Neuroscience Ph.D. Program
Students interested in joining the Neuroscience Ph.D. program must first apply to the interdisciplinary umbrella program within the Division of Basic Science.
About the Neuroscience Program
The Neuroscience Graduate Program at UT Southwestern provides a strong foundation for tackling challenges associated with uncovering the mysteries of the nervous system. Students take coursework that covers fundamental knowledge of how nervous system cells develop, function, form circuits, and direct behaviors.
In addition, students participate in elective courses, journal clubs, and works-in-progress seminars to advance their learning and contribute to their success in this field.
Esteemed Faculty, Groundbreaking Research
Our faculty are internationally recognized leaders in their respective fields. Their research programs cover every aspect of modern neuroscience including cellular and molecular neurobiology, neurogenomics, and systems neuroscience. Their work is laying the foundation for the next generation of treatments for neurological disease and mental illness.
Research topics of particular interest in the Neuroscience Program include:
- Membrane biophysics, especially the operation and modulation of ion channels
- Neuronal organelle traffic, particularly the synthesis, axonal transport, and release of synaptic and secretory vesicles
- Developmental neurobiology
- Neurogenetics of invertebrates and vertebrates
- The molecular, cellular, and circuit basis of complex behavior
- Neurodegeneration
- Computational neuroscience
Going Beyond Lab Research
In addition to offering extensive training in laboratory research, the Neuroscience Graduate Program provides students with:
- Advanced Coursework
Students take coursework that covers fundamental knowledge of how nervous system cells develop, function, form circuits, and direct behaviors.
- Journal Clubs
Students attend a series of advanced graduate special topics journal clubs. These are designed to provide knowledge about a given topic and also to confer a detailed understanding of experimental procedures and to promote clear presentation of ideas and arguments.
Topics change every semester and are suggested by students based on current interests. Recent journal club topic examples include:
- Neurotechniques
- History of ion channels
- Sensory systems
- Cellular and circuit functions of GABA
- Entirely autism: from genes to synapses, circuits, genomics and ideology
- Works-in-Progress Seminars
Neuroscience works-in-progress seminars provide an interactive opportunity for students and faculty to talk informally about their research and receive feedback from peers.
Meet the Program Director
“Our Neuroscience Graduate Program offers a robust foundation of scientific knowledge and mentorship to equip rising researchers with the skills to tackle fundamental questions in biology and disease, from structure and function to mechanisms of common and rare disorders.”
Maria Chahrour, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
See Dr. Chahrour's Full Message
Contact the Graduate School
Arnaldo Diaz Vazquez, Ph.D.
Associate Dean
arnaldo.diazvazquez@utsouthwestern.edu
Phone: 214-648-2527
