MOCB Director's Statement

September 2004

Welcome to the Program in Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Maryland. I am pleased to have taken on the Directorship of this outstanding program in Molecular and Cell Biology (MOCB), as of July 1, 2004. This is an exciting time to be at the University of Maryland and for our program to continue to grow and flourish.

The MOCB program offers graduate training in major areas of biological and biomedical sciences. Our program brings together a diverse group of faculty members who share a commitment to graduate student training. Our Ph.D. program combines a rigorous course of study, required of all students, with highly individualized guidance and mentorship that allows each student to craft a training plan that best suits his/her interests, background and goals. First year students in the program enroll in core courses that emphasize fundamental concepts in molecular biology, cell biology and biochemistry, and participate in seminars and journal clubs that focus on analysis and presentation of current research topics. During the first year, our students rotate in two to three laboratories, which they choose with the help of an advisory committee, in order to identify the best training environment for their thesis work. Students carry out research in laboratories specializing in a diverse range of areas of modern biology including molecular genetics, cell biology, developmental biology, immunobiology, virology, biochemistry, plant sciences and many others. Our goal throughout is to provide students with the best possible training and for their development into independent scientists who have broad options open to them for their future careers.

The MOCB program is uniquely situated at the University of Maryland. We are an interdisciplinary program that offers training here on campus at U Maryland in four departments with the College Life Sciences, in departments within the College of Agriculture, as well as in affiliated units of the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institutes, located here on campus and off campus in Rockville, MD; and selected laboratories at the National Institutes of Health. This broad array of training possibilities insures that students can find training environments that are ideally suited to their interests and future goals. In addition, shared resources and facilities, operating in all participating units, are available to members of the program to facilitate their research.

We are an active group of research-oriented faculty and students. We have a very strong program, but even the best programs can always be improved. Thus, we have begun a critical self-evaluation and will implement any changes that can strengthen our program and move it to the next level of excellence. One such change is the establishment of an Annual MOCB Scientific Retreat that will take place each spring. This forum will allow students to present their research to the group, will allow discussion on a variety of topics and will give us a chance to meet as a group to facilitate scientific interaction and collaborations within the program. As the new Director of the MOCB, I am available for input and welcome any suggestions or feedback you may have. Thank you for your interest and participation in MOCB.

Leslie Pick