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Program

Incoming Mechanobiology Trainees will participate in assigned lab explorations Fall quarters of the first year, where at least one exploration should be outside of their home department. Trainees will then complete two 10-week lab rotations over Winter and Spring quarters. Following a successful completion of research rotations, trainees will finalize their lab placement and start their dissertation projects. Each trainee will also be assigned a Program Mentor in their first year, who will work with them to ensure their professional and research goals are being met throughout their PhD. T32 trainees should include at two Program Faculty on their dissertation committee.

 Requirements

Trainees are expected to commit to and participate in all program components, including the research program, coursework, and programmatic training activities, and their involvement should continue through the duration of their PhD program.

 Contact

 t32-info@bioengineering.ucsb.edu

 Application Form

Deadline: December 15, 2023.

Required Materials: Supplemental Form as part of Biological Engineering PhD Application

 How to Apply

Eligibility

This program is open to pre-doctoral students matriculated in BioE or participating departments and programs at UC Santa Barbara and who will be starting the first or second year of their PhD program. To be eligible for funding via an NIH Traineeship, applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents.

Application

Prospective trainees complete an application, which will be evaluated by the Program Director and Steering Committee members, for fit to program focus and goals. Top candidates will be invited for in-person interviews, to evaluate student commitment to program components, interest in interdisciplinary research and collaboration, and overall interest and passion to be leaders and innovators in mechanobiology.

 Timeline

UCSB's Interdisciplinary Program in Mechanobiology is a five-year training program that dovetails with departmental requirements.  A rough timeline of activities is presented here: 

Year One
  • Orientation
  • Assignment to lab explorations in Fall quarter
  • Research explorations in winter / spring quarters
  • Create Individual Development Plan (IDP)
  • Coursework
  • Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training
  • Open Lab Days
  • Professional development series
  • Monthly Progress and Experiences in Emerging Research Seminars (PEERS)
  • Annual Mechanobiology Retreat / Symposium
  • Finalize lab placement
Year Two
  • Form thesis committee
  • Review IDP
  • Research
  • Coursework
  • Grant writing training
  • Open Lab Days
  • Professional development series
  • Monthly Progress and Experiences in Emerging Research Seminars (PEERS)
  • Annual Mechanobiology Retreat / Symposium
  • Submit to conference
  • Qualifying exam
Year Three
  • Review IDP
  • Research
  • Teaching
  • Career awareness
  • Present at conference
  • Open Lab Days
  • Professional development series
  • Monthly Progress and Experiences in Emerging Research Seminars (PEERS)
  • Annual Mechanobiology Retreat / Symposium
Year Four
  • Review IDP
  • Research
  • Communication training
  • Career pathways
  • Present at conference
  • Lead Open Lab Day
  • Open Lab Days
  • Professional development series
  • Monthly Progress and Experiences in Emerging Research Seminars (PEERS)
  • Annual Mechanobiology Retreat / Symposium
Year Five
  • Review IDP
  • Research
  • RCR refresher course
  • Career planning
  • Open Lab Days
  • Professional development series
  • Monthly Progress and Experiences in Emerging Research Seminars (PEERS)
  • Annual Mechanobiology Retreat / Symposium
  • Thesis defense