Our Mission

The Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine is one of the first cross-departmental graduate programs at The University of Iowa. It was founded by John Menninger in 1974, and funded by a National Research Service Award Training Program in Molecular Medicine from 1975-1992. This initial Program did not admit students or grant degrees. Instead, after their first year of graduate study, students from various departments were chosen and awarded stipends based on merit. Similarly to today, the students and faculty met for a weekly seminar, designed to inform trainees about the variety of research that was of interest to cell and molecular biologists, to give trainees practice in presenting their research to a critical audience, and to provide a social connection for trainees who were working in various departments. In 1992, the Molecular Biology Graduate Program was formalized into a degree-granting PhD program, and in 2017, the program changed its name to Molecular Medicine to reflect a expanded focus on translational science.

Today, the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine still fosters the interdisciplinary efforts of a diverse group of investigators—both faculty and students—with common interests in molecular and cellular biology. Currently the program faculty represent the departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Dows Institute for Dental Research, Internal Medicine, Microbiology, Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Neurology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Otolaryngology, Pathology, Pediatrics, Pharmacology,  Psychiatry, Radiation Oncology, and Surgery. The program actively recruits new students with diverse research interests.

Molecular Medicine Events

Molecular Medicine Interdisciplinary Program Thesis Defense Seminar: Jesse Rose promotional image

Molecular Medicine Interdisciplinary Program Thesis Defense Seminar: Jesse Rose

Monday, February 17, 2025 11:00am
Medical Education Research Facility
Jesse Rose is a current student of the Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, PhD Candidate, and is in Dr. Matt Potthoff's laboratory.
Scholars' Table feat. Dr. Reinaldo Franqui Machin  promotional image

Scholars' Table feat. Dr. Reinaldo Franqui Machin

Tuesday, February 25, 2025 12:00pm to 1:30pm
The Graduate College is hosting a Scholars’ Table lunch open to graduate students to network and connect with external speakers and alumni. Apply for an opportunity to join Scholars’ Table on February 25th to meet Dr. Franqui Machin.

Molecular Medicine Interdisciplinary Program Thesis Defense Seminar: Misty Perez

Friday, April 4, 2025 2:00pm
Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building
Misty Perez is a PhD candidate in the Biomedical Science (Molecular Medicine) Interdisciplinary Graduate Program. She is a part of Dr. Matt Potthoff's lab.

Molecular Medicine Interdisciplinary Program Thesis Defense Seminar: Kyleakin Helm-Kwasny

Thursday, April 17, 2025 10:30am
Medical Education Research Facility
Kyleakin Helm-Kwasny is a current student of the Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, PhD Candidate, and is in Dr. Al Klingelhutz's laboratory.
Iowa mascot in lab coat looking at microscope

# 24

Ranking in research among public institutions

a person in a science lab

$ 295 Million

External medical research funding for FY2023

science lab

# 44

Overall ranking by the 2024 U.S. News & World Report

Molecular Medicine News

Abel Lab

Sleep research led by Ted Abel featured in Fall 2024 issue of Medicine Iowa

Friday, November 15, 2024
BSURP 2025

BSURP 2025 Application Portal Opens 11/1

Thursday, October 31, 2024
Ayushi Iowa Innovation Leadership Fellowship

Program student, Ayushi Sood receives 2024 Iowa Innovation Leadership Fellowship

Thursday, October 10, 2024

Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs Events

Women In Micro & Immuno Coffee Hour

Monday, January 13, 11:00am to Monday, December 8, 2025 12:00pm
Carver Biomedical Research Building
Join us for the Women in Micro & Immuno Coffee Hour. It is the monthly coffee hour on the second Monday of the month from 11 a.m. to noon in 1289 CBRB. Enjoy coffee, pastries and contribute to the discussion! This is open to ALL — students, staff, postdocs, and faculty interested in promoting women in science. Speakers change monthly. Contact: jessica-tucker@uiowa.edu for details.
Valentine's Day Pop-Up promotional image

Valentine's Day Pop-Up

Thursday, February 13, 2025 11:00am to 1:00pm
University of Iowa Main Library
Get inspired for Valentine's Day with the archives.

Neuroscience & Pharmacology Faculty Candidate Seminar - Dana Klatt Shaw, PhD

Thursday, February 13, 2025 12:30pm to 1:30pm
Medical Education Research Facility
"Harnessing the immune system to drive regeneration" Presented by Dana Klatt Shaw, PhD Postdoctoral Research Scholar Department of Developmental Biology Washington University School of Medicine
Hawk-IDDRC Seminar Series: Judy Van de Water, PhD, "Maternal immune deregulation: a role in neurodevelopment" promotional image

Hawk-IDDRC Seminar Series: Judy Van de Water, PhD, "Maternal immune deregulation: a role in neurodevelopment"

Friday, February 14, 2025 12:00pm
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
  Please join us for the Hawk-IDDRC Seminar Series, featuring   Judy Van de Water, PhD, Co-Director of the UC Davis MIND Institute "Maternal immune deregulation: a role in neurodevelopment" Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, noon CST Pediatric Conference Center JCP 2415 Lunch will be provided for those who RSVP, or join us via zoom: https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/99315138598?pwd=VAtvTlfhbweArCtbRfNdCK2TIt43XH.1 Meeting ID: 993 1513 8598  Passcode: 345959 *Presented in conjunction with Pediatric Grand...
CS Colloquium - Formal Methods or Usable Security: Why Not Both? promotional image

CS Colloquium - Formal Methods or Usable Security: Why Not Both?

Friday, February 14, 2025 3:30pm to 4:30pm
MacLean Hall
McKenna McCall (Carnegie Mellon University) on "Formal Methods or Usable Security: Why Not Both?"
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