PhD Program in Neuroscience | Icahn School of Medicine

Conquering brain diseases holds the greatest potential for changing the world. As a student in the Neuroscience PhD program at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, you will be part of a team driving innovative, life-changing scientific discoveries. Students choose our Neuroscience PhD Program to train with our world-renowned faculty in a highly collaborative and supportive environment that fosters scientific discovery in basic and clinical research within the Mount Sinai Health System.

By exploiting many different model systems – from flies, worms and fish, to mice, rats and monkeys, to the human brain itself – our students gain unprecedented insight into normal brain function, mechanisms of brain disease, and the design of targeted therapeutic strategies. You will have autonomy in pursuing your training objectives at Mount Sinai while receiving focused support and resources from compassionate faculty.

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Meet the Director

George W Huntley, PhD

PROFESSOR | Neuroscience

PROFESSOR | Graduate Education

For more than 30 years, Dr. George W. Huntley has been a prominent neuroscience researcher and student advocate at the Graduate School. He is one of the foremost leaders on synaptic circuit development and plasticity.

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Paul J. Kenny, PhD: 2025 Jacobi Medallion Recipient

Justin Lines, PhD – Postdoctoral Fellow Experience

The Mount Sinai Center for Stress, Resilience and Personal Growth (CSRPG)

Chinonso Nwakama – MD-PhD in Neuroscience

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences – PhD Programs

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences – Master’s Programs

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Leading the Future Forward

Congratulations, Amara Plaza-Jennings, MD/PhD

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2025 Commencement - Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

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Commencement 2025: Jack Gomberg, MD

Meet Jack Gomberg, MD

Commencement 2025: Anina Lund

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Chinonso Nwakama, MD - PhD in Neuroscience

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Meet Our Alumni

Lauren Friedman, PhD, Scientific Program Manager, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Class of 2014

Mount Sinai gave me the rigorous analytical skills and strong neuroscience foundation required for my career in CNS drug development. The supportive environment enabled me to explore career interests and find meaningful roles in nonprofit and government that leverage my scientific training.

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Lauren Friedman, PhD, Scientific Program Manager, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Class of 2014

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Bridget Matikainen-Ankney, PhD, Class of 2017

My experience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Sinai was formative. Not only did it train and shape me as a scientist, but the mentorship I got there changed my life. I think the graduate program there is unique because it truly supports students through the marathon that is the PhD. I miss the Icahn School all the time; it's a special place.

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Lauren Friedman, PhD, Scientific Program Manager, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Class of 2014

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Bridget Matikainen-Ankney, PhD, Class of 2017

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Nick Upright, PhD, Class of 2022

My education at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai truly paved the way for my career as a patent agent. Assisting in experimental design, analyzing and troubleshooting data, and preparing manuscripts for publication are all skills that were cultivated during my graduate education. The Icahn School is a highly collaborative environment, where I was fortunate enough to work with a myriad of other researchers and colleagues during my PhD tenure. Overall, my experience was integral to my maturity as an independent scientist.

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