Cellular & Molecular Biology Graduate Program

Supporting a Community of Collaboration & Innovation

Founded in 1971, CMB was the first interdisciplinary biomedical PhD program at the U-M Medical School.

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Training Leaders in Science

The Cellular & Molecular Biology (CMB) graduate program brings almost 200 faculty together from across the U-M Medical School, the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, the College of Engineering, the College of Dentistry, and more.

Our students are immersed in a collaborative and innovative research environment from day one, supported by a long-standing NIH training grant, which is approaching its 50th year.

Students enter through the Program in Biomedical Sciences (PIBS) or the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), spending several months rotating in labs, taking foundational coursework, and ultimately selecting a CMB laboratory in over 25 departments across campus.

Contact Us
2960E Taubman Health Sciences Library
1135 Catherine Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Access the CMB Intranet for Current Learners & Faculty

Phone: 734-764-5428

About

Learn about the CMB program alumni and outcomes, program leadership and life in Ann Arbor.

Education

Learn about program admissions, coursework, requirements, timeline and funding.

Faculty

Meet our faculty members within the Cellular & Molecular Biology graduate program.

Students

Get to know the current PhD students in the Cellular & Molecular Biology graduate program.

Outreach & Student Life

CMB is student-driven with over 10 student committees, and many involvement and outreach opportunities.

Prospective Faculty

Explore the involvement opportunities, and expectations of being a CMB-affiliated faculty member.

CMB Alumni
  • Connect With Our CMB LinkedIn Group: Keep in touch and grow your CMB network. This group is open to current or former students of the CMB PhD Program.
  • Let CMB Know What You're Doing Now: Update CMB on a new job, new last name, or something else you want to share! CMB needs updated alumni information as part of the CMB Training Grant reporting process each year.
  • Join the Speaker Interest List: Would you like to give a career talk to current students or sit on an alumni panel? Do you have expertise in a certain area our students could benefit from? Let us know!
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Support CMB

Your gift goes towards CMB program initiatives, such as graduation gifts, Commencement regalia for students to borrow, program events, and more.

Make a Gift

Upcoming Events

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Peeling Back the Layers of Escherichia Coli Chromatin Architecture
Join us for Sonya Royzenblat Dissertation Defense "Peeling Back the Layers of Escherichia Coli Chromatin Architecture" that will be taking place on Friday, July 31st, 2026 at 11:00am at Kahn Auditorium at the BSRB

Evelynn Henry Dissertation Defense
Evelynn Henry's dissertation defense will be on August 25th at 10:00 AM in Kahn Auditorium.

A Role for the Nuclear Pore Complex in Nuclear Envelope Budding during Leukotriene B4 Secretion in Neutrophils
Please join us for Sam Collie's Dissertation Defense that is taking place on Friday, September 4th, 2026 at 3:00pm at the Kahn Auditorium.

Kendall Dean Dissertation Defense
Kendall Dean's dissertation defense will be on Wednesday, September 9th at 9:00 AM in Kahn Auditorium.
Kendall perkins

Featured News & Stories

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Department News

2026 Cellular and molecular biology spring symposium

The 2026 Cellular & Molecular Biology Spring Symposium took place on Monday, May 11, 2026. CMB Director Chad Brenner presented the Outstanding Faculty Service Award to Dr. Chase Weidmann. CMB students Jae Bucknor, Sam Wheeler, and Karan Smith were recognized with the 2026–2027 Student Service Award.
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Health Lab

Glucose drives STAT3 activation in colorectal cancer cells, leading to tumor growth

University of Michigan researchers have shown that glucose levels sustain the increased STAT3 activation in colorectal cancer cells. Their findings suggest that targeting glucose metabolism could inhibit STAT3, leading to novel therapeutic strategies.
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Department News

Cellular & Molecular Biology Newsletter

Department news including new faculty, program updates, picnic and retreat recaps, student awards, fellowships, new cohort, and recent publications.
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Health Lab

Uncovering how occludin protein maintains blood-brain and blood-retinal barriers

University of Michigan researchers uncover the role of occludin, a protein that regulates blood-brain and blood-retinal barriers, offering new insight into diabetic retinopathy.
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Health Lab

'Molecular glue' stabilizes protein that inhibits development of non-small cell lung cancer

University of Michigan researchers found a new protein target PP2A and developed a drug to treat non-small cell lung cancers that have KRAS mutations.
 CMB Retreat 2025 attendees posing for a group photo in a conference room
Department News

2025 CMB Retreat

The CMB Retreat was held on Thursday and Friday, September 25–26, in Downtown Kalamazoo and at the Kellogg Biological Station.

Cellular & Molecular Biology Internal Website

Resources and information for current learners and faculty.

CMB Intranet