Program Eligibility & Requirements

 

The Chemistry-Biology Interface (CBI) Predoctoral Research Training Program at UCLA is an NIH-funded program designed to provide research training in the area of chemical approaches to the solution of biological problems. Students selected to participate in the program are trained in the language and techniques of biological and chemical sciences and gain experience as members of multidisciplinary teams working on frontier research at the chemistry-biology interface.

Program Eligibility

CBI is open to trainees who:

  • Are working with a CBI Training Faculty member.

  • Are enrolled in graduate programs across the physical sciences, life sciences, engineering, and medicine at UCLA.

  • Are PhD students and are at the end of their first year of graduate study.

This year, second-year graduate students will also be considered for two years of training.

The NIH-funded training program is limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Non-permanent residents may be nominated and selected as Associates. Associates participate in all CBI activities but must be supported financially through teaching assistantship (TA) and research assistantship (RA) funds.

Applicants from underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply.

Training Program Requirements

The CBI training program includes the following major components:

  1. A one-quarter internship in an area complementary to the student's central research area.

  2. A rigor, reproducibility, and ethics class.

  3. An Introduction to Chemistry of Biology course.

  4. The Chemistry of Biology Seminar Program, which includes presentations by students as well as outside speakers.

The program also includes attendance at the yearly MBI/CBI Retreat and the annual CBI Day Symposium.

Faculty Mentors and Collaborators

CBI has thirty-four faculty members who serve as mentors in the Chemistry-Biology Interface Training Program. Their affiliations and research areas are described in the program materials and in the graduate brochures and websites of the participating departments.

Students with a chemistry focus should identify a Biology Training Faculty member to serve as a collaborator or co-mentor. Biology students should select a Chemistry-Biochemistry collaborator or co-mentor.

The collaborator/co-mentor must be a member of the graduate student's committee. A letter is not required from the co-mentor.

If your faculty mentor is not listed in the participating faculty mentors, you and your faculty mentor are still welcome to apply. Your faculty mentor should provide an NIH biosketch to the CBI Administrator.

Stipend Support

The CBI traineeship typically provides stipend support during the second, third, and fourth years of graduate study. Awards are made for two to three years, provided that the trainee continues to participate in all CBI activities.

The NIH provides:

  • A stipend, which must be supplemented by the research advisor to the level of a Research Assistantship in the trainee’s department.

  • Tuition and fees.

  • Yearly travel stipends to scientific meetings.

Selection Process

Selection is based on:

  • Progress and achievement.

  • Prior academic record.

  • Recommendations from the student's research advisor and two additional faculty members or science mentors.

  • A statement of purpose prepared by the prospective trainee.

The CBI Executive Committee selects and guides the trainees.

 

For additional questions, please contact:

Alex Castaneda
CBI Administrator
alexcastaneda@ucla.edu