PhD in Integrative Physiology & Molecular Medicine
Study cellular & molecular processes underscoring coordinated integration of organ systems within the body.
Why Study Integrative Physiology & Molecular Medicine?
The Integrative Physiology & Molecular Medicine doctoral program provides diverse research and learning experiences that emphasize cellular and molecular processes underscoring coordinated integration of organ systems within the body, typically with a view to unraveling disease mechanisms. The interdisciplinary environment of the Integrative Physiology & Molecular Medicine doctoral program, involving both basic and clinical scientists, facilitates the acquisition of modern experimental techniques and development of the intellectual tools required for their effective implementation in the study of current problems in health and disease. Students in the program typically pursue research projects that combine sophisticated approaches to study cellular & molecular mechanisms along with powerful integrative physiological techniques to better understand normal function and pathophysiology.
Why Study Integrative Physiology & Molecular Medicine at UNMC?
Students enrolled in the Integrative Physiology & Molecular Medicine doctoral program at UNMC will have the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with some of the best health and disease-focused scientists and educators in the world. The program is hosted by the Department of Cellular & Integrative Physiology in the College of Medicine. Faculty in the department are world-renowned physiologists who uphold the mission of the department to excel in research, teaching, service, and mentoring. In addition, more than 50 additional faculty in various departments, divisions, and colleges across campus are members of the Integrative Physiology & Molecular Medicine program. The diversity of these faculties’ research programs is tremendous, and allows for students to identify a mentor, laboratory and research project that are ideal for their own individual doctoral training.
Program Snapshot
Program Highlights
- Integrative Physiology & Molecular Medicine students learn how design and execute molecular, cellular, and whole-body integrative physiology experiments to test their novel hypotheses.
- Students are encouraged to participate in a writing group with their peers and faculty that focuses on writing competitive grants and predoctoral fellowships.
- Faculty mentors encourage and support their students’ travel to regional, national, and international scientific conferences to present their research.
- An Integrative Physiology & Molecular Medicine student’s training is designed to be individualized to ensure the student’s short-term and long-term career goals can be achieved. For example, students select their own elective course from a list of 20+ courses ranging from topics like cardiopulmonary function to stem cell biology to proteomics and many more.
Careers & Outcomes
The Integrative Physiology & Molecular Medicine doctoral program prepares students for a career in: biomedical research (in academia and industry); education; scientific writing; and/or, science policy. Recent graduates of the program transitioned to the following positions:
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow/Scholar in academia
- Tenure-Track Assistant Professor
- Research Scientist with biotech company
- Senior Manager – Translational Medicine with biopharmaceutical company
More Information
For more information about the Integrative Physiology & Molecular Medicine doctoral program, please contact Dr. Erika Boesen (program director) or Kim Kavan (program coordinator).
Related Programs
Students interested in this program may also want to explore:
