Training in Cellular & Molecular Biology

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Abstract The Cellular and Molecular Biology (CMB) training program offers doctoral candidates a multidisciplinary education in molecular and cellular biology at institutions located within the Seattle biomedical corridor. Administered out of the University of Washington (UW), this interdisciplinary program also supports predoctoral trainees at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (Fred Hutch) and partner institutions. The primary objectives of the CMB program are to recruit a diverse group of enthusiastic and motivated students who are passionate about the biomedical sciences and to provide personalized training across a range of disciplines pertaining to basic and translational aspects of molecular and cellular biology. These talented individuals have the opportunity to be mentored by 63 faculty members who are experts in a range of disciplines. Students are drawn from seven participating graduate programs that include Biochemistry, Genome Sciences, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Neuroscience, and Pharmacology. CMB trainees enter the program in Year 2 of graduate school after holistic selection through written and oral components of the annual application competition. Trainees complete mandatory coursework in biostatistics and fundamentals of molecular biology; participate in the Biomedical Research Integrity Lecture series; attend a monthly student organized research conference with speaking and networking opportunities; receive training in scientific rigor and reproducibility, gain scientific writing skills, participate in a peer mentoring program and take part in the annual CMB Training Grant retreat. Traditionally, the CMB program has successfully partnered with several minority advocacy groups to promote diversity on all campuses. We continue to expand the under-represented minority (URM) footprint and are now additionally emphasizing the recruitment and retention of students who are the first in their families to attend college (first generation) and students with disabilities. This innovative graduate training environment encourages trainees to pursue scientific excellence and endorses peer mentorship and the exploration of alternative career paths. The intended outcome is to nurture a diverse close-knit group of students who are equipped to become the next generation of scientific leaders.