PhD Program in Pathology
Dr. Helene McMurray, Ph.D.
Program Director
Dr. Benjamin J. Frisch, Ph.D.
Assistant Program Director
The PhD Program in Pathology trains students to understand the cell biological basis for human disease and leverage those discoveries for better diagnosis and treatment options. Our program is housed in the department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine with support from Dr. Christa Whitney-Miller our chairperson, Dr. Helene McMurray, clinical scientist and program director, Dr. Benjamin Frisch, assistant director and recruitment director and Donna Shannon, program coordinator. Our trainees work with scientists from across the spectrum of clinical and basic science research areas, studying every body system in contexts ranging from pediatric disease to diseases of aging.
Program Highlights
The program is multidisciplinary in nature, drawing on faculty expertise in all aspects of disease biology including:
- Defining molecular mechanisms underlying human disease
- Developing model systems, from genetic models to human tissue studies
- Big data and ‘omic’ sciences (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, lipidomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics)
- Designing therapeutic interventions using regenerative biology, forward pharmacology, and rational drug design
Students work with any faculty throughout the University of Rochester Medical Center whose research focuses on cell biological mechanisms of pathogenesis.
Our graduates go on to diverse and rewarding careers in academic, medical, industrial, non-profit and governmental settings.
By the Numbers
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30
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What Sets Us Apart
Program Highlights
Our Pathology Ph.D. students learn and use cutting edge biochemical and genetic research techniques while cross training in biochemistry, cell biology, and genetics.
Research and Mentorship
With over 71 Faculty, the PhD Program in Pathology offers a wide range of research opportunities for our student researchers.
Curriculum
Pathology PhD students can choose from our core curriculum in Cell Biology of Disease or opt to concentrate their studies in Cancer Biology or in Bioinformatics. Our goal is to afford each student maximum flexibility to achieve their goals.
What Our Students Say...
Why did you choose to do your PhD training at URMC?
"The breadth of the PhD Program in Pathology at URMC allowed me to explore my varied scientific interests without limiting my options. I was able to take generalized disease pathology and cell biology classes while exploring different disease models (including stroke, anemia, and heart disease) in more detail in my laboratory rotations to find what research best suited my interests.
Additionally, I was able to quickly identify faculty that were leaders in their field and accessible to students, guaranteeing that I would have various options for networking and identifying mentors throughout my Ph.D. training."
Kimberly Burgos Villar
Latest News
Contact Us
Donna Shannon
CBD Graduate Program Coordinator
Donna_Shannon@urmc.rochester.edu