Applicants for training grant support must be currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program at the University of Arizona and must be US Citizens or permanent residents.
Students are typically supported with training grant funds in their second and third, or third and fourth, years of graduate studies. Support is initially offered for one year, and a second year of support may be offered subject to satisfactory student progress.
Suitable qualifications include a biological sciences background and demonstrated interest in theoretical approaches, OR a mathematical or computational background and demonstrated interest in biological applications.
Areas of interest should fall within the broad scope of NIH, including biomedical and basic biological areas.
Trainees are expected to enroll in the Quantitative Biology Colloquium each semester of support. They also take two required courses, one in mathematical modeling and one in machine learning, plus a computing skills workshop.
Trainees are expected to carry out their doctoral research with advisors whose research, whether theoretical or experimental, emphasizes application of theoretical approaches to biomedical problems. The student's dissertation committee should include representatives of both biological and theoretical disciplines.
The training grant funds a large portion of the student stipend, up to the level specified here. Trainees also receive allowances to pay for health insurance and to offset tuition and fees.
Each year, applications are invited in the spring semester. The next application deadline will be July 1st, 2026. The following materials are requested:
- from the applicant: current CV, statement of research plans and interest in this training program;
- from the applicant’s research advisor: a letter of recommendation, including requested start date for support;
- from the applicant’s graduate program: a copy of the applicant's application packet to the graduate program (which typically includes transcript, statement of interest and letters of recommendation).
These materials should be sent to:
Rebekka Ayala
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology
University of Arizona
520-621-7563
rapope@arizona.edu
Questions should be addressed to PI Gutenkunst
Ryan Gutenkunst
Dept of Molecular and Cellular Biology
rgutenk@arizona.edu
(520) 626-0569