Day in the life of UConn Health Graduate Student, Megan Callender
June 20, 2026
Meet Megan Callender! Megan is a predoctoral affiliate in the Varn Lab at JAX, earning a Ph.D. in Biomedical Science through UConn Health. Megan’s research explores genomics approaches to investigate the impact of aging on brain cancer progression.
Megan is a predoctoral student in the Genetics and Developmental Biology Area of Concentration. The Genetics and Developmental Biology Area of Concentration within the Biomedical Science Ph.D. program provides students with fundamental interdisciplinary training in modern molecular genetics and developmental biology, emphasizing cellular and molecular aspects as well as tissue interactions. The concentration prepares students to compete for job opportunities in traditional medical and dental school departments as well as a productive research career in either academia or industry.
The Jackson Laboratory’s Cooperative Ph.D. Program provides training in mammalian genetics, neuroscience and genomic medicine through partnerships with degree-granting academic institutions, including Tufts University School of Medicine, UConn Health and The University of Maine.
For more information, visit Ph.D. Training at JAX