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    Jul 01, 2025  
2009-2010 Georgia Health Sciences University Catalog 
    
2009-2010 Georgia Health Sciences University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Doctor of Philosophy with a Major in Vascular Biology


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Description

First-year Ph.D. students are admitted via a common admissions process to the biomedical sciences Ph.D. program. After completing first-year core course work and laboratory rotations, the student chooses a dissertation research mentor and enter one of nine Ph.D. programs (majors) based on that faculty member’s program affiliation. In each program, students complete a Ph.D. dissertation based on original research. Each student’s program of study is unique and the time to completion varies. On average, completion of the Ph.D. program requires approximately 5 years of full-time, year-round study.

The Vascular Biology program is based in an interdisciplinary research center, the Vascular Biology Center, that includes core and associate faculty members from many clinical and basic science departments on campus. Research projects encompass studies ranging from the molecular and genetic level, to the regulation of cellular processes, to multi-cellular and organ system regulation, as well as to human studies. Research interests include topics related the permeability function of the retinal microvasculature, responses of endothelial and smooth muscle cells to injury, growth and proliferation of vascular cells, endothelial dysfunction in hypertension and cardiomyopathy, roles of vasoactive mediators in mammalian cell function, and signal transduction in vascular endothelial cells.

Admissions Information

For information regarding admission to the Biomedical Sciences program in the School of Graduate studies please select the Admissions Information link.

Admissions Information 

Financial Support

Students accepted into the program will be considered for Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA), which includes a stipend, a reduced tuition rate of $25/semester, and single-person health insurance coverage through the MCG Student Group Health Insurance plan.  A limited number of GRA packages will be awarded on a competitive basis to applicants with exemplary qualifications.

Additional Requirements


In addition to specific course requirements, students must complete additional PhD degree requirements, including satisfactory performance on the Comprehensive Examination, development of an approved research proposal, writing and obtaining approval of the doctoral dissertation, and satisfactory performance on the Final Oral Examination (dissertation defense). See PhD Student Guide for additional requirements and details.

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