Development, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine

Development, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine

About the Program

The goal of the Ph.D. program in Development, Stem Cells, and Regenerative Medicine is to train the next generation of investigators in the history and practice of developmental and stem cell biology. The ultimate aim is to understand how the genomes of animals are translated into complex morphological forms, and to apply this basic knowledge to the emerging field of regenerative medicine. Mutlidisciplinary, collaborative research teams and close and regular contact between participating faculty and students creates and exciting and highly instructive environment.

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Gage Crump, Ph.D.


Gage Crump, Ph.D.
Program Chair

DSR Program Requirements

Degree Unit Requirement: 60 units

PIBBS Requirement: Completion of PIBBS required core curriculum (29 units)

Required CBG Courses:

  • DSR 542 – Principles of Developmental and Stem Cell Biology (4 units)
  • DSR 574 – Stem Cell and Developmental Biology Seminar Series (1 unit) – every fall and spring semester
  • DSR 790 – Research (varies)
  • DSR 794a/b – Doctoral Dissertation (at least 4 units)

Complete 2 units from the following:

  • DSR 610 – Current Topics in Regenerative Medicine (1 unit)
  • DSR 620 – Current Topics in Stem Cell Biology and Organogenesis (1 unit)
  • INTD 504 – Molecular Biology of Cancer (4 units)
  • Other courses may be allowed with consultation from the Director if they benefit the student’s research project

Qualifying Exam:
Students must pass both the written and oral portions of the qualifying exam during the second year of study. The written portion will require students to write a research grant proposal, in a format modeled after an NIH F31 fellowship application. The oral defense portion will include both a formal presentation of the grant proposal, as well as an open forum in which the guidance committee asks general questions related to the student’s research.

Dissertation:
Each student’s research is reported in a dissertation written under the guidance of the student’s mentor and the dissertation committee. The dissertation must demonstrate the student’s capacity for independent research, scholarly achievement and technical mastery of a specific field.

DSR Program Learning Objectives