About The Program

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Group pic of all the students- Genetics GIDP

Why study genetics at the University of Arizona?

The University of Arizona has a rich history of genetics research, representing the entire range of model, experimental, and applied biological systems. Geneticists at University of Arizona study genetic model organisms – such as Drosophila and yeasts – the genetics of crop plants and animals of agricultural importance, microbial genetics and virology, evolutionary and conservation genetics, and of course the genetics of human beings and their families with a focus on how their genetics relate to health and disease. Our faculty’s research is highly impactful, and we are internationally recognized for innovative work, often covering many branches of knowledge within genetics and integrating with “non-genetic” fields of biology. Our investigators collaborate often, with others at the University of Arizona and with others across the United States and throughout the world.

The study of genes, their functions, their interactions, and their inheritance will prepare you for a wide variety of possible careers. Your training at the University of Arizona will prepare you for life-long learning and high impact research in all of the biological and biomedical fields because the concepts of genetics inform all other areas of research.

  

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Students standing in front of Genetics Poster

Our mission

The mission of the Genetics Interdisciplinary Graduate Program (GIDP) is to train the next generation of geneticists, providing strong academic support in molecular genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics. The common theme of our research is to understand how fundamental genetic mechanisms and complex functional interactions underlie phenotypic variation to give rise to physical traits.

We pride ourselves on engaging multiple approaches – from mastering the traditional to creating the novel – while engendering an interdisciplinary and collaborative community.

The study of genes, their functions, their interactions, and their inheritance will prepare you for a wide variety of possible careers. Your training at the University of Arizona will prepare you for life-long learning and high impact research in all of the biological and biomedical fields because the concepts of genetics inform all other areas of research.

  

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Image of 3 genetics faulty talking

What kinds of students are we looking for?

The Genetics GIDP welcomes applications from any motivated and curious student – those interested in mechanistic biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, or the physical, mathematical, computer or statistical sciences. Our current students have backgrounds in anthropology, economics, mathematics, along with the traditional fields of biology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. Modern genetics impacts basic biological and biomedical sciences; epidemiology, public health, and population sciences; evolutionary biology; law and public policy; medical and translational sciences; pharmacology, toxicology, drug discovery and development; wildlife management; crop and food science; and our program seeks to engage talented and ambitious students by placing them in productive and synergistic collaborations with our top-notch faculty.

For more information, please contact: 
Genetics Graduate Interdisciplinary Program

 

Nathan Ellis, Chair
520-626-7979
naellis@email.arizona.edu

Keith A. Maggert, Co-chair
520-626-9545
kamaggert@email.arizona.edu

 

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