Program Overview

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Experimental Pathology PhD Graduate Program

The Experimental Pathology PhD Graduate Program is centered in the Department of Pathology and is a member of the Biomedical Science Graduate Program in the Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa. The program's mission is to provide PhD students with advanced knowledge of disease pathogenesis at the genetic, molecular, cellular, and systems levels.

Admissions

• The Experimental Pathology subprogram is part of the Biomedical Science Program (BSP), which oversees admissions and first-year graduate studies for the seven PhD subprograms, including Experimental Pathology.
• Students apply via the Biomedical Science Program Admissions portal.
• Application fee waivers are available to those who qualify, and the cost to apply is reimbursed by the Carver College of Medicine for all applicants who receive an interview invitation and complete the interview.

After Admission

• Admitted first-year BSP students enjoy the flexibility of investigating several disciplines prior to affiliating with a specific subprogram by performing three research rotations in the laboratories of any of the BSP faculty, regardless of the faculty person’s program affiliation(s).
• The BSP has organized its first-year curriculum to meet the dual goals of providing all students with an integrated, core foundation in modern molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, genetics, quantitative literacy, and critical thinking, and providing maximum flexibility to accommodate students' individual interests.

Direct Admit Pathway

• Although uncommon, students may also apply for admission directly into the Experimental Pathology PhD subprogram (direct admit pathway).
• For this to happen, the student must have identified a faculty mentor in Pathology willing to fully support them from entry into the program until they complete all requirements and defend their thesis.
• Direct admit students do not perform rotations but begin work immediately in the mentor’s laboratory and must meet the same academic and research qualifications as applicants admitted into the Biomedical Science Program, as determined by the BSP Admissions Committee.

Program Overview

Faculty and Laboratories

• Graduate students in the Experimental Pathology PhD Program benefit from laboratory training that emphasizes clinical and translational aspects of human disease.
• Many investigators on the University of Iowa biomedical campus focus on various aspects of human disease, and research faculty in the Department of Pathology routinely use human patient substrate in their research and/or are bringing new therapies to the clinic.

Faculty Research Focus

• The following faculty members and their research focuses are part of the program:
  • Vladimir Badovinac: Immune anergy after sepsis; T cell responses to pathogens
  • Dustin Bosch: Intestinal commensal interbacterial interactions
  • Alexander Boyden: B cells in CNS autoimmune demyelinating disease; B:T interactions
  • Hasem Habelhah: Inflammation in cancer initiation and progression
  • John Harty: T cell responses to malaria and influenza
  • Marco Hefti: Tau in brain development and neurodegenerative disease
  • Zizhen Kang: Immunology of neurodegenerative diseases, mucosal immunity
  • Nitin Karandikar: Basis of autoimmune disease (emphasis on M.S.)
  • Kevin Legge: T cell response to influenza; Universal influenza vaccines
  • Bing Li: Role of fatty acid binding proteins in immune cell function
  • Jia Luo: Effect of alcohol in neurodegeneration, pancreatitis, and breast cancer
  • Ashu Mangalam: Effect of microbiome on autoimmune disease (emphasis on M.S.)
  • Steven Moore: Pathogenesis of muscular dystrophy
  • Steven Offer: Colorectal cancer initiation and progression
  • Shailesh Shahi: Obesity-altered gut microbiota, immune dysregulation, and multiple sclerosis
  • Munir Tanas: Genetic basis of carcinogenesis (emphasis on sarcoma)
  • Shujie Yang: Targeted therapies in endometrial cancer

Coursework

• Year 1: First-year Biomedical Science Program students take a common curriculum that includes:
  • BMED:5207 Principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology (3 s.h.)
  • BMED:5208 Topics in Principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology (1 s.h.)
  • BMED:7777 Biomedical Science Seminar (1 s.h.)
  • BMED:7888 Biomedical Science Research (Arranged)
  • One of the following Biostatistics courses: PCOL:5204 Basic Biostatistics and Experimental Design (1 s.h.) or BIOS:4120 Introduction to Biostatistics (3 s.h.)
• Year 2: Students committed to the Experimental Pathology subprogram are required to take a semester-long biostatistics course, a professional development class, and an elective in the area of their thesis research.
• Subsequent semesters: Students take PATH:7211 Research in Pathology (minimum of 2 s.h.).

Total Hours

• Total student hours of coursework = 19-20
• Total student hours of research = 52-53
• Total student hours = 72

Possible Electives

• Electives are determined by the area of thesis research and include:
  • MMED:6220 Mechanisms of Cellular Organization (3 s.h.)
  • MMED:8115 Molecular Physiology (4 s.h.)
  • MMED:6226 Cell Cycle Control (1 s.h.)
  • MMED:6227 Cell Fate Decisions (1 s.h.)
  • FRRB:7001 Molecular and Cellular Biology of Cancer (3 s.h.)
  • MICR:6247 Graduate Immunology and Human Disease (4 s.h.)
  • MICR:6267 Graduate Viruses and Human Disease (4 s.h.)
  • MICR 6259 Graduate Bacteria and Human Diseases (3 s.h.)
  • IMMU:6201 Graduate Immunology (3 s.h.)
  • NSCI:5653 Fundamental Neurobiology (3 s.h.)
  • NSCI:7235 Neurobiology of Disease (3 s.h.)
  • GENE:6150 Genetic Analysis of Biological Systems (3 s.h.)
  • GENE:7191 Human Molecular Genetics (3 s.h.)
  • PCOL:6225 Growth Factor Receptor Signaling

Teaching

• The Experimental Pathology subprogram does not have a teaching requirement, but there are opportunities to teach or TA if students desire this experience.

Publication Requirements

• Students must have one first-author peer-reviewed paper published or in press, as well as a co-authored peer-reviewed paper or review article published or in press prior to being allowed to schedule their dissertation defense.

Comprehensive Exam

• The comprehensive exam will normally be taken during the second (spring) semester of the second year.
• The exam will take the form of a grant proposal and will be "off-topic," specifically focusing on a recent high-profile paper in the area of the student’s research interests but not directly related to the dissertation project.

Student Resources

Stipend and Tuition Support

• All Pathology graduate students receive full stipend and tuition support until they complete the program.
• Stipend amounts are at the same level as other graduate programs on the biomedical campus.
• The stipend is paid to students on a monthly basis, and support for new incoming students begins on the first day of classes for the semester.

Policy Handbook

• The policy handbook outlines all key information for students and faculty of the Experimental Pathology PhD subprogram.

Scholarship Information

• The Department of Pathology will award two scholarships each year, on behalf of the Marilyn Ohm-Smith Pathology Student Scholarship Fund, to current University of Iowa graduate students in the Pathology MS or Experimental Path PhD programs studying microbiology, infectious disease, or cancer.

Alumni

• Graduate students who have completed the program have gone on to various positions, including:
  • Kimberly (Fiock) Franklin: Assoc. Research Scientist/Engin, University of Iowa
  • Nastaran Daneshgar: University of Kentucky, Post doc
  • Mohit Upadhye: Washington University in St. Louis-Post doc

Program Oversight Committee

• The program oversight committee includes:
  • Vladimir Badovinac, PhD
  • Alexander Boyden, PhD
  • Kevin L. Legge, PhD
  • Ashutosh Mangalam, PhD
  • Munir Tanas, MD

Program Coordinator

• Gabriella Young, MLS

Current Students

• The program currently includes students such as:
  • Nimra Aman, MS
  • Elizabeth Escue, MS
  • Mohammad Heidarian, MS
  • Kshitija Kale, MBBS, MD
  • Andreas Kantartzis, BS
  • Peter Lehman, MS
  • Connor Wilhelm, MS

The Experimental Pathology PhD Graduate Program at the University of Iowa is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in disease pathogenesis and prepare them for careers in research and academia. With a strong focus on clinical and translational aspects of human disease, the program offers students the opportunity to work with renowned faculty members and contribute to cutting-edge research in the field. The program's curriculum is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, genetics, and quantitative literacy, as well as the flexibility to pursue their individual research interests. With a strong emphasis on publication and presentation, the program prepares students for successful careers in research and academia. The University of Iowa's Experimental Pathology PhD Graduate Program is an excellent choice for students seeking a comprehensive education in disease pathogenesis and a career in research and academia.