Cell Biology | NYU Langone Health

PhD Training Programs Cell Biology

Cell Biology

Cell Biology research at NYU Grossman School of Medicine brings together a diverse array of investigators to provide a comprehensive program focused on training students in the broad interdisciplinary field of modern cell biology. PhD research in Cell Biology is supported by the Cell Biology Training Grant (T32 GM136542) funded by the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Cell Biology research at NYU Grossman School of Medicine comprises multiple areas, including genome function and stability (how the genome is maintained, expressed, and regulated); cellular function and dynamics (subcellular organelles and compartments, cell metabolism, and migration); and cell growth and differentiation (signaling, communication, cell cycle, and cancer).

We aim to develop a diverse pool of well-trained scientists through high-quality research training and mentored research experiences through three overarching objectives.

Academic Objectives

Cell biology faculty aim to train a “complete cell biologist” who has the skill sets to identify critical questions and design original and impactful experiments.

Students are trained to be versant in scale-crossing experimental approaches used in cell biology from molecules to cellular organization and tissue morphogenesis, and are exposed to training in an array of disciplines including molecular biology, genetics, genomics, cell imaging, biochemistry, structural biology, proteomics, bioinformatics, and computational and systems biology. Multiscale and multidisciplinary learning is supported by encouraging students to collaborate, to effectively lead or integrate in teams, and to share knowledge and resources.

Educational Objectives

Our faculty foster a training environment that encourages student participation. We achieve this by equipping trainees with the technical, operational, and professional skills required for a career in biomedical research and other science-related fields. Through interactive learning, you acquire the skills to think critically and independently, and receive a strong foundation for scientific reasoning and rigorous experimental design, analysis, and interpretation.

Personal Development Objectives

One of our main goals is to train responsible scientists who can productively engage and lead. Our program achieves this by emphasizing the importance of reproducibility and rigor in the experimental approach, and promoting a code of conduct among trainees and teachers that stresses mutual respect and values integrity and diversity. Through individually tailored and personal development studies, students learn to be aware of their strengths and weaknesses and develop presentation skills to communicate their work across disciplines and effectively address audiences of varied backgrounds.

The Cell Biology mentoring faculty ensure trainee success with strong programmatic leadership and guidance, engaged faculty mentors, a strong and diverse trainee pool, a structured and individualized training program and evaluation plan, and an outstanding research environment with critical mass, breadth, and depth in cell biology.

Cell Biology Training Program Leadership

Susan L. Smith, PhD, Program director

David Fenyö, PhD, Co-director

Hyung Don Ryoo, PhD, Graduate advisor

Contact Us

To learn more about research into cell biology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, contact one of our Pre-Candidacy Faculty Advisors or Student Representatives.

For general information about graduate programs at Vilcek Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, email Vilcek-Info@NYULangone.org or call 212-263-5648.

PhD Training Program Admissions

Find out more about applying to Vilcek Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences.

Life as a Graduate Student

Discover what life is like for our graduate students at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

PhD Program Academics

Get in-depth information about our academic requirements.