phd graduate synonym

noun. a doctorate usually based on at least 3 years graduate study and a dissertation; the highest degree awarded graduate study.

• Doctor of Philosophy

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Synonyms of postgraduate

• as in graduate
• as in undergraduate
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Thesaurus Definition of postgraduate

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Synonyms & Similar Words

• educational
• pedagogical
• professorial
• instructive
• intellectual

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• extracurricular
• cocurricular
• nonacademic
• noncollegiate
• noneducational
• unscholarly

postgraduate

Thesaurus Definition of postgraduate  (Entry 2 of 2)

• undergraduate
• schoolchild
• day student
• schoolfellow
• kindergartner
• high schooler
• kindergartener
• exchange student
• middle schooler
• upperclassman
• underclassman

Examples of postgraduate in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'postgraduate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near postgraduate

postgraduates

Cite this Entry

“Postgraduate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/postgraduate. Accessed 14 Aug. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on postgraduate

Nglish: Translation of postgraduate for Spanish Speakers

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/pieɪtʃˈdi/.

Other forms: PhDs

A PhD is a university degree that a student gets after several years of advanced study in a subject. Once you have a PhD , you can be called "Dr. So-and-so."

The abbreviation PhD stands for "Doctor of Philosophy," and it's also called a Doctorate. Students who attend graduate school and continue their studies beyond a Master's Degree eventually receive a PhD. Most college professors have a PhD. The name of the degree comes from the Latin phrase philosophiae doctor , and the "philosophy" part of the name comes from the Greek word philosophia , "love of wisdom."

• noun a doctorate usually based on at least 3 years graduate study and a dissertation; the highest degree awarded graduate study synonyms: Ph.D. see more see less type of: Doctor of Philosophy a doctorate awarded for original contributions to knowledge

Vocabulary lists containing PhD

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Undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate student — is that Bachelor/Master/PhD or Bachelor/Master+PhD/postdoc?

I received an invitation to nominate students for an award that could be for an undergraduate, a graduate or a post-graduate student . I've seen those terms used before, but never been sure what they mean. I know Bachelor student, Master student, PhD student and post-doc .

The timeline:

Being a Bachelor student → Getting the Bachelor degree → Being a Master student → Getting the Master degree → Being a PhD student → Getting the PhD degree → Being a post-doc → ...

Then what do undergraduate , graduate and post-graduate students refer to? Are undergraduate students exclusively students studying to get a Bachelor degree, or can it also refer to students studying to get a Master degree? After all, that's a graduation that they don't have yet. Literally speaking, it could also be "under" the PhD degree, but that's surely never used as such.

And a graduate student, is that then someone studying for the Master degree, er is it used only for people studying for the PhD degree?

But then what is a post-graduate student ? Is this a post-doc ? But post-doc s aren't students anymore, so then it could only refer to PhD students. Or are post-docs considered students, too?

• terminology

• 1 In many places, it takes a medical school student 6 or 7 years to be a medical doctor. Where do they fit? –  Nobody Commented Jan 25, 2013 at 13:12
• Now that I have attained a bachelors in business administration and am in the job market it seems that I am not a "graduate" as many of the global corps describe graduates in the qualifications sections as holders of a masters degree. Looks like I'm going back for more. yippee –  user35089 Commented May 27, 2015 at 16:55

3 Answers 3

I am almost certain that post doc is not what is meant.

In English speaking systems outside of North America, and especially referring to Europe under the Bologna accords, an undergraduate refers to someone who is studying for, but has yet to receive, his first post-secondary education degree . Typically this degree is some equivalent of Bachelors, but in some cases students maybe enrolled in accelerated programs with a longer term of study that leads directly to (the equivalent of) a Masters degree.

A graduate student can, but not necessarily, refer to someone who is studying for a graduate diploma . In many countries having a Bachelors (or equivalent) is not sufficient in itself to qualify one for starting a postgraduate degree. One often requires a "good enough" Bachelors degree (such as one with honors). The graduate diploma is an intermediate step in which a student who has already received his first post-secondary degree studies further in order to qualify to enroll in a masters (or sometimes doctorate? I am not sure about this) degree program.

A postgraduate student refers to someone who has already obtained a first degree, and is now pursuing a second, third, or Nth degree beyond it. See, e.g. this Wikipedia entry .

A postdoctoral researcher is generally not considered as a student.

In English speaking North America, an undergraduate typically refers to someone studying for a bachelors, since almost all (if not all) degree programs go through that stage in North America. And a graduate student refers to any student studying for any degree beyond that of the bachelors (so that would be typically the masters or the doctorate).

• @Pacerier: the one example I had in mind is the Cambridge Math Tripos , where some students can get, after one extra year of course work, both a BA and MMath degree at the same time now. (The offered degree(s) used to be slightly different some years ago, IIRC.) // These sorts of programs were more prevalent before Bologna. For example the pre-Bologna un-tiered Diplom degree in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland is largely the first degree held by the individuals and is currently recognized as largely equivalent to a modern Master's degree. –  Willie Wong Commented Feb 17, 2016 at 17:02
• 1 Further comment, hopefully clarifying a bit more: according to educationusa.state.gov/your-5-steps-us-study/… , in the US you can pursue a master's or a PhD after a bachelor's. In Germany (and most other European countries), you have to obtain a bachelor's degree first, then a master's, then you can pursue a PhD. –  Gab Commented Nov 3, 2020 at 9:02

In many American Universities, the concept of a Master student is that which is enrolled purely in a Master course, and is expected to leave the school after graduation.

A Graduate student is usually enrolled with the objective of doing a PhD, many Graduate students, provided they have the coursework and thesis, might get a Masters degree in the middle of the program along with the PhD.

Usually for postgraduate students I also think is for post docs, but I'm not sure. In Mexico (and maybe France, because we share some characteristics of the language) a postgraduate student is one doing either a PhD or a Master, and a Graduate student is one doing his Bachelor degree.

• 3 This view isn't really correct. A master's student may also be done as a prelude to a PhD, particularly when the admissions to the doctoral program is not automatic (even when made contingent upon passing a qualifying exam). –  aeismail Commented Jan 25, 2013 at 13:39

In the USA An undergraduate student is one who's working towards a bachelors degree; typically a graduate student is one who has a bachelors degree and is either working on a Masters are higher level degree; a postgraduate degree level refers to someone who has earned a masters degree and is in route to a higher level degree; a postdoctoral Student is when they have completed coursework for the doctor degree but still has other requirements to finish like a thesis or disertation.

• In the USA ... a postdoctoral Student is when they have completed coursework for the doctor degree but still has other requirements to finish like a thesis or disertation. [citation needed] –  Nobody Commented Nov 15, 2015 at 6:05

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How to Be a Successful PhD Student

Leslie nierste.

Getting a Ph.D. can be a very rewarding experience both personally and professionally. Being a successful Ph.D. graduate student, however, can be more complicated than some expect. Being a Ph.D. student means finding balance in several areas of life, working hard, making connections with others and cultivating certain personality traits necessary to succeed in your program of choice.

Explore this article

• Build a relationship with a good supervisor
• Prepare to work very hard for long periods of time
• Take care of yourself
• Connect with other graduate students
• Begin cultivating an expertise
• Be to compete with your friends

1 Build a relationship with a good supervisor

Build a relationship with a good supervisor, mentor or adviser early. You should preferably choose someone who is well-supported with grants or has tenure in order to eventually make use of the resources he has. Consult with your supervisor for professional guidance and advice. Don’t be afraid to switch supervisors if you find that you have trouble working with the one you have.

2 Prepare to work very hard for long periods of time

Prepare to work very hard for long periods of time. Most Ph.D. students seldom stop working, even through weekends. Getting a Ph.D. is not supposed to be easy; find a routine and a schedule that works for you as early as you can.

3 Take care of yourself

Take care of yourself. Due to the heavy workload of the basic Ph.D. program, it is easy to let your health and well-being take a backseat to other priorities. Try to take some weekends or holidays off. Despite the heavy course load, you will need to learn when you need a short break in order to avoid burning out. Exercise when you can. Always eat right, even during late-night study sessions.

4 Connect with other graduate students

Connect with other graduate students. The best people to get to know during your Ph.D. are people who know exactly what you are going through because they are going through it at the same time. Arrange for study dates, coffee breaks or days out.

5 Begin cultivating an expertise

Begin cultivating an expertise in your field early. Start by reading all of the literature you can in your field of specialization. It is difficult to add anything to the field you study if you don’t know what is already out there. Also, try going to conferences in your field to find out what questions or research currently predominate the field.

Research, write and publish. Getting a Ph.D. usually means that you have committed yourself to a research-based, academically focused career path. This means that you too must research, explore, pose questions, find answers and share them with the rest of your colleagues. Start by narrowing down your field of interest and doing some extensive research in that area. Hire a librarian to help you find all the materials you need. Enlist your supervisor to help you formulate ideas and get your writing ready for scholarly journal publication.

7 Find ways

Find ways to motivate yourself when you are feeling burnt out or are pulling an all-nighter; using a rewards system or reminding yourself of your professional goals are two such ways to do so.

8 Be to compete with your friends

Be prepared to compete with your friends on a certain level. Your superiors will naturally compare you to them; try not to let this fact interfere with your personal life.

• 1 Purdue University: Notes on the PhD degree
• 2 Nature Jobs: What Makes a Good PhD Student?
• 3 Bite Size Bio: 10 Do's and Don'ts for PhD Students

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Ph.D. graduate

• Thread starter longxianchen
• Start date Dec 5, 2017

longxianchen

Senior member.

• Dec 5, 2017

Hi If I'm studying in a university for a Ph.D. degree(not graduated). Should I be called a Ph.D. candidate ? Thank you in advance  

Hermione Golightly

PhD candidate sounds fine. ' PhD graduate ' as in your title does not.  

Thank you. I get it.  

GreenWhiteBlue

I would call you a doctoral student , or a student in a doctoral program . I would not use "candidate" unless you had completed and submitted your dissertation . [I have reconsidered this; see post #8 below.]  

longxianchen said: If I'm studying in a university for a Ph.D. degree (not graduated). Click to expand...

Hi, Does "PhD student" sound fine?  

Where I went to graduate school, "Ph.D. candidate" had a specific, precise meaning: a person who had passed his or her Ph.D. qualifying examinations. Those were generally taken after all or most of one's formal classwork but before doing much work on the dissertation. Passing these exams was known as "admission to candidacy" for the degree. Being a graduate student with the goal of eventually receiving a Ph.D. did not make one a Ph.D. candidate. It would have been a serious error, perhaps even academic dishonesty, to call oneself a Ph.D. candidate before passing those exams.  

Egmont said: Where I went to graduate school, "Ph.D. candidate" had a specific, precise meaning: a person who had passed his or her Ph.D. qualifying examinations. Those were generally taken after all or most of one's formal classwork but before doing much work on the dissertation. Passing these exams was known as "admission to candidacy" for the degree. Being a graduate student with the goal of eventually receiving a Ph.D. did not make one a Ph.D. candidate. It would have been a serious error, perhaps even academic dishonesty, to call oneself a Ph.D. candidate before passing those exams. Click to expand...

"Before a student can be certified as a candidate for a doctoral degree (advancement to Level III of the process of earning the doctoral degree), he or she must have completed the following requirements: all required course work (of which at least 30 credits must be taken at [this University]) with at least an overall B average; any language requirements; the First and Second Examinations; and any special program requirements for certification" Click to expand...

• PhD Graduate CV examples

With a PhD behind you, you’re in prime position to secure a great job and begin your career from an advanced starting point.

But PhD graduate roles are competitive in nature, so you need to stand out in the application process.

Your CV needs showcase the plethora of skills you’ve gained alongside your academic achievements and soft skills.

Our PhD graduate CV examples and writing guide will help you to do this, and get hired.

Guide contents

• Structuring and formatting your CV
• Writing your CV profile
• Detailing work experience
• Your education
• Skills required for your PhD Graduate CV

CV templates 

PhD Graduate CV example 1

PhD Graduate CV example 2

Build your CV now 

Before you start writing your own CV, take a look at the example PhD Graduate CV above to give yourself a basic understanding of the style and format that recruiters and hiring managers prefer to see.

Also, take note of the type of content that is included to impress recruiters, and how the most relevant information is made prominent.

PhD Graduate CV structure and format

If you focus on the written content of your CV but ignore how it actually looks, your efforts could end up wasted.

No matter how suitable you are for the role, no recruiter wants to spend time squinting and trying to navigate a badly designed and disorganised CV.

Instead, make sure to organise your content into a simple structure and spend some time formatting it for ease of reading – it’ll get you in recruiter’s good books from the get-go!

Formatting Tips

• Length: Think that submitting a five page CV will impress recruiters? You’re wrong! Even if you’ve got tons of experience to brag about, recruiters don’t have time to read through overly detailed CVs. Keep it short, concise and relevant – a CV length of 2 sides of A4 pages or less is perfect.
• Readability : Columns, lists, bullet points, bold text and subtle colour can all help to aid the readability of your CV. Your overarching goal should be to make the content as easy to read and navigate as possible, whilst also aiming to make your key skills and achievements stand out.
• Design: Your CV needs to look professional, sleek and easy to read. A subtle colour palette, clear font and simple design are generally best for this, as fancy designs are often harder to navigate.
• Avoid photos: Logos, profile photos or other images aren’t necessary and rarely add any value – save the space for written content, instead!

Structuring your CV

When writing your own CV , break up your CV content into the following key sections:

• Name and contact details – Place them at the top of your CV, so that employers can easily get in touch.
• CV profile – A punchy sales pitch of your key experience, skills and achievements to reel readers in.
• Core skills section – A bullet-pointed snapshot of your abilities.
• Work experience – A well-structured list of your relevant work experience.
• Education – An overview of any relevant qualifications or professional training you have.
• Hobbies and interests – A short description of any relevant hobbies or interests (optional).

Now I’ll guide you through exactly what you should include in each CV section.

CV Contact Details

Tuck your contact details into the corner of your CV, so that they don’t take up too much space. Stick to the basic details, such as:

• Mobile number
• Email address – It should sound professional, such as your full name.
• Location -Just write your rough location, rather than your full address.
• LinkedIn profile or portfolio URL – If you include these, ensure they’re sleek, professional and up-to-date.

PhD Graduate CV Profile

Grab the reader’s attention by kick-starting your CV with a powerful profile (or personal statement , if you’re a junior applicant).

This is a short introduction paragraph which summarises your skills, knowledge and experience.

It should paint you as the perfect match for the job description and entice recruiters to read through the rest of your CV.

Tips for creating an impactful CV profile:

• Keep it brief: Recruiters are busy, so to ensure your profile is actually read, it’s best to keep it short and snappy. 3-5 punchy lines makes for the perfect profile.
• Tailor it: If recruiters don’t see your suitability within a few seconds, they may close your CV straight away. Your CV profile should closely match the essential requirements listed in the job ad, so make sure to review them before you write it.
• Don’t add an objective: If you want to discuss your career objectives, save them for your cover letter , rather than wasting valuable CV profile space.
• Avoid cliches: Clichés like “ blue-sky thinker with a go-getter attitude” might sound impressive to you, but they don’t actually tell the recruiter much about you. Concentrate on highlighting hard facts and skills, as recruiters are more likely to take these on board.

What to include in your PhD Graduate CV profile?

• Summary of experience: Demonstrate your suitability for your target jobs by giving a high level summary of your previous work experience, including the industries you have worked in, types of employer, and the type of roles you have previous experience of.
• Relevant skills: Highlight your skills which are most relevant to PhD Graduate jobs, to ensure that recruiters see your most in-demand skills as soon as they open your CV.
• Essential qualifications: If you have any qualifications which are highly relevant to PhD Graduate jobs, then highlight them in your profile so that employers do not miss them.

Quick tip: Your CV is your first impression on recruiters, so it’s vital to avoid spelling and grammar mistakes if you want to appear professional. Use our quick-and-easy CV Builder to add pre-written content that has been crafted by recruitment experts.

Core skills section

Next, you should create a bullet pointed list of your core skills , formatted into 2-3 columns.

Here, you should focus on including the most important skills or knowledge listed in the job advertisement.

This will instantly prove that you’re an ideal candidate, even if a recruiter only has time to briefly scan your CV.

Work experience/Career history

Next up is your work experience section, which is normally the longest part of your CV.

Start with your current (or most recent) job and work your way backwards through your experience.

Can’t fit all your roles? Allow more space for your recent career history and shorten down descriptions for your older roles.

Structuring your roles

Whilst writing your CV, it’s essential to look at it from the eyes of a recruiter.

If they’re met with giant blocks of text which are impossible to navigate, they might get frustrated and skip onto the next CV.

Instead, make use of the 3-step structure shown below, to give them a pleasant reading experience.

Start with a 1-2 sentence summary of your role as a whole, detailing what the goal of your position was, who you reported to or managed, and the type of organisation you worked for.

Key responsibilities

Next up, you should write a short list of your day-to-day duties within the job.

Recruiters are most interested in your sector-specific skills and knowledge, so highlight these wherever possible.

Key achievements

Lastly, add impact by highlight 1-3 key achievements  that you made within the role.

Struggling to think of an achievement? If it had a positive impact on your company, it counts.

For example, you might increased company profits, improved processes, or something simpler, such as going above and beyond to solve a customer’s problem.

At the bottom of your CV is your full education section. You can list your formal academic qualifications, such as:

• GCSE’s

As well as any specific PhD Graduate qualifications that are essential to the jobs you are applying for. Note down the name of the qualification, the organisation at which you studied, and the date of completion.

Interests and hobbies

The hobbies and interests CV section isn’t mandatory, so don’t worry if you’re out of room by this point.

However, if you have an interesting hobby , or an interest that could make you seem more suitable for the role, then certainly think about adding.

Be careful what you include though… Only consider hobbies that exhibit skills that are required for roles as a PhD Graduate, or transferable workplace skills. There is never any need to tell employers that you like to watch TV and eat out.

Essential skills for your PhD Graduate CV

Tailoring your CV to the roles you are applying for is key to success, so make sure to read through the job descriptions and tailor your skills accordingly.

However, commonly desired  PhD Graduate  skills include:

• Analysis – Showcase your skill with analysis of data, using mathematical and modelling concepts.
• Leadership – Your CV needs to specify how you have developed interpersonal and leadership skills, and the potential you have for the future.
• Project management – Employers are looking for evidence of your successful and organised project management skills.
• Research – Your CV is an opportunity to display your tenacity for research and the ability to apply research in practical ways.
• Self-management – Demonstrate your work ethic, ability to problem solve and take initiative, and how you also allow room for collaboration and team work.

Writing your PhD Graduate CV

Creating a strong PhD Graduate CV requires a blend of punchy content, considered structure and format, and heavy tailoring.

By creating a punchy profile and core skills list, you’ll be able to hook recruiter’s attention and ensure your CV gets read.

Remember that research and relevance is the key to a good CV, so research your target roles before you start writing and pack your CV with relevant skills.

Best of luck with your next application!

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Department of Geography

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The Ph.D. is a different kind of degree from the master’s degree. A doctoral candidate in geography must be capable of making original contributions to knowledge and scholarship. For the students to make such contributions, they must concentrate on a narrow and clearly defined field of study. We require, however, that doctoral candidates know more of geography than their particular specialties; thus, any aspirant for a doctorate must obtain master’s training or its equivalent before being admitted to doctoral candidacy. In short, admission to doctoral candidacy is official recognition that a student’s general foundation in the breadth of geography is satisfactory. Students then devote their attention to developing depth in chosen specialties.

The general requirements for a doctoral degree in geography are more rigorous than those for a master’s degree. At the same time, the greater flexibility of the doctoral program allows advanced students to pursue programs of study tailored to their special interests and needs.

Progress through the degree is marked by: 

• Successful performance in a verbal qualifying exam; 
• Four-day written comprehensive exam, with a verbal portion after the written answers have been assessed by the committee;  
• Formal dissertation proposal; and 
• Verbal defense of a completed dissertation.

The four-year Ph.D. program is reserved for students who have a master’s degree from another graduate program. That can be another geography program at another university, a non-geography program at another university, or a non-geography program at Penn State.

Students entering the four-year Ph.D. program must take the doctoral qualifying exam in their first year. A committee from three of the four fields of geography and formally appointed by the Graduate Program Officer will administer the qualifying exam. The qualifying exam can take place any time during the year, but students in the four-year Ph.D. program typically take it during spring semester.

Students in the four-year Ph.D. program complete a comprehensive exam and defend their dissertation proposal in the second year. Depending on the needs of their research, and in agreement with their doctoral committee, students can fulfill these two requirements in either order. Once students have successfully passed their comprehensive exam and defended their proposal, they typically take two years to research, write, and defend their dissertations.

Our online Graduate Student Handbook explains the program requirements for all degrees.

Mechanical Engineering

• Graduate study in Mechanical Engineering
• Ph.D. programs

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

The Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering prepares students for careers in research and academia. Our collaborative faculty are investigating a diverse range of research areas like additive manufacturing, air quality, cellular biomechanics, computational design, DNA origami, energy conversion and storage, nanoscale manufacturing, soft robotics, transdermal drug delivery, transport phenomena, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

Interested? Visit our research pages for more information, including faculty areas of expertise and research videos.

• Other Ph.D. programs

I’d like more information.

View the  degree requirements  in the handbook.

Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering

Students typically complete the Ph.D. degree requirements in three to five years. Early in the program, students focus on course-work that enhances their knowledge as they prepare to conduct research.

Within one year, students must pass the departmental qualifying exam, an oral exam that tests research skills and knowledge of a core mechanical engineering subject area.

Student research forms the core of the Ph.D. program. Research involves active student-directed inquiry into an engineering problem, culminating in a written thesis and oral defense.

Ph.D. Financial Support

The majority of full-time Ph.D. students accepted through the standard application process receive fellowships that cover full tuition, the technology fee, and a stipend for living expenses for up to five years, as long as sufficient progress is made toward degree completion. These awards are sufficient to cover all expenses for the year (including summers). Students are required to pay for health insurance, the transportation fee, the activity fee, books, and course supplies. Off-campus housing is available within walking distance of campus. At least one year of residency is required for the Ph.D. We offer two ways to enter the Ph.D. program.

Advanced entry Ph.D.

The advanced entry Ph.D. is for students with an M.S. in an engineering discipline or equivalent field.

Direct Ph.D.

The direct Ph.D. is for students entering the program with a B.S. in an engineering discipline or equivalent field.

For a comprehensive overview of the programs, including degree requirements, please consult the most recent handbook

Ph.D. candidate Remesh Shrestha, co-advised by Professors Sheng Shen and Maarten de Boer, explains his research to create polymer nanowires that have high thermal conductivity:

Other Ph.D. programs and partnerships

Apply here (by these deadlines).

For spring 2023

For fall 2022

The application for fall entry opens in October.

More information

Ph.D. employment stats

Ph.D. enrollment and completion stats [pdf]

This doctoral program combines training in psychology with the ecological and geophysical sciences, producing boundary-breaking scholars who can accelerate sustainability solutions that are robustly informed by the results of scientific research.

The Human Behavior and Sustainability Sciences PhD Program combines training in cognitive, behavioral, and social sciences with training in environmental, ecological, and sustainability sciences to produce boundary-breaking scholars who can accelerate sustainability solutions that are robustly informed by trans-disciplinary science through a research-intensive curriculum and environment within a supportive community of faculty and students.

Students design individualized programs of study by apprenticing in a laboratory in environmental / sustainability sciences and one in human cognition and behavior, working closely with their faculty mentors throughout their time in the program. Research areas include cultural and experiential differences in ecological thinking, social and environmental policy and decision-making, influence of urban and wild green spaces on cognitive and brain health, fisheries and restoration sciences, evolutionary genomics, and marine biodiversity and conservation.

You will be joining a graduate program that is committed to cultivating a culture of respect and collaboration where the contribution of each person is valued.

Application Materials

Requirements, application.

• Application fee – US $100
• Unofficial transcripts for all institutions attended (Official transcripts required upon acceptance of admission offer)
• Personal statement
• Three letters of recommendation
• GRE General Test– Not required and not considered in the review process
• Proof of English Proficiency for all applicants

Deadline for completed applications: December 1 st

• Program Website

Request Information for PhD in Human Behavior and Sustainability Sciences

The Michael R. Green, MD, PhD, Award in Graduate Research

Michael R. Green, MD, PhD, Award in Graduate Research

The Michael R. Green, MD, PhD, Award in Graduate Research was established in 2004 to celebrate Dr. Green's legacy as a scientific researcher in diverse fields—including gene regulation, epigenetics and cancer—and as a mentor to young scientists. This annual award recognizes outstanding graduate students at UMass Chan whose accomplishments, perseverance and commitment to research excellence have distinguished them from their peers.

2024 Recipients

Award in Cancer Biology: Kensei Kishimoto

Kensei Kishimoto is a 4th year student in the MD/PhD Program / Medical Scientist Training Program, training in the Flavahan laboratory.

Kensei is testing the hypothesis that the histone acetylation reservoir provides acetyl-CoA to upregulate critical survival genes for glioblastoma cell survival. To this end, he has developed a novel CRISPR-Cas9-based sensor to determine the local concentrations of the metabolite acetyl-CoA in glioblastoma cells during energy stress conditions. These studies may define histone acetylation reservoir as a therapeutic vulnerability for glioblastoma multiforme, potentially stripping these tumors of their strategy for thriving in the harsh tumor microenvironments.

Award in Molecular Biology: Lucas Restrepo

Lucas Restrepo is a 5th year graduate student in the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, training in the Baehrecke laboratory.

Lucas is interested in elucidating the molecular mechanisms that regulate clearance of mitochondria, or mitophagy, using  Drosophila as a model. Organelle-selective autophagy, the process of recycling parts of the cell, is essential for cell homeostasis, particularly for dynamic organelles like mitochondria. Defective mitophagy has a profound impact on neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinsons’ Disease.  Lucas identified the mitochondrial gene Mtch as a critical regulator of mitophagy.  He has used genetic, imaging and biochemical approaches to define its function during mitochondrial clearance and dissected its physical and genetic association with other regulators of mitophagy, such as PINK1 and Parkin .  Lucas’ thesis research hopes to elucidate the mysteries and complexities of selective autophagy during development.

The recipients will present their research at the MCCB In House Seminar Series, on September 5 (LRB 516).

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Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program Receives Approval for New PhD Program in Computational Biology

July 11, 2024 by [email protected]   |   Leave a Comment

Computational biology is an interdisciplinary field that centers on the development and application of computational methods to analyze large collections of biological data, such as genetic sequences, cell populations or protein samples, to make new predictions or discover new biology. The computational approaches used include analytical methods, mathematical modeling and simulation. The shift toward more quantitative approaches to biological research and experimentation is driving demand for expert computational biologists who can manage, analyze and interpret large sets of biological data. Our new degree program will address this need by training computational biologists who are prepared to develop and apply sophisticated computational approaches to key biological and biomedical questions in academia and industry. The proposed PhD program will equip students with the knowledge and skills to conduct advanced analysis of large data sets. Students will also gain an in-depth understanding of the biology behind the data they are analyzing and will learn to apply computational approaches such as algorithms and statistical models that are commonly used across biological fields. Importantly, the students will learn and apply the principles of open science – transparency, scientific reproducibility, data sharing and collaborative research. Graduates will be able to identify areas for future research and contribute to research teams to drive discovery and innovation in the biological sciences in both the public and private sector.

Now that the official SCHEV approval letter is safely in hand, Dr. Sheffield is preparing to assume his role as the inaugural Director of Graduate Studies for the UVA SOM Computational Biology PhD program. He will work with many others who will be involved in the work of bringing the program to life. This will require continuing to build new coursework, recruiting faculty mentors for trainees and, of course, marketing the opportunity to the next generation of students seeking a PhD in Computational Biology!

Many thanks go to all of the individuals who helped with this effort at any point throughout the very long process of shepherding this proposal through the approval process – it took a village!

Link to full article.

Tags: Computational Biology , CPHG , Nathan Sheffield

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• master's degree

noun as in academic degree

Weak matches

• Associate's
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's
• bachelor's degree
• graduate degree
• master's
• undergraduate degree

noun as in postgraduate degree

• advanced degree
• doctoral degree
• postgrad degree

Example Sentences

She was Communications Director for Atlantic Media Company and holds a masters degree in public policy.

However, said the latter, your success will be limited to the masters degree.

The latter was then born at Ching-yn, and when he was twenty-eight years of age took his masters degree.

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Hsiang-ju marvelled very much at this, and accordingly took his masters degree.

Related Words

Words related to master's degree are not direct synonyms, but are associated with the word master's degree . Browse related words to learn more about word associations.

noun as in college degree

noun as in degree after bachelor's

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.

Department of History

College of Social Science

History PhD Candidate Spotlight: NAEd Spencer Dissertation Fellow Gloria J. Ashalou

Posted on August 14, 2024 August 14, 2024 Author mcdon625

 By: Patti McDonald 

Gloria J. Ashaolu, a Michigan State University History PhD candidate majoring in African American history with minors in U.S. history and Black comparative/diaspora history, was recently named a 2024 National Academy of Education (NAEd)/Spencer Dissertation Fellow.   

This prestigious fellowship was only offered to 35 graduate students nationwide. The fellowship supports these students with the writing phase of their dissertation. The fellowship is comprised of three key components: fellows receive $27,500 for one academic year (distributed in two installments), students participate in two professional development retreats facilitated by NAEd members and other distinguished scholars, and have the opportunity of selecting an NAEd member or another respected scholar as their mentor to offer advice and assistance during the school year. 

We sat down with Gloria and asked her about her dissertation, how grateful she is for being recognized as a NAEd/Spencer Fellow, and why she decided to major in African American history and minor in U.S. history, and Black comparative/diaspora history. 

What were you thinking when you found out you were awarded The NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship?   

I was overwhelmed with joy and a deep sense of gratitude. 

What is this fellowship going to allow you to do? How is it so helpful you received this?   

The financial support from the NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship alleviates the need for significant employment and will allow me to dedicate more time to my dissertation—toward meeting the goals I set for my time to degree trajectory. I am also immensely grateful for the unique opportunity to engage with members of my cohort and distinguished scholars in the field of education at the two professional development retreats organized by the National Academy of Education. Participating in the discussions and sessions will provide me with the resources and insight to meaningfully contribute to the field and the improvement of education. Furthermore, fellows are paired with mentors who will provide further research and career development over the academic year.  

What is your dissertation about? Tell us about it in a few sentences.   

Between the late 19 th and early 20 th centuries, the model of educational vision Black teachers fostered and were deeply committed to greatly mirrored what we today regard as anti-racist systems of knowledge and educational practices. My dissertation attends to the understudied educational activism, pedagogies, and praxes of local Black teachers during the Early Black History Movement through a biographical analysis of the life and times of Jane Dabney Shackelford, a Black female educator from Terre Haute, Indiana who was most active during the era of Jim Crow segregation. The educational trajectory and systems of teaching Shackelford and her peers embodied serve as a useful tool for conceptualizing the significant ways in which local schoolteachers cultivated an intentional educational and intellectual practice that challenged the beliefs, politics, and policies of Jim Crow segregation. Driven by what Anna Julia Cooper referred to as the “moral forces of reason and justice and love,” these educators inspired Civil Rights Movement participants, Black Power Movement activists, and Black Studies revolutionaries.  

Why is this type of research so important?   

Amid the regime of violence, discrimination, and disfranchisement of Jim Crow segregation, local Black teachers played critical roles in the lives of countless Black youth by educating them about their rich history, heritage, and culture. This study situates the underappreciated presence and pedagogies of these educators within their rightful historical legacy. The first contribution of this project entails the study of the life and times of an influential—yet understudied—historical actor as a window into the education-activism of Black teachers during the Early Black History Movement. Second, this project attends to the principles and conventions of Jim Crow North, by challenging static, flattened, and selective narratives that loom in popular remembering of the era of Jim Crow segregation. Third, the use of the robust repository that makes up the Shackelford papers seeks to excavate the scholarly and intellectual work and the service ethos that guided her educational activism and that of her community of educators.  

Why did you decide to major and minor in African American history, U.S. history, and Black comparative/diaspora history?  

The decision to major and minor in African American history, U.S. history, and Black comparative/diaspora history in the Michigan State University History PhD program was inspired by the trajectory of my research, the opportunity to learn from leading scholars in the fields, and my aspiration to create meaningful historical work that helps us better understand the present through our collective history towards a just and inclusive society. 

    Who have been some of your mentors within the History department?   

My mentors within the department include my major Advisor, Dr. Pero G. Dagbovie (University Distinguished Professor of History, Associate Provost for Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and Dean of the Graduate School), and Dissertation Committee Member, Dr. LaShawn D. Harris (award-winning historian and Associate Professor of History). I am sincerely thankful for their instrumental guidance and supportive mentorship.  

    Anything else you would like to include?   

  I am also grateful to God for the scholar-friends in the Department of History and College of Education who have been thought-partners and for their community of support.  

Gloria J. Ashaolu 

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Biostatistics Graduate Program

Congratulations to our august 2024 graduates.

Posted by duthip1 on Thursday, August 8, 2024 in News .

Left to right: top, Jamie Joseph, Julia Thome, Shengxin Tu; bottom, Megan Hall, Julia Whitman

We are thrilled to celebrate the graduations of five students in our program. Click their names for more information. Dissertations and theses will be viewable at Vanderbilt’s Institutional Repository later this year.

Jamie Joseph , PhD, completed a dissertation titled “ Causal Approaches to Quantifying the Role of Engagement in Studies of Mobile Health Interventions ,” with advisor Andrew Spieker.

Julia Thome , PhD, completed a dissertation titled “ Assessing the Impact of Health Policies: Advancements in Causal Inference Methodology and Real-World Application ,” with advisor Bryan Shepherd.

Shengxin Tu , PhD, completed a dissertation titled “ Rank-Based Analyses and Designs with Clustered Data ,” with advisor Bryan Shepherd.

Megan Hall , MS, completed a thesis titled “Sampling Considerations in Intensive Longitudinal Data,” with advisor Matt Shotwell.

Julia Whitman , MS, completed a thesis titled “Properties of Variance Estimators in Finite Sample Sizes,” with advisor Andrew Spieker.

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