The Genetics and Genomic Sciences (GGS) multidisciplinary training area of the PhD program in Biomedical Sciences, in conjunction with the Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, in genetics, genomics, and the closely related computational biology offers students educational and research opportunities disciplines machine learning, network modeling, and big data analysis.
Program Overview
- Genetics and Genomic Sciences (GGS) is a training area of the PhD program in Biomedical Sciences at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Mount Sinai.
- GGS focuses on the genetics of human disease and the application of data science to address disease detection, prediction, and treatment.
- Students have a broad range of research opportunities through a diverse array of over 90 faculty who are world leaders in data science, technology innovation, and human disease and the faculty of the Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, ranked 2nd in the country for funded genetics research.
- Students have access to several state of the art core facilities, including the BioMe BioBank Program, the Genomics Core Facility, the High-Performance Computing Facility, and the Mount Sinai Data Warehouse.
- Students begin by taking graduate courses in genetics, genomics, genome analysis, and data science.
- In their first year, students do short rotation projects to explore their interests, develop additional skills, and explore potential thesis advisors.
- Students also participate in seminars and journal clubs through their graduate studies.
- Our supportive learning environment encourages team research.
- Our high faculty to student ratio affords students close mentorship from faculty.
- The average time for program completion is 4.8 years.
- Students receive a stipend, full tuition support, a comprehensive healthcare package, and guaranteed access to affordable housing for graduate students across the street from campus.
- We are located on Manhattan’s Upper East Side adjacent to Central Park.
Our Disciplines
Focus on Genetics and Genomics
As genetics and genomics permeate through a variety of scientific disciplines, we offer many unique opportunities to integrate basic, clinical and translational research across many disciplines. Our faculty are leaders in the fields of:
- Cancer Genomics
- Clinical Genetics
- Drug Discovery and Trials
- Functional Genomics and Multiomics
- Gene Editing and Cellular Engineering
- Genetics of Human Disease
- Immunogenomics
- Neuropsychiatric Genomics
- Pathogen and Microbial Genomics
- Statistical Genetics
- Technology Development
Focus on Data Science
At a time when the explosive growth of biomedical data is presenting new opportunities, hopes—and challenges—for improving human health through precision treatments, the healthcare industry needs highly skilled biomedical data scientists to unlock the possibilities within this growing body of information.
Our faculty includes numerous leading biomedical data scientists in the areas of:
- Bioinformatics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Biostatistics
- Clinical Epidemiology
- Clinical Trials
- Computational Biophysics
- Computational Genomics
- Dynamical modeling
- Environmental Medicine
- Health Systems Design and Information Technology
- Image Analysis
- Machine Learning
- Network Modeling
- Public Health
- Systems Biology
- Systems Pharmacology
- Image Analysis
- Visualization
Our Curriculum
Our curriculum provides students with comprehensive training in genetics, genomics, and computational biology. Our flexible curriculum gives students the opportunity to tailor their coursework to their scientific interests. This includes the opportunity to take advanced elective courses in numerous areas including Biomedical informatics, Biostatistics, Cancer Biology, Development, Immunology, Microbiology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology and Therapeutics Design, and Regeneration & Stem Cells.
Our Students
We have a diverse body of students who focus on a wide range genetics, genomics, and computational biology research. Currently, we have 31 students.
Our Directors & Faculty
The GGS training area encompasses a diverse array of faculty with a wide range of research across genetics, genomics, and computational biology. The co-Directors help students find potential advisors that match their scientific interests.
Meet Our Faculty
Meet the accomplished faculty members of Genetics and Genomic Sciences.
Meet Our Co-Directors
Anne Bowcock, PhD looks for genetic risk factors for common and rare inflammatory diseases of the skin and joints and for genetic drivers for different forms of melanoma. Once identified she performs functional genomics analyses in cell lines and animal models to understand their role in disease or tumor pathogenesis.
Sander Houten, PhD studies inborn errors of metabolism in order to develop new treatment options for patients affected by these orphan diseases.
Our Learning Environment
The Genetics and Genomic Sciences program draws from internationally recognized research that creates a multidisciplinary environment in disease-oriented and patient-focused research. As genetics and data science permeates through a variety of scientific disciplines, we offer many unique opportunities to integrate basic genomics research with advanced data analysis.
Our program provides a supportive learning environment with faculty from across various disciplines. We encourage team research and frequent communications among our students and faculty. Students meet with their advisory committee approximately once every six months for feedback and advice.
Admissions
We are seeking candidates who have strong science background and significant research experience in the Life, Physical, and Engineering Sciences, including all branches of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Bioengineering, and Computer Science. We take a holistic approach when considering PhD applicants.
Our application consists of a personal statement, a description of your research experience, your transcript, and three letters of recommendation.
Applications for admission in August 2023 are due on December 1, 2022. Typically, we conduct on campus interviews in January. Admissions decisions are announced in late January.
We encourage applications from qualified individuals, regardless of country of origin or where you received your academic and research training.
We encourage prospective students to attend our Fall webinars to learn more about the program and admissions process.