Research experience

Our goal is to develop scholars and experimentalists with demonstrated research achievement and growing creativity and independence.

graduate researchers Our faculty mentors have exceptionally productive and well-funded research programs and excellent records as mentors for undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral fellows. Much of the power of our faculty's work comes at the interfaces of traditional disciplines. We encourage our graduate students to explore those very same interfaces.

During the first year, our graduate trainees are encouraged to choose three faculty laboratories in which to spend three months each working on mini-projects. These "rotations" provide the opportunity to explore varied research areas and the opportunity to focus their research interests before selecting a thesis project.

At the end of their first year, students select a laboratory in which to pursue their thesis research and then devise their specific graduate program in collaboration with their faculty mentor and advisory committee.

Publication of research results, and when appropriate the submission of grant proposals, are critical elements in the development of an independent research scientist and the demonstration of the research accomplishment and independence that is required by many future employers. Our faculty mentors actively guide their graduate students throughout the publication and, when graduate fellowships or research grant opportunities are available, the grant writing and submission process.

Research stories

Kate Hertweck: Are Some Plants Genetically Programmed to Be Rare?

Junxia Min: Combating cellular resistance to a chemotherapeutic drug. (opens new window)

Chris Pierret: Adult stem cells could have common origin.

Tracy Green Rittenhouse: Assisting Amphibians.