usc chemical biology phd

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

Key searches, phd programs, phd programs in biomedical and biological sciences (pibbs).

The goal of PIBBS is to recruit top caliber Ph.D. students in the biomedical and biological sciences to USC and to guide them in the identification of a mentor, lab, and research project that will provide rigorous scientific training, an outstanding Ph.D. thesis, and a strong foundation for a variety of science-related careers. The following interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs are part of PIBBS.

Cancer Biology & Genomics (CBG)

CBG capitalizes on our Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center , one of the oldest National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the United States. A Comprehensive Cancer Center designation requires that clinical treatment of patients and scientific research are carried out side by side. The Norris has strength in all areas of cancer research, including clinical and basic research and epidemiology.

Development, Stem Cells, & Regenerative Medicine (DSR)

DSR benefits from our wonderful Center for Regenerative Medicine and our strength in stem cell research, tissue engineering and regeneration.

Infectious Diseases, Immunology & Pathogenesis (IDIP)

IDIP is a program focused on translating bench research to the bedside by investigating human organ systems in health and disease. It takes advantage of our outstanding clinical and basic scientists and the exciting interdisciplinary and collaborative atmosphere at USC.

Medical Biophysics (MBPH)

MBPH is a program seeks to answer important biomedical questions using all aspects of biophysics, with an emphasis on structural biology and biophysical methods and theories. Some faculty members of this program are located on the University Park (undergraduate) USC campus.

Molecular Medicine (MMED)

The Molecular Medicine PhD Program offers comprehensive research training at the intersection of medicine and molecular biology, equipping students with practical skills and a collaborative environment to make significant contributions to medical advancements.

Neuromedicine (NEUM)

The NEUM PhD program at Keck School of Medicine trains researchers to address neurological and neurodegenerative diseases through interdisciplinary approaches, equipping them with knowledge in disease biology, pathophysiology, model systems and data science, and the skills to conduct rigorous basic and translational research and develop cutting-edge technologies.  

What are you looking for?

Caiqun Yu works in a lab that offers the opportunity to exchange ideas. (Photo/Rhonda Hillbery)

Training program leads to collaboration among grad students in chemistry and biology

Two-year program aims to build innovative thinkers and solve biological problems

A National Institutes of Health training program that brings about collaboration in the fields of chemistry and molecular biology is giving graduate students new perspectives on both science and future career paths.

“As someone who never studied biology as an undergrad, I’m fascinated by the impact that chemistry can have directly on biology and moving your work toward human innovation,” said Jose Ricardo Moreno, a PhD candidate in chemistry who researches the cellular underpinnings of cancer and other serious diseases.

“As a synthetic chemist, my drive is, how can I synthesize or make new molecules? It wasn’t until biology came into play that I began to see it had a big role to play in finding cures for diseases and finding ways that we can make chemistry a tool to improve the quality of life for human beings. The connection immediately becomes apparent.”

Moreno is one of six PhD trainees supported by a Chemistry and Biology Interface T32 grant, awarded in 2016 by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences .

The two-year program promotes communication across disciplines and builds innovative thinking and approaches for today’s interdisciplinary careers. The new collaboration is all about finding more and better tools to solve biological problems, said program director Susan Forsburg , Gabilan Distinguished Professor in Science and Engineering and professor of biological sciences at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.

Unique identity

What makes the chemical biology sandbox so interesting? The field harnesses chemistry’s quantitative methods of synthesis, analysis and mechanism to make fundamental discoveries that impact human health.

As biologists identify new drug targets using genomic and molecular approaches, there’s a need for chemists grounded in fundamental biology who can design, synthesize, manipulate and characterize molecules. And chemistry provides molecular biologists a deeper understanding of the chemical principles that underlie molecular interactions such as recognition, design, synthesis and reactivity.

“The idea here is that we are trying to create students who have a unique identity as chemical biology students,” Forsburg said. “Trainees identify someone on the opposite program with whom they can have a co-mentor relationship and spend some time in that lab and learn something from the other side.”

Besides venturing into six-week mini sabbaticals, they take several courses in the cross-discipline.

Trainees are schooled in the responsible conduct of research fundamentals. They meet in a weekly journal club to hash over assigned research journal articles and hear prominent lecturers provide overviews of their research. The cadre pores over each paper and asks why is this important and what makes it a good paper? What makes a good research problem? For that matter, what makes a good research program?

Convergent science

The program’s focus on cross-training dovetails with the intensely collaborative direction science evolving at USC, as exemplified in The Bridge@USC. This fall, chemical biologists will be among the prominent researchers from diverse areas across science and engineering who will move into their new home at the USC Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience .

“Training grants add an extra dimension to graduate education that prospective students seek,” said Stephen Bradforth, USC Dornsife divisional dean for natural sciences and mathematics. “The training program offers professionalization components and opportunities to work in laboratories with multiple investigators that students simply wouldn’t find elsewhere. The fact that USC has received the award underscores the prominence of our chemical biology graduate program as well the excellence of its research faculty.”

USC is one is about 30 U.S. universities awarded training grants in the T32 chemical biology program, and it’s gaining attention.

“It’s been a good tool for us for recruiting top chemical biology program applicants,” said Matthew Pratt, associate professor of chemistry and training grant deputy director.

At his home base in the Pratt research group, Moreno studies glycosylation — the modification of proteins by carbohydrates, how this process helps cancer cells thrive and how it might be disrupted to fight disease.

Now entering his second year as a T32 trainee, Moreno will spend six weeks in the lab of Fabien Pinaud, assistant professor of molecular biology and director of The Single Molecule Biophotonics Group.

“I expect to be taking compounds made in the [Pratt] lab and learning to stain cells and use these compounds to see into the cell,” Moreno said.

He will go very small-scale, using light-based microscopy techniques to detect, study and understand the properties of biomolecules at the cellular, subcellular and molecular levels.

Pathways to understanding

Dieu An Nguyen researches small RNAs (ribonucleic acid) and the mechanisms of their regulatory pathway in nematodes ( C. elegans ) in the lab of Carolyn Phillips, assistant professor of molecular biology.

Nguyen recognizes that the in vivo lens used to study an intact organism only reveals part of the mystery she is trying to unravel. Chemistry provides a different way of looking at a problem, she said.

“I’m just very excited — a lot of me likes going very in depth in science. But part of me thinks I’m missing out on the larger picture of science. This [program] makes me feel I’m a more comprehensive scientist.”

On the chemistry side, she will be mentored by Professor Lin Chen, working in vitro (in the test tube) to purify worm proteins and study their biochemical properties.

Looking through the lens of chemistry will let her see protein structure and biochemical properties of those proteins with more of an expert eye.

“You can account for much more detail or chemical properties in your biological model than you thought could have done before,” she said. “So the program just sort of opens up this horizon of possible collaborations in the future.”

Pathways to careers

Pratt sees the blossoming field drawing intellectual firepower while also offering attractive career paths for PhDs.

“What they learn allows trainees to come out as full-fledged chemical biologists rather than just a chemist or a biologist,” Pratt said.

He cited the pharmaceutical industry as an eager employer of graduates with a knowledge base that spans both fields.

“A lot of companies are moving in the direction of biological therapeutics,” he said. “For example, there is big growth in therapeutic antibodies, where job candidates need to have good understanding of chemistry and biochemistry, as well as the more biological areas such as exploring protein expression and purification.”

Caiqun Yu primarily works in the lab group of Chao Zhang, assistant professor of chemistry. Her cross-training experience in the lab of Chen, a structural biologist, will allow her to study X-ray protein crystallography, a form of high-resolution microscopy. Investigators believe this tool will ultimately aid in the design of novel inhibitor drugs.

Yu hopes to ultimately work in the pharmaceutical industry.

The year ahead

Now embarking on year two, the training group is developing its own esprit de corps while it prepares to welcome new members.

“I love the people there,” said Caiqun Yu, who primarily works in the lab group of Chao Zhang, assistant professor of chemistry. “We share ideas. We’re also planning on doing a student organized journal club over the summer. I think it’s a good opportunity to continuously talk about science and read papers.”

The National Institutes of Health is providing four slots for 2017-18, when the cohort may grow to 13 first and second-year trainees. The first annual meeting later this year will bring everyone together to celebrate the new collaboration and share results.

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The Chemistry and Chemical Biology Graduate Program at UC Davis is world-renowned and represents the full breadth of the discipline, including analytical, biological, inorganic, organic, physical, and theoretical chemistry. The program has over 200 graduate students engaging in research across six areas of study: analytical, chemical biology, inorganic, organic, physical, and chemical physics. We encourage and support graduate research that transcends traditional academic boundaries by bringing together faculty from departments across campus, including the School of Medicine, College of Engineering, College of Biological Sciences and the Genome Center. Students pursuing their Ph.D. receive a competitive salary, tuition and fees paid for and comprehensive health insurance.

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What are you looking for?

Suggested search, how do you land a job just “ask john”.

You’ve got your diploma, now what?

For most graduates, it’s time to find work, but job hunting can be notoriously tricky. Writing a stand-out resume or acing an interview often feels daunting.

To help, USC Dornsife Career Pathways produces the weekly Ask John podcast , hosted by career advisor John Foulger. Episodes focus on topics like resume formatting, networking and salary negotiation.

Foulger recently shared tips for anyone looking for a job, whether you’re fresh out of college or more advanced in your career.

How do I make my resume stand out?

Tailor your resume to the job as much as you possibly can, and make it clear and readable. The biggest pitfall I see is people either adding too much detail or making a resume too fancy. You should be able to hand your resume to your roommate, your parents, your grandma, and have them read it and know within about 10 seconds exactly what you’re trying to say.

People feel that resumes make or break your job prospects, but that’s not true. The resume just gets you an interview. So, think of it as giving an employer a sample of who you are. You don’t have to tell them everything that you’ve ever done. Just show them why they should pay attention to you and interview you.

Are there words that tend to do better than others on resumes?

You want to include action verbs. It’s so much easier to read and you’re much more invested than a passive voice. Also, use words that the employer uses in the job description. A common example that I give: If you’re applying for a data analytics job and they use the word “analyze” versus “track,” use the word analyze.

Do I have to include a cover letter?

I definitely recommend cover letters. Not all companies look at them anymore, but for the ones that do, they’re incredibly important. Even if they are not specifically asked for, I still recommend them because it shows a level of commitment. It shows that you go that extra mile. People really do value them.

How do you write a good cover letter?

In a resume, you have single bullet points. A cover letter allows you to put those experiences in narrative format, to give context to your experiences, give context to who you are and why you’re important.

Your cover letter should be really tailored to the job because it’s you selling yourself for the position. You’re telling them, “This is who I am as a holistic person. This is why I matter, and this is why you should invest in me.” Because that’s really what they’re doing when they hire you; they are making an investment in you. They want to know if you’re worth your paycheck. Your cover letter allows them to see that.

How do I ace an interview?

Most important in interviewing is your mental attitude. A lot of times people start to question if they’re really qualified for an interview. The answer is always “yes.” If you’ve made it to an interview, you belong in that room.

It is very easy to get overwhelmed, to get in your own head and start worrying about what you’re going to say. Don’t overthink things. Don’t get wrapped up in worrying about what you’re doing right and what you’re doing wrong. Just be your authentic self. Show them who you are and go from there.

The interviewer wants you to succeed. They have a hole in their organization, and they want nothing more than for you to be the answer to their problem.

Prepare. Do your research on the position. Do your research on the department that you’re going to be joining. Do your research on the organization as a whole, so that when they ask you about the position or the organization, you can answer it with confidence.

Let’s say you had a terrible previous work experience. How do you bring that up?

You never, ever, want to speak negatively about a previous experience, even if it was a terrible experience. You want to spin it positive anytime you can.

Let’s say that you had a manager who micromanages you. You might say, “A management style that I did not necessarily align with was one where I felt that I was constantly being watched. I look forward to getting into this new position and working together towards a common goal. I feel I can have a better level of autonomy in this role, based off of your company values.”

In this scenario, I addressed that this experience didn’t align with who I am as a person, then immediately dovetailed into how I’m going to change it in my own life and referenced the good of the company that I’m applying to.

What are some green and red flags for employers?

Green flags are: being prepared, having done research, confidence in what you’re going to be doing.

Not being professional, whether that’s how you speak, how you dress, how you act out in the world, are red flags. A lot of employers are going through your social media. Be aware of what’s out on the internet and your personal brand.

Another red flag is using AI to write resumes and cover letters. AI is a fantastic tool, but if it’s obvious that you used a chatbot, that is a really big red flag we’re hearing about from employers. It shows you aren’t putting forth the effort, that you don’t really care about the position.

What resources are available to USC Dornsife students and alumni?

For USC students and alumni, the number one resource that I recommend is the Trojan Network platform . It’s basically LinkedIn, but exclusively for USC.

We also have handouts and guides on Compass for all of the career needs you have, whether that’s resume writing, cover letter writing, or interviewing. Come and talk to us at Career Pathways. We’re here to help you.

Got a question for John to address on his podcast? Send in your query .

Related Articles

What can you do with a math degree the options are nearly infinite, new mentoring program pairs students with alumni for valuable career advice, chemical biology program offers students a unique career path.

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In addition to the general education, writing, foreign language and diversity requirements for a degree in the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, the following courses are required.

Required Core Courses, Lower-Division

• BISC 220Lg General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology Units: 4 or
• BISC 221Lg Advanced General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology Units: 4
• CHEM 105aLg General Chemistry Units: 4
• CHEM 105bL General Chemistry Units: 4
• CHEM 107Lg General Chemistry for Chemistry Majors Units: 4
• CHEM 108L General Chemistry for Chemistry Majors: Kinetics and Equilibrium Units: 4
• CHEM 115aLg Advanced General Chemistry Units: 4
• CHEM 115bL Advanced General Chemistry Units: 4
• MATH 125g Calculus I Units: 4
• MATH 126g Calculus II Units: 4
• MATH 225 Linear Algebra and Linear Differential Equations Units: 4 or
• MATH 226g Calculus III Units: 4
• PHYS 151Lg Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics Units: 4
• PHYS 152L Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism Units: 4

Required Core Courses, Upper-Division

• BISC 320Lg Molecular Biology Units: 4
• CHEM 300L Analytical Chemistry Units: 4
• CHEM 325aL Organic Chemistry Units: 4
• CHEM 325bL Organic Chemistry Units: 4
• CHEM 430 Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Kinetics Units: 4 or
• CHEM 432 Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences Units: 4
• CHEM 431 Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics Units: 4
• CHEM 463L Chemical Nanotechnology Laboratory Units: 2
• CHEM 467L Advanced Chemical Biology Laboratory Units: 2
• CHEM 490x Directed Research Units: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (4 Units Required)

Advanced Laboratory Elective, Four Units From Among:

• CHEM 332L Physical Chemical Measurements Units: 4
• CHEM 423L Advanced Laboratory Techniques in Organic and Inorganic Chemistry Units: 4
• CHEM 465L Chemical Instrumentation Units: 4

Advanced Chemistry Elective, Two Courses From Among:

• CHEM 426 Advanced Organic Chemistry Units: 4
• CHEM 453 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Units: 4
• CHEM 519 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: An Introduction for Chemists Units: 4

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CBE 298 Seminar: Exploring the Tumor Ecosystem: Modeling Across Scales

Professor Biomedical Engineering and Quantitative and Computational Biology University of Southern California

Abstract : My research group works in the area of mathematical oncology, where we use mathematical models to decipher the complex networks of reactions inside of cancer cells and interactions between cells. We have combined detailed, mechanistic and data-driven modeling to study these networks and predict ways to control tumor growth. Our models generate novel mechanistic insight into cell behavior and predict the effects of strategies aimed at inhibiting tumor growth. We have also developed methods of calibrating the models to tumor image data to generate reliable predictive frameworks. In this talk, I will present our work to model the tumor ecosystem across scales: intracellular signaling of immune cells, evolution of cell states, and interactions between tumor and immune cells using agent-based models.

Bio : Stacey Finley is the inaugural Nichole A. and Thuan Q. Pham Professor at the University of Southern California. She is professor of Biomedical Engineering and Quantitative and Computational Biology. Finley received her B.S. in chemical engineering from Florida A & M University and obtained her Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Northwestern University. She completed postdoctoral training at Johns Hopkins University in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. Finley joined the faculty at USC in 2013 and leads the Computational Systems Biology Laboratory. She has a joint appointment in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and is a member of the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. Finley is also a standing member of the MABS Study Section at NIH. Her research has been supported by grants from the NSF, NIH and American Cancer Society.

Selected Honors : 2016 NSF Faculty Early CAREER Award; 2016 Young Innovator by the Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering journal; Leah Edelstein-Keshet Prize from the Society of Mathematical Biology; Junior Research Award from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering; the Hanna Reisler Mentorship Award; 2018 AACR NextGen Star; 2018 Orange County Engineering Council Outstanding Young Engineer; 2021 Elected Fellow of American Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering; 2022 Fellow of the Biomedical Engineering Society

Upcoming Events

• 30 May MSE 298 Seminar: Capturing Grain Boundary Migration in 3D Polycrystals
• 31 May Synthetic Biology Symposium 2024
• 31 May EECS Seminar: Applied Electromagnetics & Artificial Intelligence: From Terahertz and Infrared Generation to Cancer Detection
• 31 May MAE 298 SEMINAR: Reduced Order Models of Combustion Devices

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