CRANIOFACIAL BIOLOGY PHD PROGRAM

An Ostrow PhD student investigates neural crest cell differentiation at the Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology.

NATE JENSEN

Empowering Craniofacial Biomedical Researchers of the Future

The Craniofacial Biology PhD program is designed for students who are interested in earning a PhD in biomedical fields including but not limited to craniofacial biology.

In addition to providing students with rigorous training, we offer an opportunity to explore a wide range of research projects, core courses that provide a solid biomedical foundation, and an interdisciplinary and collaborative environment.

The interdisciplinary PhD program offers individualized course options and provides flexibility to accommodate a variety of research interests. Our goal is preparing students to become advanced research scientists and the next generation of leaders in craniofacial research.

Scientists use stained chicken and mouse skeletons to better identify muscle and cartilage abnormalities

NATE JENSEN

Our program provides a flexible, stimulating and uniquely structured curriculum for well-qualified candidates, with an emphasis on:

Selection of students dedicated to a career in craniofacial biology, dentistry and biomedical research
Exceptional environment for candidates to fulfill their research objectives
Formal educational classes addressing translational and clinical research
Mentored relationships with faculty who value their role as an educator of the next generation of dental medicine professionals
Experience through coursework, seminars and workshops that enables students to write competitive grants

Ostrow’s program focuses primarily on development and disease as well as prokaryotic and eukaryotic genetics. Significant emphasis is placed on understanding:

Normal and pathological craniofacial development
Stem cell biology and tissue engineering
Biomineralization of dental hard tissues
Biosynthetic and biocompatible materials development
Dental pathologies affecting the dentition and surrounding tissues, including periodontitis, osteonecrosis and pulpitis
Genetic disease

The PhD program in craniofacial biology requires didactic courses of instruction, including classes in craniofacial genetics and development, bioethical issues, statistics and scientific writing. The program also requires a research project to be satisfactorily completed prior to graduation.

A postdoctoral fellow uses a neural electrophysiology machine to study how neurons communicate with each other in an effort to better understand pediatric brain disorders.

NATE JENSEN

Curriculum & Timeline

ASSOCIATED LABS

During the first two years of the PhD program, students focus on their research while solidifying their knowledge base by taking classes on topics of relevance.

In year 1, students complete approximately 25 units, which includes both classroom and laboratory work over the fall, spring and summer semesters. At the end of year 1, students and their mentor select a research project.

In year 2, students complete courses tailored to their research interests and continue lab work as a Research Assistant. By the end of year 2, students should have completed the Qualifying Exam, which includes a condensed version of a written National Institutes of Health (NIH) F31 fellowship proposal and an oral defense of their research project.

In years 3-5, students focus fully on their research, developing their project, attending conferences and professional development workshops, and ultimately writing and defending their thesis. Students are also trained in giving research presentations by participating in their PhD programs seminar series, in which all aspects of their talks are critiqued by their peers. An individual development plan (IDP) and periodic meetings with the students’ thesis committee provide scientific support, ensuring progress toward the PhD. By the time students defend their thesis, they are expected to be experts in their field and to have achieved considerable independence, providing outstanding preparation for a postdoctoral fellowship or other science-related careers.

Core Courses and Curriculum

PM 510L Principles of Biostatistics (4 units)
CBY 585 Systematic Research Writing (3 units)
INTD 531 Cell Biology (4 units)
INTD 561 Molecular Biology (4 units)

A total of 60 units are required for the PhD. Eight didactic courses at the graduate level are required. The core required CBY courses are PM 510L, CBY 585, INTD 531 and INTD 561 as listed above. The remaining graduate-level courses may be selected from courses offered by any department, following consultation with the student’s graduate mentor. Graduation requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 and satisfactory completion of a research project.



Qualifying Exam

Students must pass both the written and oral portions of the qualifying exam during the second year of study. The written portion will require students to write a research grant proposal, in a format modeled after an NIH F31 fellowship application. The oral defense portion will include both a formal presentation of the grant proposal, as well as a forum in which the guidance committee asks general questions related to the student’s research.



Dissertation

Each student’s research is reported in a dissertation written under the guidance of the student’s mentor and the dissertation committee. The dissertation must demonstrate the student’s capacity for independent research, scholarly achievement and technical mastery of a specific field.