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About DRB Graduate Program

History

In August 2009, the name of the Graduate Program in Physiology was changed to the Graduate Program in Developmental and Reproductive Biology (DRB) with a consequent shift in the focus of the program. The major reason for this change was to provide students with the opportunity to participate more fully in the state-of-the-art research program that has developed during the last nine years at the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) in the newly formed Yanagimachi Institute for Biogenesis Research (YIBR). Many significant discoveries relating to developmental and reproductive biology have been made by scientists in this institute. The new DRB program will continue to offer students a wide variety of course work that will allow them to choose many different career options after completing their degrees. More importantly, it will add greater opportunities for those interested in research. Both the graduate program and the YIBR are housed in the Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology.

building-ibr.jpgYanagimachi Institute for Biogenesis Research (YIBR) at Mānoa

building-bsb.jpgJABSOM Biosciences Building (BSB) at Kakaʻako

Focus of the Program:

The DRB Graduate Progam focuses on laboratory research and classes that integrate diverse disciplines, such as the study of:

  • Embryo development
  • Stem cells
  • Organogenesis
  • Assisted reproductive technologies (ART)
  • Gene therapy
  • Devo-Evo
  • Anatomical imaging

Course work:

See details on degree-specific course requirements in the DRB Graduate Program Sheet.

Research:

Well-funded laboratories by distinguished scientists offer research opportunities in areas that include fertilization, developmental biology, stem cells, congenital deformities, and anatomical imaging.

ryuzo-fertility-diagram.png

Educational Objectives of the M.S. and Ph.D. Degrees:

At the completion of the Developmental and Reproductive Biology Graduate Program, the doctoral candidate will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate sufficient breadth and depth of knowledge to effectively teach classes in biomedical sciences.
  2. Demonstrate mastery of evaluating scientific publications, including: techniques for searching the literature; applying principles of measurement; and interpretation of the findings reported in scientific publications.
  3. Prepare and present reports on their work at seminars or meetings of scientific societies.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to formulate testable hypotheses, and design experiments to accurately test the hypothesis utilizing sound principles of scientific experimentation and research.
  5. Generate new experimental data that addresses a specific hypothesis.
  6. Publish at least one (M.S.) or two (Ph.D.) scientific manuscripts.