Environmental Genetics and Molecular Toxicology

The Environmental Genetics & Molecular Toxicology (EGMT) Graduate Program offers exciting training in cutting edge research to prepare for a career in academia, industry or government. The curriculum emphasizes genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying environmentally-related diseases. All doctoral graduate students are given a stipend, and are encouraged to be independent scholars, seeking fellowships and awards.

Faculty in the EGMT Division use a wide range of approaches to elucidate the mechanisms that control cellular and molecular processes relevant to environmentally induced diseases. Areas of emphasis include genetic and environmental determinants of individual susceptibility to carcinogenesis, diabetes, aging, and target tissue toxicity (e.g., neuronal, renal and pulmonary). Mechanisms include signal transduction, gene regulation, biotransformation, oxidative stress and epigenetics. Methodologies include transgenic and recombinant inbred rodent models, quantitative trait loci analysis, genomics, bioinformatics, proteomics and metabolomics.

EGMT research facilities are equipped with modern instrumentation. Graduate students receive individualized training from internationally recognized faculty, who hold federally-funded research and training grants and contracts totaling about $10 million annually.