MSTP Medical Science Training Program

Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

The Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences offers exciting opportunities for research in the areas of cellular and developmental biology, neuroscience, neurobiology and aging, hematology, and functional morphology.
Research in the Anatomy Graduate Program includes work in the following areas:

• Mechanisms of cell locomotion in wound healing and angiogenesis.
• Regulation of respiratory cilia and respiratory tissue engineering.
• Growth cone motility and regulation of neurite outgrowth and connectivity.
• Effects of alcohol on neuronal structure.
• Molecular biology of neural stem cells, regulation of gene expression, gene therapy.
• Functional morphology.
• Development of computer-assisted instruction.
• Effects of electrical fields on wound healing.
• Hemodynamic influences on the development cerebral aneurysms.

Faculty members also collaborate with researchers of the Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Toshiba Stroke Research Center.

Biochemistry, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

The Department offers exciting research opportunities in regulation of gene expression, signal transduction, protein structure and function, membrane transport and structure, and the molecular basis of metabolic disease. These programs employ the full gamut of model systems and experimental paradigms, and impact directly on many neurological, developmental, and metabolic disorders. Biochemistry faculty study on transport systems which bear on neuron-excitatory disorders and learning; mechanisms of DNA replication and repair which have important implications for cancer; gene regulatory networks critical to developmental pathways; metal ion homeostasis and its effects on cell growth, nutrition, gene expression, and metabolic disease; transcriptional control of a variety of key pathways in cellular differentiation, as well as general transcriptional mechanisms; and the enzymology and genetics underlying diseases such as diabetes. Our faculty work do traditional biochemistry in vitro, in the context of genetically modified organisms (in vivo), and by making use of the most modern bioinformatics tools (in silico). Additional information about our programs and individual faculty research synopses, are available at http://www.smbs.buffalo.edu/bch. We invite you to visit us, whether virtually or in person.

Biological Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences

The Department of Biological Sciences at the State University of New York at Buffalo offers research and study programs leading to the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy, Masters of Science and Masters of Arts. The programs are designed for students who have completed a Bachelor’s degree and wish to pursue in-depth study in the Biological Sciences.At present, the Department of Biological Sciences includes faculty working in the sub-disciplines of Cell and Developmental Biology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Biochemistry, Physiology, Neurobiology, and Evolutionary Biology.These degree programs are designed to give the qualified student a comprehensive understanding of living organisms and the background and experience required for carrying out independent research.

Ph.D. and M.S. students initially spend two 10-week periods during their first two semesters in research rotations with departmental faculty.They begin an in-depth research project under the guidance of a mentor.Interdisciplinary research opportunities are abundant, because of extensive collaborations by departmental faculty.The department is exceptionally well equipped for research and graduate student training. Major instrumentation and equipment are available, some examples include a 750-MHz NMR spectrometer, biolistic (gene gun) transformation system, fluorescence and electron microscopes, and multiple phosphorimaging systems.The department has extensive computer resources.The analysis and the Insight (MSI) suite of programs for molecular modeling and molecular dynamics simulations of macromolecules are accessible both through high quality graphics terminals and desktop microcomputers.Mainframe computer access is provided to all graduate students.

Engineering - Chemical and Biological Engineering
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

We pursue integrative research and offer graduate training at the frontiers of chemical and biological engineering in three main areas: nanoscale science and engineering; computational science and engineering; biochemical and biomedical engineering. The program provides a quantitative, mathematical, chemical-engineering approach for the modeling and manipulation of complex biological systems from individual cells, to tissues, to organs.
The department encourages and supports research in both core chemical engineering disciplines–molecular transformations, multiscale processes, and chemical systems engineering–and emerging areas–biochemical, biomedical and metabolic engineering, nanotechnology, and advanced polymeric, electronic and optical materials. Examples of departmental research areas include: development and application of methods of producing nanoscale particles and nanostructured materials; creation and manipulation of molecular organization at the nano-scale and organization of nano-objects at the micron-scale via self-assembly and/or the use of prescribed external fields; development and application of molecular simulation as a method of physical inquiry in which the properties of model materials are studied to "measure" the bulk physical behaviors they exhibit; tissue engineering of skin and blood vessels; gene therapy and functional genomics; vascular engineering and disease mechanics; metabolic engineering, defined as the manipulation of intermediary metabolism through the use of genetic engineering; and tissue engineering using embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, viral vectors, biochemical engineering and differentiation of stem cells towards insulin-producing cells.
The faculty includes a National Medal of Science awardee, and three members of the National Academy of Engineering, six former National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigators, or Career Awardees, and several recipients of national, international, and regional research and teaching awards from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the American Chemical Society, the Electrochemical Society, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the American Society for Engineering Education, Tau Beta Pi, and the State University of New York system, among others.

Engineering - Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

The research is focused in five basic areas and one interdisciplinary area:
Dynamics, control, mechatronics
Design and optimization
Fluids and thermal science
Materials and mechanics
Bioengineering (interdisciplinary)

Research interests of the faculty include:

• Imaged-based Patient-Specific Blood Flow Modeling (Meng)
  To enable clinicians to make scientifically sound clinical decisions on diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases, we need to develop anatomically realistic patient-specific models. Using computerized image processing, scientific visualization and CFD that are based on a patient’s medical images and other data, a realistic model of the three-dimensional vessel geometry and the blood flow field can be built for each patient. The computational model can further incorporate various "virtual interventions" to predict the hemodynamic and biological response, thus helping to assess risk and recommend the most effective treatment. When the whole process is streamlined from imaging to 3D reconstruction to CFD simulations to analysis, its impact in improving human health will be tremendous. This research is performed in collaboration with the Toshiba Stroke Research Center in the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
• Microfluidics Lab-On-A-Chip (Hua)
  Amicrofluidic system provides a base for high throughput drug screening, drug delivery and point of care diagnostics. Our research efforts are aimed at developing multi-functional microfluidic chips, a technology commonly referred to as "lab-on-a-chip". Lab-on-a-chip technology offers the ability to handle small amounts of fluids (nanoliters). An ability to make massively parallel, mass produced components thus creates opportunities for high-throughput systems. Moreover, analysis and control can be performed automatically by including an on-chip microprocessor. An ability to shrink typical laboratory experiments has the potential to revolutionize many fields ranging from biotechnology to drug delivery, and synthetic and analytical chemistry. The research is primarily focused on developing novel fluid sensing and actuation mechanisms, studying fluid dynamic studies in microfluidic systems, as well as applying them to various biomedical applications.   http://www.mae.buffalo.edu/explore-prospective.shtml 

Exercise Science, School of Public Health and Health Professions

Our Ph.D. program prepares students for research and teaching careers in the field of exercise science. Physiological and biochemical aspects of exercise and nutrition in health, aging, and disease are currently under investigation by the faculty using a variety of techniques at the molecular, cellular, and whole organism level.

Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

• Dr. John Hay, Chair (jhay@buffalo.edu)
• Dr. Anthony Campagnari, Director of Graduate Studies (aac@buffalo.edu)
• Dr. Nejat Egilmez, Associate Director of Graduate Studies (negilmez@buffalo.edu)
• Mrs. Elizabeth Cummings, Staff Assistant (cumming@buffalo.edu)

138 Farber Hall
South Campus
716-829-2176

Research activities in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, which span the fields of bacteriology, mycology, virology, parasitology, and immunology, are concentrated in two main areas: (1) molecular mechanisms of bacterial, viral, fungal and parasite pathogenesis, and (2) cellular/molecular immunology and signal transduction.Specific topics include:

• Molecular aspects of bacterial genetics
• Enterotoxin structure/function studies
• Regulation of bacterial iron uptake by Bordetella spp. and Moraxella spp.
• Adherence of bacteria to host cells and tissues
• Bacterial surface antigens and vaccine development
• Various aspects of bacterial gene expression
• Regulation of gene expression and RNA processing in the parasite Trypanosoma brucei
• Protein arginine methylation in trypanosomes
• Mitochondrial structure and function in T. brucei
• mRNA capping in Trypanosoma and Plasmodium
• Mechanisms of DNA replication in eukaryotes and DNA viruses
• Viral gene expression, viral gene regulation and pathogenesis in varicella zoster virus
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• HIV and salivary proteins
• Function of viral glycoproteins
• Single molecule studies of DNA helicases
• Molecular/cellular mechanisms of cellular and humoral immuno-stimulation
• Recombinant and other novel vaccine design and testing
• Antigen-antibody interactions and functions
• Cellular responses to HIV infection
• Molecular/cellular networks in human tumor microenvironments & anticancer immunotherapies Protective immunity against gastro-intestinal, oral, respiratory, and genital infections
• Molecular mechanism of adjuvant actions
• Tumor immune suppression and tumor vaccines
• Interactions of Streptococcus pneumoniae with the human respiratory mucosa
• Role of bacterial virulence factors and host-response mechanisms
• Post-transcriptional gene regulation in host-temperature adaptation
• Antifungal drug resistance of the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans
• HIV entry inhibition and antiviral chemoprevention
• Design of nanoparticles based upon virus mimicry to target and kill cancer cells

Furthermore, shared application of genetic, biochemical, and immunological concepts and technologies stimulates continuous intellectual and technical collaboration between different laboratories.

Most faculty in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology are also members of the Witebsky Center for Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology (WCMPI).This research center comprises a group of research scientists in the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences who share a common interest in understanding the molecular mechanisms of infectious diseases.Other members of the center have their academic appointments in the Departments of Medicine, Biochemistry, Pathology, Oral Biology, Infectious Disease, Anesthesiology, and Biotechnical and Clinical Lab Sciences.The WCMPI sponsors several events for intellectual interaction between researchers.These include the weekly Research Discussion Series, the annual Fall Immunology Meeting, the annual Spring Microbial Pathogenesis meeting, and a yearly overnight retreat.The Spring meeting is held jointly with the Western New York Branch of the American Society for Microbiology.The Center currently has a Training Grant from the National Institutes of Health to provide funds for training predoctoral students.Further information on the activities of the WCMPI can be obtained at its website http://www.smbs.buffalo.edu/wcmpi/.

The diversity and collaborative spirit in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology offers a wide range of excellent training opportunities for doctoral students.Further details of the research, information on faculty, and descriptions of the graduate program can be found in the department website http://www.smbs.buffalo.edu/microb

Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Neuroscience is one of the fastest growing areas in both basic and applied biomedical sciences. It offers the promise of treating many developmental, degenerative and age-related neurological diseases, and improving mental health. Faculty research is diverse and reflects the broad scope of the Neurosciences. However, there are a few research areas of concentration that include: Neural Development and Regeneration; Synaptic Receptors and Synaptic Transmission; Systems, Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience, Neuroimmunology, Sensory Systems, and Neurological Disease and Novel Treatments.

Neuroscience at UB is a University-wide interdisciplinary program offering MS and Ph.D. degrees. The Neuroscience Program is unique in that it is not Department based. This offers the student maximal flexibility in selecting a research topic. It also exposes students to a broad array of seminars, lectures, and laboratory rotations that enables the student to integrate many techniques and disciplines. There are more than fifty faculty, from 12 Departments in 6 Schools, who participate in the program. Researchers and educators from basic science and clinical departments of the Schools of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Health Related Professions, the Institute on Addictions, Pharmacy, the College of Arts and Letters, and the Roswell Park Cancer Institute coalesced in the Neuroscience program.

The doctoral program includes three core Neuroscience courses and a weekly seminar, plus almost 40 elective courses.MSTP students select are required to take one of the core courses and attend the seminars.The Neuroscience Program utilizes a number of multidisciplinary research centers, combining the expertise of basic science and clinician–scientist faculty members. Several centers contribute to the Neuroscience research enterprise, including core facilities for protein and DNA sequencing, oligonucleotide synthesis, laser confocal microscopy, the Vision Center, electron microscopy, X–ray crystallography and the Toshiba Imaging Center.

For more information please contact Dr. Malcolm Slaughter at
smbs-neuroscience@buffalo.edu

Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine

The Department of Oral Biology fosters high quality research training in oral and craniofacial health science, and engages post-doctoral, graduate, dental, and undergraduate students in the creation, dissemination, and application of knowledge. The Department of Oral Biology supports basic and clinical research directed to solve important problems affecting oral and general health. Areas of research include: Immunology and Innate Defenses, Relationships of Oral Pathogens to Systemic Disease, Saliva and Salivary Gland Research, Microbial Pathogenesis of Oral Organisms,and Bone and Connective Tissue/Tissue Engineering/Craniofacial Biology.

Biophysical Sciences, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Biophysics is noted for its unique approach, emphasizing quantitative approaches to biomedical research. The Biophysics Program offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees within the Department of Physiology and Biophysics. Research in Biophysical Sciences includes both fundamental investigations of physico-chemical basis of biologic mechanisms and studies related to biophysical applications in medicine.Membrane channels are a key focus of research within the Biophysics Program, concentrating on channels found in the heart, epithelia, and the nervous system. Areas of basic research include studies of the structure and function of ligand-gated, voltage-gated and stretch activated channels and transport proteins. This includes molecular properties and the role of these channels in cell networks such as the heart or the brain.There is an emphasis on emerging technologies in biology, such as development of algorithms to study biological function, atomic force microscopy, single cell thermography, computer simulations, and theoretical approaches to protein folding and protein-protein interactions. In addition, there is emphasis on image processing as applied to biology and medicine, particularly high resolution medical imaging of microcirculation in the brain.  Opportunities for research in various applied areas of biophysics are promoted through affiliations with clinical departments.
The Biophysics PhD program has two core courses and a seminar series. MSTP students are expected to select one of the core courses and attend the seminars.

Physiology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

The Department offers graduate programs leading to either an M.A. or Ph.D. degree in Physiology or combined M.D.-Ph.D. degrees.These programs are described in the Graduate School Bulletin. Departmental research and associated graduate training opportunities in Physiology can be grouped into the areas listed below, but these interests are not mutually exclusive since faculty members' interests often cross these arbitrary divisions.Evidence of research excellence is supported by a fourth place ranking in recent years among Physiology departments in the United States for extramural funding. The areas of research and graduate training in the Department are:

• Neurophysiology:Neuroanatomy of vision. Retinal physiology. Developmental neurobiology of visual systems. Signal transduction in the central nervous system. Mouse genetic models for neurological disorders. Molecular and cellular mechanisms of neurodegeneration. Neurohumoral control of smooth muscle in the airways and pulmonary vasculature.
• Cellular, Gastrointestinal and Renal Physiology:Function and regulation of nuclear actin and myosins, especially during oxidative stress in cardiac disease, cancer, and neuronal disease. Regulation and molecular identification of membrane potassium ion channels in gastrointestinal epithelial cell membranes, especially in secretory cells of the intestine, liver and pancreas.  Regulation of renal sodium channels by hormones and membrane lipids.  
• Cardiovascular Physiology:  Regulation of electrical and mechanical activity of single cardiac cells. Regulation of coronary and cerebral blood flow, especially through endothelium-dependent vasodilation of coronary physiology. Neurophysiology of cardiovascular mechano-receptors. Cardiac potassium and calcium channel function, including redox modulation. Computer modeling of cardiac electrical activity. Molecular biology of cardiac ion channels. 
• Exercise and Environmental Physiology:  Physiological and pathophysiological effects of unusual physical environments on cardiovascular, respiratory, and cellular functions, including the effects of high pressure and immersion in diving, and high and low gravitational forces in flying, space travel, and temperature extremes. Studies of protective gear.  Artificial blood substitutes.

Pharmacology & Toxicology. School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology provides opportunities for cellular and molecular research in the areas of neuroscience, toxicology, signal transduction, microbial pathogenesis and endocrinology. Specific research interests include: neuronal development and differentiation; behavioral pharmacology of psychoactive drugs and the action of drugs of abuse on neurotransmitter systems; neurotoxicology;regulation of apoptosis (cell death); regulation of ion channels; drug-receptor interactions and the modulation of signaling pathways; role of protein phosphorylation and methylation in the mechanism of action of hormones and neurotransmitters; signaling pathways involved in gene expression; endocrine regulation and the molecular mechanisms involved in hormone secretion; immunopharmacology; molecular biology;microbial pathogenesis; the role of the pulmonary surfactant system in lung development and injury; toxicology of heavy metals and halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons; development of biomarkers for xenobiotic exposure; and vascular reactivity in disease states.

Pathology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

The Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences offers exciting opportunities for research in the areas of cellular and developmental biology, neuroscience, neurobiology and aging, hematology, and functional morphology.

The areas of research interest specific to our Pathology Graduate Program include:

• Immunocytochemical characterization of various types.
• The pathogenesis of pulmonary and systemic hypertension, and the pathology of muscular diseases investigated by morphological, cytochemical, and molecular biological methods.
• The interaction between the nervous system and the immune system, the regulation of immune mediator release by neurotransmitters, as well as the regulation of neurotransmitter release by immune mediators.
• Role of angiogenic factors, especially endothelins, in malignant behavior of gliomas; correlation of pathology with MRI appearance and clinical findings in small-vessel ischemic disease.
• Inborn errors of metabolism; diagnosis of metabolic muscle diseases, particularly mitochondrial myopathies, glycogen storage diseases and carnitine palmitoyl transferase II (CPT II) deficiency; identification of new mutations in muscle disease genes and establishment of allele-specific oligonucleotide analysis of pathogenic mutations.

Roswell Park Graduate Division

The Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) in an NCI designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, the site of a Division of the Graduate School, and the primary Oncology training center for the University at Buffalo Medical School. The Graduate Division, the hospital (which is devoted exclusively to the treatment of cancer) and the research center are all located on the same site, which constitutes eight city blocks adjacent to the center of downtown Buffalo, New York.  Founded in 1898 by the eminent surgeon of his time, Dr. Roswell Park, the Institute has a long and distinguished history of education, research and patient care.In this setting, our PhD programs provide distinctive advantages to MSTP fellows. Doctoral training programs closely parallel those of the Institute's research programs.Academic Programs include:  Cellular and Molecular Biology/Genetics, Immunology, Molecular Pharmacology and Cancer Therapeutics, Molecular and Cellular Biophysics/Biochemistry, and Cancer Pathology/Prevention.MSTP candidates who choose Roswell Park as the location for their PhD find that most course work is waived using your first two years of classes as transfer credits.With this advantage, you may efficiently move into qualifying exams, and candidacy and be prepared to complete the degree in 3 to 4 years.You may choose a PhD mentor from any of the 120 RPCI staff scientists/physicians who hold UB graduate faculty titles.

The Institute's annual operating budget exceeds $450 million.Our scientists and physicians have won more than 200 grants and contracts totaling more than $70 million annually.The state of the art clinical facility is consistently ranked in the "Top 50" cancer hospitals in the USA and in the top 8 cancer therapy referral locations by USA physicians.

Your Research training will be carried out at the Institute in any of the five doctoral programs.All faculty members have independent, externally funded laboratories and offices with space and additional supply support for graduate students.Roswell Park recently celebrated its centennial, and in 1971 was among the first three centers to be designated a "comprehensive cancer center" and is considered by many to be the original model for this designation.Roswell Park has completed a "Major Modernization Program" which involved a third of a billion dollar renovation of existing facilities and construction of new facilities and faculty recruitment.This includes a new state-of-the-art cancer hospital, out patient treatment and diagnostic center, a new biomedical research complex and a new laboratory animal vivarium. Construction of a new $60 million dollar facility to house the Cancer Genetics, Immunology, Cell Stress Biology,  and Pharmacology research departments is now complete. This new structure provides the best research facility for the respective programs and additional space for new scientists and students.   All facilities are interconnected with indoor access to all sections of the Institute (e.g. library, class rooms, offices, cafeteria, shops, auditoriums) in all seasons.  Recently Roswell Park became a Public Benefit Corporation of the State of New York, which provides the Institute with considerably greater flexibility in interacting in the current health care market and attracting additional programs in research and education.    

The opportunity for M.D./Ph.D. students to make critical experimental observations in translational ("bench to bedside") cancer research has never been more accessible and technically more possible. 

• Program in Molecular and Cellular Biophysics/Biochemistry:  The faculty combines the strong tradition of technological innovation and the insights into the stress response mechanisms in normal and cancerous cells to improve the outcomes of cancer diagnosis and treatment, including the design of novel anti-cancer therapies, and amelioration of the side effects and enhancement of efficacy of the available ones.   The research areas include signal transduction and gene regulation; tumor microenvironment; discovery of new drugs, drug targets and delivery; the mechanisms, applications and improvement of radiation, thermal and photodynamic therapies; in vivo imaging and nanotechnology approaches for therapeutic and diagnostic targeting of tumors.
• Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology/Cancer Genetics:  Molecular genetics of humans, mice, yeast, and viruses; mapping of human and mouse genomes; mapping and analysis of replication origins in humans, mice, yeast, and EB virus; genetic and molecular study of cell growth regulation; molecular and genetic analysis of cell and gene response to hormones and cytokines; molecular analysis of tissue-specific gene expression; molecular, cellular and genetic studies of neoplastic transformation and tumorigenesis ; genetic analysis of blood pressure homeostasis; molecular analysis of cell differentiation;genetic, molecular and biochemical analysis of genetic disorders and disease; study of epigenetics and epigenetic regulation of genomic imprinting, tissue-specific gene expression, carcinogenesis, and cancer progression; genomics and bioinformatics.
• Program in Cancer Pathology/Prevention:  Major specializations include basic and translational research on molecular mechanisms of cancer; molecular pathways of carcinogenesis; analysis of genomic instability; epigenetics of gene malfunction in cancer; multigene therapy of cancer; chemoprevention of cancer; nutrition, diet, and cancer; molecular phenotyping of cancers and development of biomarkers for diagnosis/prognosis of cancer; behavioral factors in disease etiology; genetics and risk factors in cancer prevention; and molecular determinants of drug efficacy.   
• Program in Immunology:  The program offers graduate students research experiences in cellular immunology; molecular immunology; regulation of antibody response; antibody therapy; immunochemistry; tumor immunology; vaccine development; tumor escape mechanisms; cytokine regulation and function; immune regulation; and anti-idiotypic regulation of immune response.  
• Program in Molecular Pharmacology and Cancer Therapeutics: Students have the opportunity to study basic research problems related to fundamental differences between normal and cancer cells; molecular mechanisms involved in the control of cell growth, cell cycle progression, and differentiation; the cellular effects of newly designed compounds and their potential as anticancer agents in experimental systems; the mode of action of currently useful anticancer drugs; the interaction of anticancer agents with the host immune system; and mechanisms by which malignant cells become resistant to anticancer agents.

Structural Biology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

The focus of the Structural Biology Department is biological form and function at the level of the three-dimensional atomic architecture of biological macromolecules and macromolecular assemblies.The department’s program of graduate studies provides thorough training in the principles and practice of the main methodologies of structural molecular biology, including: protein expression, purification, and crystallization; X-ray diffraction crystallography; nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; and computational structural modeling.
The core faculty of the Structural Biology Department is comprised of the principal staff scientists of the Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, Inc. The Institute is internationally renowned as a center of biocrystallographic research, and its most distinguished scientist is Herbert Hauptman, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry in 1985 for his contributions to the mathematical foundation of methods for solving the crystallographic phase problem.The Institute and Department are housed in an architecturally significant, beautiful new (2005) building on the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus, adjacent to the new (2006) building complex that houses the UB Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, the UB Center for Computational Research, and the Roswell Park Cancer Institute Center for Genetics and Pharmacology.The structural biology faculty also includes some members cross-appointed from these neighboring centers and from other UB departments.
The MSTP MD-PhD program in the structural biology department requires:two research rotations in the department in the summer following the first (MD) year in the program; summer term PhD dissertation research beginning in the summer term following the second (MD) year of the program; continuing dissertation research, research seminars, and the core courses in structural biology methods during the third (PhD) year of the program; the PhD candidacy proposal presentation and examination at the end of the third year; continuing dissertation research and research seminars during the fourth and fifth (PhD) years in the program; and the dissertation presentation and defense at the end of the fifth year.
The Ph.D. dissertation research must represent an original investigation designed to contribute to new knowledge and understanding of biomolecular form and function or new methodology for research in structural molecular biology.It is expected that the research will normally lead to publication in prominent refereed journals of one or more research papers of which the student is the principal author.