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Dear Aspiring Students,

We are witnessing a golden age in the biomedical sciences. A limitless parade of discoveries and technologies continue to advance our knowledge of the world. They present new approaches to combat human diseases. The Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences at NYU School of Medicine provides a solid path leading to a PhD or MD/PhD. Our mission is to train the next generation of researchers so that you too could contribute to breakthroughs and advance society at large in many ways.

Becoming an accomplished researcher requires an inquisitive mind and perseverance. It also calls for active mentorship and hands-on research experience. Sackler students receive rigorous training to become independent scientists. They learn to hone innate curiosity, be critical thinkers, versatile problem solvers, team players, and future leaders. The faculty instill a strong sense of social and ethical responsibility through dedicated ethics training and continued interactions with our diverse research community.

I invite you to explore our website to learn more about the Sackler Institute and discover the exceptional nature of our degree programs. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions at sackler-info@nyumc.org.

Sincerely,

Naoko Tanese, PhD Associate Dean for Biomedical Sciences Director, Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences Professor, Department of Microbiology

Sackler StaffSusanne Tranguch, PhD, MBA Director, Academic Programs and Operations

Lisabeth Greene, MA Assistant Director, Graduate Student Services

Arthee Jahangir, PhD Research Strategy Analyst

Jessica Dong, MA Project Manager, Recruitment & Admissions, PhD Program

Cindy Godoy Project Manager, Recruitment & Admissions, MD/PhD Program

Amanda Tufekcier Program Coordinator, SURP

Melissa Mangar Project Associate

Academics and CurriculumThe Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences at NYU School of Medicine adheres to an Open Program model. Our training in the biomedical sciences can be broadly categorized into: Genes, Cells & Organisms; Mechanisms of Disease; Microbiology, Immunology, & Infectious Disease; Neuroscience & Physiology; and Quantitative Biology. These broad categories span basic science and clinical departments, and institutes (Institute for Systems Genetics, Institute for Computational Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, Perlmutter Cancer Center, and Kimmel Center for Stem Cell Biology, to name a few).

During their first academic year, students have the opportunity to perform three research rotations in the laboratory of any Sackler faculty member. They select both a thesis advisor amongst their rotation mentors and a training track, illustrated below. This is accomplished with the help of advisory faculty, as well as participation in faculty/student seminars and elective courses in the various disciplines.

Typical TimelineYear 1 - Begin Open Program and Complete Rotations Year 2 - Complete Coursework and Begin Research Year 3 - Complete Qualifying Exam and Continue Research Year 4 - Full-Time Research and Schedule Frequent Committee Meetings Year 5 - Refine Publication Goals and Prepare for Thesis Defense

We graduate ~45 PhD students and ~10 MD/PhD students per year.

To successfully obtain your PhD, we require one submitted publication. Our average time to degree is 5.5 years.

■ Cellular & Molecular Biology ■ Developmental Genetics ■ Genome Integrity ■ Stem Cell Biology

■ Molecular Oncology & Tumor Immunology

■ Molecular Pharmacology ■ Pathobiology & Translational

Medicine

■ Immunology & Inflammation ■ Microbiology

■ Molecular, Cellular, & Translational Neuroscience

■ Systems, Cognitive, & Computational Neuroscience

■ Biomedical Imaging ■ Biomedical Informatics ■ Molecular Biophysics

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Genes, Cells, & Organisms encompasses Cellular & Molecular Biology, Developmental Genetics, Genome Integrity, and Stem Cell Biology.

The research interests of faculty members in this broad category are directly relevant to solving major clinical problems, such as cancer, infectious diseases, diabetes, and connective tissue diseases, to name a few. Students train with an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms of cellular signaling, DNA damage detection, and maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Students have the opportunity to work with a wide variety of genetic systems, including Drosophila, C. elegans, Arabidopsis, mouse, bacteria, yeast, zebrafish, among others.

Mechanisms of Disease includes Molecular Oncology & Tumor Immunology, Molecular Pharmacology, Pathobiology & Translational Medicine.

Faculty’s research interests focus on translating discoveries to healthcare at the interface between biology and medicine. Laboratory research opportunities extend from basic cancer cell biology, function of cancer stem cells, study of tumor cells in a wide range of cancer models, anti-tumor vaccine development, diabetes, and more! Our faculty elucidate signaling pathways and targets, investigate structural biology in the context of drug design, and reveal receptor pharmacology for therapeutics.

The broad area of ‘Mechanisms of Disease’ offers opportunities for exposure to clinical areas, such as surgical and autopsy pathology, basic/clinical co-mentoring, and hands-on practice with experimental histology.

Genes, Cells, & Organisms

Mechanisms of Disease

Recent Thesis Defenses: ○ Characterization of Mammary Subpopulations Expressing A Novel Adhesion GPCR

In Mammary Development And Breast Cancer

○ Molecular Consequences of BDNF Withdrawal in Hippocampal Neurons

○ Role of ANGPTL4 in the Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis

Sample Courses: ○ Developmental Systems

○ Foundations in Cellular & Molecular Biology

○ Protein Modifications

Recent Thesis Defenses: ○ Regulation of the Cancer Stem Cell Phenotype & Tumor Cell Invasion by the

Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 4B in Breast Cancer Cells

○ Contribution of VH Replacement to the Primary Antibody Repertoire

○ Identification and Characterization of Novel Regulators of Lipid Metabolism

Sample Courses: ○ Molecular Pathology in the Omics Era

○ Tissues and Organs

○ Molecular Mechanisms in Biology

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666666666 Interested in the immune system or in the biology of bacteria, viruses, and parasites? Then choose the Microbiology, Immunology, & Infectious Disease path! Sackler training faculty boast strengths in the areas of rheumatic diseases, lupus, neurodegenerative diseases, atherosclerosis, tuberculosis, malaria, and AIDS.

The curriculum emphasizes molecular aspects of microbial pathogenesis, with courses in cell and molecular biology, bacterial pathogenesis, virology, parasitology, medical microbiology, and immunology.

The NYU School of Medicine Sackler Program in Neuroscience & Physiology (Neuroscience Institute) is linked with the NYU Center for Neural Science (Graduate School of Arts and Science), with harmonized academic and research requirements. Our neuroscience graduate education provides integrated training that encompasses molecular, cellular, developmental, systems, cognitive, behavioral, and computational approaches.

Students select one of two areas of specialization based on their research interests: Molecular, Cellular, and Translational (MCT) or Systems, Cognition, and Computation (SCC). By specializing in one area, students are able to delve deeply into the subfields of neuroscience that most interest them. Additional advanced electives fill in areas or expand on topics directly related to the students’ thesis work.

Microbiology, Immunology, & Infectious Disease

Neuroscience & Physiology

Recent Thesis Defenses: ○ Identification of Cellular Receptors for Staphylococcus Aureus Leukocidins on

Immune and Non-Immune Cells

○ Antibiotic Perturbation of the Murine Gut Microbiome Enhances Adiposity, Insulin Resistance, and the Liver Disease Associated with High-fat Diet

○ The success of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) as a Pathogen Rests Upon its Ability to Grow Intracellularly in Macrophages

Sample Courses: ○ Host-Pathogen Interactions

○ Immunology

○ Microbiomics Informatics

Recent Thesis Defenses: ○ Characterization of a Cortical Locus for Vocal Motor sSequences in Alston’s Singing

Mouse (Scotinomys Teguina)

○ Modulation of NMDA Receptor and Short-Term Plasticity in Hippocampus Mediated by Intrinsic Extracellular pH Changes

○ Pbx Genes Orchestrate Motor Neuron Specification, Connectivity, & Positioning

Sample Courses: ○ Introduction to Cellular Neuroscience

○ Molecular Mechansisms of Neurodegeneration

○ Neuroanatomy

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Quantitative Biology comprises biomedical informatics, biomedical imaging, and molecular biophysics, all linked through their quantitative approaches and technologies to analyze and integrate biological systems.

Biomedical Informatics includes core faculty from the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, NYU Stern School of Business, NYU School of Continuing and Professional Studies, Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), NYU College of Nursing, Biomedical Library, and more! In collaboration with the Department of Radiology, Biomedical Imaging shows how NYULMC is at the forefront of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with two whole-body 3 Tesla MR scanners, a 7 Tesla whole-body MR scanner, a whole-body MR-PET scanner, and a 7 Tesla small animal scanner. For Molecular Biophysics, we use X-ray crystallography and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) to understand mechanisms of action of target key macromolecules.

Quantitative Biology

Recent Thesis Defenses: ○ A Global Approach to Tracer Dynamics

○ Rates and Mechanisms of Mutagenesis from Maximum-Depth Sequencing

○ Rapid and Continuous Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using Compressed Sensing

Sample Courses: ○ Methodological Foundations of Biomedical Informatics

○ Fundamental Concepts in MRI

○ Next Generation Sequencing Informatics

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Career Development Partnering with the NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development, the Sackler Institute offers various workshops and seminars to help our graduate students with their career paths, such as Networking 101, virtual career fairs, MBTI assessment, and CV preparation, and 1:1 advising.

Science Training Enhancement Program (STEP)NYU Langone Medical Center and NYU partnered to secure funding for STEP, a program that was instituted to make our graduate students and postdoctoral scholars aware of the realities of the job market and to shorten and optimize time spent in training. STEP begins with career planning and exploration, following with skill building, and finally, job searching.

The Careers in STEM Series A bimonthly series featuring invited speakers who discusses their careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), followed by lunch with our students.

Alumni “Where Are They Now?” SeriesThis series brings Sackler alumni to our campus to discuss their career path, with students joining the speaker for lunch afterwards.

Sackler Support ○ Grant Incentive Program: $2000 for each grant that is successfully awarded

○ Travel Awards: up to $700 per year to attend conferences

○ Tutoring Program: free tutoring from another student or become a tutor for $40 per hour

○ Writing Center: free peer-to-peer editing for qualifying exams, manuscripts, and grant proposals, or become an editor for $40 per hour

○ Students Actively Recruiting for Sackler (STARS): $500 for students who speak at their alma mater about their science, graduate career, or both

○ Computer/Housing Loans: Low interest loans (4%) for financing computer purchases and housing costs based on student need and fund availability

Washington Square Park Monument, NYU

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Housing and BenefitsStipend & TuitionThe annual stipend for all graduate students and MD/PhD students for the 2016-2017 academic year is $36,100. Students are paid on the 1st day of each month (starting September 1st). The Sackler Institute pays the tuition and fees for all courses.

HousingSackler offers subsidized housing to matriculated students in housing complexes within or near NYU Langone Medical Center, located in the neighborhood of Murray Hill, New York City. Students are offered housing licenses (“leases”) for up to one year at a time.

Medical InsuranceAll incoming and continuing students are entitled to receive medical benefits by the NYU School of Medicine. During orientation, students select healthcare coverage from the NYU-United Healthcare Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Basic Plan and a comprehensive prescription plan. Dental and vision coverage is available for an additional cost.

Student Health ServicesStudents may obtain medical care at Student Health or through an in-network United Healthcare provider. Student Health Service can also assist students with referrals and finding in-network United Healthcare providers.

○ No referrals and no appointments are needed.

○ No charge for care received in the Student Health Service.

○ During office hours, a nurse practitioner is available and physician hours are daily.

Counseling ServicesSackler students are eligible to obtain counseling services through Counseling and Behavioral Health Services (CBH) located on the Washington Square Campus.

Commuter Benefit ProgramStudents are eligible to sign up for WageWorks, the commuter benefit program. This allows students to pay for their metro card, train ticket, or parking on a pre-tax basis to save money on transportation.

Diversity at NYULMCWe continue to foster an inclusive environment for our diverse students by administratively supporting several student-led groups:

○ The Sackler Diversity Initiative

○ NYUrWiS (NYU are Women in STEM)

○ Sackler (LGBTA) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Ally

These student-led groups host a mix of academic and social events, from inviting speakers for a research talk followed by a career discussion with students, to social events during orientation and throughout the year.

Sackler Diversity InitiativeThe Sackler Diversity Initiative hosts not only social events, but also brings in minority speakers through our Careers in STEM series to meet with students throughout the day to discuss career paths and experiences. This group also organizes forums to address events and/or issues facing underrepresented minorities more globally, creating a safe and open space for discussion.

NYUrWiS (NYU are Women in STEM) NYUrWiS supports women interested in pursuing careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Through their seminar series, mentorship program and informal socials, they aspire to help women achieve their professional goals in the scientific realm.

Sackler LGBTA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Ally) The LGBTA hosts events for our LGBTA students to socialize and network, which include happy hours, movie viewings, the Pride Run, and small group dinners. They aim to facilitate discussions around questions, concerns, challenges, and successes that members of the LGBTA community face.

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The Sackler Institute is dedicated to the mission of training future scientists and critical thinkers by creating an environment supportive of scientific discovery and professional growth.

We do this by:

○ developing and managing high quality academic programs for our student scholars, including opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research at a world-renowned academic medical center

○ providing an environment in which students integrate with our research community to not only gain expertise and excel at original research in their fields, but also to develop skills spanning any career, i.e., critical thinking, problem solving, ethical training, and oral and written communication

○ working to advance the diversity of graduate education through recruitment, retention, and support of underrepresented groups

○ continually evaluating our academic programs and establishing initiatives to best fit the needs of our community in a changing research landscape

1. NYU Langone Medical Center2. NYU Washington Square Campus3. Alexandria Building4. Bellevue5. Sackler Office6. VA Hospital

7. Housing Services Office8. Waterside Plaza LLC9. Vilcek Hall, 334 E 26th St10. Lipton Hall, 564 1st Ave11. Greenberg Hall, 545 1st Ave12. 323 E 14th St

NYULMC & NYU Student Housing

Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences 341 East 25th Street | Second Floor | New York, NY 10010

P: 212.263.5648 | E: sackler-info@nyumc.org