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The University of Louisville School of Medicine offers dynamic biomedical research training programs where graduate students engage in cutting-edge research across five departmental programs, working alongside faculty from both basic science and clinical disciplines. Research spans fundamental biological mechanisms to innovative clinical strategies for disease treatment.
Recognized as a Carnegie R1 Research Institution since 2018, University of Louisville continues to see strong growth in research funding and output. Both emerging and well-established research areas are thriving, with strengths in environmental toxicology, spinal cord injury, cardiovascular health, cancer therapeutics, immunogenetics and the role of the microbiome in disease.
The Integrated Programs in Biomedical Sciences (IPIBS) is a gateway for graduate students interested in biomedical research as a career choice. The University of Louisville offers a supportive academic environment in a friendly, vibrant city and a financial assistance package consisting of an annual stipend of $33,000, health insurance and full tuition coverage. Once a student passes their Qualifying Exam and advances to Doctoral Candidacy, the stipend amount increases to $35,000.
There is a flexible core-curriculum during the first year, supplemented with discipline-based coursework. Also during the first year, students choose a research mentor and project, which will form the basis of their PhD dissertation research. IPIBS is designed to provide an integrated core-curriculum and maximum flexibility for students who want to enter biomedical research careers.
Students who are unsure of their research interests may still enter through one of the five discipline-based programs, but have an opportunity to change programs to best match their research interests and career needs during the first year.
Step 1: Select Your Program
Applicants should review programs of study offered by each of the five basic science departments and select the program that best accommodate their professional objectives. Doctoral students are admitted for the Fall term only. Be sure to select the fall term for start date.
Step 2: Comply with Departmental Admission Requirements
Applicants should note any specific departmental requirements for admission because each department will screen its own applicants. Specific departmental requirements may be found on departmental websites. Contact the Department’s admissions faculty if you have any questions about these requirements.
Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology
Admissions Chair: Chad Samuelsen
Email: asnbapps@louisville.edu
Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
Admissions Chair: Ben Lovely
Email: bmggrad@louisville.edu
Microbiology and Immunology
Admissions Chair: Kevin Sokoloski
Email: migrad@louisville.edu
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Admissions Chair: Geoff Clark
Email: phtxapps@louisville.edu
Physiology
Admissions Chair: Claudio Maldonado
Email: claudio.maldonado@louisville.edu
Step 3: Complete the Graduate School Application
Applicants should indicate which degree program they are interested in by including the appropriate major codes on the application form under the educational Plans section.
College/School Code: GM
Major Code (choose 1):
- Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology: ASNB
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics: BIOC
- Microbiology and Immunology: MBIO
- Pharmacology and Toxicology: PHTX
- Physiology: PHZB
- Degree Code: PhD
- Institutional Code: 1838 (for reporting TOEFL scores to the University of Louisville)
Step 4: Timeline
Only complete applications are reviewed. Applications to departmental programs received before January 15th each year, will receive full consideration for an Integrated Programs in Biomedical Sciences Fellowship. After that date, applications will be reviewed and considered for fellowship awards on a rolling basis, depending on availability.
Step 5: Interview Process
The departments will review applications beginning in January. Virtual interviews will be scheduled by each individual department. Integrated Programs in Biomedical Sciences will invite those approved by the departments to an on-campus visit.
Step 6: Integrated Programs in Biomedical Sciences Fellowships
Each admissions director will submit potential candidates for Fellowship awards to the Integrated Programs in Biomedical Sciences (IPIBS) Committee. If selected, the applicant will receive an offer of admission as well as a separate financial offer. Current support packages consist of an annual stipend of $33,000, full waiver of tuition, and health insurance.
Acceptance of the Fellowship Offer: Applicant will sign the Terms of Agreement to accept the fellowship offer. Students supported by an IPIBS Fellowship may not accept any additional employment during the term of the fellowship unless granted specific written authorization to do so by the IPIBS Executive Committee. Accepting the IPIBS Fellowship requires that you complete the core curriculum integrated through the curricula of the five departments, discipline-based programs of study. To retain the fellowship if switching between departments you should contact the IPIBS Director.
Students with Advanced Standing: A limited number of fellowships may be offered to students with advanced standing, in which case, taking the IPIBS Core curriculum may be waived and fellowships modified accordingly. All such applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Financial Support and Continuous Enrollment: These fellowships are renewable for a second year of funding, contingent upon full time enrollment, satisfactory progress toward your degree and a cumulative GPA of not less than 3.0. IPIBS students are guaranteed funding for a minimum of two additional years and historically receive funding for the duration of their tenure in the program. This financial support is typically through a GRA supported by their mentor’s funding. Doctoral students are expected to be full time students and register for a minimum of nine (9) hours each for the Fall and Spring semesters and six (6) hours in the summer. Doctoral candidacy is considered full-time.
Every student admitted to the PhD program can expect to receive continued financial support for the entire period of graduate study, provided they remain in good standing.
Timeline and General Requirements
Each program sets specific curriculum requirements that follow the timeline below.
All IPIBS Students take:
- Cell Biology (BIOC667)
- RCR (BIOC630)
- Seminar (program-specific)
- Data Analysis/Statistics (ASNB622)
Professional Development:
- Present research annually to department
- Apply for fellowships that are available
- Attend regional and national meetings in your field
- Present posters or talks, compete for travel awards
Career Development:
Self-Assessment (IDP)
Workshops and Seminars:
- Mentoring
- Teaching
- Communication
- Career Exploration
- Careers for Biomedical Researchers
Coursework Requirements
All IPIBS programs require a minimum of 30 credit hours to be completed by the end of Year 2. All IPIBS students are required to take Cell Biology (BIOC667) in Fall of Year 1, and Responsible Conduct of Research (BIOC630) in Spring of Year 1. Other course requirements are program-specific. After completion of all course requirements, students may register for Masters Candidacy (MAST600) or Research hours (ASNB619, BIOC619, MBIO619, PHTX619, PHZB619) for each subsequent term (fall, spring and summer) until the successful completion of the qualifying exam, after which they may apply for a MS degree and must register for Doctoral Candidacy (DOCT600).
Selection of Advisor/Lab
All IPIBS programs require a minimum of two lab rotations with selection of a Research Advisor for their dissertation research to be completed no later than the end of Year 1.
Qualifying Exam
The Qualifying Exam (QE) is expected to be completed by the end of Year 2, and no later than the Spring semester of Year 3. The QE format is program-specific: a written NIH NRSA F31-style research proposal either on own project (BMG, PHZB, PHTX), or within an area of the field (MBIO) followed by an oral examination, or a written cumulative exam (ASNB). ASNB requires within the year following the QE, a dissertation proposal defense that involves a written NIH NRSA F31-style research proposal and oral examination to remain in good standing.
Doctoral Candidacy Requirements
The candidate must complete all requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy within four calendar years after passing the qualifying examination. The average time to degree for IPIBS programs in 5.1 years.
C.R.A.F.T.
Career Research Advancement Focused Training (CRAFT) Seminar Series meets monthly during the academic year for a morning or lunchtime meeting focusing on career development for postdoctoral fellows and graduate students at the University of Louisville.
Seminar Location
Clinical & Translational Research Building: Room 123
505 South Hancock Street, Louisville
Anyone interested in presenting at a future meeting can contact us at: ogpds@louisville.edu
UPCOMING CRAFT SEMINARS
| Dr. Claire Westcott Associate Medical Director Medical Strategy and Scientific Affairs | "No Lab Coat Required: Building a Career in Medical Writing" | August 25, 2026 |
| Dr. Belinda Petri Assistant Professor Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, UofL | "Practical AI in Biomedicine: Maximizing Efficiency and Ensuring Ethical Use" | September 24, 2026 |
PAST CRAFT SEMINARS
| La Creis Kidd, PhD, MPH Associate Dean of Research Career Development Associate Professor Pharmacology and Toxicology University of Louisville | "Grant Writing Series" | 4/23/2026 5/14/2026 5/21/2026 |
| Ben Lovely, PhD Associate Professor Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics University of Louisville | "Public Speaking: The Art of a Scientific Presentation" | 4/2/2026 |
| Melissa Smith, PhD Associate Professor Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics University of Louisville | "Project and Stress Management" | 3/10/2026 |
| Leslie Sherwood, DVM Attending Veterinarian, Associate V.P. for Animal Welfare, Director of Comparative Medicine Research Unit and University Committee for Animal Welfare Administrator University of Louisville | "Animal Research and the Changing Landscape" | 2/5/2026 |
| Amy Moseley, PhD Healthcare and Health Sciences Portfolio Manager, Office of Innovation and Research University of Louisville | "Pipettes, Proteins and Pastures: A Biochemist’s Journey Through Industry Science" | 1/15/2026 |
Amanda Fuller Kelsey Jenks | "How Scientists Can Engage in Public Policy in Kentucky" "Hill Yeah! We Came, We Saw, and We're Moving Policy Forward" | 10/9/2025 |
| Jim Gould, PhD Director for Postdoctoral Affairs Harvard Medical School | "Career Clinic: Prepare to Land the Job You Want" | 6/26/2025 |
| Jim Gould, PhD Director for Postdoctoral Affairs Harvard Medical School | "Recession-Proofing Your Career-Strategies for Early Career Scientists" | 6/25/2025 |
Barbara Clark, PhD Pascale Alard, PhD Robin Krimm, PhD University of Louisville | Career Compass Workshop | 5/21/2025 |
Boris Renjifo MD, PhD Brian Totton, PharmD, BCPP | "Careers in the Pharma Industry: How to prepare, search, and expectations" | 5/6/2025 |
Naomi Charalambakis, PhD Megan Zipperer, PhD | "Beyond the Bench: Exploring Options in Science Policy, Outreach, and Communication" | 4/8/2025 |
| Carlo Daep, PhD Sr. Principal Scientist Colgate-Palmolive Co. | "Research in a consumer-centric Industry" | 2/24/2025 |
| Nik Shoctor, PhD Postdoctoral Fellow University of Louisville | "How to give an Engaging Scientific Presentation" | 12/4/2024 |
| Medpace | "Contract Clinical Research Organization" | 11/6/2024 |
Josiah Hardesty, PhD Amy Moseley, PhD Barbara Clark, PhD University of Louisville | "The Move t Independence: Preparing for a Faculty Career" | 10/29/2024 |
Barbara Clark, PhD Pascale Alard, PhD Robin Krimm, PhD University of Louisville | Career Compass Workshop | 8/14/2024 |
| Brandon R. Brown, PhD Professor of Physics and Astronomy UCSF | "Sharing Our Science: Challenges and Opportunities in Communicating STEM" | 5/9/2024 |
| Chris Byrd, PhD LTC, USA (R) | "Army Lessons Learned: Roadmap to a Successful Scientific Career" | 4/19/2024 |
| Anna Kushnir, PhD Astra Zeneca | "Science Outside of Academia" | 3/18/2024 |
| Jim Gould, PhD Harvard Medical School | "A Hero's Journey: Making the Most of your Training" | 2/22/2024 |
| LCDR (sel.) Nicholas Nelson, PhD | "From lab coat to Navy Blues: Charting a career in military science" | 1/19/2024 |
| Quita Beeler Highsmith, Genentech | "Development and Research Opportunities for Graduate students and Postdoctoral Fellows at Genentech" | 3/28/2023 |
| Melissa Smith, PhD University of Louisville | "To Industry and Back- A very roundabout journey to finding my right fit in academic research" | 10/25/2022 |
| James Gould, PhD Harvard Medical School | "Career Clinic: Successful Interview Prep Strategies" | 6/28/2022 |
| James Gould, PhD Harvard Medical School | "Career Clinic: Demystifying Job Ads and Cover Letters" | 6/14/2022 |
| James Gould, PhD Harvard Medical School | "Career Clinic: Crafting your CV and Resume" | 5/3/2022 |
Our PhD Programs in Biomedical Sciences
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Our research programs focus on advancing medical knowledge, improving patient care and addressing global health challenges.
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