Program Overview

Cell and Developmental Biology PhD Program

The Cell & Developmental Biology PhD program at the Medical College of Wisconsin is defined by its research strengths in cellular and molecular mechanisms of organ development, stem cell biology, and its impact on regenerative medicine and neuroscience. This program is home to MCW's Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology program, which focuses on the study of normal development and disease pathways of the liver, heart, and nervous system.

About the Program

The Graduate Program in Cell and Developmental Biology provides doctoral research training in cell and developmental biology. Students are prepared through formal coursework, independent readings, seminars, journal clubs, and faculty-supervised research for careers of scientific research in academia and industry.

Research Areas

Our current research strengths are in cellular and molecular mechanisms in developmental biology and neurobiology, which employ genetic approaches offered by mice, zebrafish, and stem cells. The developmental biology focus is on differentiation and specification in heart, liver, muscle, and the nervous system. The neuroscience strengths include pain mechanisms, circadian rhythms, mitochondrial gene expression, color vision, sleep, muscle atrophy, and neuronal development and plasticity.

Curriculum

The Cell & Developmental Biology PhD Program is the only graduate program offered by the Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy at MCW. The purpose of this program is to provide state-of-the-art research training leading to a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Cell and Developmental Biology. This is accomplished through a combination of coursework, seminars, journal clubs, and "hands-on" laboratory research in the laboratory of a faculty mentor. To maintain full-time status, graduate students are required to take a minimum of 6 credits in the summer, 9 credits in the fall, and 9 credits in the spring semesters. Accrual of at least 60 graduate course credits is needed for the PhD degree.

Admissions

Those interested in pursuing education and research within the Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy should pursue admission through either the Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Sciences (IDP) and/or Neuroscience Doctoral Program (NDP) as well as the Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD). A Bachelor's degree (either completed or in the process of completing) is required for admission to any MCW graduate program. Applicants will ideally have a 3.0 or higher grade point average (GPA). Personal statements and letters of recommendation from professors, advisors, and research supervisors who know you well are highly regarded in the admission process. Prior research experience is also strongly considered.

Tuition and Fees

All full-time PhD degree-seeking students in good academic and professional standing receive the following financial support package:

• Full tuition coverage
• Yearly stipend ($36,355 for the '25-'26 academic year)
• Complimentary health insurance There is no additional process to secure this package aside from accepting an offer of admission. Further, this package is guaranteed from the time of enrollment through completion of degree requirements.

Faculty

MCW has one of the lowest student-to-faculty ratios in the world. The faculty's research interests and backgrounds are diverse and contribute to the program's strength.

Documents

Several documents are available for the Cell & Developmental Biology Graduate Program, including:

• Guide for PhD program
• External Course Approval
• Petition to Waive two First Author Paper
• Masters degree requirements
• NIH training grant CDB program info
• CDB Committee Meeting Summary and Development Plan
• CDB Travel Policies

Program Requirements

To complete the PhD degree, students are required to meet with their thesis committee starting in the third year of training. The student will write a 1-2 page summary of the meeting, detailing what was presented and discussed and any benchmarks or timelines that were established. As part of the training process, it is also required as a minimum that the student thesis research culminate in publication of at least 2 articles in peer-reviewed journals for which the student is first author.