phd medical science toronto

Application Deadlines and Requirements

The Institute of Medical Science offers programs in a Master of Science (MSc), a Doctor of Philosophy Direct Entry (PhD U), and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Learn more about the programs on offer here .

We highly recommend you find a supervisor early. Learn how to find a supervisor here .

Please note that all email inquiries should be initiated from institutional email addresses.

Application Deadlines

Domestic Applications for September 2024 is open.

2024 Early Consideration Deadline – February 1 st 2024 – now closed

January 2025 applications will open – August 1 st  2024

The early consideration admission deadline for Fall 2024 registration is February 1 st 2024. If you are applying for September 2024 early consideration you must submit a complete application by this date .

The IMS Admissions Committee meets regularly to review completed applications. You are strongly encouraged to submit a completed application as soon as possible. Once an application has been reviewed by the Committee, you will be notified both via email and through the online application portal of a decision.

Only completed applications will be considered by the IMS Admissions Committee.

All applicants to the MSc, PhD Direct Entry, and PhD programs must submit:

• Post-secondary Education
• Research Experiences
• Academic Productivity (manuscripts and publications, conference presentations and abstracts, etc.)
• Volunteer Work, Internships, and Extracurricular Activities
• If you are a PhD or PhD Direct Entry applicant, you must also include a Research Proposal . The Research Proposal must be combined with the Letter of Intent on the online application
• Research questions/specific research area that interests you
• Preparation for the research area to which you applied
• Career plans, professional goals
• List potential supervisors you have been in contact with
• Other pertinent information (gaps in your academic records, extenuating circumstances for poor grades, leadership roles you have undertaken, collaborative experiences of note, etc.)
• If you are a MSc applicant, you must submit two references from a faculty member
• If you are a PhD or a PhD Direct Entry applicant, you must submit three references from a faculty member
• Each required reference must be a faculty member (assistant professor, associate professor, full professor) at a recognized university
• At least one of these references must speak to your research experience
• A graduate student, teaching assistant, research assistant/associate, manager, sessional lecturer, adjunct professor, or post-doc fellow are not eligible referees for a required reference
• If you are a MSc applicant, you can provide an optional third reference from a non-faculty member (some examples include a lab manager, post-doc fellow, university coach, music instructor)
• If you are/were a University of Toronto student, you do not need to provide an official transcript for the application.  Please upload a copy of your academic record from ROSI/ACORN as the electronic transcript to your online application
• The IMS does not require official transcripts for an application to be considered, unofficial transcripts are fine. However , if successful, the IMS requires official transcripts to come directly from the issuing institution for registration in the program
• Per University of Toronto policy, for transcripts to be considered official , they must come directly from the issuing academic  institution to the IMS Office
• The IMS prefers official transcripts to be sent electronically via email to [email protected] , but transcripts can also be sent to the IMS Mailing address (see end of page)
• If you are a PhD, PhD Direct Entry, or an International MSc applicant, you must have a supervisory letter at the time of application
• If you have secured a supervisor at the time of your MSc application, it is strongly recommended that you upload a Supervisory Letter to your online application
• Should include your proposed supervisor's ability to supervise and fund you for the length of the degree (Master's 2 years, PhD 5 years, and PhD Direct Entry 6 years). It should also include the funding sources. Any additional information that faculty member wishes to include
•  If you current are in, or will be in a fellowship, clinical training, or residency program the IMS requires a letter confirming that you will be given at least 80% protected time for your graduate research
• This can come from your proposed supervisor (either in a separate letter, or part of the Supervisory Letter), or department head
• If applicable, Certified English translations of all documentation written in a language other than English or French
• Testing results must be sent directly from the testing centre to the University of Toronto, School of Graduate studies. If you take the TOEFL test, the code for forwarding your results is 0982.
• More information on English Language Proficiency Tests can be found on the SGS website here

The benefits of submitting an early application for consideration are:

• More time to secure research supervision
• Consideration for early awards offered through the School of Graduate Studies
• Consideration for entrance awards offered through the IMS
• Advantage of departmental initiatives

Supervisors recruiting students

Please see below all the relevant application information, including forms.

Application Forms

Application to the Institute of Medical Science graduate program is available online via the School of Graduate Studies https://admissions.sgs.utoronto.ca/apply/

Your application will be considered after payment of the application fee is received by the School of Graduate Studies and the complete application (including all applicable documentations) is received by the application deadline. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

It is your responsibility to make sure that all required documents are submitted to the application by the due date. The following checklist items are to be completed via the online application website:

• Upload your updated CV, Letter of Intent, and copies of your academic transcript(s) from previous institution(s) attended.
• Reference submissions by referees.
• If you are a domestic or international applicant applying for entry into the PhD/PhD Direct Entry program, or if you are an international student applying for entry to the MSc  program, you must upload a letter from the potential supervisor indicating acceptance of supervision and funding commitment.

Additionally, you must request your academic institution(s) to mail official copies of your academic transcript(s) to the IMS office address listed on the transcript request form. 

English language testing results must be sent directly from the testing centre to the University of Toronto, School of Graduate Studies. If you take the TOEFL test, the code for forwarding your results directly to the University of Toronto, School of Graduate Studies is 0982.

Supervisory Letter

All international and PhD applicants must upload a supervisory letter to their online application. 

Domestic applicants applying to the MSc program do not require a supervisory letter at the time of applying. However, if you have secured a supervisor at the time of application, it is strongly recommended that you upload a Supervisory Letter to your online application

Letters of supervision should include:

• Confirmation that your proposed supervisor will be supervising you for the length of your degree (MSc 2 years, PhD Direct Entry 6 years, PhD 5 years)
• Funding sources
• Research topic/project
• Any additional information your proposed supervisor deems relavent

Letter of Intent/Statement of Interest

A letter of intent/statement of interest, once completed, should be uploaded to your application profile on the SGS Online Application System. It should briefly describe your previous research experience, outline your future goals, research interests and other pertinent information such as:

• Research background – Summer/Undergraduate research
• Potential research area – with identified/approached supervisors, if applicable
• Other information – {e.g. accessibility services, medical issues, extenuating circumstances, low grades, gap in educational history (i.e. medical reasons, employment), lack of research/opportunity, etc.}
• PhD applicants must also provide a research proposal

You may be invited for an interview with a member of the Admissions Committee to discuss your application (either by telephone/Zoom), prior to receiving a decision on your application.

Admissions Committee Review

The Committee meets once per month from February to July to review completed applications received for September registration.  Only completed applications will be sent to the Admissions Committee for review.

The decision of the Admissions Committee is based on the overall evaluation of the application, including transcripts, letters of reference, Letter of Intent/statement of interest, assessment of the applicant’s qualifications according to the standards set by the Institute of Medical Science and the School of Graduate Studies, and assessment of the potential for success in the graduate program.

The Committee’s decision is not based on any single factor but on the overall evaluation of the application.

All Admission Committee decisions are final.

Notification

You will be notified via email after your application has been reviewed by the Admissions Committee.   You are advised to schedule a meeting with one of the Graduate Coordinators if you have any questions on the outcome of your application at the end of the admissions cycle.

Decisions on admission suitability by the Admissions Committee are final and appeals will not be considered.

After Acceptance

Conditional offers of admission must be cleared by the set deadline. This allows you to pay your fees and register in the graduate program in a timely fashion.

It is mandatory for all incoming students attend the " New Student Orientation " session. Routine communication from IMS is sent out throughout the year via email and through the website.

More information can be found on our After Acceptance page.

Residency Policy

Period of Residence

IMS requires that students must be in a geographical location in proximity to the University's campus to fully participate and benefit from the graduate program.   

Residence provides the student with an opportunity to become immerse in the intellectual environment of the University.

International students and students who will be moving to Toronto must be in a geographical location at the time of registration and remain there until thesis defense.

Still have questions? Visit our FAQ section , join one of our virtual Graduate Information Sessions ,  or email our Admissions Officer ( [email protected] ).

Ready to apply? Applications to IMS graduate programs must be submitted electronically via the SGS Online Application Portal . More information on the online application can be found on our How to Apply page.

Combined Doctor of Medicine/Doctor of Philosophy Program (M.D./Ph.D.)

The M.D./Ph.D. Program is offered jointly by the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and the School of Graduate Studies. For highly motivated students with superior research and academic potential, the M.D./Ph.D. program offers a unique training environment for individuals who want to pursue careers in academic medicine and research. Curriculum integration between medical school and graduate school is achieved on an individual basis, and the dual degrees are completed in seven to eight years. To gain admission to the M.D./Ph.D. Program, students must be acceptable both to the undergraduate medical program and to a graduate department or institute. Students should consult the appropriate graduate department or institute regarding research programs and potential supervisors.  Please visit: MD/PhD Program For admissions and inquiries, please contact:

Medical Science Building, Room 2256 1 Kings College Circle Toronto, ON M5S 1A8

Telephone:  (416) 978-3277 E-mail:  [email protected]

Dr. Nicola Jones, Director [email protected]

Kendra Hawke, Program Manager [email protected]

MD/PhD Program

Our MD/PhD Program, the largest national program of its kind, trains and mentors the next generation of clinician scientists.

Clinician scientists are trained as medical doctors and scientists. They are in the unique position of pursuing both scientific research and clinical practice, translating academic excellence into health care excellence for Canadians every day. Our program attracts the very best medical researchers to U of T PhD programs, and has produced successive generations of innovative health leaders. Through collaborative and interdisciplinary research, we are advancing medicine and improving health around the world.

Ask an MD/PhD student

The MD/PhD Program trains physician scientists who are well prepared for both research and clinical practice, highly competitive and productive. Learn More

You may apply for admission into the MD/PhD Program at the same time as your MD application, or during your first year of medical school at U of T. Learn More

Research Training Opportunities

We have a wide array of research training opportunities available.

PhD in Medical Biophysics - Medical Physics Specialization

In addition to our  graduate programs , the Department of Medical Biophysics offers a CAMPEP  -accredited specialization for PhD students interested in a Medical Physics career. Medical Physics spans research, development, and clinical trials involving medical imaging and radiotherapy technologies.

In this specialization within our PhD program, students complete a thesis-based PhD, while completing a structured medical physics course curriculum. The specialized program provides a research-intensive environment that immerses students in clinical technologies pertinent to medical imaging, such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear medicine, and radiation therapy. Cutting edge research involving machine learning, theranostics, and heavy particle therapy are ongoing. Students gain skills to pursue the production of high quality research and develop leadership skills.

Upon completion of their PhD, students who fulfill the Medical Physics course curriculum receive a letter of attestation from the Program Director , certifying that all required courses and modules have been successfully completed.

More information about the program can be found below.

Admission Requirements - Medical Physics Specialization within the Medical Biophysics PhD program

Students wanting to enroll in the Medical Physics PhD Specialization must first apply to and be accepted into the Medical Biophysics PhD program . Admission consideration to the Medical Biophysics PhD requires:

completion of an appropriate master's degree from a recognized university 

a minimum A- average in the final two years of study. This is flexible for those demonstrating exceptional aptitude for research.

submission and evaluation of all supplemental application material as outlined on the  Admission Requirements and Deadlines  page of our website.

an admissions interview for all candidates who are a potential fit for the program.

To be eligible for admission to the Medical Physics PhD specialization, students must also have:

completed an undergraduate degree in physics or an equivalent, relevant quantitative physical or engineering science, or have least three upper level (3rd or 4th year) half-courses in traditional physics such as classical mechanics/dynamics, quantum mechanics, electromagnetic theory thermal physics, atomic/nuclear physics, optical physics, or laboratory physics. Applicants with a non-physics majors must have coursework that is equivalent to a minor in physics, as defined by the University of Toronto, involving upper-level physics (e.g., PHY356H1, PHY357H1) and calculus courses.

their supervisor's approval in order to be eligible for a transfer into the Medical Physics PhD Specialization. This type of transfer must be completed by the end of their first year of study as a PhD student.

students must notify the program director and the MBP office within 1 year of beginning their PhD program.

For more information on admission requirements and application procedures for MBP Graduate programs, please visit the  Admission Requirements and Deadlines  page.

Courses - Medical Physics PhD Specialization

In addition to the mandatory course requirements of the MBP PhD program, students enrolled in the MBP PhD Medical Physics Specialization will be required to complete the following courses:

MBP 1023H: Clinical Radiation Physics and Dosimetry

MBP 1301H: Radiation Oncology: Clinical & Experimental Radiobiology

MBP 1407H: Magnetic Resonance Imaging - Overview

MBP 1411H: Overview of Medical Imaging

MBP 1412H: Ultrasound Overview

MBP 1415H: Radiotherapy Physics

MBP 1416H: Anatomy & Physiology (for Non-Specialists or Physicists)

MBP 1417H: Introduction to Health Physics

Please note that modules are available to all MBP students with suitable prerequisites. They can be taken pre-emptively for MSc students who are considering reclassification into the PhD Specialization.

For more information about courses, including detailed course descriptions, please refer to the MBP Course Modules page .

CAMPEP Accredited Postgraduate Information

CAMPEP (Commission on the Accreditation of Medical Physics Educational Programs) and SDAMPP (Society of Directors of Academic Medical Physics Programs) require all medical physics education programs to post and maintain data regarding student statistics as indicated below.

Subscribe to our Email List for prospective Graduate Students.

School of Graduate Studies

Medical physiology, program overview.

A near-infinite amount of data is generated by clinicians at the bedside, researchers at the bench, and emergent health technologies every single day. But who can interpret that data and render it relevant for use?

The MHSc in Medical Physiology is a twelve-month Professional Master’s program specially designed to address this rapidly emerging need. Featuring core courses and electives led by the Department of Physiology’s world-class faculty, the program also includes significant professional development training and culminates with a practicum in an industry, hospital, or government setting.

This unique combination of coursework and hands-on experience ensures our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills sought by today’s competitive health-related workforce.

Quick Facts

Master of health science, program description.

The MHSc in Medical Physiology is a 12-month professional master’s program specially designed to address this rapidly emerging need. Featuring core courses and electives led by the Department of Physiology’s world-class faculty, the program also includes significant professional development training and culminates with a practicum in an industry, hospital, or government setting.

The program blends advanced topic-specific physiology courses of the students' choosing with:

a mentored current literature review, where graduates acquire the critical analysis skills to identify new knowledge relevant to specific problems in human health;

a big data and health course, where students gain the skills to analyze and interpret data sets relevant to human health;

a commercialization and collaboration course, where students will acquire skills to understand how to commercialize new discoveries and how to work in a team science environment; and

a practicum opportunity, where students will experience how physiological knowledge is applied to real-life scenarios in their area of interest.

This unique combination of coursework and hands-on experience ensures that graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills sought by today’s competitive health-related workforce.

Minimum Admission Requirements

Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Physiology's additional admission requirements stated below.

Admission is based on demonstrated exceptional scholarly achievement based on the following criteria:

a one-page statement summarizing how this program will contribute to the advancement of the applicant's professional goals

a curriculum vitae (CV)

two letters of reference.

Applicants must have an appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized university with an average of at least A– in the last two years of study. Students must have completed at least third year-level physiology or equivalent courses and demonstrate an interest in physiology.

Selected applicants will be interviewed prior to final acceptance into the program.

Applicants who were educated outside Canada, whose primary language is not English, and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction was not English, must demonstrate proficiency in the English language through the successful completion of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the following minimum scores:

Internet-based TOEFL: 100/120 and 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections.

Other English proficiency tests are acceptable. Please consult the Physiology website for departmental standards.

Program Requirements

All students are required to:

Take 6.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) in physiology courses:

1.0 FCE: PSL4000Y Seminars and Graduate Professional Development (Credit/No Credit)

1.0 FCE: PSL4010Y Mentored Literature Review Project in Physiology

1.0 FCE: PSL4020Y Medical Physiology Practicum (Credit/No Credit)

0.5 FCE: PSL4030H Clinical Physiology

0.5 FCE: PSL4040H Big Data and Health

0.5 FCE: PSL4050H Collaboration and Commercialization in Physiology

1.5 elective FCEs.

Students will be matched with a mentor and practicum placement in consultation with the relevant course director and MHSc program director.

Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S)

3 years full-time

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Health Sciences (Doctoral program)

Program details.

Faculty Health Sciences

Degree Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Delivery method Hybrid online/in-class

Location Ontario Tech University, North Oshawa

Start dates September

Length Approximately 48 months, based on full-time study

Program load Full-time

Program format Courses with a PhD research thesis

The doctoral program in Health Sciences focuses on providing students with opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills required to conduct high-quality research that culminates into a   PhD   research thesis.

DOWNLOAD PROGRAM POSTCARD

• Admission requirements
• Application deadlines
• How to apply

Academic requirements:

• Completion of a research project or thesis-based master's-level degree in Health Sciences, Health Informatics, Kinesiology or equivalent from a recognized institution.
• Minimum B+ average (GPA: 3.3 on a 4.3 scale or 77 to 79 per cent).

Required supporting documents:

Please see the   checklist of required documents  for a list of supporting documentation that must be submitted with your application.

Additional requirements:

Admission depends on the identification of a supervisor who will provide significant support (faculty member has agreed to supervise) and the applicant’s exceptional academic qualities. It is recommended that applicants contact a potential supervisor and/or the graduate program director before formally applying.

Required test scores for English language proficiency:

Applications for admission to all graduate studies programs are submitted online. There are five steps you must go through to complete the application process. See   application process and requirements   for step-by-step instructions.

Many of our graduate programs are extremely competitive; the number of qualified applicants normally exceeds the number of seats available for each intake. Satisfaction of minimum entry requirements does not ensure admission.

Graduate training focuses on research conducted in one of three key areas in the Health Sciences:

• Community, Public and Population Health
• Health Informatics
• Community, Public and Population Health Students in the Community, Public and Population Health stream will develop a broad understanding of how the physical and social context shapes health, illness and health care. In particular, this includes research and analysis of cultural and economic differences and their implications for health and health care for diverse populations. Students will learn strategies to engage communities in efforts to reduce illness and promote health.
• Health Informatics Students in the Health Informatics stream will develop strategies to actively participate in multidisciplinary collaborations with diverse groups (e.g., patients, clinicians, health care managers, computer scientists, engineers) and will learn to assess and deploy the latest in computing and informatics systems to support efficient health care delivery. The Health Informatics stream prepares students to identify, develop and manage health care information systems that support health care administration, management, policy, training, clinical management and clinical research.
• Kinesiology Students in the Kinesiology stream will synthesize current research and integrate practical and theoretical knowledge to understand how and why exercise and physical activity can be used as an intervention to promote health and well-being in a range of populations, including those with developmental delays; children and adolescents; adults with chronic pain, cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, psychiatric and neurological disease; as well as recreational and high-performance athletes. Students will have the option of diverse research experiences in the kinesiology area ranging from intensive laboratory-based studies with human populations to interventional studies with special populations.

Faculty website

Download viewbook

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Research areas

Community, Public and Population Health:

• Chronic disease management
• Environmental health
• Health promotion
• Health and wellness of vulnerable populations
• Health policy
• Infectious disease
• Inequalities in health
• Mental health
• Social determinants of health

Health Informatics:

• Cloud computing in health care
• Health-care simulation
• Knowledge discovery in health care
• Mobility in health care
• Serious games in health care

Kinesiology:

• Exercise physiology
• Motor control
• Motor development
• Movement and neural plasticity
• Multidisciplinary influences on participation in physical activity
• Multidisciplinary influences on development of high-performance athletes
• Occupational biomechanics and ergonomics
• Pedagogy and physical eduation
• Physical activity promotion and diverse populations
• Physical activity and youth development
• Role of exercise in promoting health and function
• Skill acquisition in sport

Learn more about the research areas within this program and find research experts by visiting the  faculty’s website  and  the university's Expert Centre .

Additional information

Internal awards and funding.

Applicants to research-based graduate programs who are studying full-time are automatically considered for some types of funding at the time of admission.

Types of funding that do not require an application:

• Entrance scholarships
• Minimum funding packages
• Teaching assistantships, research assistantships and graduate research assistantships

For more details on the above funding opportunities, see   graduate student awards and funding .

Please note:   Part-time students are not eligible for the above funding opportunities.

External awards and funding

Graduate program applicants are encouraged to apply for   external awards   to help finance their education. The application process differs for each competition, so review the information carefully to determine where and when you must apply.   Please note:   The majority of these awards are for domestic or permanent residents only.

Tuition fees for graduate programs are charged on a flat-fee or fee-per-credit basis and vary by program and student status.

For current, specific fees and details on flat-fee versus fee-per-credit programs, please see   tuition and fees .

Women in Medicine and Sciences Feature: Carmen Dessauer, PhD

Each month, the Women Faculty Forum presents its Women in Medicine and Sciences Feature, highlighting the women faculty at McGovern Medical School who are leaders in medicine, research, and education.

This month’s feature is Carmen Dessauer, PhD , professor, chair, and John P. and Kathrine G. McGovern Distinguished Chair in the Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology .

What is your background?  When did you join UTHealth Houston? I was born and raised in New Orleans on the east side of town, nestled between Lake Pontchartrain and the MRGO Bayou. Although my family had moved across the lake to Mandeville, La., by the time Hurricane Katrina hit, this area was extremely hard hit by flooding when the levees failed during the storm.

I attended college at Louisiana State University and, in my senior year, married the love of my life. I made the decision to stay at LSU for my graduate work to help support my husband’s business in New Orleans. When it came time for postdoctoral work, we moved to Dallas so that I could work with Alfred Gilman at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Gilman won the Nobel Prize in medicine shortly after I arrived, and my time in his lab was a blur of sleepless nights in the lab, one exciting discovery after another, and connections with other postdocs and students that have lasted a lifetime.

What inspired you to pursue a career in science? I honestly cannot remember a time when I did not love science. What pushed me into a PhD track was my freshman research project at LSU. As part of my Presidential Scholarship, I was given a paid position in a research lab.

I worked for Dr. Roger Laine in the biochemistry department, whose first assignment for me was to clean and refurbish his Finnigan triple quad mass spectrometer. So here I was as a freshman, taking apart a very expensive instrument, numbering each piece, and laying them out on a sheet on the floor. I cleaned it and put it back together in reverse order and to my ultimate surprise, the instrument worked, and we obtained usable data. From that point on, any thoughts of pursuing an MD went out the window – I was hooked on research.

What are the primary research interests that drove your career, and what are you pursuing now? I have always loved studying the molecular mechanisms of how proteins and enzymes work. My postdoctoral research focused on the biochemical and structural characterization of the enzyme adenylyl cyclase, which produces the second messenger cyclic AMP (cAMP). Although we are still involved in structural studies, most of the lab strives to understand the hormonal regulation of cAMP signaling in physiological and pathophysiological states, particularly with respect to both cardiac arrhythmias and chronic pain.

My laboratory provided some of the first evidence for spatial and temporal specificity of cAMP production, identifying novel scaffolding proteins that give rise to subcellular organization of cyclic nucleotide signaling pathways. We are currently pursuing pharmacological ways to target these complexes that are often disorganized in disease states.

Who are your role models? During my postdoctoral training, I was lucky to have Alfred Gilman as a great scientific mentor who always seemed to know the most important questions to ask. However, it was Melanie Cobb , a National Academy of Sciences member and fantastic scientist in her own right, who taught me how to balance research and family. Her words of advice and encouragement have stayed with me throughout my career.

At UTHealth Houston, I have been mentored and inspired by so many accomplished women faculty, including Agi Schonbrunn , Barbara Sanborn , and Diana Milewicz , to name a few.

What do you enjoy most about working at UTHealth Houston? Without question, what I love most about UTHealth Houston are the people that I get to engage with every day. An “open door policy” is truly embraced in our department. I have found this to be an incredibly supportive and collaborative environment throughout my career and love the opportunity to mentor the next generation of scientists.

How do you think UTHealth Houston can further support female faculty? As women, it is exceedingly difficult to maintain a health work-life balance. Therefore, it is vital that the university, and particularly the NIH, recognize the fundamental law of thermodynamics: energy can neither be created nor destroyed – only converted from one form to another.

If applied to faculty life, it means that we have only so much energy to dedicate to work. Thus, for every new administrative burden, no matter how seemingly small, something must be sacrificed. If we are unwilling to sacrifice our own mental well-being or research/patients, then as a research and medical community we must demand that for every  new administrative burden, another is removed.

It is certainly my hope that this will be recognized across the spectrum of rules from the NIH and our institution that are constantly evolving.

If you would like to nominate a faculty member for the Women in Medicine and Sciences Feature, click here .

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Med Sci program helps SBS grad get to medical school

• May 20, 2024
• By: Matt Havlik

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“I was usually assigned overnight shifts, but I didn’t mind because I enjoyed being able to do something positive for my community when the world was in disarray during the pandemic,” Hughes said.

Through those first-hand experiences, Hughes also felt the call to become a doctor.

As he explored his options for medical school, a chance meeting with an admissions recruiter introduced him to The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. After that he set his focus on attending the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine .

To improve his chances of acceptance to TCOM, Hughes applied to the Master of Science in Medical Science program in HSC’s School of Biomedical Sciences .

“I heard that the rigor of the Med Sci program prepared incoming medical students well for the medical school curriculum, and that I could make connections with faculty and students on campus, all of which were major draws to the program,” Hughes said.

“The school is phenomenal, and the resources are fantastic, but I wouldn’t have known about any of that if I hadn’t met with the folks from admissions who visited UT Dallas.”

Thanks to that chance encounter, and the Master of Science in Medical Science program, Hughes will start medical school at TCOM this fall.

Tell us about your journey leading up to attending HSC.

I’m from DeSoto County, Mississippi, and I came to DFW in 2019 to pursue my bachelor’s in biology at the University of Texas at Dallas. My goal was to go to medical school after I graduated, so I attended a ton of pre-health events and recruitment fairs while I was at UTD. It was there that I met many of our current admissions staff who told me about the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine and the School of Biomedical Sciences Medical Sciences program.

What inspired you to pursue your degree at HSC?

I wanted to improve my medical school application before applying to TCOM, which is why I applied to the medical science program. I had also heard that the rigor of the program prepared incoming medical students well for the medical school curriculum, and that I could make connections with faculty and students on campus, all of which were major draws to the program.

The main reason I chose HSC was because of the people I met who told me about HSC. The school is phenomenal, and the resources are fantastic, but I wouldn’t have known about any of that if I hadn’t met with the folks from admissions who visited UTD, or visited campus myself and heard from students and staff about how awesome HSC is.

What academic achievements are you proud of?

I received Collegium V Honors with my bachelor’s degree back in May 2023. There were GPA and honors class hour requirements, but I’m most proud of the Capstone project I submitted, titled “Peaches, Patriotism, Parenthood: The Memoir of Les Petecki.” For this class project, my writing partner and I conducted primary research into the life of Les Petecki, a hospice patient served by a facility close to UT Dallas, as told by his wife and family. We gave virtual interviews and visited their hometown to view the family gravesite and the church where Les and his wife were married. We then drafted, edited and published the memoir in his honor.

Who had an impact on your success at HSC?

Definitely my partner, Anna. Though there’s a long list of people who’ve helped me get to where I am, she’s been my biggest supporter through all my highs and lows. I can’t imagine having gone through this past year without them.

What advice do you have for current or future HSC students?

There are so many resources on campus that go completely unused because people don’t know about them. Find them and use them! Go to all the random events you can because even if you don’t know anything about the event, there’s a good chance you’ll learn something or meet someone new who will help make your HSC experience that much better. Taking a break and getting a free lunch is always a plus as well.

What are your plans for the future?

I’m happy to announce that I’ll be continuing my journey at HSC as a TCOM OMS-I starting this fall. I currently plan on going into primary care, probably in family medicine, but we’ll see if that changes as I go through medical school.

Recent News

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On her way to medical school, SBS graduate makes time to give back

Inspirational students part of HSC’s Class of 2024

Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health brings inaugural community outreach event to HSC campus

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Episode 10: Developing a Questionnaire for Patients with Eye Conditions with Farheen Khan Big Little Explorers | Science Literacy Podcast for Kids

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Big Little Explorers aims to translate the latest and greatest discoveries in science! For our tenth episode, we speak about "Developing a Questionnaire for Patients with Eye Conditions" with Farheen Khan, a PhD Student in the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto. Background music by: Corporate | Upbeat Inspirational by Liborio Conti | ⁠https://www.youtube.com/LiborioConti

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London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Rashida ferrand and alison grant made fellows of the academy of medical sciences.

Professor Rashida Ferrand and Professor Alison Grant from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) have been elected as new Fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences.

They are among 58 scientists who have been recognised for their exceptional contributions to biomedical and health research, and translating developments into benefits for patients and wider society. Both were chosen for the significant impact they have made on international health.

Rashida Ferrand , Professor of International Health at LSHTM, is an epidemiologist and physician based in Zimbabwe, where she directs an interdisciplinary research programme,  The Health Research Unit Zimbabwe (THRU ZIM).

Her research focuses on strategies to improve access to HIV testing and treatment among children and adolescents and to address complex medical needs in children growing up with HIV. She directs the  CREATE PhD programme for health professionals which is training 50 doctoral UK and African students in global health.

Professor Ferrand said: “This honour has deep significance. It is a recognition of the collective efforts of the colleagues and collaborators I have the privilege to work with, and of the importance of focusing on global public health in a highly interconnected world. I am delighted to have the opportunity to learn from and contribute alongside such an illustrious community in our joint mission to improve the health of people across the world.”

Alison Grant , Professor of International Health and Dean of the Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases at LSHTM, also works as an HIV doctor in London. Her research aims to reduce disease and death due to tuberculosis (TB), particularly in settings of high HIV prevalence.

She has had a senior role in major trials to prevent TB and investigate the impact of new TB diagnostic tests among large populations, as well as interdisciplinary research aiming to reduce TB transmission in health facilities. She has held a key leadership role as Dean of one of LSHTM’s three Faculties since 2019.

Professor Grant said: "I am deeply honoured to have been elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences. The Academy's priorities to promote research and support researchers, bringing together people from a wide range of disciplines relevant to human health, are very important to me. I am excited to join eminent colleagues in the Academy and look forward to contributing to its work."

Professor Andrew Morris, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said: “It is an honour to welcome these brilliant minds to our Fellowship. Our new Fellows lead pioneering work in biomedical research and are driving remarkable improvements in healthcare. We look forward to working with them, and learning from them, in our quest to foster an open and progressive research environment that improves the health of people everywhere through excellence in medical science.”

The new Fellows will be formally admitted to the Academy at a ceremony on Wednesday 18 September 2024.

Our postgraduate taught courses provide health practitioners, clinicians, policy-makers, scientists and recent graduates with a world-class qualification in public and global health.

If you are coming to LSHTM to study a distance learning programme (PG Cert, PG Dip, MSc or individual modules) starting in 2024, you may be eligible for a 5% discount on your tuition fees.

These fee reduction schemes are available for a limited time only.

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2024 Convocation Recognizes Exceptional Graduate Students

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Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences highlighted students in the Class of 2024 for their academic achievements during its convocation ceremony on May 15.

The ceremony honored students who are graduating with their master’s degrees, as well as those who earned special awards and prizes for their accomplishments in research, scholarship and service.

In addition to celebrating students, the ceremony also honored graduate school faculty. Dr. Cynthia Leifer (Ph.D. '99), professor of microbiology and immunobiology at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, won the 2024 Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences Award of Distinction. This award honors alumni who have demonstrated exceptional achievements and outstanding contributions to biomedical research and education.

2024 Award Winners

Distinguished Student Commencement Speaker Award

Chloe Lopez-Lee, Neuroscience Program; Mentor, Li Gan, Ph.D.

David P. Hajjar Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring Award

Jason Lewis, Ph.D.

Professor, Pharmacology Program

Member, Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute

Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Teaching and Mentoring Award

Theresa Lu, MD, Ph.D.

Member, Immunology Program, Hospital for Special Surgery

Co-Director, Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Program

Pharmacology Teaching and Mentoring Award

Kristen Pleil, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Pharmacology Program, Weill Cornell Medicine

Executive MBA/MS Excellence in Healthcare Leadership Award

Waleed Javaid, M.D.

Executive MBA/MS in Healthcare Leadership

Julian R. Rachele Prize for significant research published in a scientific journal 

David J. Falvo, “A reversible epigenetic memory of inflammatory injury controls lineage plasticity and tumor initiation in the mouse pancreas.” Developmental Cell 58, 2959–2973 (2023). Mentor: Rohit Chandwani, M.D., Ph.D.

Albert S. Agustinus, “Epigenetic dysregulation from chromosomal transit in micronuclei.” Nature 619, 176–183 (2023). Mentors: Yael David, Ph.D. and Samuel F. Bakhoum, M.D., Ph.D.

Student Service Award

Kathleen Mills, Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Program

In recognition of her mentorship of high school and undergraduate students and her service to the IMP Program and WCGS.

Student Diversity Award

Yasmine Issah, Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Program

In recognition of her outstanding dedication to fostering an inclusive and diverse community.

Vincent du Vigneaud Research Symposium Awards

First-Year Poster Presentation Awards

First Place:

Peyton Carpen , “Impact of Calorie Restriction on Bone Marrow Stromal/Stem Cell Lineage Differentiation” (PI: Baohong Zhao, PhD) 

Ziqi (Christine) Yu , “Treating Triple Negative Breast Cancer in Brain Metastasis using P-selectin Targeting Nanoparticles” (PI: Daniel Heller, PhD)

Second Place:

Sarah Sheridan , “Effect of NKD1 Knockdown on Colorectal Cancer Cell Proliferation” (PI: David Scheinberg, MD, PhD)

Carolyn Ton , “Living Origami: How Cell Behaviors Drive Neural Tube Closure” (PI: Jennifer Zallen, PhD)

Austin Varela , “Harnessing Intrinsic Variability within the Tumor Microenvironment to Explainably Determine Cellular Communication” (PI: Ashley Laughney, PhD)

Second Year and Above Poster Awards

Hailey Goldberg , “A Nanoparticle-Based Platform for the Treatment of Senescence-Related Pathologies” (PI: Scott Lowe, PhD)

Moniquetta Shafer , “What Makes Methylmalonic Acid? Identifying and Characterizing the Functions of an Understudied Oncometabolite-Producing Enzyme” (PI: John Blenis, PhD)

Patrick Wallisch , “Interrogating the CD47-SIRP Axis in Chronic T Cell Stimulation to Translate Novel GvHD Therapies” (Professor David Scheinberg)

Rachel Payne , “Development of a PSMA Heterogeneous Tumor Model for Targeted Radiotherapy.” (PI Jason S. Lewis, Ph.D.)

Oral Presentation Awards

Madison Darmofal , “Deep Learning Model for Tumor Type Prediction using Targeted Clinical Genomic Sequencing Data” (PI: Quaid Morris, PhD)

Stephen Ruiz , “A Redox Stress-Modulated Phospholipase A2 Remodels Lipids to Regulate Ferroptosis in Cancer” (PI: Daniel Heller, PhD)

Celeste Parra Bravo , “Human iPSC 4R Tauopathy Model Uncovers Modifiers of Tau Propagation” (PI: Li Gan, PhD)

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MS in Data Science Graduate Wins Best Poster at NJBDA

The poster was on Jyoti Yadav’s thesis work titled Ai in TB Detection on Medical Big Data with Health and Educational Impacts

Posted in: Awards and Recognition , Data Science , Students

Jyoti worked on this project with her thesis committee, Dr. Varde , Dr. Liu and Dr. Antoniou . External contributors also included Dr. Lei Xie from CUNY Hunter NY (and Weill Cornell Medical College NY) as well. This research focused on analysis of the CODA TB Challenge Data Set.

Jyoti will be joining NYU, New York University Tandon School of Engineering , for a PhD program in Biomedical Engineering.