What is Pathology?

Pathology is the branch of medicine which addresses the essential nature of disease, especially the structural and functional changes that cause or are caused by disease. (modified from Dorland’s Medical Dictionary).

What is the difference between our PhD training program in Pathology and other training programs such as Biochemistry or Pharmacology?

Our Pathology PhD students utilize the same cutting edge biochemical and genetic research techniques that other biomedical research trainees use. Our students also complete core courses in biochemistry, cell biology, and genetics. There are two important differences, however, that distinguish our training program: first, our Pathology PhD students complete a curriculum that also emphasizes human anatomy, physiology, and mechanisms of human disease (i.e., pathology); second, our students universally pursue thesis projects that have projected outcomes that add to our understanding of human health and disease.

What careers are available to graduates with a PhD in Pathology?

Our Pathology PhD graduates will be competitive for all of the academic and industrial career opportunities that are open to well-trained research scientists from the major academic disciplines. Our graduates successfully compete for positions in departments of biochemistry, genetics, toxicology, etc. The knowledge, research skills, and critical thinking that our students obtain are equal to those of graduates of other major research training programs throughout the United States.

What advantages do our PhD graduates in Pathology have?

Our graduates have a strong foundation in human disease and are comfortable working with both research professionals and our clinical colleagues. Their knowledge base and skill set are valued by both academia and industry where funding and research success increasingly requires relevance to human health and disease.