Genetics and Developmental Biology Training Program

Summary Our Genetics and Developmental Biology (GENETICSDEVBIO_T32) training program combines the expertise of multiple Stanford departments to provide rigorous and innovative training in genetics and developmental biology across a range of living systems. We believe that interdisciplinary training in genetics and developmental biology is particularly urgent in 2021 and beyond. High-throughput sequencing and massive studies of genetic variation are transforming much of biomedical research. However, connecting DNA sequences to traits remains a key challenge in all fields. Our training program directly addresses the problem of mapping genotypes to phenotypes through combined training in genetics, genomics, and experimental methods for testing gene functions in a wide range of organisms. The major training goals of the program are to: Provide students with rigorous 5-year Ph.D. training at the forefront of modern genetics, genomics, and developmental research. Develop fundamental skills in scientific thinking. Develop skills required to manage and analyze scientific data in a rigorous and reproducible manner. Train students to carry out scientific research ethically and responsibly. Train students to effectively communicate findings in written and oral formats. Advance basic and applied knowledge by training scientists who will consider a range of questions, populations, and study systems in their research. We achieve these goals through an innovative combination of a joint computational and experimental training camp; joint courses, retreats, seminar series, journal clubs, and research talks; formal and ongoing instruction in ethics and rigorous design of experimental research; and monthly T32-specific “professional skills” discussion meetings throughout graduate school. Our outstanding faculty and trainees have an exceptional track record of combining techniques across disciplines and making major scientific advances that improve our mechanistic understanding of basic biology and human health and disease.