School of Biomedical Science 

Caroline Whitacre, PhD, Director

The School of Biomedical Science (SBS) promotes research to advance medical knowledge and to educate the next generation of biomedical scientists and health professionals. The School’s academic mission is to foster excellence in education and research education. The School encompasses six basic science departments in Ohio State’s College of Medicine: Biomedical Informatics; Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics; Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry; Neuroscience; Pharmacology; and Physiology and Cell Biology. The School has been reorganized to better integrate biomedical research activities across the Medical Center in order to align with the Medical Center’s six Signature Programs and enhance the research and education missions. Representatives of the Signature Programs have been appointed to the School’s executive committee.

Total Grant Funding

Integrated Biomedical Science Graduate Program (IBGP)

In 2001 this program replaced the traditional departmental PhD graduate programs at Ohio State’s Medical Center. It is organized with a much more interdisciplinary approach to investigate the causes, biological mechanisms and cures of human disease. Students prepare for careers in biomedical research with an understanding of disease mechanisms that integrates information from several disciplines. This graduate program has a strong faculty membership that is Medical Center-wide and from 23 departments at Ohio State. They bring research and teaching expertise, along with research resources available to graduate students. The IBGP is recognized as one of the top PhD programs in the nation by virtue of a training grant awarded by the National Institutes of Health to support this program.

Graduate/Postgraduate Research Day

This is an annual event featuring biomedical research conducted by students/trainees at the Medical Center. Participation is open to students in the College of Medicine, including graduate, medical and MD/PhD students, as well as postdoctoral fellows and researchers, and clinical residents and fellows. Held each spring, Research Day features a poster display and awards presented for outstanding research, as well as presentations by worldrenowned researchers and experts in biomedical science. The Research Day is intended for and organized by Medical Center students/trainees.

Postdoctoral Research Office

Postdoctoral scholars contribute to the dynamic research enterprise of the College of Medicine. The office helps postdoctoral students maximize this pivotal stage in their professional development. As a resource for current and prospective postdoctoral scholars, faculty advisors and administrative staff, the office enhances the postdoctoral experience.

Undergraduate Biomedical Science Program

This exciting new undergraduate program has been created for high-ability students who are eligible for Ohio State’s honors program and who have an interest in conducting medical research and studying human disease. The first class of Biomedical Science students started in autumn quarter of 2005; approximately 20-25 freshmen enter the major each year. The goal is to provide a strong science background and involve students in biomedical research that will prepare them to enter a graduate program in research, medical school, dental school or other areas of health care.