Genetics, Development and Disease Ph.D. Program

Students interested in joining the Genetics, Development and Disease Ph.D. Program should apply to the interdisciplinary umbrella program within the Division of Basic Science.

Basic Biomedical Sciences Umbrella Program; First-year students complete a core curriculum with: Core Course, 2+ Laboratory Rotations; Responsible Conduct of Research Training in Integrity, Ethics, and Excellence. Second-year students take a qualifying exam to enter the Ph.D. program: Collaborative and Cross-Disciplinary

The nationally ranked Genetics, Development and Disease Graduate Program combines biology with the latest technology to enable researchers to delve into the genetic, molecular, and developmental mechanisms underlying basic biology and disease.

Nature Index No. 1 in All Sciences 2020 badge

The Program attracts scientists who are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of DNA research and making discoveries that will impact the prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of genetic disorders.

Faculty members use a wide array of experimental systems, including yeast, C. elegans, Drosophila, zebrafish, mice, and humans, in their quest to understand biological processes.

Research areas in the Genetics, Development, and Disease Graduate Program include:

Stem cell development
MicroRNAs and gene silencing
Cell growth and cell death
Genetics of disease
Students benefit from the strong tradition of interdisciplinary training at UT Southwestern. They are encouraged to collaborate across disciplines to gain a better understanding of the complexity of genetics and development.

“The positive and inclusive scientific environment fostered by the faculty members in the program, as well as UT Southwestern in general, provides encouragement and opportunity for us to broaden our scope of research and to connect and network with the scientists leading their respective field of expertise.”

View Student Profile

Purbita Saha

“As a student, I am both challenged by our constant innovation and celebrated for every milestone, preparing me with the right skills and network to succeed professionally”

View Student Profile

Nicholas Nguyen

“GDD listens to the voices of the students and provides a lot of opportunities to present your research, get feedback, and build your network. Each opportunity is packed with brilliant scientists in their field eager to help you become a greater research scientist. ”

View Student Profile

Madison Martinez

“The GDD program is open to so many different fields of study including development, cancer research, studies of basic molecular biology and genetics. It broadens your scope when considering how to approach a problem and is part of a community that is collaborative in their efforts to move projects forward.”

View Student Profile

Garrett Kimble

National Recognition

UT Southwestern’s Graduate School of Biomedical Science’s Genetics, Development and Disease Program has received a number of national recognitions, including:

Named one of the top molecular biology programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
Ranked No. 1 for public institutions nationally and No. 7 worldwide by Science Watch for the citation impact of the Molecular Biology and Genetics faculty

Meet the Program Director

“We aim to ask and answer fundamental questions regarding the mechanisms underlying tissue health and disease, and thereby shape the next generation of investigators and clinicians who will translate discoveries into human therapies.”