Program Overview

---

Developmental and Regenerative Sciences PhD

The PhD in Developmental and Regenerative Sciences (DRS) offers novel, cutting-edge approaches to preventing, treating, and reversing diseases. The program provides an advanced curriculum focusing on stem cells, organoids, tissue-engineering, gene therapy, cell replacement therapies, transplantation biology and therapy, epigenetics, proteomics, genomics, genome editing, and more.

Program Overview

The PhD in Developmental and Regenerative Sciences will have students pioneer novel discoveries in rapidly developing disciplines and provide foundational training to operate the latest medical technology. Conduct innovative research at the intersections of modern subdisciplines and methodologies, including the fields of molecular biology, cell biology, and experimental techniques in biology.

Program Highlights

• A structured curriculum that ensures efficient and productive matriculation through the program
• Research-intensive, interdisciplinary training experience
• Diverse laboratories with broad research interests in basic, applied, clinical, academic, biotechnology, and military-health research
• 6 State-of-the-Art Research Core Facilities featuring cutting-edge instrumentation and technologies
• 32 Research Centers and Institutes
• Students are fully and competitively funded throughout the program
• A nurturing environment that promotes student success

Award-Winning Faculty

Faculty members are engaged in innovative research. For example:

• Dr. Lindsey Macpherson, assistant professor of neuroscience and developmental and regenerative biology, received a three-year, $450,000 Voelcker Fund Young Investigator Award to pursue novel research on why people lose their sense of taste during chemotherapy.
• Dr. Brian Hermann, professor of stem cell biology, studies the basic biology of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), which are adult-tissue stem cells responsible for sperm production in the mammalian testis and essential for male fertility.

Admission & Application Requirements

Applications are submitted through the university's graduate application. Required documents include:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
• Completed adequate credit hours or foreign institution equivalent coursework as preparation for the program
• Transcripts from all institutions attended; international transcripts must be recorded/translated to English
• Credential Evaluation if you have earned university-level credit from foreign institutions
• English Language Proficiency: 550 TOEFL Paper / 79 TOEFL Internet / 6.5 IELTS / Duolingo 100
• Purpose Statement
• Resume
• 3 academic or professional references

Application Deadlines

• Fall 2026: December 15 for both international and domestic applicants
• Spring, Summer: Not available

Funding Opportunities

Teaching and research assistantships are offered, as well as research fellowships. DRS PhD students receive an annual stipend (currently $35,000) paid in monthly allotments, plus their tuition is paid, and their cost for health insurance is reimbursed.

Career Options

The program prepares students for future careers in demand, based on data from sources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and online job postings.

Earning a Master's Degree

While in a doctoral program, a student may earn a master's degree provided certain conditions are satisfied, including admission to candidacy and completion of university-wide requirements.

Curriculum

The curriculum is highly structured to facilitate efficient matriculation during a student's tenure in the program. The order of courses is designed to ensure students progress in an efficient and timely manner. The program is based on a five-year schedule, with some students completing the curriculum in as few as four years and others taking up to six years to complete their dissertation research.

Year 1

• Fall Semester: Principles of Cell Biology, Cell Bio QE Colloquium, Level Elective Course, Research Rotation
• Spring Semester: Principles of Molecular Biology, Mol Bio QE Colloquium, Principles of Developmental Biology, Research Rotation
• Written Qualifying Exam

Year 2

• Fall Semester: Principles of Sci. Writing, Level Elective Course, Colloquium, Doctoral Research, Submit written dissertation proposal
• Spring Semester: Level Elective Course, Principles of Scientific Teaching, Colloquium, Doctoral Research
• Oral Qualifying Exam based on the written dissertation proposal

Years 3-5

• Doctoral Dissertation, Colloquium
• Full-Length Seminar in DRS Seminar Series
• Dissertation Defense

Summers

• Students enroll in Doctoral Research or Doctoral Dissertation during summers following years 1-4.

Graduate Advisor of Record

Brian Hermann, PhD