Graduate & Post-Baccalaureate Programs
Fred Hutch offers a wide range of training opportunities for post-baccalaureate and graduate students, including a University of Washington (UW)/Fred Hutch jointly administered PhD program in Molecular and Cellular Biology Program (MCB). Many Fred Hutch faculty members also serve as training faculty for UW Departmental programs in Molecular Medicine and Mechanisms of Disease (M3D), Genome Sciences, Microbiology, Global Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, to name a few. Students also can participate in dual degree graduate programs, including the UW Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) leading to an MD/PhD degree, as well as a unique program leading to a PhD in MCB and an MS in Epidemiology. There are currently over one hundred PhD students training in laboratories and research programs at Fred Hutch with access to 10 training grants led by Fred Hutch faculty to help support graduate student training.
The UW/Fred Hutch Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) provides research laboratory training for under-represented, underprivileged and disabled students who recently graduated with a B.S./B.A. This is a program geared towards students who are interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in the biomedical sciences and would benefit from a one-year lab experience prior to applying. These students also participate in supplemental training in scientific writing, literature evaluation, and interaction with the academic scientific community.
UW Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (UWPREP)
The goal of the Fred Hutch/University of Washington Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) is to bring underrepresented and disadvantaged post-baccalaureate students to gain experience and have access to training that will facilitate their admission to graduate research in the biomedical sciences.
Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program (MCB)
This is an interdisciplinary program of graduate studies leading to a Ph.D. degree. Approximately 190 faculty from Fred Hutch and the University of Washington participate in the program. Many areas of structural, molecular, cellular, and developmental biology are represented. MCB students tailor their education to meet their scientific and career goals.
Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)
This is one of the top dual-degree M.D./Ph.D. programs in the country. Founded in 1964, the UW MSTP offers outstanding training for highly academically qualified students who are seeking to combine clinical medicine with biomedical research.
Other Graduate Departments and Programs
Many faculty members at Fred Hutch have affiliate appointments in departments at the University of Washington. In most cases, students accepted into a UW graduate program in a department where Hutch faculty are affiliated, can choose to follow graduate research in the laboratory of the affiliate at the Hutch.
Graduate Courses - Autumn 2023
MCB 536: Tools for Computational Biology (3 credits)
Weeks 1 - 10
Location: Weintraub Building, B-Suites
Meeting Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:30 PM to 4:50 PM
Instructors: Rasi Subramaniam
Course Description: Introduction to established best practices in computational biology. Learn to organize unstructured data into standard formats, transform data for statistical analyses, and visualize the transformed data. Learn workflows for reproducible research such as version control, project organization, and code documentation. Gain basic experience with Linux command line tools and the Python and R programming languages. Classes will involve hands-on learning through coding exercises, collaborative problem solving, and extensive use of online learning resources.
Please check the UW Time Schedule regularly for course availability and updates.
MCB 532: Human Pathogenic Viruses (3 credits)
Weeks 1 - 10
Location: Weintraub Building, B-Suites
Meeting Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:30 to 2:50 PM.
Instructor: Michael Emerman
Course Description: Students will learn basic and advanced concepts in virology by focusing on major groups of human pathogenic viruses. The major emphasis will be on virus replication, evolution, and pathogenesis. Each class will consist of a faculty lecture and a class discussion of recent literature related to a previous lecture. Students will be expected to read 2 papers per week. Viruses examined include HIV, Influenza, Ebola, SARS1 and 2, measles, polio, herpesviruses, papillomaviruses, Smallpox, paleoviruses, and others.Course limited to 8 students with preference given to MCB students. Students will need to bring a laptop to each class – all students should be equipped to present in PowerPoint or some lecture format from their computer.
Please check the UW Time Schedule regularly for course availability and updates.
All graduate courses taught at Fred Hutch
For more information on a specific course, please click on the link under the title.
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Quarter |
MCB 512 |
How To Give A Scientific Seminar |
1.5 |
Winter 2023 |
MCB 515 |
Molecular and Cellular Biology Literature Review |
2.0 |
Winter 2023 |
MCB 516 |
Molecular and Cellular Biology Literature Review |
2.0 |
Spring 2023 |
MCB 536 |
Tools for Computational Biology |
1.5 |
Autumn 2022 |
MCB 522 |
Developmental Basis of Human Disease |
3.0 |
Autumn 2023 |
MCB 529 |
Mechanisms of Cell Migration |
1.5 |
Winter 2024 |
MCB 532 |
Human Pathogenic Viruses |
3.0 |
Autumn 2023 |
MCB 539 |
Biological Basis Of Neoplasia |
3.0 |
Spring 2024 |
CONJ 537 |
Mechanisms of Transcriptional Regulations |
1.5 |
Autumn 2022 |
CONJ 544 |
Protein Structure, Modification, and Regulation |
1.5 |
Winter 2023 |
The transferability of credits earned at Fred Hutch is at the discretion of the receiving college, university, or other educational institution. Students considering transferring to any institution should not assume that credits earned in any program of study at Fred Hutch will be accepted by the receiving institution. Similarly, the ability of a degree, certificate, diploma or other academic credential earned at Fred Hutch to satisfy an admission requirement of another institution is at the discretion of the receiving institution. Accreditation does not guarantee credentials or credits earned at Fred Hutch will be accepted by or transferred to another institution. To minimize the risk of having to repeat coursework, students should contact the receiving institution in advance for evaluation and determination of transferability of credits and/or acceptability of degrees, diplomas, or certificates earned.
Washington State Achievement Council Degree-Granting Institutions Regulation - WAC 250-61
Degree-Granting Institutions Statute - RCW 28B.85
Training & Funding Opportunities
Interdisciplinary Training in Cancer Research (T32)
The aim of this program is to train young scientists to design and conduct research on significant problems in cancer by combining information and approaches from different scientific disciplines, including basic cellular and molecular biology, epidemiology, clinical trials and studies, and behavioral-social sciences.
Administrator: Keith Lowe
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Viral Pathogenesis and Evolution Training Grant (T32)
The aim of this program is to support predoctoral trainees in the area of virology research. The program is funded by a Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Institutional Research Training Grant (T32) from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Administrator: Dima Young
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Infectious Disease in the Immunocompromised Host (T32)
This program supports the next generation of physicians and scientists, currently MD or PhD, with expertise in infectious diseases in the immunocompromised host. Trainees are provided with a scientifically rigorous and culturally inclusive training environment to foster creative, innovative and collaborative research on infectious diseases in non-HIV immunocompromised patients (e.g. transplant, cancer, immunomodulatory therapy).
Administrator: Limei Fan
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Cell and Molecular Biology Training Program (T32)
The goal of this National Research Service Award (NRSA) Predoctoral Institutional Training Program is to provide trainees with research opportunities of a cross-disciplinary nature at the molecular and cellular level in the PhD-degree-granting programs of five participating departments (Biochemistry, Genome Sciences, Immunology, Microbiology, Pharmacology) and two interdisciplinary programs (Molecular & Cellular Biology, Neuroscience).
Administrator: Denise Barnes
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Biobehavioral Cancer Control and prevention Training Grant (T32)
This training program provides formal coursework as well as research and intervention experience in cancer prevention and control. This program is funded by a Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Institutional Research Training Grant (T32) from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Administrator: Denise Albano
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Cancer Prevention Training: Epidemiology, Nutrition, Genetics & Survivorship (T32)
This award supports research training and projects in nutrition, genetics, metabolic pathways, and other lifestyle factors in relation to cancer prevention with an emphasis on survivorship. Trainees are provided with formal coursework in epidemiology, nutrition and genetics/human biology and with innovative and transdisciplinary research experiences. The program also ensures trainees gain the skills to prepare for an independent research career; including practice with grant writing, scientific manuscript preparation, oral presentations and long-term career development planning.
Administrator: Barb McLaughlin
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Developing Data-Driven Cancers Researcher (T32)
This NIH Training Grant provides support for students in the Departments of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the University of Washington. This grant is funded by a Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Institutional Research Training Grant (T32) from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Administrator: Denise Albano
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Interdisciplinary Training in Genomic Science (T32)
The NIH/NHGRI Genome Training Grant prepares trainees for research careers in acquiring and interpreting genomic data and using this information in biomedical research. We recognize that this type of research will demand interdisciplinary approaches and multidisciplinary collaborations. One goal of this program is to attract individuals from the physical sciences and engineering to the forefront of modern biological research. The program also trains cellular and molecular biologists in other disciplines so that they can effectively collaborate at this interdisciplinary interface.
Administrator: Brian Giebel
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Genetic Approaches to Aging Research (T32)
The goal of our program is to train new independent investigators who will utilize molecular and genetic techniques to investigate the biology of aging. The objective of this research is to elucidate the basic mechanisms underlying the process of aging and age-related changes in humans and in animal models of human aging. This includes investigations of the mechanisms responsible for the gradual or programmed alterations of structure and function that characterize normal aging, as well as how these adverse changes become risk factors for, or accompany, age-related conditions and disease states.
Administrator: Stephanie Hughes
Experimental Pathology of Cardiovascular Disease (T32)
The Cardiovascular Pathology Training Program is devoted to the study of the molecular and cellular basis of cardiovascular disease. The extensive collaborative research of CVP faculty produces a synergistic effect in training as well as an important bridge between basic and clinical science with major foci of interest in growth control, developmental biology, adherence signaling and direct studies of vascular pathology in atherosclerosis and hypertension.
Administrator: Julia Lawrence
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Training in Molecular Biophysics (T32)
The major goal of this program is to train students in molecular biophysics, the use of physical and quantitative approaches in the study of biomedically relevant systems. Students in the Training Program receive training beyond the standard graduate program through a bi-weekly student research presentation series, a student journal club/discussion group, an annual retreat that includes the trainees and their advisors, and through lectures supported by this program.
Administrator: Christina Larmore
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Big Data for Genomics and Neuroscience (T32)
New technologies such as DNA sequencing, fMRI imaging and high-throughput electrophysiological recording have led to the generation of very large data sets. However, in order to use these big data sets to improve scientific understanding and human health, there is a need for a new generation of scientists with interdisciplinary training that spans three areas: computer science, statistics, and biology. The BDGN Training Grant is an NIH funded program that provides training for students engaged in big data research in genomics and neuroscience at the University of Washington. The program draws students from Biology, Biostatistics, Genome Sciences, Neuroscience and Statistics.
Administrator: Brian Giebel
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STD/AIDS Research Training Fellowship Program (T32)
This NIH-supported training program's goal is to train the next generation of leaders in STD and AIDS research. Predoctoral trainees must be enrolled in doctoral programs at the University of Washington and must be working with a Program faculty member.
Administrator: Sheila Lukehart
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Joel Meyers Endowment Scholarship
This Scholarship provides critical bridging support for young physician-scientists (e.g. MD Senior Fellows) to launch careers as leaders in infectious disease research and patient care, with a focus on infections in immunocompromised patients.
Administrator: Limei Fan
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Weintraub Award
The Harold M. Weintraub Graduate Student Award recognizes outstanding achievement during graduate studies in the biological sciences.
Awardees will participate in a scientific symposium honoring Hal Weintraub and his commitment to innovative science.
Graduate student awardees should be advanced students near the completion of their studies. A selection committee consisting of Fred Hutch faculty and students will select up to twelve graduate student awardees from among those nominated on the basis of quality, originality, and significance of their work, as well as to represent a diverse range of research topics.
Neiman Award
The Dr. Paul Neiman Outstanding Graduate Student Award seeks to recognize highly motivated students who demonstrate clear potential for success during graduate studies in the biological sciences.
The award supports scholarship for a Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) graduate student training in the lab of a junior faculty member at Fred Hutch. Students who are within one year of passing their general exam are eligible to apply for this award, which provides $5,000 directly to the student and pays all tuition-related costs for one year.
Nominations are currently closed.
Past Awardees
- 2022 - Elizabeth Bonner, Lee Lab
- 2021 - Jessica Gianopulos, Kugel Lab
- 2020 - Stephan Raiders, Singhvi Lab
- 2019 - John Huddleston, Bedford Lab
- 2018 - Sarah Crist, Ghajar Lab
Research Ethics
All Hutch-based trainees (postdoctoral researchers, clinical fellows, and graduate students) must complete research ethics training requirements during their tenure at the center.
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is authorized by the Washington Student Achievement Council and meets the requirements and minimum educational standards established for degree-granting institutions under the Degree-Granting Institutions Act. This authorization is subject to periodic review and authorizes Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center to offer specific degree programs. The Council may be contacted for a list of currently authorized programs. Authorization by the Council does not carry with it an endorsement by the Council of the institution or its programs. Any person desiring information about the requirements of the act or the applicability of those requirements to the institution may contact the Council at P.O. Box 43430, Olympia, WA 98504-3430 or by email at degreeauthorization@wsac.wa.gov.