PhD in Pathology - Cell Biology of Disease in Rochester United States | University of Rochester

The Pathology PhD Program educates students on the cellular mechanisms behind human diseases, empowering them to translate these insights into improved diagnostics and therapies. Based in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, our program benefits from the leadership of Dr. Christa Whitney-Miller as chair, Dr. Helene McMurray as clinical scientist and program director, Dr. Benjamin Frisch as assistant and recruitment director, and Donna Shannon as program coordinator. Students collaborate with researchers spanning both clinical and fundamental science disciplines, investigating all physiological systems across the lifespan from childhood illnesses to age-related conditions.
This interdisciplinary program integrates faculty knowledge across disease biology, covering:
Elucidating molecular pathways in human disorders, Creating experimental models ranging from genetic approaches to human tissue analysis, Advanced data sciences and omics technologies (including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, lipidomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics), Developing treatments through regenerative biology, pharmacological screening, and targeted drug development.
Participants can work with any URMC faculty studying cellular disease processes. Alumni pursue fulfilling careers across academia, healthcare, industry, non-profit organizations, and government agencies.