Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Overview

The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans offers PhD degrees. It is not necessary to receive the MS degree before entering the PhD program, and we encourage students to proceed directly from the BS to the PhD. Typically, the first year of the PhD program involves the student taking formal classes while rotating through a minimum of three laboratories. The purpose of the laboratory rotations is to give both the student and potential major professors a chance to evaluate one another. At the end of the first year, the student should choose a laboratory in which to complete his/her laboratory training. The faculty within the Department have strong, diverse research interests including proteomics, protein trafficking, structural biology, cancer biology, cardiac stem cell development, cell signaling, cell metabolism and the biochemistry and genetics of aging.
A complete listing of the faculty and their research interests can be found here.

Living in New Orleans
New Orleans is an exciting place in which to live and pursue your graduate degree. There is a dormitory on campus and numerous apartments within a 5-minute drive. The semi-tropical climate allows year round outdoor activities. Of course, New Orleans is famous for its food, music, and many festivals including Mardi Gras and the Jazz and Heritage festival. For more information, click here.

Financial Aid
The Department typically offers every student enrolled in the program financial support through teaching assistantships, which includes a stipend of $23,000 per year and a tuition waiver. Students will gain teaching experience by giving a small number of lectures in either Dental Biochemistry or Nursing Biochemistry. Students in their first year of study are not required to lecture.

Kim Pedersen, PhD
Medical Education Building
Room 7209
Phone: 504.568.4055
kpeder@lsuhsc.edu