Overview

The National Institute for General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) has awarded CLP a grant (T32GM149439) for a predoctoral training program at the interface of chemistry:biology which integrates biology and chemistry through a common set of course requirements, a hands-on team based approach to laboratory training, a unique dual preceptor arrangement, and a strong communal training environment.

Applications are due on July 1st each year. First year grad students that are U.S. citizens/permanent residents can apply for a two-year slot on the training grant. International students may apply for a one-year University fellowship if they are not U.S. citizens.

Program benefits include the activities below.

Dual Mentors

Each trainee selects two mentors, one with a background in chemistry and the other in the life sciences. The primary mentor fulfills the role of a graduate thesis advisor while also ensuring the trainee is fully participating in program activities and completing requirements. The secondary mentor operates in collaboration with the primary mentor, providing insight and strategy from a different disciplinary perspective.

Immersive Cross-Disciplinary Rotation

Trainees spend a total of 10-weeks in the research group of their secondary mentor after their graduate program’s Qualifying Exams and before the end of their third year. This provides trainees with new analytical tools, model systems, and language for applying chemical approaches to research topics in the life sciences. The rotation can be split into (2) five-weeks periods.

Seminar Series

Seminars feature topics that deepen students’ understanding of research at the interface of chemistry and biology. Trainees select and invite external speakers annually from academia, and the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Students meet with the speakers over lunch and dinner to engage in more in-depth discussions of research approaches and methodologies.

Research Forum

Trainees present their research to their peers and program preceptors throughout the year at the CLP Research Forum. Presentations not only enable trainees to gain experience in public presentation of their work, they also provide a mechanism for gauging trainee progress and for identifying potential obstacles to the trainee’s project.

Required Courses

CHEM/IBiS416 (Practical Training in Chemical Biology Methods and Experimental Design) covers topics like high throughput testing, cheminformatics, chemical synthesis and purification, biologics production, in vitro testing, proteomics analysis, and preclinical in vivo testing for efficacy and toxicity, plus in vitro and in vivo imaging techniques for targeting drug delivery, visualizing tumors, and documenting drug uptake and localization. CHEM 415 (Principles of Chemical Biology) is also a course requirement for the CLP training program. This chemical biology course will provide you with the concepts, language, and critical literature skills needed to advance your research and professional development.   

Time with the Program Directors

Trainees have the opportunity to meet with the program directors, Neil Kelleher, Regan Thomson and Amy Rosenzweig, during the year to discuss project progress and career development.

Student Handbook