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.

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

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
McCray receives Emily’s Entourage 2024 Trailblazer Award

McCray receives Emily’s Entourage 2024 Trailblazer Award

Monday, September 30, 2024

Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs Events

Microbiology and Immunology Seminar: Anna Seekatz, PhD

Tuesday, November 5, 2024 3:00pm to 4:00pm
Bowen Science Building
Defining Clostridial Interactions in the Human Gut Anna Seekatz, PhD Assistant Professor, Clemson University
Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Program Thesis Defense Seminar: Samantha Pierson promotional image

Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Program Thesis Defense Seminar: Samantha Pierson

Wednesday, November 6, 2024 9:00am
Medical Education Research Facility
Samantha Pierson is a current student of the Neuroscience Graduate Program and is in Dr. Catherine Marcinkiewcz's laboratory. She is excited to announce her thesis seminar.

ACB Seminar Series - Narendra Thapa

Wednesday, November 6, 2024 9:30am to 10:30am
Bowen Science Building
Dr. Narendra Thapa, a Senior Scientist from the University of Wisconsin-Madison will present a seminar titled "Phosphoinositide Lipid Signaling in Health and Disease."
First-Generation Graduate Student Panel promotional image

First-Generation Graduate Student Panel

Wednesday, November 6, 2024 11:00am to 12:00pm
Lindquist Center
Join us for First-Generation College Celebration Week at the University of Iowa with a First-Generation Graduate Student Panel, hosted by the Office of Graduate Student Success and Belonging. This event will showcase first-generation graduate students as they share their personal stories, including the challenges they've faced and the successes they've achieved throughout their academic journey. 

INI Workshop: Stem Cell and Neurodevelopment

Friday, November 8 8:00am to Saturday, November 9, 2024 12:00pm
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