biology phd upenn

• College of Arts & Sciences
• Graduate Division
• College of Liberal and Professional Studies

The philosophy of the Biology Department is to create an environment in which many areas of biology are represented, and interactions with an intellectually diverse group of colleagues provide opportunities to broaden your thinking and make connections between different fields and scientific approaches. Areas of research include microbiology, cell biology, developmental biology, physiology, neuroscience, animal behavior, plant biology, genomics, computational biology, evolution, ecology and biodiversity. Click here to review the research interests of the faculty in the Biology Department.

Each graduate student enters the department with the freedom to pursue topics ranging from the behavior of molecules to that of cells, organisms, genomes, and ecosystems. We encourage students to get a broad exposure through lab rotations with any faculty member in the Biology Graduate Group . As students identify more specific research interests, they can tailor their graduate education accordingly, choosing courses from different departments and schools at Penn as appropriate.

A feature of Penn's campus is that everything is close together, which facilitates collaborations with colleagues in other departments (e.g. Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Linguistics) and other schools at Penn (Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Engineering and Applied Sciences).

We believe that this environment provides an ideal starting point for a graduate student developing a career in biology.

Click here for more information on life as a Graduate Student at Penn.

Application Information:

Individuals interested in applying to our graduate program should consult the Application Information section of this page for application requirements, deadlines, and admission policies. All candidates applying to the Biology program in the School of Arts and Sciences are asked to address the following prompts in their personal statement:

• Please describe how your background and academic experiences have influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree and led you to apply to Penn. Your essay should detail your specific research interests and intellectual goals within Biology. Please provide information about your educational trajectory, intellectual curiosity and academic ambitions.
• If you have overcome adversity and/or experienced limited access to resources or opportunities in your field of study, please feel free to share how that has affected the course of your education. We are interested in your lived experiences and how your particular perspective might contribute to the inclusive and dynamic learning community that Penn values and strives to create.
• Please indicate which lab(s) at Penn you are interested in joining and why you are interested in them. We strongly encourage you to contact these faculty members before submitting your application to determine whether they are accepting new students and to discuss ideas for possible research projects.

Apply here!

Student support:.

All students admitted to our program receive financial support for a minimum of five years. New students receive a non-service Educational Fellowship which allows them to focus entirely on lab selections and coursework during their first year.  Students complete most of their course work and lab rotations in the first year and then start their thesis research in the second year while completing their teaching requirement and preparing for their candidacy exams.  Students are then fully focused on thesis research by the end of the second year.  Students still have the option of taking additional courses in advanced years in order to enhance their graduate research.  In subsequent years, students are supported through various means, such as teaching assistantships, research fellowships, training grants, and other means, both University fellowships and outside funding. More information is available on the FAQ page .

Biomedical Graduate Studies

Graduate group in genomics and computational biology.

Eric Sanford, GCB Alum

Welcome to GCB!

The mission of the Graduate Group in Genomics and Computational Biology (GCB) is to train the next generation of quantitative scientists with an integrated and deep understanding of the biological basis of health and disease.

• Administering a comprehensive training program that gives students a broad foundation in the biological and quantitative sciences along with practical experience in computational genomics, experimental genomics, or biomedical informatics;
• Providing trainees with a groundwork of knowledge through coursework, seminars, retreats, and interactions with visiting scientists;
• Introducing trainees to the highly dynamic and collaborative atmosphere of the Penn genomics and computational biology community.

Upcoming GCB Events

Cell and Developmental Biology

Juan alvarez, ph.d..

Graduate Group Affiliations:

• Bioengineering
• Developmental Biology
• Epigenetics
• Stem Cells & Regeneration

Dr. Zaret’s awards include a National Science Foundation Fellowship (1971), a National Research Service Predoctoral Award (1978-1981), the Wallace O. Fenn Award from the University of Rochester (1983), a Jane Coffin Childs Postdoctoral Fellowship (1982), a Searle Scholar faculty award (1986), a Fulbright U.S.-Spain Co-Investigator Award (1999), a grant from the Human Frontiers Science Program (2000), the Hans Popper Basic Science Award from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the American Liver Foundation (2002), grants from the Mathers Charitable Foundation (2001, 2004), a fellowship-study grant from the International Union Against Cancer – Yamagiwa-Yoshida (2006), a MERIT award from the National Institutes of General Medical Sciences, NIH (2006-2016), in 2007 he was elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and in 2017 he received the Stanley N. Cohen Biomedical Research Award from UPenn. In 2021, Ken was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.  In 2023, Ken was elected to the National Academy of Sciences.

Dr. Zaret has served as an Editor of the journals Molecular and Cellular Biology (1993-1997) and Development (2006-2012), as a guest editor of Methods: A Companion to Methods in Enzymology (1997), Current Opinions in Genetics and Development (2001), and Mechanisms of Development (2003). Dr. Zaret is currently on the Editorial Boards of Science, Genes and Development, Developmental Cell, and Current Opinion in Genetics and Development, on the Boards of seven Institutes, Societies, and Consortia.

Dr. Zaret has served on many grant review panels, including the Molecular Biology Study Section, the Cell and Developmental Function-1 Study Section, and Molecular Genetics B Study Section of the National Institutes of Health. He has served on the Council for the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIH) and the Board of Scientific Counselors (BSC) for the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NIH), including being Chair of the BSC. Dr. Zaret was elected Treasurer of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (2019-2022).

Institute of Structural Biology

The Institute of Structural Biology

Structural Biology provides three-dimensional information on the molecular architecture of biological macromolecules—proteins, nucleic acids, and their complexes. It seeks to understand the molecular details of their formation, actions, and functions through techniques like cryo-electron microscopy, X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. Structural Biology is deeply interconnected with Cell Biology, Computational Biology, Chemical Biology, Pharmacology, and many other areas of biological research. Knowledge provided by these techniques on the biological macromolecules is fundamental to understanding insights into the biological processes and mechanisms at the molecular level, guiding efforts in drug design and disease understanding.

The Institute of Structural Biology at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) Perelman School of Medicine was established in 2023. The Institute of Structural Biology hosts 30 research laboratories and catalyzes novel advances in the areas of structural biology, meets structural biology needs on the UPenn campus, and promotes collaborative studies across the biomedical community. The Institute of Structural Biology also serves as a hub for training and education in structural biology, providing opportunities for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and early-career researchers to gain hands-on experience with the latest techniques and methods. The Institute of Structural Biology hosts seminars, biennial symposia and provides pilot project grants.

Meet The Institute of Structural Biology Director

Dr. vera moiseenkova-bell, ph.d..

Dr. Vera Moiseenkova-Bell is the Director of the Institute of Structural Biology, the Beckman Center for Cryo Electron Microscopy (cryoEM) and the Electron Microscopy Resource Laboratory. She is a Professor at the Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics at the Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Moiseenkova-Bell is a membrane protein biochemist and a structural biologist with expertise in cryoEM. Her research is focused on structure-function analysis of Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels and their interaction with agonists/antagonists to enhance our understanding of their function at the molecular level. In addition, her laboratory research program seeks to understand how TRP channels regulate cellular functions and the role of their dysregulation in human disease.

Meet The Institute of Structural Biology Associate Director

Dr. yi-wei chang, ph.d..

Dr. Yi-Wei Chang serves as the Associate Director at the Institute of Structural Biology and holds the position of Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. With a strong background in structural biology and engineering, Dr. Chang specializes in the utilization and advancement of cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) methods and related technologies for investigating molecular structures inside cellular context. His research group employs cryo-ET to investigate a wide spectrum of host-pathogen interactions, unraveling the structural mechanisms behind various diseases that can only be elucidated through such in situ structural biology methods.

CryoEM and CryoET

X-ray Crystallography

Computational Biology

Protein Production Services

Chemical Biology

Mass Spectrometry

Single Molecule Imaging

Latest publications, a rab7a phosphoswitch coordinates rubicon homology protein regulation of parkin-dependent mitophagy, efficient formation of single-copy human artificial chromosomes, a parp2-specific active site α-helix melts to permit dna damage-induced enzymatic activation, news & announcements, featured publications from our labs.

We are excited for Nick Palmer, Kyle Barrie, and the Dominguez Lab for this recent publication in Nature: Mechanisms of actin filament severing and elongation by formins. They  used cryo-EM to solve 7 structures of 2 formins, providing a step-by-step mechanism of actin severing and elongation. Read the full publication here:    

Featured Publications From Our Labs

The LexA–RecA* structure reveals a cryptic lock-and-key mechanism for SOS activation In a recent publication in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, this amazing team uncovered the structure of a key bacterial SOS response complex, essential for DNA repair and antibiotic resistance. They discovered how the RecA* protein triggers the breakdown of LexA, leading to SOS … Continue reading Featured Publications From Our Labs

Congratulations to the team at Black and Chang’s Labs for their recent publication in Nature Communications! The article titled “Ultrastructure of human brain tissue vitrified from the autopsy revealed by cryo-ET with cryo-plasma FIB milling” by Creekmore, B.C., Kixmoeller, K., Black, B.E., et al., appears in Nature Communications, volume 15, article number 2660 (2024). Here’s … Continue reading Featured Publications From Our Labs

Graduate and Professional Programs

Penn pioneered professional education in the U.S. and continues to set the pace today with outstanding graduate and professional programs.

Degree Programs

Prospective student information.

An overview of Penn’s renowned graduate and professional programs.

A-Z Listing of Graduate Programs

Learn about programs offered for academic credit. Interested users can narrow results by academic level and school.

Graduate Catalog

Find detailed information about graduate programs at Penn including Ph.D., research master’s, professional master’s, and other professional degrees. Also discover information about important policies and resources.

Graduate Student Center

The Graduate Student Center is a centrally located space to connect with other graduate and professional students from across the University. It provides a variety of services and resources to empower graduate and professional students to participate fully in the graduate community at Penn.

Valuing Graduate Students

The Valuing Graduate Students website provides a comprehensive overview of the many benefits and programs that support graduate student life, research, career advancement, and work-life balance across campus.

Graduate School Populations (Fall 2023)

Annenberg School for Communication 64

School of Arts and Sciences 2,100

School of Dental Medicine 822

Weitzman School of Design 703

Graduate School of Education 1,649

School of Engineering and Applied Science 4,440

Carey Law School 990

Perelman School of Medicine 2,161

School of Nursing 572

School of Social Policy & Practice 565

School of Veterinary Medicine 587

The Wharton School 2,447

Investing in future teachers and educational leaders

The Empowerment Through Education Scholarship Program at Penn’s Graduate School of Education is helping to prepare and retain teachers and educational leaders.

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Graduate Program in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

The Graduate Program in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (CBE) at the University of Pennsylvania, established in 1893, is renowned for its excellence and dynamic nature.

Our program allows students to earn either a Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) or a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. Additionally, a part-time master’s program is available to professional engineers who wish to continue working in the industry while pursuing their MSE degree. Our graduates thrive in successful careers, providing leadership in academia and various industrial settings, including pharmaceuticals, biotech, advanced materials, electronics, and traditional sectors such as chemicals, oil, and gas.

Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)

The MSE program equips highly-qualified students with a strong theoretical foundation and interdisciplinary skills essential for career advancement in the rapidly evolving field of chemical and biomolecular engineering. Our innovative Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) Program in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (CBE) is renowned for preparing students for leadership roles in the oil, chemical, pharmaceutical, and electronics industries.

Click here to learn more.

Doctoral Program (Ph.D.)

The Ph.D. program in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering demands exceptional ability and the potential to make significant original contributions to the field. Doctoral candidates are expected to demonstrate the capability for independent work and study at the highest levels. This degree is essential for those aiming to teach chemical engineering or pursue a career in advancing research within the discipline.

Graduate students in our program have the opportunity to join the lab of any faculty member within the CBE Graduate Group. Our faculty members, who are engaged in research across all areas of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, come from various schools at Penn, including Penn Engineering, Penn Dental, Penn Medicine, Penn Vet, and the School of Arts and Sciences.

For faculty listings sorted by research topic or to learn more about each research area, please visit the Chemical and Biomolecular Research Areas page . To see only faculty with academic appointments within the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, visit our departmental faculty page .

Graduate Group Review - Student Feedback Form

Graduate Groups are periodically reviewed by the Graduate Council of the Faculties (GCF) in order to identify strengths and weaknesses within each program, and to recommend any changes that may help to improve the Graduate Group. This feedback form is intended to solicit general information and impressions about your graduate school experiences to share with GCF.

Graduate Group Review Student Feedback Form

Chemical Engineering Graduate Association (ChEGA)

The Chemical Engineering Graduate Association (ChEGA) represents the academic and social interests of graduate students. The primary role of ChEGA is to organize social events such as happy hours and holiday parties. ChEGA organizes an annual Graduate Student Research Symposium and a weekly graduate student seminar series each spring, as well. While its main focus is to schedule social gatherings, ChEGA also serves an important role in providing student input to departmental policies and is also very involved in graduate recruiting.

Every year CheGA members create, act, and produce a satirical video about CBE faculty and their experiences from that year. Take a look at one of ChEGA’s past videos here !

Graduate Student Symposium (GSS)

The annual Graduate Student Symposium (GSS) is a student-organized event that provides an opportunity to the graduate students from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania to present their findings to the academic community and the interested industrial representatives. It is a great ground for students to make connections and to discuss their research topics. In the past, representative from companies such as ConocoPhilips, Merck, ExxonMobil, L’Oreal and Air Products have attended this event.

Each year we are fortunate enough to have at least 12 oral presentations and 35 poster presentations given by our students.  Our most recent event was a great success with more than 100 people in attendance!

If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at  [email protected] .

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Cell and Molecular Biology: Genetics and Epigenetics, PhD

Related programs.

• Cell and Molecular Biology: Cancer Biology, PhD
• Cell and Molecular Biology: Cell Biology, Physiology, and Metabolism, PhD
• Cell and Molecular Biology: Developmental, Stem Cell, and Regenerative Biology, PhD
• Cell and Molecular Biology: Gene Therapy and Vaccines, PhD
• Cell and Molecular Biology: Microbiology, Virology, and Parasitology, PhD

Cell and Molecular Biology

The Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group (CAMB) is an interdisciplinary graduate program, providing rigorous training in modern cell and molecular biology, preparing students for leadership careers in biomedical research. Within this integrated program are six discipline areas:  Cancer Biology ;  Cell Biology, Physiology, and Metabolism ;  Developmental, Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology ;  Gene Therapy and Vaccines ;  Genetics and Epigenetics ; and  Microbiology, Virology and Parasitology . Program faculty include more than 300 scientists representing 35 departments from the Perelman School of Medicine, the Schools of Arts and Sciences, Dental Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the Wistar Institute and Fox Chase Cancer Center. The research efforts of these scientists are diverse in their focus, experimental system, methodology, and represent the leading edge of basic and translational biomedical science.

Students from colleges and universities around the nation and the world are enrolled in the program, selecting one discipline area based on their scientific interests, yet have access to the full breadth of curricular and research opportunities provided by this large and diverse program. Our students participate in core courses in cell and molecular biology, specialized coursework in one or more discipline areas, and original hypothesis-driven thesis research. Upon completion of the PhD, they pursue successful research careers at top academic institutions, in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, and in other biomedicine-related career paths.

For more information:  http://www.med.upenn.edu/camb/

Genetics and Epigenetics

The Program in Genetics and Epigenetics provides students an opportunity to undertake concentrated study in the areas of model organism genetics, human genetics, transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene regulation, epigenetics, genomics and bioinformatics. Program faculty include members of the Genetics Department, Epigenetics Program, and other basic science and clinical departments at Penn, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Wistar Institute. Students also have the opportunity to undertake training in the application of computational and modeling approaches in genetics, epigenetics and genomics. 

For more information: https://www.med.upenn.edu/camb/ggr.shtml

View the University’s Academic Rules for PhD Programs .

Required Courses 

Or other statistics course with approval of the Graduate Group.

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2024 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

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