Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs

OSBP has an extremely diverse group of faculty that perform top-notch biochemical research, and the interdisciplinary nature of the program provides students with the opportunity to study in a range of fields. Collaborations between labs and scientific resources are plentiful – if you want to perform an experiment outside of your field of expertise, there’s a way to make that happen!
OSBP has a strong student community that promotes interactions outside of the lab, not only with OSBP students, but also with students in other IGPs, led primarily by the OSBP graduate student organization, the Buckeye Biochemistry Club. I also enjoy the annual IGP symposium - this gives students opportunities to show off their research and learn about what other members of the program are working on. One of the most beneficial features of the program is the lack of a TA requirement, providing you with the time to focus on lab rotations in your first year and choose the lab that is the best fit for you!
 

My favorite part about the Interdisciplinary Biophysics Graduate Program is the intrinsic flexibility of the studies. The Biophysics program spans four different focuses (cellular and integrative, spectroscopy, computational, and structural biophysics) and the coursework is adaptable to the studies in the research labs. I was attracted to this program because of the vast opportunities available to me as a student in the interdisciplinary biophysics program. As a student that did not know exactly what I wanted to research, I was able to explore different fields of study and experimental techniques before finding a lab that suited my interests. By joining the Biophysics program, I opened a wide array of possibilities for my future. Not only do I have access as a graduate student to different disciplines, but my coursework can be tailored to my research interests. This is a unique asset of the biophysics program that highlights the programs interdisciplinary approach to science. 

Jessica Herstine is a 4^th year MCDB Student in the laboratory of Dr. Allison Bradbury in the Department of Pediatrics at Nationwide Children's Hospital.  Her favorite part of MCDB are the diverse research opportunities available, the opportunity to do rotations and find the right fit in a laboratory.  She recommends students step out of their comfort zone and engage with PI’s and other students about research experiences as it helps to provide insight into your program and helps you better understand your career goals.  She notes that MCDB is unique in that it has a diverse faculty and student population, which provides depth and breadth to your research.

Yogesh Budhathoki is a 2^nd year student in the laboratory of Dr. Ryan Roberts.  He notes how MCDB empowers students to rotate and explore their interests prior to committing to a lab and that the strength of MCDB and OSU lies in the combination of resources and the diverse research areas available.  From state of the art facilitates to a vibrant community of researchers across disciplines, you will find everything you need to thrive!  MCDB goes above and beyond in not just preparing you for academics but also fosters essential soft skills needed to be successful.

Kenzie Turner is a 3^rd year MCDB student in the laboratory of Dr. Chris Breuer.  Her favorite thing about MCDB is the strong sense of community and mutual respect and support among students.  Students genuinely celebrate each other’s accomplishments and provide support throughout the PhD journey.  She recommends that students interested in joining MCDB to reach out to potential PI’s and have possible rotations in mind before starting. Taking some initial steps can set you up for success both academically and personally.   Lastly, the co-directors of MCDB are truly passionate about supporting students and helping PhD students thrive.

The culture – everyone in the program (faculty/staff, students, etc) are all extremely supportive and willing to help. No matter where on campus, what you’re studying, or your progress in the program, people are always available for questions, discussions, or collaboration. I have never felt I was ‘competing’ with others in NGP, we are all here for the same purpose and will do whatever is needed to make sure we all succeed.

If you can dream it, it is possible with NGP. This program and Ohio State has access and expertise in pretty much any technique, device, or research area you can conceive us. This gives limitless possibilities to your graduate work and ensures that nothing is too far-fetched or technical for you to learn.

The diverse faculty. NGP has faculty members from many departments across the university. This cross-disciplinary system expands research beyond the topics you may be familiar with (development, neuroinflammation, behavior, etc) and allows you to perform your graduate work in labs within the College of Dentistry, Engineering, and others.

I love how collaborative labs within the program are. I've had the opportunity to learn a ton both within my lab and by working with others. 

I definitely recommend it! It's a strong program with great faculty and a friendly student body. I've been incredibly happy with my time in this program, and I feel well-prepared for whatever comes next.

I absolutely love my cohort! They are a great group of people I can talk to and who are always willing to help no matter what's going on with work, class, or life in general. In terms of joining, I would say that the faculty here are pretty amazing and I would encourage people to explore their options with rotations. It's a great opportunity not just to find the lab they want to join, but also learn a lot about adjacent research and make more connections. Furthermore, the PI I ended up joining wasn't even a part of OSU or the NGP when I applied since there are so many faculty joining and the program is expanding. Without looking around and filling all my rotations, I don't know if I would have found this lab and I'm very happy I did!

My research focuses on reducing human health exposure risk to pollutants from contaminated urban soils, prioritizing environmental justice areas. Because the needs of my research cross disciplines including environmental chemistry, public health, and environmental law, a traditional graduate program would not have afforded me the ability to explore my interests as easily and efficiently. ESGP promoted courses that aligned with my needs while also allowing me to complete my degree requirements on time. ESGP has been invaluable in helping me to accomplish my academic and professional goals.

My research focuses on environmental micro and nanoplastics, evaluating their transport and removal in drinking water treatment systems, and how they interact with co-occurring contaminants in the environment. Environmental micro and nanoplastics are an emerging and complex topic that requires an interdisciplinary approach to understand their interactions. I chose the Environmental Sciences Graduate Program because its interdisciplinary foundation allowed me to bridge the gap between my background in environmental science and chemistry in a way that would not have been possible in a discipline-based program. 

My research focuses on the impact that the newly finalized federal regulation on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) will have on water affordability in the state of Ohio. As a highly interdisciplinary project which includes the intersection of drinking water engineering, chemistry, and policy, choosing the Environmental Science Graduate Program (ESGP) was the obvious choice for graduate school. Nowhere else would I have the freedom to pursue such a breadth of class topics while also having access to such a diverse group of professors and professionals with experience in all of my research areas. 

My research investigates factors that impede the social acceptance of urban stormwater control measure technology. This topic requires interdisciplinary collaboration across the biological, physical, and social sciences. I chose the interdisciplinary ESGP program over a discipline-based program because it encourages and requires students to take classes and conduct research across environmental science disciplines. Addressing our most pressing environmental challenges requires collaboration across disciplines and across international borders, and ESGP has allowed me to do just that.