1. Disease Mechanisms and Therapeutics
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Advanced Classes

PHD PROGRAMS

The Disease Mechanisms and Therapeutics training area curriculum helps students obtain training at the junction of computation and experimentation. Our faculty will lead you in researching all steps in the drug development process, including structure-based identification of drug targets, computer-aided drug design, rationale synthesis of small molecules, disease mechanisms, characterization of drug effects in cellular and animal models, and systems pharmacology predictions using multiscale mathematical models.

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Meet the Co-Directors

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Avner Schlessinger, PhD
PROFESSOR | Pharmacological Sciences

Dr. Schlessinger’s lab focuses on the improvement and automation of the drug discovery process.

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Michael Lazarus, PhD
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR | Pharmacological Sciences

Dr. Lazarus’ lab is dedicated to understanding the enzymes involved in cellular proteostasis and metabolism.

Curriculum and Courses

Depending on your undergraduate background, as early as in the first year as a student in our program, you may choose between different core curriculum courses (one in the Fall semester and at least two in the Spring semester).

Year One Fall courses include (credits):

  • BSR1012 Biomedical Science (6)
  • Biostatistics; one of three: BIO6400 Biostatistics for Biomedical Research (3); MPH0300 Intro to Biostatistics (3); or BSR1715 Modern Statistics for Modern Biology (4)
  • BSR1021 Responsible Conduct of Research (.5)
  • BSR1006 Lab Rotation (4)

Year One Spring courses include:

  • BSR1013 Biomedical Science (6)
  • BSR1022 Rigor and Reproducibility (.5)
  • BSR1007 Lab Rotation (4)

Year Two Fall courses include:

  • Advanced elective (minimum of two for degree completion)
  • Seminar: Pharmacology and Systems Therapeutics or Structural and Chemical Biology
  • Journal Club: Pharmacological Sciences
  • Independent Research

Year Two Spring courses include:

  • Advanced elective (minimum of two for degree completion)
  • Seminar: Pharmacology and Systems Therapeutics or Structural and Chemical Biology
  • Journal Club: Pharmacological Sciences
  • Independent Research Thesis Proposal

Year Three Fall and Spring courses include:

  • Advanced elective (optional)
  • Seminar: Pharmacology and Systems Therapeutics or Structural and Chemical Biology
  • Journal Club: Pharmacological Sciences

Students can choose advanced electives to take in their second and third years, including:

  • Programming for Big Data Biomedicine
  • Advanced Topics in Transcriptional Regulation
  • Structural & Chemical Approaches to Pharmacology and Drug Discovery
  • Computer-Aided Drug Design

Resources For You

Admissions
Student Handbook
Graduate School Forms
The Ombuds Office
Predoctoral Fellowship
Research Resources