National Library of Medicine Training Grant Fellowship Program
Training Opportunities
Biomedical informatics is an interdisciplinary field requiring knowledge of biology, medicine, computer and information sciences, engineering, biostatistics, and human behavior. Our trainees come from a wide range of educational and professional backgrounds including physicians, nurses, linguists, computer scientists, cognitive scientists, biochemists, engineers, and statisticians.
Research areas are separated into four broad tracks, but overlap across tracks is also encouraged. We provide opportunities for specialization in a variety of areas, including but not limited to:
Translational Bioinformatics:
Human Genetics
Structural Genomics, Proteomics and Metabolomics
Epigenomics and Functional Genomics
Metagenomics
Systems Biology and Networks
Health Informatics:
Clinical Informatics
Human-Computer Interaction
Pharmacy Informatics
Imaging Informatics
Clinical Research Informatics:
Infrastructures for Human Subjects Research
Clinical Data Research Networks
Data Modeling for Discovery and Reuse
Environmental Exposures and Public Health Informatics:
Health behaviors and environmental exposure assessment
Global Health
Syndromic surveillance
Our training program is an intellectually invigorating course of study that will form an excellent basis for starting your career in biomedical informatics research.
- Masters in Advanced Studies in Clinical Research
Ideal for preparing the clinician for a research career, this 36-unit degree program can be completed in 18 to 24 months and provides a strong background in statistics, study design, and an introduction to biomedical informatics.
- Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering
This rigorous computer science program is geared to those wishing to apply a computer science degree towards the health field. Biomedical informatics students take approximately 12 units of informatics electives as part of the 49-unit Master’s program. This program requires a strong computational background prior to admission.
- Ph.D. in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology with emphasis in Biomedical Informatics
The UCSD bioinformatics program is one of the most competitive in the nation. Students in this program need a background in biology and must have programming skills. They are taught a rigorous blend of biology, computational science, and medical informatics.
- Ph.D. in Cognitive Science
This program provides broad training in neurological processes and phenomena; the experimental methods, results, and theories from the study of psychology, language, and social and cultural issues; and the studies of computational mechanisms. Biomedical Informatics students will take at least 13 units of informatics electives.
- Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences
The goal of this program is to develop future generations of innovative biomedical scientists who will create new knowledge, solve problems and contribute to the health and well being of mankind. Biomedical Informatics students will take at least 13 units of informatics
Determining which degree is best for you will depend upon your academic background and your professional interests.
Fellowship Program
In July, 2012 we were awarded the NIH National Library of Medicine (NLM) biomedical informatics training grant. Individuals seeking graduate degrees leading to research careers in biomedical informatics, who are US citizens, non-citizen nationals, or have permanent residency status (as evidenced by Card I-551), are eligible. We were renewed an additional five years in 2017. Our five-year grant supports a total of 12 biomedical informatics trainees, including pre-doctoral Bioinformatics PhD students and postdoctoral MD’s pursuing the Masters in Clinical Research.
As part of the NLM training grant, we also offer special short-term internship appointments. For these fellowships, we encourage individuals to apply who are from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups; have disabilities; or are from economically, socially, culturally, or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. Applications are accepted year-round; qualified applicants should send their personal statement and CV to dbmifellowship at ucsd dot edu.
How to Apply
The NLM fellowship is awarded after acceptance into one of the biomedical informatics graduate degree programs. Application for admission to graduate studies is made directly through your chosen degree program. Please consult each program’s website for application details:
- Masters in Advanced Studies in Clinical Research: https://clre.ucsd.edu/.
- PhD in Computer Science and Engineering: http://cse.ucsd.edu/node/28.
- Ph.D. in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology with an emphasis in Biomedical Informatics: http://bioinformatics.ucsd.edu/node/13.
- Ph.D. in Cognitive Science: https://apply.grad.ucsd.edu/departments/cognitive-science.
- Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences: http://biomedsci.ucsd.edu/about/index.html.
To be considered for the NLM fellowship, in addition to submitting your application and documentation to the degree program of your choice, please send the following to dbmifellowship at ucsd dot edu:
- Personal Statement- explaining why you are a good candidate for the fellowship and what you hope to accomplish as an NLM trainee, the specific kind of research and topics you are interested in studying and what your goals are after completing the fellowship.
- A current and up to date CV; and
- In the body of your email please indicate which degree program you are applying to.
How to Cite a Training Grant
Bioinformatics PhD Program
http://bioinformatics.ucsd.edu/node/13
