Pathology is a dynamic field that links contemporary molecular and biological approaches with disease processes. Our faculty, students and postdoctoral fellows are performing state-of-the-art research in such areas as Cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Immunology, Vascular Disease, Neuro-AIDS, Molecular Genetics and Infectious Diseases, among others. Many of these studies are translational, including a strong clinicial component.
Application Procedure
The application procedure for a PhD is straightforward. Prospective students apply directly to the Division of Biomedical Sciences of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, not to a specific department. This allows students to explore many areas of research before choosing one of more than 200 labs in which to conduct their thesis work. Prior to choosing a department for their PhD studies, students have an opportunity to rotate through three laboratories in any department during their first year.
Applications for the Graduate Division PhD program are available starting August 15, 2019, and are due by December 11. Applications for the MD/PhD program have the same requirements as Einstein’s MD
program.
Application, Academic Transcripts, and Letters of Recommendation must be submitted using the online application process. Admission decisions are made by considering applications individually, weighing grades, GRE scores, reference letters, and a personal interview. All application information and answers to Frequently Asked Questions can be found here.
Stipend, Tuition and Benefits
Accepted PhD and MD/PhD students receive the following benefits:
- $35,000 annual stipend.
- Full tuition remission and free individual health insurance.
- A low cost of living. The monthly rent at the student residence complex—directly across the street from campus—ranges from about $460 for a studio to $747 for a two-bedroom apartment. Students can further reduce living costs by sharing an apartment.
- Free membership to the athletic facility.
Requirements for a PhD in Pathology
A. Courses
Candidates for the PhD Degree in Pathology will be expected
to obtain a broad and strong foundation in the biological sciences. Course
requirements include Mechanisms of Disease, Graduate Biochemistry, and one of
these three: Molecular Genetics, Gene Expression or Molecular and Cellular
Biology.
Additional courses will be selected depending upon
individual interests and needs, and with the advice of the Student Advisory
Committee. At least two courses per semester should be taken during the first
two years. All students in the PhD program will graduate with a minimum of
seven courses. The Graduate Division offers a mandatory Grant Writing Course
that will prepare students for the qualifying exam and for writing future grant
applications.
B. Qualifying Examination
Students are required to take a qualifying exam after they
have completed the first two years of course work. Students select a thesis
project with their mentor and write a brief grant application in which
background, methods and proposed experiments are outlined. Students also defend
this proposal orally before a qualifying exam committee that consists of four
faculty members.
C. Rotations
Rotations in three laboratories in any department are
strongly advised during the first year. Students may also be permitted to
undertake research in collaboration with faculty in other departments.
D. Other Requirements
The departmental PhD Committee will constitute the Advisory
Committee until the student chooses a Thesis Problem. A thesis advisory
committee will then be established and will follow the Sue Golding
requirements.
The Departmental Works-in-Progress meets every
Friday. Seminars are held Tuesdays at noon during the academic year.
Attendance at these activities is required. Additional
seminars in specific areas are also offered.
Students are required to present a seminar as part of their
thesis defense. The thesis defense will follow the seminar and will be
conducted by a committee composed of six members, at least two of whom will be
faculty from the Pathology Department and the remainder from other departments.
One outside reviewer from another institution must also be included.
Departmental Activities
- Weekly departmental work-in-progress presentations (pizza served)
- Student-invited speaker program, in which students host nationally noted speakers and have dinner with the speaker
- Special grant writing course
- Annual departmental retreat at the New York Botanical Garden featuring student and fellow poster sessions and talks and a high-profile student-invited speaker
- Pathology Department-sponsored seminar program
- Monthly dessert parties for students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty
Albert Einstein College of Medicine offers many different clubs and activities including Social Clubs, Community Service Programs, Intramural Sports, and Faculty-Student Mixers. Our doctoral candidates frequently interact with the Medical and MSTP students in laboratory collaborations, school sponsored programs, and socially. Whether a student is looking for a ride to the airport, a hot baseball ticket, or an important reagent, our school Graduate Student Server keeps all of our students closely in touch by email.
Many of our students have gone on to outstanding post-doctoral fellowships at major medical centers to further their training. Our graduates have become faculty at high quality universities or medical centers, while some have received excellent positions in industry.