Connected Science Community Biophysics PhD Program

A new kind of PhD training

Conduct groundbreaking Biophysics research and develop skills that open a vast set of future careers with the support of a cross-College PhD Community!

The Connected Science Community Biophysics PhD Program bridges physics, biology, and chemistry to explore living systems, offering a flexible curriculum that prepares students for advanced research across biological scales.

It offers flexibility to customize coursework and research based on individual biophysics goals. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in lab rotations with faculty across different departments at Northeastern and attend seminars with leading biophysics researchers. Additionally, you will be trained in advanced computational tools, machine learning, and data science.

You will be joining a graduate program that is committed to cultivating a culture of respect and collaboration where the contribution of each person is valued.

Research Areas

  • Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms in Aging and Disease
  • Mathematical and Computational Modeling of Biological Systems
  • Biomechanics and Mechanobiology
  • Biochemistry, Structural Biology, and Drug Design
  • Neuroscience and Sensory Systems
  • Genomics, Bioinformatics, and Metabolic Engineering
  • Nanoscale Biophysics and Single-Molecule Techniques
  • Systems and Theoretical Biophysics
  • Advanced Imaging and Structural Techniques

Program Faculty

Apfeld

Javier Apfeld, PhD
Associate Professor, Biology

Penny Beuning

Penny Beuning, PhD
Chair and Professor, Chemistry and Chemistry Biology

Max Bi

Max Bi, PhD
Associate Professor, Physics

Srirupa Chakraborty, PhD
Assistant Professor, Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Chemical Engineering

Calina Copos, PhD
Assistant Professor, Biology and Mathematics

Erin Cram, PhD
Professor, Biology

DiPierro

Michele Di Pierro, PhD
Assistant Professor, Physics

Leila Deravi, PhD
Associate Professor, Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Sijia Dong

Sijia Dong, PhD
Assistant Professor, Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Rhea Eskew, PhD
Professor, Psychology

Christa Haase, PhD
Assistant Professor, Bioengineering and Physics

Miten Jain

Miten Jain, PhD
Assistant Professor, Bioengineering and Physics

Alain Karma

Alain Karma, PhD
Professor, Physics

Herbie Levine

Herbert Levine, PhD
Professor, Physics and Bioengineering

Maijia Liao, PhD
Assistant Professor, Physics

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Lee Makowski, PhD
Professor, Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Bioengineering

Carla Mattos

Carla Mattos, PhD
Professor, Chemistry and Chemical Biology

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James Monaghan, PhD
Chair and Professor, Biology

Mary Jo Ondrechen, PhD
Professor, Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Thiago dos Santos

Thiago Santos, PhD
Assistant Professor, Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Biology

Jing-Ke Weng

Jing-Ke Weng, PhD
Professor, Chemistry and Chemical Biology

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Bryan Spring, PhD
Associate Professor, Physics

Armen Stepanyants, PhD
Professor, Physics

Paul Stevenson, PhD
Assistant Professor, Physics

Vivek Venkatachalam

Vivek Venkatachalam, PhD
Assistant Professor, Physics

Meni Wanunu sitting at a computer desk

Meni Wanunu, PhD
Professor, Physics and Bioengineering

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Paul Whitford, PhD
Professor, Physics

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Mark Williams, PhD
Chair and Professor, Physics

How the Connected Science Community Biophysics PhD program works

Upon joining the Biophysics PhD program, you will also join a Connected Science Community of PhD students across the College of Science. During the summer before your first year, you will have the option to participate in workshops to develop key skills, explore and utilize university resources, and learn about potential post-PhD careers.

During Fall semester of your first year, you will begin coursework and continue research in your department. Throughout your first year and beyond, you will continue your research while sustaining your Connected Science Community through seminars, workshops, and social activities.

In this unique PhD training program, you’ll:

– join a Community of PhD students across all College of Science departments, who learn from each other, collaborate, and draw on one other’s experience;

– develop Career and Core Skills and inside knowledge of the outstanding career opportunities open to our PhD graduates;

– explore Cross-Disciplinary Research to help you solve pressing research challenges; and

– gain external Work Experience – an integral part of your professional training, with many opportunities.

A Culture of Respect

In the Northeastern University College of Science, we embrace a culture of respect and inclusion, where each person is valued and empowered with equitable opportunities and access to resources. We commit to implementing initiatives that build a diverse community.

Learn more

Additional information

Is the program funded?

For the duration of their program, students receive full tuition scholarship, a graduate assistant position with stipend, and health insurance.

When is the application deadline?

Priority deadline: January 15
Final deadline: June 1

What are the program requirements?

Milestones

  • Two qualifying examinations
  • Annual review
  • Candidacy
  • Preliminary research seminar proposal with proposed dissertation committee
  • Preliminary research seminar talk
  • Dissertation defense

Program Credit/GPA Requirements

  • 31 total semester hours required
  • Minimum 3.000 GPA required
Questions about the program?

Please reach out to Professor Max Bi at [email protected].

Want to learn more about the Connected Science Community Biophysics PhD program? Fill out the form below and a team member will be in touch.

Your career starts here. Apply today.