Discover Your Future in Biomedical Science & Engineering

Get to know our students and faculty, explore our programs, and connect with our team to learn more about how the Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering (GSBSE) can help you shape your future.

Jessica Howard looking at a computer and holding a research device.

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What is GSBSE?

The Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering (GSBSE) is a unique, multi-institutional research consortium that pioneers collaborative, transdisciplinary research through Maine’s largest biomedical Ph.D. program and across a vast affiliated faculty network connecting over a dozen departments at the University of Maine and four primary partner institutions of The Jackson Laboratory, the MaineHealth Institute of Research, the MDI Biological Laboratory, and the University of New England.

Meet Our STudents & Faculty

Allow us to introduce a few of the faculty and students of GSBSE through interviews and videos.
You can also learn about all of our faculty, students, and alumni at the links below.

Faculty Directory
Student Directory
Alumni Directory

Ahmed Almaghasilah

Remi Geohegan

Arad Bustan

Biomedical Science Ph.D. candidate

Arad Bustan comes to GSBSE from  his hometown of Mashhad, Iran, where he studied Cellular and Molecular Biology at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and Medical Biotechnology at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.

“Many of us are drawn to biology out of a deep curiosity. Don’t limit yourself to just one area. Exploring different research fields can expand your knowledge and help you discover what truly excites you. Your PhD focus doesn’t have to align with your undergraduate project. In my opinion, research fit matters more than prestige.” He said.

Read Arad’s Interview Here
Arad Bustan headshot

Madeleine Nowak

Biomedical Science Ph.D. candidate

Madeleine Nowak received her undergraduate degree in Biology and Creating Writing from Miami University in 2020. Since her undergraduate years, she has been interested in epigenetics and how regulation of our genome impacts human health and disease.

She is currently a Ph.D. candidate performing her dissertation research in the laboratory of Robert Koza, Ph.D. The Koza laboratory is interested in epigenetic regulation of obesity and metabolic disease. In addition to her research, Madeleine enjoys teaching a graduate course and tutoring for UMaine TRIO Student Services.

Read Madeleine’s Interview here
Portrait of Madeleine Nowak

The GSBSE Programs

Below you will find all the information you need to explore what the programs at the GSBSE have to offer.

During their first year, Ph.D. students complete four core modules (BMS 625). Individual programs of study are then developed for each student with coursework relevant to their research topic. In addition to core coursework, during their first year in the program Ph.D. students undertake a minimum of three laboratory research rotations hosted by faculty members in at least two of the five partner institutions. Students also have the option to do a fourth rotation. At the end of or during the rotation sequence, students identify their dissertation mentor and project.

Research findings are disseminated through national and international conferences, publication in high-profile scientific journals, and the patent literature. Numerous research opportunities and a generous stipend combine to create a highly competitive GSBSE Ph.D. program. Interested applicants are encouraged to request further information.

Orientation for new graduate students will be scheduled the week before the start of the Fall semester. New students should plan to attend.

Once accepted into either the Ph.D. in Biomedical Science or the Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering program, and prior to the identification of a dissertation mentor, students will be advised by the First Year Advisory Committee (FYA). There is a FYA committee member at each partner institution, a listing of the committee composition may be found here. Issues and questions relating to laboratory rotations and coursework should be discussed with a FYA committee member. This FYA faculty member will maintain a role as an informal adviser and graduate student advocate, and will offer guidance throughout the student’s program, as necessary.

Questions or issues regarding registration for classes should be directed to the GSBSE office at gsbse@maine.edu.

By the time the student has completed three or four rotations, the student will have chosen a home laboratory and assembled a dissertation committee. The role of advising in the academic programs will then fall to the mentor.

More Information about the Ph.D. in Biomedical Science

During their first year, Ph.D. students complete four core modules (BMS 625). Individual programs of study are then developed for each student with coursework relevant to their research topic. In addition to core coursework, during their first year in the program Ph.D. students undertake a minimum of three laboratory research rotations hosted by faculty members in at least two of the five partner institutions. Students also have the option to do a fourth rotation. At the end of or during the rotation sequence, students identify their dissertation mentor and project.
Research findings are disseminated through national and international conferences, publication in high-profile scientific journals, and the patent literature. Numerous research opportunities and a generous stipend combine to create a highly competitive GSBSE Ph.D. program. Interested applicants are encouraged to request further information.

Advising
Orientation for new graduate students will be scheduled the week before the start of the Fall semester. New students should plan to attend.

Once accepted into either the Ph.D. in Biomedical Science or the Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering program, and prior to the identification of a dissertation mentor, students will be advised by the First Year Advisory Committee (FYA). There is a FYA committee member at each partner institution, a listing of the committee composition may be found here. Issues and questions relating to laboratory rotations and coursework should be discussed with a FYA committee member. This FYA faculty member will maintain a role as an informal adviser and graduate student advocate, and will offer guidance throughout the student’s program, as necessary.

Questions or issues regarding registration for classes should be directed to the GSBSE office at gsbse@maine.edu.

By the time the student has completed three or four rotations, the student will have chosen a home laboratory and assembled a dissertation committee. The role of advising in the academic programs will then fall to the mentor.

More Information about the Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering

The PSM in Bioinformatics provides an opportunity for advanced training directly relevant to current knowledge for professional careers.  The degree is delivered online, and is an interdisciplinary collaboration across the fields of mathematics, computer and information science, and molecular and cell biology. Students entering the program are expected to come from a cell and molecular biology background and require more intensive training in math, computer and information science, or from the mathematics, computer or information sciences disciplines and need training in cell and molecular biology. A total of 17 credits of required courses, seven credits of enrichment courses, and six credits of applied field experience are required.   A sample schedule for the course of study is provided below:

Fall First Year (6 cr)
SIE 507: Information Systems Programming (3 cr) or DSE 502: Programming Foundations for Data Science and Engineering (3cr)
BMS 625: Biostatistics/Computational Biology or Genetics (2 cr)
INT 601: Responsible Conduct of Research (1 cr)

Spring First Year (6 cr)
BMB 502: Introduction to Bioinformatics (3 cr)
SIE 557: Database System Applications (3 cr)

Summer First Year (3 cr)
DIG 510: Metadata Systems (3 cr)

Fall Second Year (6 cr)
BMS 625: Biostatistics/Computational Biology or Genetics (2 cr)
Elective/Plus Element course (4 cr)

Spring Second Year (6 cr)
Elective/Plus Element course (3 cr)
Applied Field Research (3 cr)

Summer Second Year (3 cr)
Applied Field Research (3 cr)

The applied field experience will be self-directed and will be scheduled at the convenience of the student.  With permission, other courses may be substituted for those listed for the Bioinformatics Core or Plus Element courses.  In addition, as new courses are developed for online delivery, other courses may be added to the Bioinformatics Core and Plus Element courses as they become available.  Prior graduate courses that have been taken by students, including courses considered for transfer will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  The 6 credits of applied field experience are a cornerstone of the PSM degree.  The applied field experience will integrate computer science, mathematics, biomedical sciences and plus element courses into a project that is relevant to the students’ current or future employment.

More information about the PSM in Bioinformatics

Learn more about studying with our partner institutions

Ph.D. in Biomedical Science with MHIR

Ph.D. in Biomedical Science with JAX

Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering with UMaine

Ready to Launch Your Future in
Biomedical Innovation?

As a GSBSE student, you’ll collaborate with world-class researchers not only at UMaine but also at our renowned partner institutions — The Jackson Laboratory, the MaineHealth Institute for Research, the MDI Biological Laboratory, and the University of New England. This is your opportunity to join a vibrant, multi-institutional research community driving scientific discovery and innovation across Maine and beyond.

The next deadline to apply is December 1, 2025 for Fall 2026 admission.

Learn about the admission process Graduate School Application