Quick Program Facts
Degree Programs: PhD
Total IBS PhD enrollment: 60
Application Deadline: December 1
George Washington University’s (GW) PhD program in pharmacology and physiology is housed in Integrated Biomedical Sciences (IBS). Our research in pharmacology and physiology seeks to understand normal functions of systems within organisms and how these contribute to and/or are altered by pathological states such as hypertension, stress, alcohol and exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and drugs.
Graduate students in the program can receive training in a variety of systems including:
- examination of the cardiovascular and renal systems in obesity and hypertension;
- autonomic regulation of respiration and brainstem function;
- neural control of blood pressure and heart rate;
- post-traumatic stress disorder, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases; and
- pharmacogenetic determinants of drug responses and health risks.
PhD programs in the biomedical sciences are designed to meet key goals in contemporary graduate research education including 1) discipline-specific knowledge, 2) research skill development, 3) research communication skills, 4) research leadership, 5) research professionalism, and prepare graduates for a variety of science careers. To apply, please visit IBS Admissions.
The PhD in pharmacology and physiology begins with interdisciplinary coursework in molecular, cellular and systems biology and continues with in-depth courses in pharmacogenomics, physiology and pharmacology. Career development coursework in scientific writing, oral communication, research ethics, and laboratory rotations are offered through GW’s IBS curriculum. Following required laboratory rotations, students work with their research advisor and the graduate program directors to complete remaining pharmacology and physiology degree requirements, including the dissertation.
The pharmacology and physiology program at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences includes numerous federally and privately funded researchers with an array of expertise. Neuroscience research has many facets including genetics and neurodevelopment, neurobehavior, the role of the central nervous system in regulation of cardiovascular function and integrative physiology. Research in cardiovascular pharmacology and physiology ranges from understanding the neural control of heart rate to the biophysics of electrical conduction in cardiac tissue to hypertension development. Genomics and bioinformatics play an increasingly important role in modern biomedical science, and our researchers are actively engaged in applying genomic techniques to areas including neurodevelopmental disorders, cancer and pharmacogenomics.
GW is privileged to partner with Children’s National Hospital to offer additional support and opportunities for impactful research in pharmacology and physiology. Children’s National Research Institute conducts and promotes translational and clinical medical research programs that lead to improved understanding, prevention, treatment and care of childhood diseases.
Prospective students should review the list of approved PhD training faculty to learn more about potential projects they might explore at GW.
IBS Students are fully funded for the duration of their PhD program provided that they make continuous good progress and remain in compliance with applicable regulations, policies and expectations. Financial support includes a living expenses stipend, tuition award and health insurance.
Students have access to a wealth of cutting-edge core facilities for whole animal imaging, flow cytometry, confocal and other imaging, and computational biology at both GW and Children’s National.
The research training and education completed in a GW PhD leads to occupations in various scientific career sectors, from academic posts to industry research to science communication and policy. A look at career outcomes for those who earned PhDs suggests that our graduates most often take jobs in academia, industry/business and government/nonprofit. Overall, students completed their PhDs in five years, and many pursued postdoctoral training before settling into careers.
A number of student organizations on campus support and promote IBS PhD students. The GW Student Organization of Biomedical Scientists serves as a student government to provide a forum for the advancement of, and advocacy for, IBS graduate students intellectually, professionally, academically, and socially. GW Compass strives to provide graduate students in STEM fields with the network they need to feel supported by the university and their peers, as well as to help them identify their goals for after graduation.
Program contact: Colleen Kennedy, IBS Program Manager, gwibs@gwu.edu