The Molecular & Cell Biology & Genetics (MCBG) program is an interdisciplinary graduate program recognizing the need for highly trained scientists conversant across various disciplines.
The program provides a broad education-training program for graduate students interested in biomedical problems that cross disciplinary boundaries and offers the opportunity for students to choose from approximately 80 faculty in 10 different departments/centers to pursue their research interests. This program offers both MS and PhD degrees and focuses on the study of the structure, function and makeup of biologically important molecules within the context of the living cells. Our curriculum and research activities are tailored to students’ needs and interests. See our areas of research interest.
Our faculty are at the forefront of new advances in the biomedical sciences and new developments in techniques for understanding the genetic and molecular basis of developmental pathways and disease states such as cancer, aging, AIDS, malaria and neurological disorders. Consequently, students can pursue a diverse variety of projects that range from the design and development of new therapeutic treatment strategies to the characterization of the molecular mechanisms that underlie various cellular processes and diseases. This intensive and research-oriented program provides students with opportunities to perform cutting edge biomedical research employing multidisciplinary strategies. Learn more about our faculty.
Learn more about the curriculum for the Molecular & Cell Biology & Genetics program.
Graduate Placement
Recent Molecular & Cell Biology & Genetics program graduates are at:
Academic or Clinical Institutions
· Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
· Columbia University Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center
· Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
· Duke University
· Drexel University College of Medicine
· Fox Chase Cancer Center
· Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
· Institute for Protein Innovation
· Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
· Rutgers University
· Thomas Jefferson University
· University of California Los Angeles, School of Medicine
· University of Minnesota
· University of Pennsylvania Center for Innovation
· University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
· Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Academic Institutions (PhD Studies after MS completion)
· Drexel University College of Medicine
· Emory University
· Medical University of South Carolina
· Ohio State University
· Temple University
· Thomas Jefferson University
· University of Delaware
· University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
Biotech and Pharmaceutical Companies
· Alcon
· Absorption Systems
· BioTek Instruments
· Biomeme
· Boehringer Ingelheim
· Carisma Therapeutics
· Castle Creek Biosciences
· CellOxess
· EMD Serono
· Eurofins Scientific
· Fishawack Group of Companies
· Genewiz
· GlaxoSmithKline
· Illumina
· Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson
· Merck & Co.
· Opentrons Labworks
· Pharmaceutical Product Development
· Quest Diagnostics
· Rockland Immunochemicals
· Sana Biotechnology
· Spark Therapeutics
· Tmunity Therapeutics Incorporated
· UCB
News and Announcements
MCBG/Cancer Bio Graduate Programs Seminar Series Fall 2023
- Every Thursday at 1 p.m.
- Some external speakers will be Zoom only. All others hybrid (in person & Zoom).
- Zoom available only for students working in Queen Lane, Fox Chase or Wistar. If working in New College Building you MUST attend in person.
- In person seminars will be held in New College Building, Geary A Auditorium
- All students must attend seminar. Only allowed to miss three seminars per year.
- Contact Eishi Noguchi, PhD at en34@drexel.edu for meeting ID and password.
Learn more about the Fall 2023 Seminar Series.
2023 Sydney Kimmel Cancer Center Drexel University Trainee Retreat
Emily Esquea, MS, Reginato Lab, was awarded 1st place for Best Trainee Short Talk. Nima Sarfaraz, MS, Bouchard Lab, was awarded 1st place for Best Trainee Poster Presentation.
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award
Rachel Berman (mentor: Brian Wigdahl, PhD, Department of Microbiology & Immunology) was awarded Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (T32) from Drexel University’s Interdisciplinary and Translational Research Training Grant in NeuroAIDS, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH-NIMH) for her project “Analysis of CRISPR/Cas9 as an HIV-1 cure strategy using a targeted sgRNA library-based approach.”
Welcome New PhD Students with Advanced Standing
David Joyner has successfully transitioned from the MCBG MS Program to the PhD Program at Drexel University College of Medicine. David will perform his PhD research in the laboratory of Dr. Elias El Haddad, Department of Medicine.
Shabnam Pirestani has successfully transitioned from the Cancer Biology MS Program to the MCBG PhD Program at Drexel University College of Medicine. Shabnam will perform her PhD research in the laboratory of Dr. John Karanicolas, Fox Chase Cancer Center.
Skandha Ramakrishnan has successfully transitioned from the MCBG MS Program to the PhD Program at Drexel University College of Medicine. Skandha will perform his PhD research in the laboratory of Dr. Liang Oscar Qiang, Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy.
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award
Victoria Mischley (mentor: John Karanicolas, PhD, Fox Chase Cancer Center) was awarded the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (F30) from National Institute of Biomedical Imaging & Bioengineering (NIH-NIBIB) for her project "Developing computational methods to identify of endogenous substrates of E3 ubiquitin ligases and molecular glue degraders."
Dr. Ciraku earned her PhD in 2022 for her doctoral dissertation research, “OGT/CDK5/ACSS2 Axis Regulates Metabolic Adaptation of Tumors in the Brain.”
Read more.
Christian Sell, PhD was awarded an R01 grant for his project “The Novel Longevity Enhancing Pathways Regulated by mTOR.” Inhibitors of the mTOR pathway are among the most promising interventions to target age-related dysfunction. However, there is a critical need to further define the pro-longevity effects to facilitate clinical development of mTOR inhibitors. The overarching goal of this research program is to develop a mechanistic understanding of novel downstream targets of rapamycin, in order to facilitate safer and more effective strategies to promote healthy aging.
Read more.
2021-2022 Faculty Highlight Seena Ajit, PhD
Dr. Ajit was awarded an R01 grant for her project “Small extracellular vesicles mediated signaling and pain.” The studies outlined in this proposal were based on findings from her previous R01 grant investigating the role of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) in mediating neuropathic pain. Read more.
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award
Carly DeAntoneo received the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (F31, Diversity) from the National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases (NIH-NIAID) for their project "Reovirus Z-RNAs activate ZBP1 dependent necroptosis." Carly's mentor is Siddhartha Balachandran, PhD (Fox Chase Cancer Center).
Honors at Discovery Day 2022
Alexa Cannon (Mentor: Jonathan Chernoff) gave a platform presentation at Drexel Discovery Day 2022.
Tara Fortino received the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (F31) from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NIH-NINDS).
Mentor: Michael Lane, PhD (Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy)
Project title: "Tailoring Neural Transplants for Cervical Spinal Cord Repair"