PhD Application Bootcamp, Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health

Applying to graduate school can be equal parts exciting and stressful. Our goal with a PhD application bootcamp is to take some of the mystery and anxiety out of the process, so that students can focus on developing their strongest graduate application.

The PhD Application Bootcamp is designed to help students complete each part of the application process, starting with deciding which PhD program is right for them, assisting with development of their personal statement and resume, as well as fine-tuning their interview skills. Students will also explore the expectations of a PhD and consider the diversity of career options for PhD graduates.

This program is free of charge and open to all students interested in applying to a PhD program, regardless of discipline, program of interest, and academic institution. Although it is hosted by the Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, students in previous years have gone on to complete PhDs in various disciplines at a wide range of institutions, including:

• Harvard University
• Princeton University
• University of Pennsylvania
• Brown University
• University of Florida
• University of Washington
• University of California at San Diego
• Emory University (Environmental Health Sciences and Epidemiology)
• University of Texas Health Sciences

The program consists of 6 sessions. You do not have to attend every program to participate. The program schedule is as follows:

Session I: Is a PhD right for me? When: October 15; 6:00p Where: Virtual (Zoom)

Session II: Navigating a PhD When: October 29; 6:00p Where: Virtual (Zoom)

Session III: Writing your personal statement, resume, letters of recommendation When: November 12, 6:00p Where: In-Person (TBD)

Session IV: Final application check-in When: November 19; 6:00p Where: Virtual (Zoom)

Session V: Next steps, whether you received an interview, or not When: January 28; 6:00p Where: Virtual (Zoom) *Opportunity to schedule a mock interview with Dr. Caudle

Session VI: Deciding on a program When: March 18; 6:00p Where: Virtual (Zoom)

To register for the workshop, please email Dr. Mike Caudle (wcaudle [at] emory [dot] edu)

PhD Program in Biological Sciences in Public Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Applications are now open for the PhD Program in Biological Sciences in Public Health (BPH) at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The BPH program emphasizes interdisciplinary basic research spanning from molecular biology to human populations. BPH students develop individualized research projects focused on defining the molecular underpinnings of human health and disease by employing cutting-edge approaches in biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, genomics, metabolic biology, physiology, immunology, biophysics, computational and systems biology, and bioengineering. A central goal of the research in this program, whether basic or translational, is the improved understanding, prevention, and treatment of the most common and impactful global health threats.
 
The program encompasses laboratories and faculty mentors in the Departments of Environmental Health, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, Molecular Metabolism, and Nutrition. Major areas of investigation include: 

• The Metabolic Basis of Health and Disease
• Immunology and Infectious Diseases
• Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences

While the program roots cut across the entire range of biological sciences, the research also employs core quantitative disciplines (e.g., biostatistics and epidemiology), as well as approaches that bridge biology, chemistry, engineering, and computation. Students attracted to this program generally share this interdisciplinary interest and a desire to confront the most pressing health issues of our time.

All students admitted into this training program are provided full tuition, health insurance and stipend support. Our graduates hold distinguished positions in academia, industry, government, and other arenas of life science research, consulting, communications and policy. The application deadline for the 2026-27 academic year is December 1, 2025. 
 
Please note: The BPH program does not require or consider the GRE as part of its application process. In addition, applicants who are non-native English speakers and who received their undergraduate degree from an academic institution where English is not the primary language of instruction now have the option to submit scores for the International English Language Testing System – Academic test (IELTS) as proof of English proficiency.
 
More information can be found on our website: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/biological-sciences/ or through these upcoming recruitment events:

• HILS Virtual Open House – October 9, 5:00-7:00 PM EST- registration link
• BPH Virtual Open House – October 28, 3:00-4:00 PM EST: Register now to join the discussion
• BPH Virtual Open House – November 7, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM EST: Register now to join the discussion
• HILS Virtual Open House – November 12, 5:00-7:00 PM EST – registration link

BPH Attendance at National Conferences:

• National Diversity in STEM  (SACNAS) Conference
  October 30-November 1, 2025 – Colombus, Ohio
• ABRCMS Conference
  November 19-22, 2025 – San Antonio, TX

For additional information about the BPH Ph.D. and Summer Intern Program, please contact us at bph [at] hsph [dot] harvard [dot] edu.