Program Overview

Introduction to the Tetrad Graduate Program

The Tetrad Graduate Program at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) is renowned for its collaborative spirit, breaking down traditional barriers between departments and disciplines. This interdisciplinary approach permeates the program's curriculum and faculty, fostering a unique environment for graduate studies.

Program Overview

Mission Statement

The program is driven by a mission to provide a highly innovative and constantly evolving curriculum. This is achieved through interactive, discussion-based classes that complement hands-on research projects, allowing students to engage in curiosity-driven research.

Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to be highly interactive and discussion-based, complemented by hands-on research projects. This approach encourages students to explore their curiosity, leading to fundamental discoveries in all areas of basic biology and biomedical sciences.

Faculty and Research

Faculty and students in the Tetrad Graduate Program are driven by curiosity, leading to groundbreaking research in various fields. Recent awards and publications demonstrate the program's excellence, with students and faculty receiving prestigious awards such as the NSF GRFP Fellowship.

Recent Achievements

• Recent Awards:
  • 2025 NSF GRFP Fellowship awarded to Michelle Grunberg and Megan Ostrowski.
• Recent Publications:
  • Howard MK, Hoppe N, Huang XP, Mitrovic D, Billesbølle CB, Macdonald CB, Mehrotra E, Rockefeller Grimes P, Trinidad DD, Delemotte L, English JG, Coyote-Maestas W, & Manglik A. Molecular basis of proton sensing by G protein-coupled receptors. Cell vol. 188,3 (2025): 671-687.e20. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2024.11.036.
  • Estevam GO, Linossi EM, Macdonald CB, Espinoza CA, Michaud JM, Coyote-Maestas W, Collisson EA, Jura N, & Fraser JS. Conserved regulatory motifs in the juxtamembrane domain and kinase N-lobe revealed through deep mutational scanning of the MET receptor tyrosine kinase domain. eLife vol. 12 RP91619. 13 Sep. 2024, doi:10.7554/eLife.91619.

Program Structure

Events

The program hosts various events, including:

• Tetrad Annual Retreat
• Thesis Talks
• Basic Science Seminars
• Research in Progress Seminars
• Full Calendar

Program Outcomes

• Student Publications: Students in the program have published research in prestigious journals.
• Career Outcomes: The program prepares students for successful careers in research and academia.

Current Students

• Research Rotations: Students participate in research rotations to explore different areas of interest.
• Qualifying Exams / Advancement to Candidacy: Students undergo qualifying exams to advance to candidacy.
• Thesis Committee: Each student is assigned a thesis committee to guide their research.
• Graduation: The program culminates in a graduation ceremony, marking the completion of the graduate degree.
• Policy on Student Progress: The program has a policy in place to monitor and support student progress.

Resources

The program provides various resources to support student success, including access to state-of-the-art research facilities and mentorship from experienced faculty members.