The Lewis Katz School of Medicine equips students and trainees with the knowledge, skills, and competencies that employers in academia, government, and industry demand.
In tandem with the School’s primary hub of educators in the Department of Biomedical Education and Data Science, the Department of Neural Sciences provides high quality, contemporary, interdisciplinary education in the field of neuroscience to graduate (MS, PhD) and medical (MD and MD/PhD) students. The MS-with-thesis and PhD programs are scholarly endeavors requiring original research in high-impact fields.
At the Katz School of Medicine, students learn to become highly capable, independent scientific investigators who seek the input of colleagues to enhance their scientific aims and career goals. We challenge students to think logically, creatively, and collaboratively.
Our students benefit from an exceptional faculty-to-student ratio that fosters close mentorship and individualized support. Faculty advisors and mentors—renowned educators and scientists with national and international distinction—provide comprehensive guidance throughout training. Postdoctoral education in basic and translational neuroscience is a core element of our mission, and we are equally committed to supporting the growth of junior faculty through personalized mentorship.
Across all levels, our community engages in a rich array of seminars, lecture series, and journal clubs that encourage scholarly development, stimulate scientific collaboration within and beyond the institution, and promote the exchange of new ideas. Trainees present annually in these forums, strengthening their scientific communication and presentation skills. They also participate in national conferences, gaining confidence and experience as they share their research with leaders in their field.
Department faculty work with students and fellows to shape research questions with potential for significant clinical impact – and give trainees ample opportunity to discuss their findings with their peers and faculty, attending laboratory and project team meetings. The Katz School of Medicine strives to broaden the scope of the training experience for all students and fellows by encouraging them to engage in projects beyond the confines of the major laboratories that serve as home base for their research.
An NIH-sponsored Institutional Training Grant is available to support the training of PhD students and postdoctoral fellows in the area of addiction neuroscience.
The departmental structure is advantageous to trainees at all levels because it exposes them to a wide range of techniques, skills, and approaches within an extended group of highly regarded neuroscientists.