Published Research/News
New Doctorate in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Approved
UNC Charlotte's doctoral program offerings have grown to 19 with the addition of a new degree in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. Approval of the program came last week from the UNC Board of Governors.
This new graduate degree is based upon the highly successful Bioinformatics track within the existing Information Technology Ph.D. Program. Dennis Livesay, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, will serve as the Graduate Program Director.
The program will have special appeal to students with undergraduate training in computing, life science, or physical science disciplines. Graduates will be well prepared to engage in cutting-edge research and development in academic, healthcare, or biotechnology settings.
"The life sciences, biotechnology, and genomic medicine will define the 21st Century in much the same way that physics, electronics, and computers have defined the 20th Century," said Lawrence Mays, Ph.D., Chairman of the Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, which is responsible for the new program. "We want to insure that our students lead the way."
Computation is now at the heart of many areas of biological science. Bioinformatics and Computational Biology are disciplines that have emerged in response to the need to use these new complex data sets to help solve difficult, important biological problems.
The new doctorate, housed within the College of Computing and Informatics, is focused on applying new computational techniques and instrumentation to important, but very difficult, problems in biology and biomedicine. This field will be one of the major drivers of the emerging biomedical and biotechnology revolution and will be a critical element in the economic development of the region and state.
For example, students will use computers to identify DNA sequences in plants that convey drought and pest tolerance; they will analyze DNA to find better ways to diagnose cancer; and they will develop computational techniques to better understand metabolic processes. These efforts will help drive the development of a robust biotechnology industry in the Charlotte region and the state.
Bioinformatics PSM student, Adam Baxter, receives USDA fellowship
Charlotte
Congratulations to Adam Baxter for receiving the Kannapolis Scholars Fellowship! The fellowship is provided through funding awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Agriculutre & Food Research Initiative (USDA-AFRI). This prestigious fellowship awards students with strong academic records, interest in the program, plan for transdisciplinary research project, and strong faculty mentor recommendation. The Kannapolis Scholars Program provides a 15-month stipend, tuition allowance, and summer housing.