# Predoctoral Program in Biophysics

> **NIH NIH T32** · YALE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $487,629

## Abstract

The goal of the proposed Yale Biophysics Training Program (BTP) is provide pre-doctoral students with
strong quantitative training that will allow them to perform research at the forefront of biomedical science. The
research topics derive from the diverse interests of our 34 faculty mentors and span areas from the study of
the quantum mechanics of photosynthesis, the physics of NMR pulse sequences, to the structural biology of
macromolecular machines. Our student trainees benefit from access to world-class expertise in X-Ray
crystallography, optical and magnetic spectroscopies, cryo-electron microscopy, computational chemistry,
biochemistry, and physical chemistry. Furthermore, our students are trained in usage of state-of-the-art
instrumentation. The organization of the BTP is structured to facilitate our mentor's rigorous training of students
in biophysical research in a manner that fosters their creativity and intrepidness.
 At Yale and elsewhere the importance of biophysics on health related subjects is evident from the
number of biophysical studies occurring across several academic departments. Consistent with this expansion
of biophysics, our mentors come from many departments including Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Molecular
Biophysics and Biochemistry (MB&B), Genetics, Pharmacology, Immunology, and Biology. Students are
admitted to the BTP either directly through the Chemistry Department or from MB&B through an umbrella
Biochemistry, Quantitative Biology, Biophysics, and Structural Biology (BQBS) program. The BQBS track, by
its association with medical school departments, has enabled the BTP access to an expanded number of
students from which to draw upon.
 Likewise, the students that come to the BTP through Chemistry and MB&B have scientific backgrounds
that range from physics, mathematics, engineering, and physical chemistry, to molecular biology, biochemistry
and biology. In their first year, students satisfy curricular requirements and further enhance and broaden their
backgrounds through elective coursework. Also during the first year, students acquaint themselves with
research by performing three laboratory research rotations. Transitioning to full-time research, students take
two qualifying exams designed to encourage independent thinking and research project design. Upon joining a
mentor lab, dissertation research is performed with supervision from a thesis committee comprised of three
faculty that are familiar with the student's research topic and meet regularly to discuss progress. This BTP
aims to support students in year 2 and potentially in year 3, as long as the student remains active in
biophysical research. Other training enhancements of this BTP that are designed to facilitate interactions and
cohesion among the trainees include research in progress talks, BTP Director workshops, the outside invited
speaker program, and the biophysical retreat. The training resources at Yale and the dedicated commitment to
training by ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10187582
- **Project number:** 5T32GM008283-34
- **Recipient organization:** YALE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Yong Xiong
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $487,629
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1988-09-30 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10187582

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10187582, Predoctoral Program in Biophysics (5T32GM008283-34). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10187582. Licensed CC0.

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