The Cross-Disciplinary Program in Graduate Biomedical Science (XDBio) is a graduate program at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine aimed at innovating graduate education in the biomedical sciences and facilitating interdisciplinary research training that bridges basic science and medicine.
The mission of XDBio is to foster the development of the next generation of scientists who want cross-disciplinary training in biomedicine. The program aims to catalyze and support implementation of the creative ideas of its students, and to accelerate their paths to independent research as they embark on making important discoveries that benefit the human condition.
XDBio students will experience a flexible educational structure with a personalized curriculum guided by each student’s individual research interests, prior coursework, and future goals. XDBio students will have access to the rich offering of courses from across the University, and benefit from a mentoring structure that guides independent, interdisciplinary discovery. Students will find themselves embedded in the rigorous, collaborative environment that characterizes Johns Hopkins Medicine and will engage faculty and the broader Hopkins community regularly through research presentations, journal clubs, retreats, and one-on-one and small group interactions.
Students may elect to conduct research in laboratories at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Research Campus, 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, Virginia 20147. The Janelia Research Campus provides research opportunities in small labs, encourages collaboration across laboratories and research topics, and offers access to developing tools and technologies. Johns Hopkins University is certified to operate elements of the program at this site by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.
Johns Hopkins has always been a leader in training the scientists who change the world. With the increasing need for broad sets of approaches to address important biomedical questions, Johns Hopkins is committed to modernizing graduate training in biomedical research and producing exceptionally well-prepared biomedical scientists.
XDBio Admission Requirements
- Undergraduate transcript/s.
- A Curriculum Vitae (CV) with details of post-secondary educational background, as well as employment and research experience. Please include any honors (scholarships, fellowships, election to honor societies, etc.) you have received.
- Three references: contact information for three people who are familiar with your work and can provide letters of recommendation.
- Three XDBio-specific statements on:
- How a formative experience has shaped your interest in pursuing graduate studies and/or a specific career path. This experience could include—but is not limited to—a life event, academic course, book, or mentor. We encourage you to reflect on how this experience cultivated your curiosity, passion, or motivation to pursue your chosen field. (1 page.)
- At least one research project you have participated in. For each project, please explain the broader scientific goal(s) behind each research project, detail your specific contributions, and discuss potential future directions the project could take. (1-2 pages)
- Your PhD training goals and vision, as well as your long-term career goals, and how these are supported by the structure of XDBio over more traditional PhD programs.
GRE scores are not required. For more up-to-date information, please refer to the XDBio website.
Curriculum
The program has no fixed curriculum. Based on each student’s background, coursework, experience and research interests, an individualized program of study will be tailored to each student, maximizing the impact of coursework on the student’s chosen thesis area. The student, in consultation with the program director and co-director, will identify courses offered across the University that will support, complement, and enrich their research.
There are two core courses required for all XDBio students (see table below). Students must fulfill the School's ethics training requirement by taking a Responsible Conduct of Research course in year 1. Additionally, they must register for the program's research course each semester and summer term.
Required Courses
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| ME.800.811 | Introduction to Responsible Conduct of Research | 1 |
| ME.800.807 | Research in Biomedical Science 1 | 1 - 18 |
Rotations
XDBio students may rotate and choose to train in labs at Johns Hopkins University or the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Research Campus. There is no required number of rotations, and students will work with the program director and co-director to identify their thesis lab.
Co-mentorship
A core aim of the XDBio program is to facilitate interdisciplinary training as part of each student’s thesis work. Co-mentors will be chosen by the student in consultation with the primary mentor and the program director.
Doctoral Board Oral (DBO) Exam
Annual Academic Progress and Professional Development Plan
Starting in year 2, students have annual meetings with their primary mentor to discuss their research progress as well as development of professional skills.
Thesis Committee Meetings
Annual thesis committee meetings must be held following successful completion of the DBO Exam in years 2 to 5, and semi-annually starting in year 6.
Dissertation
Learning Outcomes
The objective of the Cross Disciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (XDBio) is to provide students with the breadth of knowledge that will enable them to pursue careers across disciplines and boundaries.
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XDBio students will have deep critical thinking skills and training that will enable them to work across scientific boundaries.
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XDBio students will be highly independent thought leaders.
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XDBio students will develop varied professional skills, including experimental design; rigor; scholarly communication; time management; project management; teamwork; adaptability; critical thinking; independence.
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XDBio students will be prepared for a variety of career options according to their developed skills.
