How to Join

Eligibility: The CBI program is designed to expose PhD-seeking trainees to research in other disciplines, to learn how to give professional talks and presentations, as well as to participate in hands-on, cross-disciplinary research. PhD trainees from any of the three participating programs (Chemistry and Biochemistry (UMBC), Biological Sciences (UMBC), and Pharmaceutical Sciences (UMB)), are eligible to be considered for membership if their graduate GPA is 3.25 or better.

CHEM 715 – “Issues at the Chemistry/Biology Interface”: CBI meets Mondays from 4-6 pm as part of the formal chemical biology course associated with the program – CHEM 715. In the Fall semester, the trainees (excluding probationary trainees) lead discussions on topics related to chemical biology as well as dissect two journal articles related to the topic; in the Spring semester, trainees present a polished research update on their dissertation projects. After the talks, the group meets for an additional 45 minutes to eat dinner and to discuss topics of interest relevant to issues at the CBI and to graduate student life. As part of CHEM 715, the trainees also invite 2-4 notable outside speakers to visit the program, to meet with trainees, to give a talk, and to network. During those visits, only CBI trainees meet with the visitor; however, all faculty and students are invited to attend the talk.

Requirements: first year trainees are “on probation” while they complete their rotations (2-4 depending on the program), join a research group, and take classes. At the end of the first academic year, eligible applicants submit their application package for consideration to the CBI executive board for review. If the trainee has maintained a good GPA (> 3.25), joined an appropriate research group, and has a research project appropriate to the CBI (see comments below), the trainee will be officially accepted into the CBI program. Once admitted to the program, the trainee must complete the required elements listed below in order to maintain placement in the program:

1. Take an upper-level course in one of the other disciplines (this cannot be a course in the same department and must be approved by the Program Director); this course takes the place of either a core course or an elective, depending on the program.
2. Take an NIH-approved ethics course (offered in all three departments once a year).
3. Maintain a 3.25 or better GPA in all coursework.
4. Present at two or more of the local and/or regional graduate symposiums each year, as well as additional regional, national and international meetings as appropriate (note: NIH funded CBI Fellows must present one or more national or international meetings each year as a requirement of their fellowship)
5. Participate in cross-disciplinary research with someone in another department (or in another university or research center such as NIH, NCI, etc). The research must be directly related to their dissertation project and must be such that gives added value to the project overall. The cross-training aspect must be approved by the CBI Program Director in consultation with the student’s mentor.
6. Attend and actively participate in all CBI activities each semester.
7. Continue to make appropriate progress towards degree completion (i.e., finish all milestones as required by each program/department on time).

If a trainee fails to (i) make appropriate academic or research progress, (ii) fulfill the CBI requirements, (iii) maintain a > 3.25 GPA for more than one semester, or (iv) decides to leave the Ph.D. program and receive a Master’s degree, the trainee must inform the CBI Program Director and exit program. Each trainee is reviewed by the Executive Committee every year to ensure they are meeting all of the requirements and are on track academically.

Funding: If the student is a U.S. citizen, a U.S. non-citizen national, or a U.S. permanent resident, the student can compete for one of the training grant fellowships provided by the NIH training grant starting as soon as they become a full CBI member. The training grant slots are competitively renewed each year for a maximum of 3 years; it is not automatic that a second (or a third) year of funding will be given to those who have previously received a year of fellowship support.

Once a trainee is officially accepted into the CBI program, they are eligible for funds for travel and supplies to support their cross training. Information on how to request funds may be found here.

Mentors: If a trainee joins a group where the faculty member is not yet a CBI mentor, the faculty member must apply to the program. Unless the faculty member is a new Assistant Professor, the proposed CBI mentor must have a strong track record of obtaining funding, publishing, and mentoring students. In addition, the student’s Ph.D. research must be at the CBI, and it must have elements that involve cross-disciplinary science. CBI trainees should also have at least one member of the CBI training faculty on their committee from another department. In addition, if possible, the external member of the trainee’s committee should be the person they are doing their cross training with; however, depending on the timing, it may not be possible, so this is not a strict requirement but should be discussed with the CBI Program Director.