Cellular Physiology and Molecular Biophysics (Ph.D.)
The Graduate Program in Physiology and Biophysics is an interdepartmental Ph.D. program that trains highly qualified students for successful careers in research, teaching and industry. All students are supported by stipends and tuition waivers throughout their graduate training. A high faculty to student ratio assures that each student receives individualized help from the faculty together with access to the latest scientific instrumentation.
Student training is enhanced by research seminars and student-oriented discussions presented by world-renowned visiting scientists, as well as by participation in research seminars and research discussion groups. We seek to provide a congenial and supportive environment in which each student develops to the fullest their abilities to reason critically, design and conduct incisive experiments, and communicate research results effectively in both written and oral formats.
Our graduate program is a research program with specialties covering all levels of physiology and biophysics including:
- Ion channels and transporters
- Molecular structure and modelling
- Electrophysiology/Neurophysiology
- Sensory Mechanisms
- Signal Transduction
- Neuroimmunology
- Muscle Physiology
Students interested in the Graduate Program in Physiology and Biophysics are encouraged to make preliminary contact with the Graduate Program Director and/or Coordinator at any time during the year.
Laura Bianchi, Ph.D.
Professor of Physiology and Biophysics
Director of the Cellular Physiology and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Program
Co-Director of Physiology Discipline for MD students
Email: l.bianchi@med.miami.edu
Prominent Physiology and Biophysics Ph.D. Graduates
Graduates of our Physiology and Biophysics program become influential leaders across academia, industry, and government research organizations. Our long-standing legacy and exceptional training record continue to shape innovators who advance their fields.
| Name | Current role & organization | Sector | Graduation range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eric Levine | Professor of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut School of Medicine | Academia | 1990–1994 |
| Stephen Baccus | Professor of Neurobiology, Stanford University | Academia | 1995–1999 |
| Crina Nimigean | Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics in Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medicine | Academia | 1995–1999 |
| Mark Rosenblatt | Executive Dean, University of Illinois College of Medicine; CEO, UI Health | Academia/Healthcare Leadership | 1995–1999 |
| Tinatin Brelidze | Associate Professor of Pharmacology & Physiology, Georgetown University | Academia | 2000–2004 |
| Xiaohui Zhang | Professor of Biomedical Engineering, UMass | Academia | 2000–2004 |
| Juan Pablo de Rivero Vaccari | Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami; The Miami Project | Academia | 2005–2009 |
| Lu Han | Research Scientist, Meta Reality Labs | Industry (Big Tech) | 2010–2014 |
| Feng Qiu | Senior Data Analyst, Capital One | Financial Corporation | 2010–2014 |
| Alexander Peyser | Computational Biophysics Group Leader, Fraunhofer SCAI | Industry/Research Institute | 2010–2014 |
| Christina Johnson | Branch Chief, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames | Government (NASA) | 2015–2019 |
| Jessica Jowais | Medical Science Liaison, Sanofi | Pharma | 2020–present |