The University of Iowa Biomedical Science Graduate Program is a first-year umbrella program that allows students the flexibility to find their path in one of seven PhD subprograms: Cancer Biology, Cell and Developmental Biology, Experimental Pathology, Free Radical & Radiation Biology, Molecular Medicine, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, and Pharmacology.

Through common didactics, immersive research experiences, and hands-on faculty mentoring, the Program is committed to providing the opportunities for graduate students to learn, explore, and pioneer life-saving discoveries to improve healthcare and public health. Our students will be the next generation of educators, researchers, and leaders of the national and international biomedical workforce.

Professor Amy Ryan in Lab

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Subprograms
Professor Munir Tanas in Lab

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Faculty
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Laboratories

Events

Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center Virtual Career Development Series - Neuroscience alumna, McCall Sarrett, PhD promotional image

Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center Virtual Career Development Series - Neuroscience alumna, McCall Sarrett, PhD

Tuesday, October 27, 2026 11:30am
Virtual

🎓 Neuroscience Alumni Spotlight: McCall Sarrett, PhD ('20)

From Herky to Duo: A Career in the Cognitive Science of Learning

What can a PhD career look like beyond the traditional academic path?

Join the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Career Development Series for a conversation with McCall Sarrett, PhD ('20, Neuroscience), a University of Iowa graduate alumna who has built a career applying cognitive science and research in industry.

McCall is currently a Learning Scientist at Duolingo, where...

Molecular Medicine Interdisciplinary Program Thesis Defense Seminar: Miriam McDonough promotional image

Molecular Medicine Interdisciplinary Program Thesis Defense Seminar: Miriam McDonough

Wednesday, October 28, 2026 2:00pm
Medical Laboratories

Miriam McDonough is a PhD candidate in the Biomedical Science (Molecular Medicine) Interdisciplinary Graduate Program. Their research has been conducted in Jon Resch's laboratory.

If you are not able to attend in person, please consider showing your support by attending via Zoom. Please email britt-hokanson@uiowa.edu for the Zoom link.

Molecular Medicine Interdisciplinary Program Thesis Defense Seminar: Alexa Sheehan promotional image

Molecular Medicine Interdisciplinary Program Thesis Defense Seminar: Alexa Sheehan

Monday, November 2, 2026 10:00am
Medical Education Research Facility

Alexa Sheehan is a PhD candidate in the Biomedical Science (Molecular Medicine) Interdisciplinary Graduate Program. Her research has been conducted in Rebecca Dodd's laboratory.

If you are not able to attend in person, please consider showing your support by attending via Zoom. Please email britt-hokanson@uiowa.edu for the Zoom link.

2026 Neuroscience Research Day Keynote Speaker: Constanza J. Cortes, PhD promotional image

2026 Neuroscience Research Day Keynote Speaker: Constanza J. Cortes, PhD

Monday, November 2, 2026 1:00pm
Medical Education Research Facility

Keynote Speaker Announcement: Constanza J. Cortes, PhD
2026 Neuroscience Research Day – Monday, November 2, 2026

We are excited to welcome Constanza J. Cortes, PhD, Assistant Professor of Gerontology at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, to the University of Iowa for this year's Neuroscience Research Day.

Dr. Cortes's research explores the intersection of exercise, brain aging, skeletal muscle, and Alzheimer’s disease, with a particular focus on how...

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