Program Faculty
Current listing of MBTG trainers

An important goal of the MBTG program is to direct trainees to those laboratories where they will receive the best possible training in preparation for a successful career. Towards this end, we invest a great deal of effort into identifying the top labs on campus for training in cellular, biochemical and molecular sciences. The process begins with a detailed application form, which is completed by faculty who wish to join the program, as well as by all existing trainers during the trainer review process that occurs once every 5 years. Each application is read by at least 3 faculty members and 1 student member of the Steering Committee. Based on this information, the Steering Committee evaluates each trainer for the following criteria:

   a) A good match between the trainer's research interests and the MBTG program's scientific focus.

We feel that it is important for the MBTG program to maintain an identity distinct from that of other training programs on campus. In particular, it is important that the focus be on basic rather than applied or clinical research, and that the emphasis be on molecular rather than purely genetic or organismal studies. This programmatic focus forms the basis of a common language between the trainers and the trainees, and promotes an atmosphere of community and synergistic interactions.

   b) A strong training record.

The training history of faculty beyond the level of Assistant Professor is examined to assure that students are joining the lab, that these students receive their Ph.D. in a timely manner, and that they are successful in securing high quality positions after leaving the lab.

   c) Active, ongoing extramural funding.

Extramural funding is important both to assure that students will be supported after their training grant stipend ends, and as an indicator of the quality of work being done in the lab. New Assistant Professors are not required to have extramural funding before they can join the training program, but are expected to have grant proposals pending or in preparation and to have demonstrated potential for attracting support.

   d) Willingness to participate in MBTG program activities.

To fully benefit from the MBTG program, trainees require the support of their faculty mentor. Applicants are asked to commit to specific program activities that require trainer involvement, and are also judged on their past contributions to graduate training.

Using these criteria, the MBTG Steering Committee completed a review in early 2000 of our entire trainer pool. The resulting trainer pool of about 100 faculty provides a tremendous breadth of choices to matriculating trainees. The faculty come from 23 different academic departments, and their research interests span the fields of cell biology, biochemistry and molecular biology. The trainers are well supported, with the majority having multiple grants. Each year, the vast majority of trainers have space and funds available to accept one or more new students into their lab. Students who receive their Ph.D. with MBTG trainers generally obtain excellent postdoctoral positions. UW-Madison is nationally recognized for the high quality of its biological science Ph.D.'s, and the MBTG trainer labs represent the top training labs on campus.

Program Faculty Trainers