Integrated Molecular and Biophysical Chemistry (PhD)

Ph.D.Integrated Molecular and Biophysical Chemistry

Students develop skills in biochemistry, biophysics, organic chemistry, and molecular biology alongside business, commercialization, and entrepreneurship.

The Integrated Molecular and Biophysical Chemistry (IMBC) program will train Ph.D.-level biochemists, biophysicists, and chemists for the growing biomedical and life science industry in Texas and the nation. 

Through a focus on the chemistry and biochemistry of natural systems, this program features interdisciplinary coursework that integrates biochemistry, biophysics, organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry, cell biology, biological chemistry, and molecular genetics. Uniquely, students will be prepared to enter the industry workforce, with a foundation in business fundamentals, leadership, and innovation training both in the classroom and through business boot camps.

The cross-disciplinary training in the IMBC degree program leverages the potential of commercialization and industry collaboration within the Texas Innovation Corridor with departmental expertise in biochemistry, biophysics, organic chemistry, and molecular biology. 

Course Work

IMBC students will be prepared for the growing biomedical and life science industry in Texas and the nation. The program features interdisciplinary coursework that integrates biochemistry, biophysics, organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry, cell biology, biological chemistry, and molecular genetics through required and elective courses.

Uniquely, students will also build a foundation in business fundamentals, leadership, and innovation training both in the classroom and through business boot camps. The cross-disciplinary training in the IMBC program leverages the potential of commercialization and industry collaboration within the Texas Innovation Corridor with departmental expertise in biochemistry, biophysics, organic chemistry, and molecular biology.

Coursework is centered on research, with both pre-candidacy graduate research course work and substantial post-candidacy dissertation research courses. Students with prior graduate degrees or experience may transfer credit or waive requirements with approval.

This program provides advanced training in the chemical life sciences, including but not limited to organic synthesis, biochemistry, biophysics, and cell biology; fundamental business skills of leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship; and responsible conduct of research, including research ethics, scientific communication, grantsmanship, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Program Mission

Our mission is to prepare graduates to lead interdisciplinary teams that make impactful advances in the biomedical and life sciences by equipping them with:

• comprehensive technical knowledge spanning synthesis, biochemistry, and biophysics;
• advanced research skills to allow them to design and implement experiments to test
• hypotheses and engage in multidisciplinary research in the molecular sciences;
• leadership, innovation, communication, and entrepreneurial skills to prepare them for multiple career environments.
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Career Options

IMBC graduates can embark on a variety of career paths including as:

• faculty members in public and private colleges and universities 
• entrepreneurs and founders of start-up companies
• scientists in private companies, nonprofit, or government agencies
• intellectual property professionals, consultants, or managers
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Program Faculty

The IMBC faculty research areas include:

• DNA damage and repair
• regulation of gene expression
• cellular mechanisms of carcinogenesis
• molecular mechanisms of disease 
• natural products synthesis, drug design and discovery 
• liquid-liquid phase separation of proteins and nucleic acids 
• drug delivery and biosensors 
• research training and education pedagogy 
• enzyme mechanism, chemical catalysis, and inhibition
• analytical methods development