Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program

Subject abbreviation: BMSC Division of Biomedical Sciences

Seema Tiwari-Woodruff, Ph.D., Program Director Graduate Student Affairs Office, 205 SOM Research Bldg

• (951) 827-7819;

medschool.ucr.edu/graduate

Professors

Michael E. Adams, Ph.D. (Entomology) Bahman Anvari, Ph.D. (Bioengineering) Peter Atkinson, Ph.D. (Entomology) Monica J. Carson, Ph.D. (Biomedical

Sciences) Djurdjica Coss, Ph.D. (Biomedical Sciences) Nicholas DiPatrizio, Ph.D. (Biomedical

Sciences) David A. Eastmond, Ph.D. (Cell Biology and

Neuroscience) lryna Ethell, Ph.D. (Biomedical Sciences) Martin I. Garcia-Castro, Ph.D. (Biomedical

Sciences Ted Garland, Ph.D. (Biology) Adam Godzik, Ph.D. (Biomedical Sciences) Marcus Kaul, Ph.D. (Neuroscience) Karine Le Roch, Ph.D. (Cell Biology and

Neuroscience) Xuan Liu, M.D., Ph.D. (Biochemistry) David Lo, M.D., Ph.D. (Biomedical Sciences) Morris Maduro, Ph.D. (Biology) Ernest Martinez, Ph.D. (Biochemistry) Manuela M. Martins-Green, Ph.D.

(Cell Biology and Neuroscience) Declan McCole, Ph.D. (Biomedical Sciences) Meera G. Nair, Ph.D. (Biomedical Sciences) Scott Pegan, Ph.D. (Biomedical Sciences) Maurizio Pellecchia, Ph.D. (Biomedical

Sciences) Michael C. Pirrung, Ph.D. (Chemistry) Khaleel Razak, Ph.D. (Psychology) Victor Rodgers, Ph.D. (Bioengineering) Wendy Saltzman, Ph.D. (Biology) Aaron Seitz, Ph.D. (Psychology) Frances M. Sladek, Ph.D. (Cell Biology and

Neuroscience) Viji Santhakumar, Ph.D. (Neuroscience) Yinsheng Wang, Ph.D. (Chemistry) Emma Wilson, Ph.D. (Biomedical Sciences) Seema K. Tiwari-Woodruff, Ph.D.

(Biomedical Sciences) Sika Zheng, Ph.D. (Neurobiology/Molecular

Genetics) Changcheng Zhou, Ph.D. (Biomedical

Sciences)

Associate Professors

Qi Chen, M.D. Ph.D. (Biomedical Sciences) Jun-Hyeong Cho, Ph.D. (Molecular, Cell and

Systems Biology) Margarita C. Curras-Collazo, Ph.D.

(Cell Biology and Neuroscience ) Scott N. Currie, Ph.D. (Cell Biology and

Neuroscience) Anupama Dahanukar Ph.D. (Entomology) Adler Dillman, Ph.D. (Nematology) Todd A. Fiacco, Ph.D. (Cell Biology and

Neuroscience) Kaustabh Ghosh, Ph.D. (Bioengineering) Peter W. Hickmott, Ph.D. (Psychology) Kelly Huffman, Ph.D. (Psychology) Ted Karginov, Ph.D. (Cell Biology and

Neuroscience) Edward Korzus, Ph.D. (Psychology) Jiayu Liao, Ph.D. (Bioengineering) Huinan Liu, Ph.D. (Bioengineering) Sean O’Leary, Ph.D. (Biochemistry) Hyle Park, Ph.D. (Bioengineering) Rachel Wu, Ph.D. (Psychology) Edward Zagha, M.D., Ph.D. (Psychology)

Assistant Professors

Sihem Cheloufi, Ph.D. (Biochemistry) Rong Hai, Ph.D. (Plant Pathology &

Microbiology) Sachiko Haga-Yamanaka, Ph.D.

(Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology) Erica Heinrich, Ph.D. (Biomedical Sciences) Ansel Hsiao, Ph.D. (Microbiology) Jean-Pyo Lee (Stroke/Stem Cells) Jernej Murn, Ph.D. (Biochemistry) Hongdian Yang, Ph.D. (Molecular, Cell and

Systems Biology) Joy Xiang (RNA Biology) Natalie Zlebnik, Ph.D. (Biomedical Sciences)

Professor in Residence

Devin Binder, M.D., Ph.D. (Biomedical Sciences)

The multidisciplinary interdepartmental graduate program in Biomedical Sciences offers graduate instruction leading to a M.S degree, a Ph.D. degree or a combined M.D.-Ph.D. degree.

The aim of the graduate program is to provide students with training that crosses traditional boundaries between scientific disciplines and allows them to address modern biomedical research questions. The objective is to train scientists who have a broad knowledge of basic medical sciences, a high degree of expertise in an area of specialization, and effective teaching skills for a medical school or university environment.

The need for scientists who understand the interrelationships of various areas of medical science is readily apparent. For example, it is clearly advantageous for a scientist studying diabetes to understand the disease in depth. This requires a fundamental understanding of endocrinology (hormone secretion and action), cell biology (cell types that produce insulin and upon which insulin acts), biochemistry (insulin-receptor interactions, biochemical pathways regulated by insulin), genetics (hereditary factors in the development of diabetes), immunology (autoimmune mechanisms in diabetes), anatomy (microvascular pathology) and environmental exposures. There is a growing need for scientists who can communicate among disciplines so that very effective research collaborations can be developed.

Cell Biology/Physiology research areas include function of Epigenetics, RNA splicing, and transcription factors in development, disease, and in the promotion of regeneration; fluid and electrolyte pathophysiology; molecular genetics of human cell response to environmental carcinogens; factors controlling lymphocyte differentiation; mechanisms of action of cytotoxic lymphokines; physiological aspects of host-parasite interaction; host defense mechanisms in infectious disease; mucosal immunity and molecular approaches to vaccine development; hypoxia, cardiovascular and metabolic disease.

Endocrinology/Pharmacology research areas include molecular mechanisms of obesity; fertility and reproductive biology; endocannabinoids; regulation of eating behavior; molecular mechanisms for carcinogenesis (glioblastoma, breast and prostate cancer); drug development.

Neurosciences research areas includes studies of the hypothalamic control of homeostatic and sexual function; molecular mechanisms of neurodevelopment, neuroinflammation, neuronal death and neurodegeneration, and gut-brain interactions with emphasis on the following diseases: Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Autism, Fragile X/intellectual disability, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke and pathogen-induced encephalitis.

Admission Applicants should have completed an undergraduate degree in one of the physical or biological sciences and must submit scores from the GRE General Test (verbal and quantitative). (GRE requirement not applicable to UCR Biomedical Sciences students applying for the M.D.–Ph.D.) Courses required for admission include one year each of general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and calculus and at least two years of biological sciences. Preferred upper-division courses in biology include vertebrate or human anatomy and physiology, embryology, genetics, cell biology, microbiology, immunology, and neurosciences.

The aim of the graduate program in Biomedical Sciences is to train Ph.D. scientists in a specific area of research specialization who also have enough general knowledge in the basic medical sciences to apply their research expertise to unraveling the basis of disease. This approach includes understanding not only pathogenic manifestations of disease but also the normal physiologic state. To accomplish this, the student completes a core and elective curriculum, the latter tailored to the student’s research interests.

Core requirements include:

• 1. BMSC 229: Foundations of Translational

Research

• 2. BMSC 232, 233, 234 and 235: Foundations

of Medicine Series

• 3. BMSC 260A, BMSC 260B, BMSC 260C: Topics

in Biomedical Research. The entire 3 quarter series is required in the second year of graduate education.

• 4. BMSC 261: Methods in Biomedical Research.

Enrollment required all 3 quarters of the first year of graduate education.

• 5. BMSC 252: General seminar in Biomedical

Sciences (enrollment required each quarter)

• 6. BMSC 254: Graduate seminar in Biomedical

Sciences (enrollment required each quarter)

• 7. BMSC 302: (one-quarter requirement, not

required of M.D.–Ph.D. students)

Under normal circumstances, each student should complete core course work requirements 1-4 during the first year of studies.

At the end of the student’s first full year of residence, the advisory committee for each student evaluates the progress of the student and recommends to the faculty whether the student should continue in the program.

In addition, prior to advancement to candidacy and at the beginning of each academic year, the student presents a written summary of the research progress and plans to the advisory committee. Continuation in the program depends on the advisory committee’s positive evaluation of the student’s research progress.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations Prior to advancement to candidacy, students must complete both parts of a qualifying examination. Part I consists of the preparation of a research proposal, to be written in the form of a grant proposal, including literature review, description of methods and experimental plans for the dissertation. This proposal should outline the research progress of the student to date and delineate the planned dissertation research aims and objectives. Part I is usually completed in the spring quarter of year 2 and no later than the fall quarter of year 3 of a student’s graduate training. Part II consists of an oral comprehensive examination administered by a committee of five faculty members, at least one of whom is from outside the program. The student’s research advisor does not serve on the oral qualifying committee. The oral comprehensive examination includes examination of the student’s knowledge and understanding of material covered in the core courses and in the student’s area of specialization. Part II must be completed no later than the end of year 3 of the student’s graduate training.

Research Project, Dissertation and Final Oral Examination After successful completion of the qualifying exam and advancement to candidacy, the student completes the research project, submits a written dissertation, and defends the dissertation in a final oral examination.

Normative Time to Degree 15 quarters

Admission The combined degree is offered to students admitted to the medical school and to exceptional students from other four-year LCME-accredited medical schools. Normally, a student completes the first two years of medical school, and then spends approximately three years in the Ph.D. part of the program before completing the M.D. degree. However, the track is also offered to students who have completed the M.D. degree. UCR Biomedical Sciences students may apply for admission concurrently with their applications to the medical school or any time after acceptance to the medical school. For these students only, the MCAT is accepted in lieu of the GRE.

Students from other medical schools should apply in the fall of their sophomore or senior year. Applications from sophomores must be accompanied by official permission for an appropriate leave of absence. The GRE requirement is the same as for regular Ph.D. students.

The Biomedical Sciences Graduate Group offers an M.S. degree. Students may directly apply to the M.S. degree program with a rolling admissions deadline. Students in the Ph.D. degree program may also complete the M.S. program if the student’s advisory committee decides the master’s degree is an appropriate alternative to the Ph.D. degree anytime after the first year of graduate education. In both situations a Plan I (Thesis) or Plan II (Comprehensive Examination) M.S. degree is available. The decision of completing a Plan I or II M.S. degree is to be decided in consultation with the student and the student’s Guidance Committee. The Guidance Committee and Individual Development Plan (IDP) will be formed at the time of enrollment.

Professional Development Two quarters of BMSC 254 are required. Additional specific professional development courses will be determined in consultation with the student’s Guidance Committee.

Course Work Core requirements:

• 1. Two quarters of BMSC 252

• 2. Two quarters of BMSC 254

• 3. BMSC 299 (minimum of 8 Units

Directed Research)

• 4. Two quarters selected from any

category in the following list:

• i) BMSC 222 - Special Topics

• ii) BMSC 223

• iii) MDCL 231, 232, 233, 234, 235

• iv) BMSC 260A, B, C

• v) Designated Emphasis - Cell Molecular

and Behavioral Neuroscience Courses (CBNS 106, CBNS 116, CBNS 120, CBNS 125, CBNS 126, CBNS 127, CBNS 129, PSYC 112, PSYC 117, PSYC 203B, PSYC 207C, PSYC 208)

• vi) Designated Emphasis - Inflammation

and Infectious Disease Courses BMSC 223E, BMSC 236, MCBL 124, MCBL 202, MCBL 221)

• vii) Designated Emphasis - Mechanisms

of Gene Expression and Regulation Studies Courses (BPSC 148, BPSC 234, CMDB 201, CMDB 203, CS 234, CS 238, EEOB 214, EEOB 216, ENTX 204, GEN 203, GEN 241, BEN 242, GEN 206, GEN 220, MCBL 221, STAT 100A).

A total of 36 units are required with normative time to degree 6 quarters. Teaching experience may be required based on consultation with the student’s guidance committee.

All Biomedical Sciences courses are listed and described under Biomedical Sciences.

Further information regarding graduate studies in Biomedical Sciences may be obtained from medschool.ucr.edu/graduate.