Doctorate in Philosophy in Biomedical Research- PhD

For Additional Information:

Marlenea Brand, MPA
Administrative Director of Graduate Studies
Phone: (304) 696-7399
Email: brandm@marshall.edu

Betina Dingess
Executive Assistant Sr to Vice Dean
Research & Graduate Education
Phone: (304) 691-1841
Email: dingessb@marshall.edu

Marie Murphy
Administrative Assistant
Phone: (304) 696-7278
Email: murphyma@marshall.edu

Overview

Thank you for your interest in the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine (MU JCESOM) PhD program.

Students in the PhD program will take an interdisciplinary approach to, and develop a broad basis in, biomedical research. As part of the interdisciplinary approach, PhD students in the MU JCESOM graduate program will cross departmental boundaries and conduct research with a faculty mentor in one of the following areas:

  • Click for printable program flyer.Obesity related disorders
  • Epithelial transport
  • Regulation of intestinal sodium, glucose, amino acid absorption
    • Regulation of renal Na-K-ATPase
  • Intestinal inflammation
  • Intestinal Microbiome
  • Toxicology
  • Breast cancer
  • Pulmonary disease
  • Addiction Neurobiology
  • Diabetes
  • Hypertension
  • Bone growth abnormalities
  • Lipid homeostasis
  • Neurosciences
  • Cardiovascular Disorders
  • Cell Biology

Centers of research include:

Faculty - Biomedical Sciences


Piyali Dasgupta, PhD
Associate Professor


Beverly Delidow, PhD
Associate Professor


James Denvir, PhD
Associate Professor


Richard Egleton, PhD
Associate Professor
Research Cluster Coordinator


Todd L. Green, PhD
Associate Professor
Co-Director of Graduate Studies


Lawrence Grover, PhD
Associate Professor


Brandon Henderson, PhD
Assistant Professor


Emine C. Koc, PhD
Associate Professor


Wei Li, MD, PhD
Associate Professor


Jiang Liu, MD, PhD
Associate Professor


Sandrine V. Pierre, PhD
Associate Investigator
Education Coordinator


Donald Primerano, PhD
Vice Chair of Biomedical Sciences
Professor/Director Genomics Core


Gary O. Rankin, PhD
Professor
Chair Biomedical Sciences


Chris Risher, PhD
Assistant Professor


Louise Risher, PhD
Assistant Professor


Travis B. Salisbury, PhD
Associate Professor


Nalini Santanam, PhD, MPH, FAHA
Professor
Research Cluster Coordinator


Maria A. Serrat, PhD
Associate Professor


Vincent Sollars, PhD
Associate Professor
Director of the Flow Cytometry Core


Monica Valentovic, PhD
Professor
Research Cluster Coordinator


Zijian Xie, PhD
Director, Marshall Institute of Interdisciplinary Research (MIIR)


Hongwei Yu, PhD
Professor
Research Cluster Coordinator

Faculty - Clinical & Translational Sciences

Subha Arthur, PhD

Assistant Professor

Shelvy L. Campbell

Assistant Dean of Diversity

Alfred A. Cecchetti, PhD, MSc, MSc IS

Clinical Informatics Data Architect

Todd Gress, MD, MPH

Assistant Dean & Director Clinical Research

Jennifer Haynes, PhD

Assistant Research Professor

Isabel Larre', PhD

Assistant Professor, DCTS

Yangling Yan, PhD

Assistant Professor

Yangling Yan, PhD

Assistant Professor

Application Deadline, Application Process, and Financial Information

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Click for printable program flyer.Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
  • Prerequisite Coursework (must earn grade of “C” or better):
    • Two semesters of general biology and associated laboratories
    • Two semesters of general chemistry and associated laboratories
    • Two semesters of organic chemistry and associated laboratories
    • Two semesters of physics and associated laboratories
    • One semester of biochemistry OR cellular biology and associated laboratory
  • No minimum GRE score requirement; however, a score in the 50th percentile or greater on each section, verbal and quantitative, is preferred
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA overall with a 3.0 for combined science and math courses is recommended. Under certain circumstances, the minimum GPA requirement may be waived on a case by case basis

Application Deadline

Biomedical Research PhD – PRIORITY Deadline March 1 for best chance of admission
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and are reviewed until the class is filled. Applications will be considered after the deadline if openings are available.

Application Process

Domestic applicants must complete the following:

  • Graduate School Application– http://www.marshall.edu/graduate/select-your-degree-or-certificate-program/how-to-apply-for-admission/ For the Ph.D. program, select degree-seeking and summer as the entry term.
  • Non-refundable application fee– You should receive an email with a link to submit payment within 24 work hours of submitting your application. If you do not, please e-mail services@marshall.edu for assistance. You may also call to pay over the phone during regular business hours: 304-746-1901.
  • Official transcript from degree-granting institution– May be electronically submitted from your institution’s registrar’s office to services@marshall.edu or mailed directly from that office to: Office of Graduate Records and Admissions, Marshall University, 100 Angus E. Peyton Drive, South Charleston, WV 25303.
  • Official GRE scores– Marshall’s institution code is 5396.
  • Supplemental Information Form – Once you choose the program to which you are applying, you will be prompted to upload unofficial documents (i.e. transcript/s, GRE scores, written statement, and résumé/CV).
  • Three recommendations– Please follow the instructions on the Supplemental Information Form, and ask your referees to e-mail the forms to mubiomed@marshall.edu.

International applicants must complete the following:

  • Meet International Admission Office requirements– http://www.marshall.edu/graduate/admissions/international-admission/
  • Official GRE scores– Marshall’s institution code is 5396.
  • Supplemental Information Form– Once you choose the program to which you are applying, you will be prompted to upload unofficial documents (i.e. transcript/s, proof of English proficiency, GRE scores, written statement, and résumé/CV).
  • Three recommendations– Please follow the instructions on the Supplemental Information Form, and ask your referees to e-mail the forms to mubiomed@marshall.edu.

Financial Assistance and Grant Opportunities

Accepted PhD students receive tuition remission, an annual stipend of $25,000, and health insurance.

Students also have access to Marshall University’s Student Health Clinic. Students are required to pay a small amount in fees per term. For more information about these fees, please email mubiomed@marshall.edu.

Marshall’s JCESOM PhD program does not require its students to teach within the classroom to qualify for stipend funding; this allows students to focus on the requirements of their research. Opportunities for classroom instruction are available, however, and instruction in public speaking is a core element of the program.

As a part of the educational process, students are expected to apply for grants. Examples of some of the fellowships and local grants that Marshall’s PhD students have received are on our Student Funding Opportunities page.

Apply NOW!

Research Rotations and Duration of Program

Research Rotations

When entering the PhD research program, students are required to complete rotations through a minimum of three different laboratories, each rotation consisting of at least 120 hours. These rotations help students build rapport with faculty and students, decide on their preferred area of research, and learn new research techniques. 

Duration of Program

Students are expected to complete the requirements of the PhD degree within five years. Students who possess a Master of Science degree in biomedical research or the equivalent when admitted typically require three to four years to complete the PhD degree.

Curriculum
Core Curriculum

Core Curriculum

Students in the PhD program complete the following core set of courses:

Year 1 Summer III

BMR 785         Introduction to Research                                             3 CR

BMR 882         Research                                                                     1 CR

(All students take these two courses.  Each student has to take at least 4 CR to be considered full-time in the summer and receive a stipend.)

 

Year 1 Fall

BMR 601         Introduction to Nucleic Acids and Proteins                   3 CR

BMR 602         Introduction to Cell Structure and Function                  3 CR

BMR 661         Communication Skills I                                                 1 CR

BMR 680         Seminar                                                                        1 CR

BMR 882         Research                                                                      1 CR

(All students take these courses.  Each student has to take at least 9 CR in the fall and spring semesters to be considered full-time and receive a stipend.)

 

Year 1 Spring

BMR 603         Regulation of Cell Function                                           2 CR

BMR 604         Cellular Basis of Disease                                              1 CR

BMR 661         Communication Skills II                                                 1 CR

BMR 680         Seminar                                                                         1 CR

After the first year, students will then begin taking courses in their desired cluster.

Students also must successfully complete additional courses as determined by their advisory committee. Please consult the advisory committee to learn more about their respective requirements.

Students select an advisory committee no later than the end of the first year of graduate education. The committee usually consists of at least five faculty members with appropriate expertise.

Obesity and Related Diseases Research Cluster Curriculum

Obesity and Related Diseases Research Cluster Curriculum

Required Research Cluster Courses

Course number

Course title

Credit Hours

PHS 667

Experimental Approaches to Physiology

4

PHS 666

Physiology of the Cell

4

BMR 665

Cardiovascular Disease Colloquium

3 (min)

BMR 664

Obesity and Related Diseases Colloquium

3 (min)


Suggested Electives

Course number

Course title

Credit Hours

BIC 638

Advanced Molecular Genetics

3

BIC 643

Signal Transduction

3

BMR 641

Molecular Development

3

BMR 631

Neurosci/DevBio Lit Review

1
Cancer Biology Research Cluster Student Curriculum

Required Research Cluster Courses

Students are required to select a minimum of 5 credit hours of courses from the list below (including at least one course from list A). Please note that Cancer Biology is offered in the spring every other year. Cancer Colloquium is offered every semester.

Course number

Course title

Credit hours

List A

 

 

BMR 651

Cancer Biology

4

PHS 666

Physiology of the Cell

3

PHS 667

Experimental Approaches to Physiology

4

 

 

 

List B

 

 

BMR 679

Special Problems

1

BMR 676

Cell Biology Research Cluster Journal Club

1

BMS 652

Cancer Biology Colloquium

1

BMR 631

Neuroscience and Developmental Biology Literature Review

1

ACB 640

Current topics in Cellular Biology

1 or 2


Suggested Electives

Students are required to take a minimum of four hours of electives in areas agreed upon by their advisory committees. One of the strengths of the CBRC is that it allows students to specialize according to their individual interests. Students have the opportunity to select from a wide variety of electives. For example, students in the cluster may have specific interests in epigenetics or signaling pathways in cancer research, or develop complementary skills in microscopy.

The following are examples of courses that CBCR graduate students can choose from to support their training. Please consult the graduate catalog for a complete listing of all possible electives.

 

Course Number

Course title

Credit hours

BIC 643

Molecular Signal Transduction

3

BIC 638

Advanced Molecular Genetics

3*

CHM 678

CHM 678

3

*Only offered every odd-numbered year)

Cardiovascular Disease Cluster Curriculum

Cardiovascular Disease Cluster Curriculum

Required Research Cluster Courses

Course number

Course title

Credit hours

PHS 628

Mammalian Neurophysiology

2

PHS 629

Mammalian Physiology

6

PHS 667

Experimental Approaches to Physiology (in place of PHS 628 and PHS 629)

4

PHS 666

Physiology of the Cell *

3

BMS 665

CDRC Colloquium

1  


*PHS666 syllabus deals mainly on cardiometabolic diseases. This is not a general cell physiology course

Suggested Electives

Course number

Course title

Credit hours

PHS638

Advanced Cardiovascular Physiology

1-2

BIC643

Signal Transduction

3

BMS670

Molecular Cloning

2
Neuroscience and Developmental Biology Research Cluster

Neuroscience and Developmental Biology Research Cluster Curriculum

Course Number

Course Title

Credit Hours

BMR 785

Intro to Research

3

BMR 882

Research

1

BMR 601

Intro to DNA RNA & Proteins

3

BMR 602

Intro to Cell Structure & Function

3

BMR 660

Communication I

1

BMR 680

Seminar

1

BMR 603

Regulation of Cell Function

2

BMR 604

Cell Basis of Disease

1

BMR 617

BMS Statistics

3

BMR 644

Research Conduct

1

BMR 661

Communication II

1

BMS 631

Neuroscience Journal Club

1

Suggested Electives

Course Number

Course Title

Credit Hours

PHS 628

Mammalian Neurophysiology

2

BMS 600

Neuroanatomy I

2

BMS 628

Neuroscience I

3
Toxicology and Environmental Health Research Cluster Curriculum

Toxicology and Environmental Health Research Cluster Curriculum

Course number

Course title

Credit hours

PMC 650

Toxicology

3

PMC 655

Toxicology Reviews

1 each (3 total)

 Suggested Electives

The following courses are suggested as electives for students. A course(s) may be required by the dissertation committee.

Course number

Course title

Credit hours

PHS 667

Experimental Approaches to Physiology

3

PMC 621

Medical Pharmacology I

6

PMC 621

Medical Pharmacology II

2

BMS 670

Molecular Cloning

2

BIC 643

Signal Transduction

3

MCB 648

Molecular Basis of Pathogenesis

3
Current PhD Students

Current PhD Students

Taha Ahmad

Mentor: Gary Rankin, PhD
Project Name: Studying Cytochrome 2B6 Genetic Polymorphisms in Sudden Death of Methadone Users in WV and KY
Undergraduate Institution: New Jersey City University
Graduate Institution: Marshall University (Forensic Science)
Hobbies: Baking, and cooking
Email: ahmad7@marshall.edu
Click Here to View Publications

Roy Al Ahmar

Mentor: Hongwei Yu, PhD
Project Name: Alginate regulation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Undergraduate Institution: University of Balamand
Graduate Institution: Marshall University (Forensic Science)
Hobbies: Body building, rugby, boxing, and SLEEPING
Email: alahmar@marshall.edu

Deborah Amos

Mentor: Nalini Santanam, PhD, MPH, FAHA
Project Name: Effects of Exercise on Appetite Regulation and Gut Microbiome in a Novel Antioxidant Mouse Model
Undergraduate Institution: University of Charleston
Hobbies: God, lab, jogging, eating, community service, and knitting
Email: amos23@marshall.edu
Click Here to View Publications

Adam Belcher

Mentor: Wei Li, MD/PhD
Project Name: Role of TYMP in Type II Diabetes Associated High Risk of Thrombosis
Undergraduate Institution: Marshall University
Hobbies: Computer building, video games, running, and martial arts
Email: belcher111@marshall.edu
Click Here to View Publications

Lexie Blalock

Mentor: Hongwei Yu, PhD
Project Name: In vitro Cultivation and Genetic Characterization of Segmented Filamentous Bacteria
Undergraduate Institution: West Liberty University
Hobbies: Showing Arabian horses, road biking, triathlons, traveling, reading, cooking
Email: keding@marshall.edu
Click Here to View Publications

Shanai Brown

Mentor: 
Project Name: 1
Undergraduate Institution: Morgan State University
Hobbies: 

Sarah Brunty

Mentor: Nalini Santanam, PhD
Project Name: Testing new drug treatments in endometriosis though targeting epigenetic changes 
Undergraduate Institution: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Hobbies:: Reading, gym, yoga, tv shows, and spending time with my family
Email: binion2@live.marshall.edu
Click Here to View Publications

Molly Butts

Mentor: Uma Sundaram, MD
Project Name: Investigation of intestinal transporters BOAT1 and SN2 in mouse and human enteroids
Undergraduate Institution: Allegheny College
Hobbies: Spending time with my dog, participating in the Marshall women’s rugby club, backpacking around the tristate area, and swimming at the Marshall Rec Center with other BMS students
Email: butts15@marshall.edu
Click Here to View Publications

Skylar Cooper

Mentor: Brandon Henderson, PhD
Project Name: Nicotine the wonder drug? Beneficial pharmacology of nicotine in Schizophrenia and Parkinson’s Disease
Undergraduate Institution: Lake Michigan College, University of Findlay
Hobbies: Soccer, The Beatles, my kitties (Lennon and Willow), and beer.

Ayla Edwards

Mentor:

Project:

Undergraduate Institution: Ohio State University

Hobbies: Creative writing and art

Jamie Friedman

Mentor: Piyali Dasgupta, PhD
Project Name: Structure Activity Relationship study of Capsaicin Derivatives, Arvanil, Olvanil, Palvinl, etc., in Small Cell Lung Cancer
Undergraduate Institution: Bethany College
Hobbies: Working out, playing softball, taking dog on walks and adventures, hanging out with BMS students on weekends and during lunches
Email: friedman4@marshall.edu
Click Here to View Publications

Christian Harris

Mentor: Sasha Zill, PhD
Project Name: Force Dynamics and Synergist Muscle Activation in Stick Insects: The Effects of Using Joint Torques as Mechanical Stimuli
Undergraduate Institution: Lincoln University of PA
Hobbies: Golf, soccer, traveling and playing with my dog Boomer

Minqi Huang

Mentor: Zijian Xie, PhD
Project Name: Drug Development based on Na/K-ATPase
Undergraduate Institution: Wuhan University (China)
Hobbies: Soccer, and reading
Email: huangm@marshall.edu
Click Here to View Publications

Caroline A. Hunter

Mentor: Emine Koc, PhD
Project Name: The role of post-translational modifications of mitochondrial translation components in mitochondrial biogenesis.
Undergraduate Institution: Roanoke College
Hobbies: Playing tennis, listening to and playing music, hanging out with friends, and any sort of crafts
Email: hunter118@marshall.edu
Click Here to View Publications

Laura Kutz

Mentor: Zijian Xie, PhD and Sandrine Pierre, PhD (co-mentors)
Project Name: The Role of Na/K-ATPase α1 Signaling in Skeletal Muscle
Undergraduate Institution: Ohio University
Hobbies: Hiking and picnicking, baking, traveling, and memorizing the specials at local restaurants
Email: kutz@marshall.edu
Click Here to View Publications

Shreya Mukherji

Mentor: Dr.Zijian Xie and Dr. Sandrine Pierre
Project Name: Role of Proximal Tubule Na,K-ATPase alpha1 signaling in sodium handling and blood pressure regulation
Undergraduate Institution: University of Mumbai
Hobbies: Reading, traveling, cooking and hiking
Email: mukherji@live.marshall.edu
Click Here to View Publications

Niraj Nepal

Mentor: Uma Sundaram, MD
Project Name: Role of Na/K ATPase in intestinal Epithelial cells during maturation
Undergraduate Institution: Kathmandu University, Nepal Graduate University, West Virginia State University
Hobbies: Hiking and trekking
Email: nepal@marshall.edu
Click Here to View Publications

Will O'Toole

Mentor: Richard Egleton, PhD
Project Name: Buprenorphine’s Role in Endothelial Dysfunction and Architecture of Developing Vasculature through Modulation of BDNF
Undergraduate Institution: Marshall University
Hobbies: Amtgard, paintball, lifting weights, and reading philosophy texts
Email: otoole4@marshall.edu
Click Here to View Publications

Jackie Parkman

Mentor: Jung Han Kim, PhD
Project Name: Molecular mechanism of lfi202b on high fat diet induced obesity
Undergraduate Institution: Washington State
Email: parkman@marshall.edu
Click Here to View Publications

Becca Pratt

Mentor: Jian Liu, PhD
Project Name: If PNaKtide is targeted to adipocytes, is kidney function and hypertension ameliorated through released mediators such as inflammatory markers and ROS?
Undergraduate Institution: Davis and Elkins College
Email: martin570@marshall.edu
Click Here to View Publications

Holly Racine

Mentor: Maria Serrat, PhD
Project Name:Heat enhanced Activity of Bone-Lengthening Drugs in the Growth Plate
Undergraduate Institution: Seton Hill University
Hobbies: being a mom (that counts right?), hiking, skiing, upcycling projects (such as restoring old furniture)
Awards: A. american association of anatomists travel awards 2014, 2015 & 2016 and B. NASA Space Grant Consortium Graduate Research Fellowship 2014-2015 titled “Unilateral heating to increase IGF1 uptake and bone length in mice”
Meetings presented at: A. Experimental Biology 2014-2016 and B. Marshall University Research Day 2013 & 2016
Email: tamski@marshall.edu
Click Here to View Publications

Cecilia Sierra

Mentor:
Project Name: 
Undergraduate Institution: North Carolina A&T State University
Hobbies: reading, listening to podcasts, hanging out with friends, hiking and my cat

Cassandra Song

Mentor:

Project:

Undergraduate Institution: Chaminade University of Honolulu

Hobbies: Reading, running, and cartoons

Sarah Stevens

Mentor: Shekher Mohan, PhD
Project Name: Assessing the effects of neuroprotective agents in a mouse model of opioid-induced neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)
Undergraduate Institution: Cedarville University
Hobbies: Kayaking, white water rafting, reading, and running
Email: stevens107@marshall.edu
Click Here to View Publications

Christopher Walker

Mentor:

Project:

Undergraduate Institution: University of Pikeville

Hobbies: Reading, cooking, and playing with Luke (dog)

Dakota Ward

Mentor: Monica Valentovic, PhD
Project Name: Characterization of the Nephrotoxicity of Iodinated Radiocontrast Media on Renal Proximal Tubule Cells
Undergraduate Institution: Marshall University
Hobbies: I’m an avid outdoorsman and I also enjoy homebrewing and cooking
Email: ward210@marshall.edu
Click Here to View Publications

Questions?

Questions?

We hope you have an interest in the PhD program at Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of the Co-Directors listed below.

Leadership

Uma Sundaram, MD

Vice Dean, Office of Research & Graduate Education
Phone: (304) 691-1841
sundaramu@marshall.edu

Richard Egleton, PhD

Co-Director, MU JCESOM Graduate Program
Phone: (304) 696-3523
egleton@marshall.edu

Todd L. Green, PhD

Co-Director, MU JCESOM Graduate Program
Phone: (304) 696-3531
green@marshall.edu