences.

To achieve this goal, BBCB starts with a strong relationship with the Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Chemical Biology, combined with a world class, diverse faculty of over 90 members from four institutions, the University of Pennsylvania, the Wistar Institute, and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Within the University of Pennsylvania, BBCB draws on faculty from the schools of Medicine, Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Dental Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine.

BBCB offers interdisciplinary training based on a rigorous core curriculum, combined with laboratory rotations, independent studies, and candidacy exam preparation that provides immersive training in laboratory and research skills to equip the students for their independent dissertation research.

For more information: https://www.med.upenn.edu/bbcbgrad/

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2024 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

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PhD Program

Be part of innovative research and mentored by leading experts in the field.

Every student must publish at least one first author research paper prior to graduation

Our department offers a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology. The program is designed for students interested in molecular mechanisms, proteomics, and biophysics. The department accepts up to five PhD students each year.

What You’ll Learn

Your training as a doctoral candidate in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology at GUMC will be multifaceted. Our program has developed a solid educational platform designed not only to challenge the candidate, but also to provide supportive mentorship in order to aid the candidate as they develop their own skillsets and become a scientific leader.

Thesis mentors are available from a variety of backgrounds spanning stem cell biology and human tissue engineering to traditional biochemical analytics, with an optional focus on informatics- or systems-based medicine. Each faculty mentor represents a diverse component of the biomedical scientific enterprise and each has dedicated their career to enhancing biomedical science through independent research and doctoral candidate training.

Graduates of the program have gone on to successful careers in academia, industry, medicine, law, and finance. Contact the program if you would like more information.

Learn about the application process.

Browse our required courses.

Course Schedule

Find an example course schedule.

Student Resources

Many resources are available for current students.

Career Services

Prepare for the next step in your career.

Questions about the program or application process? Email us!

PhD in Biochemistry

Description for Image

WPI’s PhD in Biochemistry will give you the interdisciplinary knowledge, rigorous research experience, and hands-on practice to thrive in today’s fast-paced and continually evolving Biochemistry research environment.

Value Proposition Description

You will make your own discoveries as you work alongside expert faculty researchers who are conducting groundbreaking research with potential to change the way we live in areas such as health, nanotechnology, biomedical sensors, and clean energy.

You’ll have access to state-of-the-art facilities like our Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center, an exceptional, interdisciplinary research environment that enables the kind of advances that have a profound impact on society, human health, and our environment.

Our flexible and diverse PhD in biochemistry curriculum encourages students to tailor a program of research and study to their individual career goals. You will complement your immersive research activities with selected courses that enable you to delve into advanced topics of interest in Biochemistry as well as biology, biotechnology, engineering, and more.

You will also have many opportunities to sharpen your professional skills and knowledge: hone your teaching abilities in seminars at WPI’s Morgan Teaching and Learning Center; advance your knowledge in bioprocessing in our newly established Biomanufacturing Education and Training Center; or expand your corporate knowledge through courses in our School of Business.

WPI’s Biochemistry faculty members and students conduct cutting-edge research funded by major federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. Our research groups are involved in fundamental and applied research with the potential to change the way we live, in areas such as these:

• heavy metal transport
• metal homeostasis of plants and bacteria
• computational biochemistry/biophysics of membrane proteins
• enzyme structure and function

At WPI, students’ work makes an immediate impact on some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Students work one-on-one with faculty members to develop a targeted curriculum—so they can combine their interests in science, engineering, and even entrepreneurship.

Whether your interests are in biotech or pharmaceutical fields, or in areas such as energy or rare resources, the opportunities at WPI prepare you for your next steps.

Research at WPI is invigorating, exciting, and innovative.

WPI’s high-tech lab bays are organized by research focus, not departments, and invite multidisciplinary collaboration.

The flexible degree program at WPI means your BCB degree offers a comprehensive plan tailored to your professional and personal goals.

The PhD in Biochemistry program is located within the WPI Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center at Gateway Park, a thriving interdisciplinary research hub. Here, you will be supported by outstanding specialized resources—technology, processes, and technical staff—to advance your research, including state-of-the-art equipment for microscopy/imaging, facilities supporting cell culture work, and a 3,500-square-foot vivarium.

Faculty Profiles

Chemistry research in the Burdette group occurs at the interface of synthesis, metal ion homeostasis & signaling, cell biology and photochemistry. The group is developing molecular tools that will facilitate efforts to map cellular metal ion signaling pathways, and understand the pathologies of neurodegenerative diseases. Of particular interest is the development of photocaged complexes that are capable of releasing zinc in a light-dependent manner in biological systems. These tools are designed and synthesized to optimize the temporal and spatial control of zinc release.

Our research integrates investigating the structure and function of targeted membrane proteins with development of mixed reality tools for workforce development. We combine biochemical and biophysical techniques to investigate the structure and function of two classes of membrane proteins. In the first instance, we are investigating the mechanism of a zinc transporter, hZIP4. This protein has been implicated in the initiation and progression of pancreatic cancer. Despite the central role of this protein in cellular homeostasis, the mechanism of cation transport is not well understood.

What makes a particular material efficient at converting sunlight to electrical or chemical energy? Conversely, what makes a material a poor energy converter? The Grimmgroup is motivated by quantifying and controlling the bulk and surface properties of solar energy conversion materials. As a research group in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, we seek an atom- and bond-level understanding of material properties.

I am a computational physical chemist. My research is in the areas of force field building and applications. Special attention is given to creating polarizable force fields for organic and biophysical systems, including proteins and protein-ligand complexes. I teach classes in physical, computational and general chemistry. Simulations of proteins is very important in biomedical research because proteins play crucial role in a large number of biological phenomena, both benign and harmful.

Research in the Mattson Group is a combination of catalyst design, methodology development, and complex molecule synthesis. Our catalyst design program is focused on the synthesis and study of new families of non-covalent catalysts, including boronate ureas and silanediols, that are able to promote new reactivity patterns. The catalyst design and associated reaction development programs are currently geared toward the synthesis of enantioenriched nitrogen and oxygen heterocycles that frequently appear in naturally occurring bioactive compounds.

Membranes are composed of hundreds of distinct kinds of phospholipids, and the types of lipids that are found within a membrane bilayer impact its biophysical properties including its fluidity, permeability and susceptibility to damage. Our primary interest is in understanding the mechanisms that control the phospholipid composition and that preserve the membrane over time. We use stable isotope tracing strategies and mass spectrometry to quantify phospholipid abundance and dynamics in the model organism, C. elegans.

Suzanne Scarlata, Richard Whitcomb Professor of  Chemistry and Biochemistry , joined the university faculty in 2016. She studies how small molecules in the bloodstream can change the behavior of cells. In particular, she is interested in how certain hormones and neurotransmitters can activate a family of organic molecules known as G proteins (guanine nucleotide-binding proteins), which are involved in transmitting signals from various stimuli from the exterior to the interior of cells.

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Ready to Advance Your Career in Biochemistry?

Whether you’re already working as a professional in the field or plan to go straight from your master’s into a PhD, a doctorate in biochemistry will give you exposure to rigorous, cutting-edge research and immersive curriculum needed to be competitive in this fast-paced field. Do you have specific questions about a biochemistry PhD salary or about jobs after a PhD in biochemistry? Explore our career outlook for biochemistry to help gauge what a future in the field might look like from salary data to job titles.

Explore More Advanced Degrees in Chemistry

Do you have a passion for diving into meaningful research in the medical, environmental, or green chemistry fields? A PhD in chemistry may be a good fit for you. Our collaborative, one-on-one mentorship empowers students to conduct groundbreaking research in areas like molecular modeling, spectroscopy, enzyme kinetics, and more! Not quite ready for a PhD just yet? Our master’s in chemistry will help get you there. Dive into high-level courses in organic chemistry, life sciences, and even materials research with our master’s in chemistry. Are you interested in the chemistry field, but also have a passion for studying plant chemistry? Our online master’s in chemistry with an optional specialization in medicinal plant chemistry enables students to receive an advanced degree specializing in plant-based chemistry. Advance your career in modern plant-based industries by studying natural product isolation, characterization, and analysis. Do you have a particular interest in the chemical processes that happen within living things? Consider earning a master’s in biochemistry in which you’ll be challenged to conduct high-level research in areas like gene expression and functional genomics.

Explore Gateway Degrees in Chemistry

If an advanced degree is in your future, you’ll need to begin with a bachelor’s degree. WPI’s bachelor’s in biochemistry lets you explore topics at the intersection of chemistry and biology. You’ll get hands-on laboratory experience as you study and unravel complicated chemical processes of living organisms. If you’re fascinated by chemical processes and materials, a bachelor’s in chemistry will build your academic knowledge and give you real-world experience in our cutting-edge labs.

Explore Related Minors for a Broader Understanding of the World Around You

If you are pursuing a major in a different discipline but would like a foundation in biochemistry or chemistry, WPI has minors that will help you find what you’re looking for. A minor in biochemistry or a minor in chemistry will expand your understanding of the world around you while giving you practical, hands-on laboratory experience. These minors are especially valuable for those majoring in biomedical engineering, biology, or chemical engineering. Business majors who have an interest in life sciences work will also find a minor in chemistry or a minor in biochemistry particularly relevant to industry.

The BioPoint Program for Graduate Students has been designed to complement traditional training in bioscience, digital and engineering fields. Students accepted into one of the home BioPoint programs will have the flexibility to select research advisors and take electives in other departments to broaden their skills. BioPoint curriculum is designed to be individual, interactive, project-focused and diverse, and includes innovative courses, seminars, journal clubs and industrial-based projects. Learn more .

We have 42 Biochemistry (fully funded) PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

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Biochemistry (fully funded) PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

Fully funded phd positions at the imt school for advanced studies lucca, funded phd programme (students worldwide).

Some or all of the PhD opportunities in this programme have funding attached. Applications for this programme are welcome from suitably qualified candidates worldwide. Funding may only be available to a limited set of nationalities and you should read the full programme details for further information.

Italy PhD Programme

An Italian PhD usually takes 3-4 years and consists of some taught units as well as research towards your thesis. This will be examined at a public defence, rather than a private viva voce. Some programmes are taught in English.

Fully funded PhD positions in Astronomy, Biology, Computer Science, Chemistry & Materials, Data Science & Scientific Computing, Earth Science, Mathematics, Neuroscience, and Physics

International phd programme.

International PhD programs are often designed for international students. Your PhD will usually be delivered in English, though some opportunities to gain and use additional language skills might also be available. Students may propose their own PhD topics or apply for advertised projects.

15 fully funded PhD positions in molecular technologies and systems medicine

Austria phd programme.

An Austrian PhD usually takes 3-4 years. Most students complete their projects within broader PhD programmes incorporating a curriculum of courses and training worth a certain number of ECTS credits as well as research towards an original thesis. This will be presented for a public examination by two academic experts. Most programmes are delivered in German, but some universities offer English-language teaching.

9 Fully funded PhD positions in biology, biochemistry, life science, chemistry, medicine, computer science or related fields

Germany phd programme.

A German PhD usually takes 3-4 years. Traditional programmes focus on independent research, but more structured PhDs involve additional training units (worth 180-240 ECTS credits) as well as placement opportunities. Both options require you to produce a thesis and present it for examination. Many programmes are delivered in English.

Fully Funded PhD Program Opportunity

Fully funded phd studentship: transforming respiratory care at the bedside using machine learning assisted on-chip vibrational spectroscopy, phd research project.

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)

This project is in competition for funding with other projects. Usually the project which receives the best applicant will be successful. Unsuccessful projects may still go ahead as self-funded opportunities.

Fully funded PhD studentship: Towards rapid and early cancer diagnostics at the point of care using machine learning assisted vibrational spectroscopy

Fully funded phd studentship: 2d material enhanced atr and raman chips for biomedical sensing applications, fully funded phd opportunities in chemical sciences, 4 year phd programme.

4 Year PhD Programmes are extended PhD opportunities that involve more training and preparation. You will usually complete taught courses in your first year (sometimes equivalent to a Masters in your subject) before choosing and proposing your research project. You will then research and submit your thesis in the normal way.

PhD Student Positions at International Max Planck Research School for Molecules of Life, Munich

Max planck research programme.

Max Planck Research Programmes are structured PhD opportunities set up by the Max Planck Society, an independent non-profit German research organisation. Max Planck Institutes and universities collaborate to offer interdisciplinary and international PhD opportunities providing high standards of training and support as well as generous funding.

Analysis of pathogen determinants recognized by the hypervariable immune receptor Dscam

Competition funded phd project (students worldwide).

This project is in competition for funding with other projects. Usually the project which receives the best applicant will be successful. Unsuccessful projects may still go ahead as self-funded opportunities. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but potential funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

Development of Novel Miniaturized Device Technologies for Point-of-Need Diagnostics

Funded phd project (european/uk students only).

This project has funding attached for UK and EU students, though the amount may depend on your nationality. Non-EU students may still be able to apply for the project provided they can find separate funding. You should check the project and department details for more information.

Computational Design of Small Molecules to Prevent the Early Formation of Multispecies Biofilms

Funded phd project (uk students only).

This research project has funding attached. It is only available to UK citizens or those who have been resident in the UK for a period of 3 years or more. Some projects, which are funded by charities or by the universities themselves may have more stringent restrictions.

Development of integrated microfluidic chips for making mRNA nanomedicines

Funded phd project (students worldwide).

This project has funding attached, subject to eligibility criteria. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but its funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

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Biochemistry & Structural Biology

Graduate programs at Weill Cornell Graduate School in BCMB are in Biochemistry, Structural Biology, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology and Molecular Biology are collectively known as the BCMB Allied program and operate as an alliance. Students may affiliate with any of the three BCMB programs, but they initially are admitted to, and remain members of, the BCMB Allied program.

The BCMB program offers opportunities for advanced training in the application of biochemical, structural, biophysical and imaging methods, to addressing questions relating to biological processes and mechanisms. Program members pursue vigorous research programs in the areas of membrane-protein structure and function, membrane trafficking and synaptic transmission, protein folding, intracellular and cell-surface signaling pathways, protein modification, membrane biochemistry and biophysics, DNA replication and repair, and RNA silencing and processing.

Many of the faculty conduct collaborative research bringing together knowledge and talent from different areas to focus on human diseases, such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. In this respect, research is focused on: understanding the roles of various signaling pathways in cancer, atherosclerosis and inflammation; the role of defective DNA repair in cancer-predisposition; and the link between defective protein folding and diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

More than 30 faculty, who are members of Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC) or the Sloan-Kettering Institute (SKI, part of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center) are affiliated with the program.

Membrane-related processes are one of the major research focuses of the program faculty. This includes areas such as synaptic transmission and neuronal circuitry, interaction of macrophages with lipoproteins leading to atherosclerotic lesions, interaction of cells with the proteins that form Alzheimer's disease plaques, and the insulin-regulated membrane trafficking of the GLUT4 glucose transporter between the interior and surface of the cell. The methods used range from optical imaging to detailed three-dimensional structural information obtained by x-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. Research tools available include digital imaging devices, confocal microscopy, multiphoton microscopy, automated microscopy systems, computational methods, theoretical models and chemical methods. In this area, in vivo imaging studies of synaptic proteins and their dynamics are aimed at understanding processes such as presynaptic vesicle traffic, transmitter-activated G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and synaptic transmission. X-ray crystallographic and biochemical studies are aimed at investigating the macromolecular machinery that control vesicular transport, including the mechanisms of carrier vesicle formation, cargo loading, accurate delivery, neurotransmitter release and membrane recycling.

Other structural studies are focused on the cell-surface receptors and other neuronal signaling proteins that mediate axon guidance and neuronal development. These research programs are complemented by a strong focus on the structure determination of membrane proteins such as ion channels and transmembrane transporters. The structural findings are typically extended by electrophysiological methods, spectroscopy and theoretical/computational approaches.

In the area of signaling, a wide range of biochemical, structural and imaging approaches are used to investigate processes such as nitric oxide signaling in atherosclerosis and thrombosis; the post-translational modification of proteins by ubiquitin (Ub) and ubiquitin-like (Ubl) modifiers; and the roles of, in DNA-repair, and in nuclear transport, the protein-protein interactions that govern the histone/epigenetics code; and signaling by the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) pathways in cellular homeostasis, immune response and apoptosis.

Nucleic acid structure, function and metabolism are investigated using in vitro biochemistry and structural biology, complemented by cell biology and genetics. Studies of DNA replication, both in eukaryotic and in simpler prokaryotic model systems, are focused on understanding the enzymatic activities such as polymerases, helicases, primases and topoisomerases required for replication; the firing of replication origins and their coordination with the cell cycle; and the processes of chromosome segregation and cytokinesis. Studies of DNA repair and genomic integrity are focused on the macromolecular processes that detect the wide range of lesions that affect DNA, as well as on specific repair processes. These include nucleotide excision repair, DNA-double strand break repair by homologous recombination and the related process of meiotic recombination. As many of these repair processes are associated with cancer predisposition, investigators of DNA repair and replication have a strong interest in cancer biology as well.

Studies of RNA-related processes encompass the ribosome, RNA processing and decay, RNA silencing and riboswitches. Investigators are utilizing single-molecule methods to monitor conformational and compositional processes on the ribosome that regulate protein synthesis, and x-ray crystallography to investigate the structures and functions of the major macromolecular machines that act on RNA. These include the mRNA capping apparatus, the eleven-subunit exosome RNA-decay particle and the Argonaute RNA silencing complex.

Program Requirements

Ph.D. students are admitted to the Biochemistry and Structural Biology program through the BCMB Allied program. Applicants are not required to take the take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the TOEFL examination.

All applications must be submitted online.

Becoming a Doctoral Candidate

In their first year, BCMB Allied students take the program's core curriculum courses in molecular genetics, biochemistry and structural biology, cell biology, gene structure/function, and logic and critical analysis. A course list and course descriptions are available at: Courses .

Lab rotations are an important component of the students' first year as well. Each student completes three laboratory rotations, which help him/her decide on a research focus and select a thesis mentor by the end of the first year.

The choice of a mentor determines the student's program assignment: Biochemistry & Structural Biology, Cell and Developmental Biology, or Molecular Biology. The mentor helps the student select his/her Special Committee, consisting of the mentor and two other faculty members knowledgeable in the student's research field. The committee evaluates the student's research and progress through the rest of his/her WCGS career. Selection of the mentor and the committee typically occurs before the student starts the second year of study.

In spring semester of the second year, the student takes the Admission to Doctoral Candidacy Examination (ACE), which includes a written component (a research proposal) and an oral examination, in which the student defends the proposal and demonstrates general knowledge. Committees made up of program faculty members administer the written and oral ACE. When a student passes the ACE, she/he is a candidate for the PhD degree. 

Ph.D. Research and Degrees

Within six months of passing the ACE, the student must submit a five-page thesis project description to the Special Committee and meet with the committee for its approval. Thereafter, the student and the committee meet together regularly - at least annually - from year two until the student's graduation.

During the second through fourth years, while working in the laboratory, the student must also complete one elective course (two quarters) and participate in in-depth focus groups, which examine topics relevant to the fields of biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology.

The culmination of the student's successful progression through the program is the final examination (the "defense") and certification by the Special Committee that the thesis represents an official piece of research satisfying the requirements of the WCGS for the PhD degree.

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Research Topics

• Cancer Biology
• Cellular Trafficking
• Cellular Signaling and Regulation
• DNA Repair/Replication
• Membranes and Membrane Proteins
• Molecular and Structural Biophysics
• Protein-Protein Interactions
• Post-translational Modifications
• RNA Processing
• Single-molecule imaging
• Transcription
• Accardi, Alessio
• Andersen, Olaf
• Barany, Francis
• Blenis, John
• Boudker, Olga
• Dittman, Jeremy
• Eliezer, David
• Ersoy, Baran
• Goldberg, Jonathan
• Goncalves, Marcus
• Gross, Steven
• Huse, Morgan
• Keeney, Scott
• Kolesnick, Richard
• Lima, Christopher
• Long, Stephen
• Marians, Kenneth
• Maxfield, Frederick
• McGraw, Timothy
• Menon, Anant
• Meyer, Tobias
• Nikolov, Dimitar
• Patel, Dinshaw
• Pavletich, Nikola
• Pertsinidis, Alexandros
• Piskounova, Elena
• Ryan, Timothy
• Scheuring, Simon
• Shuman, Stewart
• Simon, David

Program Co-Chairs

• Meyer, Tobias

Program Co-Directors

Program coordinator.

• Dodson, Vanessa
• Jenkins, Denise

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Student Handbook

To view the student handbook, click here . 

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• Biochemistry, PhD

Biochemistry is the study of biological molecules, their roles in the cell, and the chemistry of their reactions in living systems. The Integrated Program in Biochemistry (IPiB) is the merged graduate program between the Department of Biochemistry (in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences) and the Department of Biomolecular Chemistry (in the School of Medicine and Public Health). The program trains the next generation of biochemists and prepares them for 21st-century challenges in science. IPiB offers a PhD degree with a major in biochemistry. Although an MS degree is officially offered, students are not admitted for a terminal master's degree.

From atoms and cells to plants and animals, biochemistry research in IPiB is at the forefront of modern science. We are home to around 100 graduate students and 56 world-class faculty pursuing cutting-edge research in all areas of biochemistry, including cell and developmental biology, chemical biology, endocrinology, enzymology, immunology, metabolism, molecular genetics, molecular medicine, physical biochemistry and biophysics, quantitative biology, structural biology, systems and synthetic biology, and virology. The program teaches critical thinking skills, applicable to a wide range of professional fields that students pursue after graduation.

The size and breadth of IPiB provide unique opportunities for graduate students who want to pursue a degree in one of the top biochemistry graduate programs in the nation. Our modern facilities are filled with labs carrying out groundbreaking research in a collaborative, friendly, and inspirational atmosphere. Welcome to IPiB, and we hope that you can share our enthusiasm for the biochemical sciences!

Dual Degrees

The program participates with the School of Medicine and Public Health in offering a dual degree program for students wishing to complete both the MD and PhD degrees. For the prerequisites and degree requirements for the MD degree, as well as the online application form, see Medical Scientist Training Program .

Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.

Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online .

To qualify for admission to the program, an applicant must complete a bachelor's degree at a regionally accredited college or university. The basic background for graduate study in biochemistry ordinarily would be provided by an undergraduate degree in biochemistry, chemistry, physics, or in one of the biological or medical sciences. The Admission Committee assesses a candidate’s potential for success in the program by taking all aspects of their application into consideration. Most successful applicants have completed a rigorous undergraduate curriculum that includes courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and math. Most have also had a substantive laboratory experience that demonstrates commitment and talent for research. The applicant's undergraduate grade point average must be at least 3.0 (4.0 scale). For more information, please visit the Prospective Students tab on the program's website.

Graduate School Resources

Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid.  Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.

Program Resources

IPiB students receive a full stipend  as well as tuition remission and comprehensive health insurance. The stipends take the form of traineeships, research assistantships, or fellowships, and are guaranteed for all IPiB PhD candidates in good academic standing and making satisfactory research progress. IPiB also assists its graduate students with outstanding academic records in competing for university or national awards.

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

Major requirements.

Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements , in addition to the program requirements listed below.

Mode of Instruction

Mode of Instruction Definitions

Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.

Evening/Weekend: ​Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules.  Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.

Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.

Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats.  Contact the program for more specific information.

Online: These programs are offered 100% online.  Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.

Curricular Requirements

Required Courses

Graduate School Policies

The  Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures  provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.

Major-Specific Policies

Prior coursework, graduate credits earned at other institutions.

For well-prepared advanced students, the program may accept up to 12 credits of prior graduate coursework from an uncompleted degree from other institutions towards the minimum graduate degree credit and minimum graduate coursework (50%) requirement. The minimum graduate residence credit requirement can be satisfied only with courses taken as a graduate student at UW–Madison.

Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison

No credits from a UW–Madison undergraduate degree are allowed to transfer toward the graduate degree.

Credits Earned as a Professional Student at UW-Madison (Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary careers)

Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.

Credits Earned as a University Special Student at UW–Madison

No credits taken as a University Special student are allowed to transfer toward the graduate degree.

Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy.

Advisor / Committee

Every graduate student must have a faculty thesis advisor in the program. The thesis advisor advises the student about coursework, supervises the student's research, and acts as a mentor to the student through the student’s graduate career. The thesis advisor must approve the student's coursework before registration for a given semester and must also approve any subsequent changes to it.

A PhD thesis committee is composed of at least four graduate University faculty members, including the thesis advisor. The thesis committee is empowered by the program to advise the student about certification, administer the preliminary examination, oversee annual progress reports, approve thesis composition, and conduct the final PhD examination.

Credits Per Term Allowed

A maximum of 12 credits in fall and spring semesters and 2 credits in summer semesters is permitted for non-dissertators; 3 credits in fall, spring, and summer semesters for dissertators.

Time Limits

Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.

Grievances and Appeals

These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:

• Bias or Hate Reporting  
• Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
• Office of the Provost for Faculty and Staff Affairs
• Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
• Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
• Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
• Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
• Office Student Assistance and Support (OSAS)  (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
• Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
• Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
• Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences: Grievance Policy  

In the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), any student who feels unfairly treated by a member of the CALS faculty or staff has the right to complain about the treatment and to receive a prompt hearing. Some complaints may arise from misunderstandings or communication breakdowns and be easily resolved; others may require formal action. Complaints may concern any matter of perceived unfairness.

To ensure a prompt and fair hearing of any complaint, and to protect the rights of both the person complaining and the person at whom the complaint is directed, the following procedures are used in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Any student, undergraduate or graduate, may use these procedures, except employees whose complaints are covered under other campus policies.

• The student should first talk with the person at whom the complaint is directed. Most issues can be settled at this level. Others may be resolved by established departmental procedures.
• If the complaint involves an academic department in CALS the student should proceed in accordance with item 3 below.
• If the grievance involves a unit in CALS that is not an academic department, the student should proceed in accordance with item 4 below.
• If informal mediation fails, the student can submit the grievance in writing to the grievance advisor within 10 working days of the date the student is informed of the failure of the mediation attempt by the grievance advisor. The grievance advisor will provide a copy to the person at whom the grievance is directed.
• The grievance advisor will refer the complaint to a department committee that will obtain a written response from the person at whom the complaint is directed, providing a copy to the student. Either party may request a hearing before the committee. The grievance advisor will provide both parties a written decision within 20 working days from the date of receipt of the written complaint.
• If the grievance involves the department chairperson, the grievance advisor or a member of the grievance committee, these persons may not participate in the review.
• If not satisfied with departmental action, either party has 10 working days from the date of notification of the departmental committee action to file a written appeal to the CALS Equity and Diversity Committee. A subcommittee of this committee will make a preliminary judgement as to whether the case merits further investigation and review. If the subcommittee unanimously determines that the case does not merit further investigation and review, its decision is final. If one or more members of the subcommittee determine that the case does merit further investigation and review, the subcommittee will investigate and seek to resolve the dispute through mediation. If this mediation attempt fails, the subcommittee will bring the case to the full committee. The committee may seek additional information from the parties or hold a hearing. The committee will present a written recommendation to the dean who will provide a final decision within 20 working days of receipt of the committee recommendation.
• If the alleged unfair treatment occurs in a CALS unit that is not an academic department, the student should, within 120 calendar days of the alleged incident, take his/her grievance directly to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. The dean will attempt to resolve the problem informally within 10 working days of receiving the complaint. If this mediation attempt does not succeed the student may file a written complaint with the dean who will refer it to the CALS Equity and Diversity Committee. The committee will seek a written response from the person at whom the complaint is directed, subsequently following other steps delineated in item 3d above.

All students, both US and international, receive an annual stipend and tuition remission for the duration of their studies, provided satisfactory progress is made toward their degree. Comprehensive medical coverage is also offered. In addition, some students are supported on fellowships or training grants. Students are chosen based on criteria specified by the different training grants.

Students may matriculate only in the fall semester.

• Professional Development

Take advantage of the Graduate School's  professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career. 

• Learning Outcomes
• Gain a broad understanding of the biochemical principles that underlie all biological processes.
• Become aware of the current limitations of the state of understanding of this discipline and the strategies that are required to advance the field.
• Formulate and design new approaches that extend and apply biochemical principles beyond their current boundaries.
• Conduct independent research using a diverse breadth of biochemical processes.
• Think critically to address research challenges using a broad range of the theories, research methods, and approaches to scientific inquiry.
• Collaborate with investigators within the program, university, and beyond since current and future advances in the biomolecular sciences demand interdisciplinary skills.
• Foster professional and ethical conduct in the sciences, including but not limited to: exposition of the scientific method; ethical design of experimental protocols; reproducibility in science; professional behavior in industrial, government, and academic settings; documentation of scientific results; communication to other scientists and the public; peer review; and confidentiality.
• Develop communications skills that enable the articulation of research to fellow scientists and non-scientists.
• Explore career development opportunities in industry, government and academia to realize professional goals and paths.
• Develop teaching and mentoring skills in both lecture and laboratory settings.

Faculty: Professors B. Fox (Chair, Department of Biochemistry), Kiley (Chair, Department of Biomolecular Chemistry), Amasino, Attie, Audhya, Bednarek, Brow, Buller, Butcher, Campbell, Cantor, Cavagnero, Chaudhari, Coon, Cox, Coyle, Craciun, Craig, Denu, Engin, Fan, C. Fox, Friesen, Galmozzi, Gellman, Grant, Harrison, Henzler-Wildman, Hess, Holden, Hoskins, Hull, Keck, Kirchdoerfer, Landick, Lewis, Lim, Merrins, Neugebauer, Ntambi, Putnam, Raman, Rayment, Rienstra, Romero, Senes, Sheets, Simcox, Sussman, Venturelli, Wang, Weeks, Wright

• Requirements

Contact Information

Biochemistry, Biomolecular Chemistry College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health Integrated Program in Biochemistry http://www.ipib.wisc.edu/

For prospective students [email protected]

Kate Ryan, for current and former students, Graduate Program Manager [email protected] 608-265-2281 1142F HF DeLuca Biochemistry Building 420 Henry Mall, Madison, WI 53706-1532

David A. Brow, Director of Graduate Study [email protected] 608-262-1475 4204b Biochemical Sciences Building 440 Henry Mall, Madison, WI 53706-1544

Graduate Program Handbook View Here

Graduate School grad.wisc.edu

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Top 80 Biochemistry Research Topics

Biochemistry is simply the study of life. Enrolling in a biochemistry course requires you to extensively study the biological and chemical functions of living organisms, which equips you with the best biochemistry research topic ideas as you progress with your study. But again, all this is not a walk in the park.

Are you a student looking forward to writing a research paper that your examiners or teachers would be happy to read and award you an excellent score? We’ve shared the biochemistry research topics list across various subjects in this article to help you know what the best topics look like. Be sure to go through this piece in its entirety.

Biochemistry Research for Students (Preparation and Ideas)

In most universities, a senior biochemistry research project is a must before you complete your biochemistry coursework. But that’s not all. At various points of your study, whether studying pure biochemistry or related courses like molecular biology, examiners will require you to write a biochemistry research essay, term paper, or thesis.

To show you are focused on your studies and understand biochemistry better, come up with interesting biochemistry topics, and structure your work perfectly. A biochemistry research paper should capture the examiner’s interest and allow you to prove the content extensively. Ensure the topic is also manageable and compliant with your research environment.

With that, you will get things done in the nick of time without compromising on the quality of your work. No examiner will have a problem with a research essay, assignment, or dissertation that has sense and follows the academic rules. In fact, well-proposed biochemistry research ideas attract lots of funding, and you might be lucky to have a breakthrough in your early career.

Most of the biochemistry topics for research ideas revolve around:

• Structure and functioning of various body cells.
• Biochemical reactions in humans and plants.
• Heredity in living organisms.
• Pharmacology and pharmacognosy.
• DNA, RNA, and proteins in plants and animals.
• Molecular nature of all the bio-molecules.
• Micro-organisms.
• Enzymes, bioenergetics and thermodynamics.

Interesting Topics in Biochemistry

Many students struggle to think of interesting topics for their courses, and that’s not exceptional in biochemistry. You’ll notice that most of the topics’ interests depend on what a student is passionate about. Here are some interesting biochemistry topics to check out:

• Understanding the role of microbial itaconic acid production during fungi synthesis.
• Membrane biology and ion transport process in the innate immune response.
• Inhibition of sprouty2 in periodontal ligament cells and their extensive biological effects.
• Peptide and protein structure in membranes: what role do they play in cell membrane formation?
• Understanding the evolution of microbial infections and related effects in the existing surroundings.
• The role of B cell receptors in infections and vaccine production.
• Human health and bacteriophages of different kinds: How the two correlate.
• AN analysis of biofilm formation: From therapeutics to molecular mechanisms, and everything in between.
• Close comparison and analysis of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) in mice and humans.
• Understanding the relationship between NDR1/2 and mob-based proteins in cell cycle damage signaling.

Biochemistry Topics for Presentation

If you have an incoming presentation, you must pick your topics carefully. Presentations can be a challenge at times. While some individuals in the audience might not have extensive knowledge of the subject, you must have a detailed understanding of your topic to score better. Here are some of the best biochemistry presentation topics:

• A stepwise understanding of the human immune system and the role played in cell regeneration during an infection.
• A deep analysis of different plant pathologies with a focus on phytochemicals present and their roles.
• A look at the biochemical process that leads to apoptosis in patients with stage IV breast cancer.
• Understanding the close relationship in terms of practice in biochemistry and pathological psychiatry.
• Understanding different types of polymorphism and how they affect the DNA of human beings.
• How hormone formation in children is dependent on the environment and child’s health condition.
• The role of human cloning in the production and consumption of various types of vaccines.
• The relationship between human molecular adaptation and diet: Does diet play a role?
• Understanding how biological processes are dependent on the functioning of the human central nervous system.
• Comparison of mice and human circulatory system: Functioning, susceptibility, capacity, and features.

Hot Topics in Biochemistry

Biochemistry has a vast range of hot topics to explore. Since you might not have the chance to write about everything concerning the course, our suggestions narrow your search efforts. Take a look at some of the hot topics in biochemistry below:

• How professional breast cancer detection and screening is changing the lives of university students.
• The revolution of tissue clearing techniques for optical microscopy as witnessed for the past five years.
• Clinical features of acute copper sulfate poisoning and role of biochemistry in management interventions.
• The role of malt in various beer quality and effects on beer stability: Industrial biochemistry of beer making.
• Solid and liquid-state fermentation in the production of biochemical supplements for human and animal consumption.
• Controlled mixed fermentation as witnessed in pharmaceutical product making over the years and the new normal.
• The roles of polyphosphate on the virulence of Erwina caratovora bacteria in a range of plants.
• An extensive comparison of the significant aspects of biochemical studies at the college and university level in the last half-century.
• Analysis of molecular genetics and its close relationship with muscular dystrophy in men and women.
• Supporting evidence on children’s growth and development in countries using genetically modified organisms feeding products.

Project Topics for Biochemistry

Would you like to write a project topic on biochemistry that might change the world? Then you need to work on something that excites and allows you to develop a deep interest in your course. Project topics in biochemistry are not complicated, provided you are willing to challenge yourself and learn. Here are some of them for inspiration.

• Breast cancer and obesity in women of younger age; the clinical analysis from a biochemistry perspective.
• Understanding biochemistry of biomolecules and amino acids and their clinical application in drugs and supplement making.
• The future of artificial intelligence and its relevance to biochemistry: The gradual changes witnessed over the last four years.
• Understanding stability of 81 analytes in human blood, serum, and plasma during diagnosis in clinical biochemistry set up.
• History of clinical biochemistry and why it matters to modern human medicine.
• Transforming the liver function tests with new biochemistry diagnostic simple tools; how to make things result-oriented
• The role of clinical biochemistry in helping us understand the human immune system.
• Understanding and redefining the role of the human bones: How biochemistry transforms the narrative on human bones predisposition.
• A detailed clinical biochemistry analysis during pregnancy: tests associated with pregnancies and early child development.
• The rise of clinical biochemistry in the present times, from introductory chemistry of life to foundation on infections and disease interventions.

Biochemistry Research Topics for Undergraduates

Choosing an ideal biochemistry research topic as an undergraduate student taking biochemistry at the college or university level can be a complex process for you. We have ten topics that you can choose to base your research on. Let’s take a look at the best biochemistry research topics for undergraduates’ topics:

• Microbial food spoilage, resulting disorders, and the best biochemistry control approach to leverage.
• Comparative examination of serum calcium level among males using biochemistry testing techniques.
• Phytochemical analysis of specific tomato products available in the market for public health safety.
• The oxidative stress status of mice fed on oil bean seed meal and show the same applies to biochemical processes in humans.
• How biochemical production of top-quality bar soaps compares with most detergents you see in the market today.
• What are the health dangers associated with lead in water consumed in most universities?
• Critical analysis of Pterocarpus mildbreadii (oha) seed: A detailed phytochemical review.
• How to use biochemistry synthesis pathways to create a compound that prevents reactions from taking place.
• Evaluation of bacteria components produced using pure starter culture in a biochemistry culture laboratory setup.
• What’s the bacteriological quality of meat products in most butcheries in town?

MCAT Biochemistry Topics

You must always take your Medical College Admission Test seriously if you want to get a chance to join your favorite medical school. The test gives you a chance to show that you’re ready to handle the program and maintain an excellent performance throughout. Since you’re looking to get admission, here are the best MCAT biochemistry topics you might want to consider:

• Application of mathematical concepts and techniques in biochemistry and their role in general medicine.
• How catabolic and anabolic enzyme reactions contribute to cell functionality: Data-based enzymatic reasoning and graphical representations.
• Chemical and physical foundations of biological systems that help us appreciate human anatomy.
• How critical analysis and reasoning skills acquired in biochemistry play a significant role in medical schools.
• How multiple biosynthetic pathways like the citric acid cycle and glycolysis influence human health and functionality?
• A look at the psychological, social, and biological foundations of behaviors in relation to human biomolecules.
• Understanding the biochemical basis of human psychology.
• Critical analysis of biochemistry study areas and how they transform medicine.
• Understanding the relationship between Omega-3 fatty acids and blood glucose levels in adults.
• How fruits and vegetables regulate blood sugar in patients with diabetes: Biochemical pathways and mechanisms.

Popular Biochemistry Research Paper Topics

As a student pursuing biochemistry, you should be aware of some topics to expect during your program. Luckily, a lot is happening in the biochemistry field, giving you a chance to explore the subject even better. Take your time and go through these popular biochemistry research paper topics we have suggested below.

• How does chemical energy flow in human cells during metabolism?
• Understanding the primary chemical processes and their close relationship to the functionality of living organisms.
• How biotechnology and molecular biochemistry continues to transform genetics and botany in the modern world.
• How has the Coronavirus impacted the study and application of biochemistry for the last one year?
• How common bleaching agents react with human skin and biochemistry interventions that solve the matter once and for all.
• How do laboratory and medical-based practical experiments help undergraduate students understand biochemistry better?
• How can factories leverage biochemistry and help achieve the goal of clean energy in cities and congested towns?
• What biochemical activities are involved in drug production and testing? Pharmaceutical quality assurance and control
• Discussing and analyzing the chemical properties of carbohydrates in energy formulation.
• What factors necessitate fatty acids beta-oxidation? Fatty acids as super fuel in the human bodies functioning.

Current Biochemistry Topics

There’s no better way to show that you’re a sharp and informed student than knowing what’s happening in the biochemistry academic and practical world. Knowing current biochemistry topics is one way to showcase your awareness. We have compiled this list to help you create a top-quality research paper. Here we go!

• How do hydrocarbons in amino acids impact biochemical reactions when the human body gets subjected to medication?
• Why biochemistry research is promising when it comes to developing the best methods of initiating new medications to patients.
• Understanding the covid-19 vaccines chemical properties and reactions in adult men and women.
• Explaining various reactions to vaccines in the trial stage and how biochemistry has helped achieve the desired vaccines effectiveness.
• What are the roles of biochemically developed rotavirus vaccines in acute gastroenteritis among infants?
• How to best preserve plant extracts meant for experiments in biochemistry? Plant biochemistry and biotechnology research.
• The relationship between different types of brain cancer with radiation exposure and genetics.
• Understanding measles among infants and the most effective biochemistry based vaccine remedy
• The role of biochemistry in governing cell motility during various stages of development.
• The role of microscopy, scanning, and serum medical examinations in biochemistry.

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2023-24 General Bulletin

Biochemistry, PhD

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Program Overview

The PhD in Biochemistry program prepares students for careers in academia and industry, in both research and positions in which a strong background in research is important. The emphasis of the doctoral program is on research, culminating in the completion of an original independent doctoral thesis under the guidance of a faculty member in the Biochemistry program. Students' research is aimed at understanding the structures and functions of proteins and other biological macromolecules, such as RNA in biological systems. There is also a strong focus on understanding the molecular mechanisms of complex diseases, such as cancer and infectious diseases, that can lead to new therapies. Many research projects involve collaborations with scientists at CWRU and at institutions around the world. 

Students begin with an integrated curriculum in cell and molecular biology and then  take courses in Biochemistry and other subjects to provide a strong knowledge base in biomedical research. They also  participate in formal and informal seminars as well as discussions of current literature.

Students are admitted to this PhD program through the Biomedical Sciences Training Program (BSTP) or the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) .

Biomedical Sciences Training Program (BSTP)

The BSTP offers a common entry point to most of the School of Medicine's biomedical PhD programs. BSTP students can choose among research mentors in many different PhD programs in the School of Medicine.

Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)

Students in the MSTP earn the dual MD/PhD degree. MSTP students also have the choice of mentors in many different PhD programs. The admission requirements of those programs can be viewed on their pages in the Bulletin. Program requirements for the dual can be found on the Medical Scientist Training Program, PhD/Medicine, MD  program page.

PhD Policies

For PhD policies and procedures, please review the School of Graduate Studies section of the General Bulletin .

Program Requirements

Students enter the program through the  Biomedical Sciences Training Program (BSTP)  or the  Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) . Students perform research rotations with faculty members while they are in those programs and then select a faculty research advisor and join the Biochemistry PhD program after the first semester (BSTP) or second year (MSTP). 

The Biochemistry PhD requires coursework, a qualifying exam, and completion of the thesis. Throughout the doctoral training, students participate in seminars, journal clubs, and research meetings with their lab group and the Biochemistry Department. 

Coursework taken while students are in the BSTP or MSTP provide a solid basis of fundamental knowledge.  Once students join the Biochemistry PhD program, they take courses in Biochemistry and other departments that provide them with a comprehensive understanding of biochemistry and other subjects, with a focus on acquiring the knowledge required to complete the thesis research as described in the Program of Study. Students who have completed relevant coursework elsewhere, (for example, with an MS) may petition to complete alternative courses. The PhD degree requires 36 credit hours of coursework (24 credits hours of which are graded).

Qualifying Exam

Each PhD student must complete a qualifying examination on their research topic in the form of a grant proposal with oral defense on their thesis topic for advancement to candidacy. The qualifying examination is usually completed during the second year. 

Dissertation

The thesis research is the most important element of the degree. Students complete an independent body of research with mentoring from their thesis advisor, and extensive interactions with faculty members, students, and other researchers. Publication of results in scientific journals is a degree requirement.  During the dissertation period, students meet regularly with their thesis committees, present seminars in the department, attend scientific meetings, and fulfill journal publication requirements. During the thesis research, students complete 18 credit hours of  BIOC 701 .

Sample Plan of Study

Students are required to take BIOC 412 or BIOC 434 .

IBMS 501 is offered every spring semester. The SOM requires that PhD students who are 4 years beyond their initial RCR training in IBMS 500 , register for IBMS 501 .

Dual Degree Options

• Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), PhD/Medicine, MD

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Biochemistry & Biophysics

Program website :  http://www.med.unc.edu/biochem/program.

Director of Graduate Studies : Wolfgang Bergmeier, PhD Director of Biophysics Program : Brian Kuhlman, PhD Student Services Specialist: Holly Shephard

Program overview.

Welcome to the Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics in the School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The primary mission of any academic department is education. Here PhD students and post-doctoral fellows train in more than 40 different laboratories engaged in cutting-edge biomedical research. Training in research comes at a time of tremendous change, as new tools are uncovering the molecular causes of human disease, revealing new drug targets, and fostering the development of innovative new therapies. With a PhD degree in Biochemistry & Biophysics, the next generation of scientists will be well equipped to solve some the most vexing and complex health problems of the day.

The curriculum is designed to emphasize basic skills and principles, and yet be sufficiently flexible to allow students to focus on different research areas. Students in the Biochemistry track currently take BIOC 701 – Research Topics in Biochemistry, a course that is linked to the Department’s extramural Seminar series. Likewise, students in the Biophysics track participate in BIOC 704 -Seminars in Biophysics, where they attend the Biophysics Seminars as part of the course. Through presentation and discussion of the upcoming speakers’ publications in both seminar courses, students are not only better prepared for talks given by outside speakers, but are also better equipped to give their own departmental research presentations. Another required course, Biochemistry 712, is designed to help students with the art of grant writing, and specifically preparation of the grant-style qualifying examinations.

Our Department believes that teaching is an invaluable part of graduate education, as well as a benefit to the University. Hence, Ph.D. students are asked to serve as assistants in one semester of a course. These are typically courses for professional students in the Schools of Dentistry, Nursing, or Medicine. Most students satisfy their teaching requirements during their first year of study.

The comprehensive written exam is an open-book exam to test your knowledge, comprehension, and analytical ability. Passing is required to remain in the program. It is suggested that students take the written comprehensive exam in their second year. Several weeks prior to the exam, relevant reading materials are provided to students by the faculty exam committee. The combination of these readings plus the core course requirements is sufficient to prepare students to succeed in the exam requirements for their chosen track (Biochemistry or Biophysics). Students typically have one week to complete the exam.

The oral component of the exam should be taken before the end of the second academic year. Students are expected to submit a 6 page written proposal in the form of a NIH fellowship application to their thesis committee describing their dissertation research project, and defend this proposal after an oral presentation. Additional details on this process can be found here .

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Department of Biochemistry

Pursue a PhD in Biochemistry

Request information    Degree requirements   Apply Core courses   Advanced Electives

We train graduate students to become skilled and creative biochemists and molecular biologists. We have outstanding resources in our internationally recognized faculty, graduate students, and research facilities. Our graduate program not only allows our research students to learn the latest techniques, but also fosters their development as independent scientists. With a PhD in Biochemistry from UIUC, you will be well-prepared to launch a career in academia or industry. Our alumni are leaders in industrial laboratories, research institutes, and government agencies, as well as in teaching, research, and administration in colleges and universities.

As a PhD student in the Department of Biochemistry, you will pursue research alongside brilliant faculty and graduate students while advancing the frontiers of this exciting field. Our labs encompass a variety of areas, including biological chemistry and molecular biology: physical approaches to the structure and function of proteins, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates, including structural biology (Cryo-Em, x-ray crystallography, etc.); genomics, enzymology; membrane biochemistry and protein-lipid interactions; protein-nucleic acid interactions; molecular biological approaches to gene organization and expression; immunology; microbial physiology, and signal transduction. We collaborate with peers at units across campus and around the world.

At the U of I we boast world-class facilities, equipment, and technology . The department is a close-knit community which holds numerous events throughout the year, such as an annual research conference and graduate research seminar series.

Title Meet Yiquan

When he's not studying SARS-CoV-2 or influenza, Yiquan Wang, a biochemistry PhD student and member of Nicholas Wu's lab, can be found creating works of art. Yiquan shares how he's bridging his love for art and biochemistry to help people better understand virology. 

Title State-of-the-art facilities

The Department of Biochemistry contains all of the equipment appropriate for modern biochemical research. Specialized facilities available within the department include equipment for large scale growth and processing of animal cells as well as state-of-the-art S-ray diffraction equipment. Other supporting facilities include specialized labs for recording infrared, ultraviolet, fluorescence, electron spin resonance, mass, nuclear magnetic resonance, and optical rotatory dispersion spectra. Electronic, machine, photographic, and glass-blowing shops are also available.

The campus also provides many state-of-the-art core facilities, from the Beckman Institute to the Woese Institute for Genomic Biology .

Research collaborations   Research facilities & resources 

The Department of Biochemistry is part of the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology. Prospective Biochemistry PhD students should apply directly to the MCB PhD Program .

During your first semester, you will rotate through three laboratories to learn experimental techniques and the information you need to choose a research project. You will then select a research adviser and formally join the graduate program by the spring semester of your first year.

Financial support

All students accepted into the PhD program receive year-round financial support through fellowships, traineeships, or graduate assistantships, which provide a generous stipend as well as a full tuition and partial fee waiver. The department guarantees financial support to all students as long as they make satisfactory progress toward their PhD. Students are also encouraged to apply for extramural pre-doctoral fellowships for which they may be eligible, such as the National Science Foundation, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ford Foundation, and other fellowships.

MCB PhD Programs

Shawna M. Smith, MCB Graduate Program Coordinator Lori Raetzman, Associate Director of MCB Graduate Program [email protected] ; 217-333-1737

Graduate student affairs: [email protected]

Satish Nair, Department Head and Gregorio Weber Chair [email protected] ; 217-333-3945

Kai Zhang, Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Director of Graduate Studies; Associate Head, Department of Biochemistry [email protected]

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Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thesis-based program

Program overview.

Ambitious students looking to broaden their horizons through a wide range of cutting-edge research should consider the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD Thesis) degree. The research-based program ranges from biochemistry and molecular research to cellular and developmental biology, as well as genetics, immunology and bioinformatics. It also includes applications to cancer and clinical research. Following a previous degree, the program may take up to six years of full-time study. Students will enjoy practicing science in a setting that combines the amenities of a large city with the outdoor leisure activities of the nearby Rocky Mountains.

Completing this program

• Courses: Topics may include analysis of eukaryotic genomes, control of gene expression, cytogenetics, metabolic genetics and more.
• Research Ethics: Students are required to attend Research Integrity Day sessions in the first year of their program.
• Sex & Gender Module: Students are required to complete one of the CIHR sex and gender online training modules found at discoversexandgender.ca in the first year of their program.
• Thesis: Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.
• Seminars: Student participate in a journal club and work-in-progress seminars for their research group, and will present one seminar per year.
• Candidacy: Students will complete both oral and written candidacy exams.

Specializations

Bioinformatics

Academic research; post-secondary and secondary teaching; industry research and consulting; business consulting, analytics, management, sales, research and marketing; scientific writing; IP and patent law; medicine (lab tech; physician; clinical scientist); veterinary medicine.

A PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology is usually considered a final degree; some graduates go on to post-doctoral research.

Students are required to prepare a thesis and successfully defend in an open oral defense.

Three core courses and one to two electives

Learn more about program requirements in the Academic Calendar

Classroom delivery

Time commitment.

Four years full-time; six years maximum

A supervisor is required, and must agree to oversee the student's research before admission will be granted

See the Graduate Calendar for information on  fees and fee regulations,  and for information on  awards and financial assistance .

Virtual Tour

Explore the University of Calgary’s (UCalgary) Foothills Campus from anywhere. Experience all that the Cumming School of Medicine has to offer for interested prospective graduate students. Explore this state of the art campus from wherever you are. Discover the buildings, student services and available programs all from your preferred device.

Supervisors

Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.

Pierre Billon

Janice Braun

George Chaconas

Sarah Childs

A.P. Jason de Koning

Ina Dobrinski

Antoine Dufour

Sabine Gilch

Steven Greenway

Carol Huang

Admission requirements

A minimum of 3.3 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.

Minimum education

An MSc degree or equivalent. from a recognized institution.

Work samples

• A current C.V.

Reference letters

Test scores, english language proficiency.

An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ibt)  score of 105.
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)  score of 7.5 (minimum of 6.0 in each section)
• Pearson Test of English (PTE)   score of 75, or higher (Academic version).
• Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL)  score of 70 (minimum 70 in each section)  
• Academic Communication Certificate (ACC)  score of A- in each course.
• Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency  minimum score of 200.
• Duolingo English Test  and obtaining a minimum score of 145* (with no sub-score below 125*). ( temporary until Fall 2024 intake )

For admission on May 1:

• Canadians and permanent residents: Mar. 1 application deadline
• International students: Dec. 1 application deadline

For admission on September 1:

• Canadians and permanent residents: June 1 application deadline
• International students: Apr. 1 application deadline

For admission on January 1:

• Canadians and permanent residents: Oct. 1 application deadline
• International students: Aug. 1 application deadline

If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements

Are you ready to apply?

Learn more about this program, department of biochemistry & molecular biology.

Health Sciences Centre HSC G345C, 3330 Hospital Drive NW Calgary, AB T2N 1N4

Contact the Graduate Program Administrator

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Related programs

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Community health sciences, computer science, kinesiology.

Course-based MKin

Medical Science

Microbiology and infectious disease, neuroscience, veterinary medicine, highlights of the biochemistry and molecular biology program.

These stories from those involved in the program show what it's like to be involved yourself.

Carla Davidson, Owner - Endeavour Scientific Management and Consulting

"I learned a combination of critical thinking, clear communication and broad experience. My graduate degree gave me the willingness to start my own business."

Kevin Thorneloe, Director - Biopharm Translational Medicine

"The critical thinking skills I acquired during my PhD has been the foundation of my career in the pharmaceutical industry."

Nima Najand, Technology Analyst - Innovate Calgary

"UCalgary has been instrumental in providing me with skills to succeed in careers outside academia."

Curious about the University of Calgary?

Located in the nation's most enterprising city, we are a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude.

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• CAREER FEATURE
• 20 August 2024

How a midwife became a neuroscientist to seek a cure for her son

• Elizabeth Landau 0

Elizabeth Landau is a science writer based in Washington DC.

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Terry Jo Bichell (pictured in her laboratory) was part of a 2016 campaign in which scientists shared their inspirational stories. Credit: Wes Duenkel

Working scientist profiles

This article is part of an occasional series in which Nature profiles scientists with unusual career histories or outside interests.

Terry Jo Bichell sensed there was something different about her fifth, youngest child when he was just a baby. At first, doctors and friends told her that she was being neurotic, that there was nothing wrong. But when the boy, Lou, couldn’t sit up properly at the age of one, a paediatrician decided to run some tests.

A blood test revealed that Lou had Angelman syndrome, a rare developmental disorder with symptoms such as impaired motor function, limited or no speech, seizures and difficulty in sleeping. It affects one in 12,000 to one in 20,000 individuals, and there is no known cure.

Bichell heard about this diagnosis in 2000 in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where she was teaching at a midwifery school at the time. She remembers that, soon after, she walked half an hour to get to an Internet-connected computer to learn more.

But merely reading about Angelman syndrome didn’t satisfy Bichell. She wanted to help to find a cure, or at least a treatment — even if it meant becoming a scientist herself.

In July 2000, Bichell flew to Finland with her mother and the baby to attend the first major international conference on Angelman syndrome in Tampere. “It was the first time I had really been interested in hard science” as opposed to health care, Bichell remembers. “And it was just fascinating. And it felt like we were on the verge of a treatment, and all we had to do was just reach through the curtain, and we’d be able to figure it out.”

Sleepless nights

Angelman syndrome is named after British physician Harry Angelman, who, in 1965, noted three children with poor muscle control and abnormalities of the brain, skull and eyes, and who frequently laughed. It wasn’t until the late 1990s that scientists identified a mutation in the UBE3A gene, on chromosome 15, as the cause. Most people have both maternal and paternal copies of UBE3A , and the condition is most commonly the result of the maternal copy being absent or damaged. Overexpression of a protein linked to the same gene has been linked to autism spectrum disorders 1 .

At the Tampere conference, Lou’s sleep challenges were exacerbated by jet lag and the long daylight hours near the Arctic Circle, and Bichell would do 3 a.m. walks with him in the hotel lobby. That’s how she got to know Arthur Beaudet, a geneticist at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, who helped to establish the connection between Angelman syndrome and UBE3A . Beaudet found himself sleepless at the same time, and the two of them discussed starting a clinical trial in San Diego, California, where Bichell was then based. The idea was to test supplements called folate and betaine as possible treatments for Angelman syndrome, on the basis that these substances might lessen some of the symptoms. Although the trial proved unsuccessful, it led to Bichell becoming a coordinator and part-time co-investigator for research into the condition.

At that point, Bichell hadn’t trained in medicine, genetics or neurobiology. She had, at first, worked as a documentary film-maker, but her career aspirations changed during a film shoot in Côte d’Ivoire in 1986, when she saw a baby die after a difficult birth. The experience made her determined to become a midwife, and subsequent degrees in nursing and public health equipped her for her new calling.

In 2000, Bichell partnered with Lynne Bird, a clinical geneticist at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, to raise funds for and undertake Angelman research projects, including the folic acid and betaine trials. In a subsequent study on the natural course of the condition, Bichell interviewed more than 100 families of children with Angelman, work that she continued at Vanderbilt University after her family moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 2006.

Lou’s sleep difficulties persisted, and Bichell remembers feeling sleep-deprived herself while driving to Vanderbilt to teach pre-literacy skills to children with Angelman. She began to wonder whether the circadian system had some connection to the disorder. “I didn’t think that anyone else in the world would be interested in following up on those hunches,” she says.

Biology homework

Eventually, Bichell decided she couldn’t sit back and await developments that might help Lou. She resolved to train as a neuroscientist and, one day, to determine the direction of research herself. “I was almost 40 when he was born, and that meant that I was probably going to die 40 years before him,” she says. This meant that “somebody else was going to have to take care of him all that time”, so she felt she had better find a treatment for the condition.

Aged 49, she enrolled in a neuroscience PhD programme at Vanderbilt in 2009 and found herself doing homework alongside her teenage daughters, who were also studying biology.

Initially, Bichell worked in a laboratory specializing in Angelman syndrome. But when the principal investigator decided to quit research, she lost her funding to probe the very condition that she had set out to study.

To stay in the programme, she would need to redirect her energy to a topic she knew nothing about for her dissertation. So, Bichell joined the lab of neuroscientist Aaron Bowman to work on Huntington’s disease, an inherited neurodegenerative condition. In retrospect, she appreciates the shift. “It expanded my mind beyond just Angelman syndrome, so then I was able to learn about a lot of other disorders and think more globally,” she says.

But the question of how the circadian system plays a role in Angelman continued to nag at Bichell. At Vanderbilt, she found an ally in Carl Johnson, who specializes in studies of circadian rhythms but knew little about Angelman syndrome. “She basically sucked me into this,” he says. Johnson had a small grant to support her investigations, which led to peer-reviewed papers demonstrating links between circadian rhythms and the condition 2 .

Being a PhD student in her fifties came with challenges. Whereas most graduate students could check on their experiments in the evenings, Bichell needed to pick up her children from school, take them to sporting events and cook their meals. (Lou attended Nashville public schools with the help of an educational assistant.) She would sometimes set an alarm in the middle of the night so that she could have uninterrupted research time on campus. “I would be there in the dark with all those creepy lab sounds going on, and nobody else there,” she says.

One night in 2010, while 11-year-old Lou, his father and two of his sisters slumbered at home, Bichell found herself crying in the lab, unable to wipe her tears off her nose because her hands were in a sterile area. “I just felt like, ‘This is horrible. What am I doing to my family? What am I doing to myself?’”

The mini-lab manager

But Birchell’s schedule became more sustainable when she created what she called a “mini-lab” of undergraduate students to work and study with her. Just as a principal investigator would, she delegated a host of small tasks to the students, but remained in charge of the experiments and analysis. The group learnt as a collective, rather than competing with one another.

“I felt like I was a mum to all my students and grad students. I was feeding the kids dinner, and then I was going back to the lab and feeding the cells,” she says. “It was all the same”, she laughs, just on “a slightly different scale”.

For her dissertation, Bichell investigated the role of manganese — which is essential for cells and yet toxic when overabundant— in mouse models of Huntington’s disease 3 . Exposing the mice to supplemental manganese led to a rebalancing of the natural urea cycle, a crucial process that mediates ammonia’s removal from the bloodstream. Her findings support the idea that the mutation in HTT , the gene that causes Huntington’s, leads to a deficiency of manganese in the brain, which contributes to increases in urea and ammonia, also in the brain. More research is needed to determine whether manganese could be involved in treatment, Bowman says.

Bowman, who now heads the School of Life Sciences at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, remembers the unusually large audience at Bichell’s thesis defence in September 2016, including the many undergraduates who had worked with her, plus faculty members, other graduate students and her family. “She got a standing ovation,” Bowman says. “I have never seen that before. Usually there’s polite clapping.”

Bichell never had expectations of going into academia after her graduation: “There’s no time for me to have a career like that,” she says. Instead, using the broadened perspectives she gained in her PhD work, she founded COMBINEDBrain, a non-profit body that connects patient-advocacy groups with clinicians, researchers and pharmaceutical companies. Its goal is to speed up research on treatments for rare genetic neurological disorders, including Angelman syndrome.

“She’s a bridge-builder,” Bowman says. Bichell’s diverse experience gave her credibility among both researchers and patient-advocacy communities, and “there are very few people in this world that can stand strong on both sides”, he says.

Combining forces

Today, Bichell’s son Lou is 25 years old. His speech is limited to “mama”, “dada” and a few approximations of other words, but he uses about 25 sign-language adaptations. Through an iPad app designed for non-speaking individuals, he can construct short sentences. He cannot be left alone in a room.

Bichell is confident that in her lifetime, a “disease-changing” treatment for Angelman syndrome will be found, and thinks that such a treatment would need to go hand in hand with widespread screening of newborns for the condition. COMBINEDBrain is one player in a large collaboration that plans to undertake a whole-genome sequencing study among infants aged 3–12 months who show signs of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Bichell is also hopeful that gene therapies will improve the quality of life of people with Angelman’s syndrome. Lou is currently taking part in an open-label clinical trial, meaning that participants know whether they are receiving an experimental therapy or a placebo. Bichell’s mother, who helped to look after Lou at the conference in Finland more than two decades ago, now assists with caregiving during the treatments in Boston, Massachusetts.

Now that their other children have grown up and moved away, the Bichell family offers rooms in their home to local musicians, who help out with Lou in exchange. Their farm includes a horse, donkey, chickens and bees. Bichell takes care of her grandchildren and teaches a translational neuroscience course at Vanderbilt. To fit everything in, she sometimes works late at night and sleeps only in short spurts, as she did during her graduate studies.

“I always have ten things going on at one time,” she says. “Eight people living in my house, ten animals to take care of, two careers. That’s the only way I really know how to do things.”

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-02723-9

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Alum Profile: Bernie Santarsiero, PhD

Bernard “Bernie” Santarsiero ’80, earned his Ph.D. from the University of Washington in 1980, where he worked with crystallography pioneers Professors Edward C. Lingafelter and Verner Schomaker. His postdoctoral training included work as a Myron A. Bantrell Research Fellow in Chemical Catalysis with Professors Dick Marsh, Harry Gray, John Bercaw, and Bob Grubbs at Caltech where he was also Director of the X-Ray Laboratories in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Deputy Master of Student Houses, and Freshman Chemistry Czar. Subsequently, he joined Professor Mike James’ group in Biochemistry at the University of Alberta and was also the X-Ray lab director in Chemistry there and was a visiting scholar in the Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, a visiting investigator in Molecular Biology at the Scripps Research Institute, and Director of Structural Genomics at the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation. Bernie was one of four co-founders of Syrrx, a company based on robotics instrumentation to accelerate protein structure determination developed while at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and later sold to Takeda Pharmaceuticals in 2008. Bernie joined the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) in 2000 as a visiting X-ray specialist and was promoted to his current position as research professor in 2003. Concurrently, he was associate director in four units: Translational Technology, the Center for Structural Biology, the UICentre for Drug Discovery, and the UI Health Biorepository.

Bernie is a dedicated advocate for diversity and inclusion in STEM and has made significant contributions to the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and the broader scientific community. In his role as director of research initiatives in the Offices of Diversity, Vice Chancellor for Research, and the Graduate College at UIC, Bernie has played a pivotal role in establishing several new programs that support historically underrepresented undergraduate and graduate students, postbaccalaureate students, and faculty as well as garnering various institutional awards like the NIH Institutional Excellence in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Biomedical and Behavioral Research Prize . This $100,000 award recognized UIC's efforts to support underrepresented groups in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine) fields through innovative programs such as:

• Latin@s Gaining Access to Networks for Advancement in Science (L@s GANAS): Supporting Latinx students in STEM.
• Bridge to Faculty: Helping postdoctoral scholars from underrepresented backgrounds secure tenure-track positions.

As a gay Latino scientist, Bernie is passionate about creating an inclusive and safe environment for all scientists. His dedication is evident through his mentorship in the L@s GANAS and Bridge to Faculty programs as well as his leadership of the DuSable Scholars Program for Black and Native American students and the NIH-funded Portal to Biomedical Research Careers Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PBRC/PREP) for underrepresented minority groups. These data-driven efforts contribute to the retention and success of diverse students in academic and research environments.

Along with the NIH DEIA Prize, Bernie helped UIC garner the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award and the Inclusive Excellence Award from the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) in 2021 . More recently, Bernie was individually honored with a Diamond Award from the Not Alone Foundation, which he received at a ceremony held at Morehouse College on January 27, 2024.

Bernie further displays his advocacy for LGBTQ+ participation in STEM through his feature on “500 Queer Scientists,” a visibility campaign showcasing LGBTQ+ role models in STEM. This platform aims to ensure that the next generation of LGBTQ+ scientists does not feel alone and fosters opportunities for networking within the scientific community.

As a research professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at UIC, Bernie has published numerous articles on natural products and structural biology to advance drug discovery and development. In addition to his leadership in URM program initiatives at UIC, he is affiliated with the Pharmacognosy Institute and Honors College.

In March 2024, we were delighted to welcome Bernie back to the University of Washington. During his visit, he engaged with leadership at the department, college and university levels, sharing his insights on addressing equity gaps through systemic changes. It was also a joy to reminisce about his time at the UW. Department Chair Munira Khalil has greatly appreciated the ongoing conversations with Bernie, discussing how to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in the UW Department of Chemistry.

Beyond his willingness to be a resource for the chair and offer his expertise in DEIA, we are honored to announce that Bernie has pledged a legacy gift of $2M to the Natt-Lingafelter Endowed Fund in Chemistry and the Schomaker Endowed Fund in Chemistry. The Schomaker Fund may be used at the discretion of the chair to further the research mission of the Department of Chemistry. The Natt-Lingafelter Fund may be used as a professorship, fellowship, or as discretionary funding to be used by the chair. Bernie’s bequest, in memory of his two graduate school advisers, Ed Lingafelter and Verner Schomaker, will have a lasting impact, ensuring that the department continues to thrive and innovate in the years to come.

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Join a Community of Curiosity as the 2024–25 Season of the Watson Lectures Opens this Fall

Since 1922, Caltech's Watson Lecture Series has invited the public to join in the excitement of discovery and innovation by hearing directly from Caltech scientists and engineers who are tackling society's most pressing challenges and inventing the technologies of the future. Now in its 102nd season, the series aims to foster a community of curiosity with a diverse lineup of speakers and engaging activities.

Free and open to the public, the Watson Lectures offer a new opportunity each month to connect with the forefront of Caltech research. Before each lecture, guests are invited to enjoy food, drinks, and music together outside Beckman Auditorium, and to explore interactive displays related to the evening's topic.

"Caltech is the place you come to ask fundamental questions about science and our world," says science communicator and Caltech alum Crystal Dilworth (PhD ‘14) who hosts the Watsons and moderates a question-and-answer session following each lecture. "It is inspiring, month after month, to see hundreds of people visiting campus to appreciate and explore new topics and ideas," she says.

The 2024–25 season will open on October 23 with a lecture by Bil Clemons, Caltech's Arthur and Marian Hanisch Memorial Professor of Biochemistry. Clemons will highlight his lab's work in structural biology and explain how viruses can help fight bacterial infections. Later talks will discuss the effects of climate change on Arctic rivers, the Europa Clipper mission to investigate one of Jupiter's largest moons, how to harness the power of microbes for human and environmental health, and much more.

"The remarkable scientists and engineers who will share their work as part of this year's Watson season offer the public a unique glimpse into some of the most intriguing and important questions of our time," says John Eiler, Robert P. Sharp Professor of Geology and Geochemistry, and a member of the Institute Programs Committee, which oversees the Watsons. "We're pleased to carry forward a century-long tradition of connecting the community to the cutting-edge of research and discovery."

Originally known as the "Friday Evening Demonstration Lectures," the series was started by Earnest C. Watson, a professor of physics at Caltech from 1919 to 1959, to help foster a greater appreciation among the public for the impact of fundamental research. For the talks, Watson would stand in front of a packed lecture hall to deliver his famed "liquid-air" demonstration, in which he would open a bottle of air that had been cooled to minus 300 degrees Fahrenheit, and the contents would appear to "boil" out of the bottle and engulf Watson in white fumes.

Eventually renamed in his honor, the Watson Lectures continue to spotlight pathbreaking Caltech research. Read more about the legacy of Earnest C. Watson in Caltech Magazine .

A full listing of this season's events is available on the series webpage .