As teachers and scientists, the faculty of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology subscribe to the following missions:

• Provide up-to-date and high-quality classroom and laboratory instruction in the discipline of biochemistry and molecular biology to students at the University.
• Conduct and publish research or other scholarship in areas that advance knowledge within the discipline, contribute to improving the human condition, and contribute to teaching.
• Train students and post-doctoral fellows in biochemical research.
• Encourage and enhance the professional development of faculty colleagues, especially junior faculty.
• Serve as a resource for information on biochemistry and molecular biology for the University and the community at large.
• Contribute to the orderly and smooth functioning of the University by serving on committees, and participating in advising, policy-making and administrative activities.
• Serve as role models for students, fellows, staff and colleagues with regard to integrity, fairness, collegiality, and civility.
• Perform service that advances and enhances the discipline of biochemistry and molecular biology.
• Advocate the benefits of science and the scientific method to society.
• Speak out when ideals of honesty and integrity within the academic workplace are violated.

Student Support

Every applicant will be considered for IPIBS Fellowship support. Support after the first 23 months is the responsibility of the individual student's dissertation advisor. Students are also encouraged to seek extramural support.

Guidance For The Student

The Director of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Graduate Program will serve as the first year advisor to all incoming graduate students until a disserta­tion advisor is selected. During the first year, all students will meet with all available faculty to discuss research projects. After completion of lab rotations and before beginning the second year, the student will select a preceptor, subject to the approval of the Graduate Executive Committee and the Chairman.

After a preceptor is approved, the preceptor must approve of the student's registration each semester before the Director of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Graduate Program releases the student to register.

Drop/add of courses must be approved by the student's advisor and the Direc­tor of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Graduate Program in consultation with the instructor.

At the end of the first year, a Dissertation Committee will be formed which will serve as the Reading Committee and Examining Committee. This Committee will consist of the preceptor, three other faculty of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (at least three of the Committee members must be primary faculty in the Department), and one member outside of the Department, and must be approved by the Graduate Executive Committee.

Each student must meet regularly with his/her Dissertation Committee. There must be at least one formal meeting per year. This meeting may occur immediately after the student presents his or her annual research conference. After each meeting, the advisor will complete the "Student Meeting Form" and provide copies to the Committee members, the student and the Director of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Graduate Program. If deficiencies are identified at the annual meeting, a second meeting of the student and committee will be held that year to determine whether the student has remediated the deficiencies. The first formal meeting of a Ph.D. student with the committee will probably be to present the Preliminary Proposal.

Students who do not have at least one committee meeting per year (every 12 months) will be given an incomplete in Research. This will become an F if the deficiency is not made up within one semester.

Program Admission Procedure

Criteria and Mechanism for Selection

In addition to the Graduate School requirements, the following criteria will be used as the basis for formal acceptance of students to the Ph.D. program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Acceptance of each student requires approval unanimously by the Graduate Executive Committee or by a majority of the Graduate Committee.

1. Transcript of course work. A two-semester course in organic chemistry is required.

2. Grade point average: The Department requires an overall 3.0 grade point average (4.0 system) with an average of 3.0 in science courses.

3. The Graduate Record Examination general test.

4. At least two letters of recommendation, preferably from faculty in biology and/or chemistry.

5. A personal or phone interview with members of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is encouraged for all applicants.

6. A personal statement of interest.

Ronald G. Gregg, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair

Alan Cheng, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Barbara J. Clark, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

William L. Dean, Ph.D.
Professor

Jaydev N. Dholakia, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Steven R. Ellis, Ph.D.
Professor

Richard C. Feldhoff, Ph.D.
Professor

Pamela W. Feldhoff, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Thomas E. Geoghegan, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Chuan Hu, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Ted Kalbfleisch, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Carolyn M. Klinge, Ph.D.
Professor

Yong Li, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Russell A. Prough, Ph.D.
Professor

Kenneth S. Ramos, Ph.D.
Professor

David Samuelson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Vilius Stribinskis, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Eugenia Wang, Ph.D.
Professor

James L. Wittliff, Ph.D.
Professor

Joint Faculty

Paula J. Bates, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Assistant Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Jonathan Chaires, Ph.D..
Professor of Medicine, JGB Endowed Chair in Cancer Biophysics
Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Jason Chesney, Ph.D., M.D.
Associate Professor of Medicine
Associate Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Geoffrey Clark, Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine
Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Douglas S. Darling, Ph.D.
Professor of Dental-Perio. Endo & Dental Hygiene
Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Jon B. Klein, Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine
Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Andrew N. Lane, Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine
Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Endowed Chair in Biochemistry and Structural Biology

Donald H. Miller, Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine
Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Director of James Graham Brown Cancer Center

Robert A. Mitchell, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Medicine
Associate Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
James Graham Brown Cancer Center

David W. Powell, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Assistant Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Madhavi Rane, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Assistant Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Shigeo Tamiya, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
Assistant Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

John O. Trent, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Medicine
Associate Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Roland Valdes Jr., Ph.D.
Professor of Pathology
Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Brian W. Wattenberg, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Medicine
Associate Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
James Graham Brown Cancer Center

Stephen J. Winters, M.D. 
Professor of Medicine
Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Associate Faculty

Sham Kakar, Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine (Endocrinology) 

Cicek Gercel-Taylor, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology

Bradford Hill, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine (Cardiology)

Gary W. Hoyle, Ph.D.
Professor of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences

Zhenmin Lei, Ph.D., M.D.
Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology

Qiutang Li, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences

Mark Linder, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Pathology

Qingxian Lu, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences

Kenneth R. McLeish, M.D.
Professor of Medicine (Nephrology)

Timothy O'Toole, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine (Cardiology)

Joseph Steffen, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology

Sucheta Telang, M.B.B.S.
Assistant Professor of Medicine (Med Oncology)

Hong Ye, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine (Med Oncology)

Igor Zelko, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine (Pulmonary)