Cellular and Molecular Biology

The Cell, Molecular, Developmental Biology and Biophysics (CMDB) graduate program is an independent, stand-alone biomedical training program at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) that spans five basic science departments and the Carnegie Institution, all on the Arts and Sciences Homewood campus. It has been funded by a single T32 grant currently completing its 46th year. The program seeks to produce independent biomedical scientists through rigorous training and wide-ranging experiences wherein they acquire robust, transferable skills in quantitative biology, science communication, teaching, mentoring, and community outreach. The CMDB training philosophy features two core components. The first is a commitment to a broad but integrated training experience. Our interdisciplinary training faculty embody a breadth of research interests that span quantitative biophysics and biochemistry, developmental genetics, and modern cellular and molecular biology. Recent faculty hires introduced new areas of computational biology and genomics, further bolstering cross-disciplinary interactions, yet we remain a cohesive community, integrated via shared courses, seminars, and collaborations. Students gain broad scientific, technical skills in all disciplines through a core curriculum and four rotations before specializing in their thesis research. Instruction and promotion of responsible research conduct is integral to the entire training. The philosophy’s second component represents forming a complete scientist. This involves more than excellence in the laboratory: We train researchers to be effective communicators, educators, and leaders and support their outreach efforts. To that end, we expanded our training to include development of scientific communication and teaching skills, and our students participate in scientific outreach locally and nationally. Via in-program initiatives and JHU resources, our students explore careers extending beyond academic research. Recruitment efforts have led to one of the most diverse JHU graduate programs. On average, 17 TGE students matriculate into CMDB, and they will be supported by the T32 for their 1st year with stipend and tuition supplements provided by JHU. In 2017, we launched a survey-based initiative to assess the program’s effectiveness. The CMDB portal contains these data, providing transparent information to current and prospective students. This information guides the program—we foster innovation through data- driven decisions on faculty mentor training, student assessment, flexible career opportunities, and student retention. This application details the program’s gains and our plans to move forward with a philosophy that has already produced great success—dedication to broad, interdisciplinary scientific training, an emphasis on forming scientists who are outstanding communicators and educators and who give back to their communities, and a mission to recruit, nurture, and promote excellence in the next generation of biomedical researchers.