Richard D. Berlin
Center for Cell Analysis & Modeling

Predoctoral Training in Cell Analysis and Modeling

The Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling (CCAM) offers a new, inter-disciplinary predoctoral training program in Cell Analysis and Modeling (formerly known as Quantitative Cell Biology). The Cell Analysis and Modeling program specifically targets students with backgrounds in mathematical or physical sciences as well as conventional biology backgrounds, providing a rigorous cross-disciplinary training in analytical, physical and experimental quantitative cell biology. The program includes Ph. D. students in the Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. program at UConn Health. Faculty associated with the program engage in a broad spectrum of research in mathematical and theoretical biology, biophotonics, computation and informatics, and molecular cell biology.

Prospective Students

Apply to the PhD program in Biomedical Sciences at UConn Health using the following link: Biomedical Sciences Program (UConn Health).

Application Deadline

The application deadline is December 15. Cell Analysis and Modeling should be indicated as the area of interest on the application. Individuals interested in this program should also submit a letter of interest in the Cell Analysis and Modeling program to:

Dr. John Carson
Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling
UConn Health Graduate School
263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030-6406
Email: jcarson@nso2.uchc.edu
Phone: 860-679-2130

Or contact individual program faculty directly. A list of faculty and their research interests can be found here: http://www.ccam.uchc.edu/people/people.html.

Course Work

In the Cell Analysis and Modeling predoctoral program, the course work is specifically tailored to the needs of the individual students based on their backgrounds, and includes core didactic courses in biology, in addition to cross-training in mathematical modeling, computational techniques, and courses in biophysical/imaging techniques. Courses available to trainees within the traditional curricula include courses in computational and/or biophysical methods that complement the traditional biology courses at UCHC. Examples include: •Computational Cell Biology for Biomedical Engineers• Mathematical Modeling • Introduction to Mathematical Biophysics • Computational Neuroscience • Bioinformatics • Practical Applications in Sequence Analysis • Biophotonics • Cell Biology II: From Experiment to Model • Biochemistry II: Biophysical Techniques.

General Program Features

First year students undergo 3 laboratory rotations, at least one of which is in a cross-disciplinary laboratory (e.g. for students with biology backgrounds, at least one rotation project will include either mathematical modeling or optical engineering). A Preliminary Examination, in the form of a grant proposal written in the students’ thesis research area is given in the second year. Once the Preliminary Examination has been successfully completed, trainees become fully committed to their thesis research. More information on the requirements for completion of the Ph.D. program can be found at the Biomedical Science website.