Preparation

Applications for the training program are due July 1st each year through the online portal. Trainees are appointed to the grant at the start of fall term in their second year of graduate school. Please be sure to read the Application Overview.  The timeline below shows recommended tasks by quarter so you can keep track of your progress leading up to your application submission. 

Preparing Your Training Program Application Research Proposal
Review potential thesis topics with your primary mentor
Ask your secondary mentor for suggestions re: additional approaches, novel instrumentation and methods

Potential Approaches to Research at the Interface of Chemistry and Biology
Explore the organic, physical or bio-inorganic chemistry underlying biological phenomena
Develop chemical approaches to address biomedical research problems
Use natural substances or life forms to inform new chemistry

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us

Program Director
Neil Kelleher  

Associate Directors
Amy C Rosenzweig
Regan Thomson 
Sheila Judge

Program Coordinator
Penelope Johnson 

First Year Timeline

  • Fall

    Complete (2) four-week Home Department Rotations before choosing your thesis advisor
    BME, ChBE, Chemistry students complete rotations in the Fall
    DGP and IBiS complete rotations in the Spring
    Develop course plan
    Work with Interim Advisor to identify training needs
    Select dissertation advisor/ primary mentor (BME, ChBE, Chemistry)

  • Winter

    Attend Info Session on applying to the training program (February)
    Graduate program coursework

  • Spring

    CHEM 416 (recommended for BME, ChBE, Chemistry students)
    CHEM415
    Attend training program activities (recommended)
    Finish program rotations and select thesis advisor/ primary mentor (IBIS & DGP)
    Select Secondary Mentor (with input from your primary mentor)
    Develop research proposal with primary & secondary mentors
    Plan & write application

  • Summer

    Applications are due in July
    Appointments are announced at the end of August

MENTOR REQUIREMENTS

Dissertation Advisor and Secondary Mentor
Trainees must select two mentors: one whose research is focused on chemical problems and methods, and the other with a research program that primarily uses biological tools and methods.

  • Your primary mentor fulfills the role of a graduate dissertation advisor within your home graduate department/ program. Your primary mentor must be a CLP faculty preceptor.
  • Your secondary mentor can provide insight on your dissertation project and serve as a source of advice or problem-solving. Plus, rotating in the lab of your secondary mentor will provide you with additional techniques and training.

How to Choose a Secondary Mentor
Your primary mentor can help you determine which faculty member would be a good complement to your thesis committee. Consider whose skills and techniques would you benefit from on your project and provide relevant training? Your primary mentor may already be collaborating with a CLP faculty preceptor from a complementary discipline. If your choice for a secondary mentor is not currently a CLP preceptor, please let us know. Faculty can request preceptor status by emailing the Program Director and including an NIH biosketch.

LAB ROTATION REQUIREMENTS

Home Department Lab Rotations
All candidates must complete at least (2) 4-week laboratory rotations in two different labs in the graduate student’s home department/ program before choosing their dissertation advisor. This is also called the Intra-Department Lab Rotation.  Click here to download form.

COUREWORK REQUIREMENTS

Recommended Coursework for Application (All trainees must complete select courses within the training period). 
Successful completion of select courses is a factor in assessing candidates’ capabilities and interest in the program.

Practical Training in Chemical Biology Methods & Experimental Design (CHEM/IBIS 416)
Principles of Chemical Biology (CHEM 415)