Students interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms that underlie human disease will find a home in the Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (MBB) Graduate Program. From cancer to host-pathogen interactions, our students study the proteins and pathways involved with an eye toward improving disease diagnosis, prevention and treatment.

MBB students are affiliated with the Department of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, which provides a rigorous, yet supportive community of faculty, students and staff to guide them through the Ph.D. degree process. MBB students also belong to a wider student community as members of the Biomedical Science Graduate Program at UConn Health.

The primary goal of the MBB Graduate Program is to train students for the broad range of careers available in biomedical science. Whether the graduate pursues a career in academic research, biomedical industry, teaching, government or any of the other careers now available to Ph.D.s in biomedical science, we have attempted to prepare them with a solid base of knowledge, critical thinking skills and the confidence in their abilities to be successful. Graduates are expected to have demonstrated a high degree of competence in research, as judged by publications in first-rank journals. They will have developed essential skills in identifying important research problems, planning appropriate experimental approaches, and effectively communicating their research results and their significance both orally and in written form. The success of our students in these areas is exemplified by the number of first-author publications in quality scientific journals and awards received both internally at UConn Health and from national and international conferences and societies. For example, MBB students have won four out of the last six Lepow Awards; an award given annually to the top graduate student in the entire Biomedical Science Graduate Program at UConn Health following their third year of training.

Support for Ph.D. students engaged in full-time degree programs is provided on a competitive basis. Graduate student research assistantships for 2024-2025 provide a stipend of $39,100 per year, which includes a waiver of tuition/University fees and a heavily subsidized comprehensive health and dental insurance policy.

Resources for prospective and current MBB students:

• Areas of Research - This listing of MBB faculty shows our active areas of research.
• Student Handbook  - The handbook lists suggested courses, preliminary exam requirements, thesis exam requirements, and other details about the program.
• Our students hold annual committee meetings to discuss their progress.  These forms are required:
  • Annual Report [PDF | Word]
  • Personal Timeline [Keynote | PPT]
• Beyond the Lab - Fun things to do outside the lab.
• Graduate School Forms / Milestones - Under the "For All Graduate Students" section, expand out the boxes for "Graduate School Forms" and "Milestones/Completing Your Degree".  These materials provide an overview of the Ph.D. program degree requirements and forms to be completed for each step.
• MBB Program Overview - Expectations for journal club, WIP, general exam, and dissertation.
• PhD Completion Workshop - Slides from Dr. Kream from January 2024.

For any other questions about our graduate program, please feel free to contact:

Wendy Mok, Ph.D.
Director, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Graduate Program
mok@uchc.edu
860-679-2203

Adam Schuyler, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Graduate Program
schuyler@uchc.edu
860-679-1496