Program Description

The purpose of the Program in Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics (CET) is to provide graduate training in therapeutics-related research that directly connects the basic science laboratory with the clinical practice setting.

The CET Program provides interdisciplinary graduate training program in therapeutics and drug development research utilizing the combined resources of the University of Georgia and Georgia Regents University in Augusta, Georgia.

This association facilitates interaction with the faculty of both institutions. Members encompass a variety of health-related backgrounds and education and include Pharm.D.s, M.D.s, and Ph.D.s. Their clinical as well as basic science expertise allows for a truly interdisciplinary and translational approach to graduate training.

While the course requirements for graduate students enrolled in the program cover both areas, research opportunities allow students to focus on either the experimental (basic) or clinical science track.

Research Opportunities in CET

One of the primary objectives of the CET program is to encourage and facilitate research in the pharmaceutical sciences. CET faculty members have made significant accomplishments in their respective areas of interest and their ongoing projects are supported in part by grants from the National Institutes of Health, American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, and several pharmaceutical corporations.

Areas of expertise of CET faculty members include:

Pathogenesis and treatment of stroke
Pathogenesis and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders
Pathogenesis and vascular biology of hypertension and diabetes-associated vascular complications
Vascular biology of obesity and metabolic syndrome on microvascular dysfunction
Disease mechanism and treatment of diabetic retinopathy
Disease mechanism and treatment of optic neuropathy
Molecular mechanisms regulating endothelial-barrier, vascular permeability and angiogenesis
Extracellular matrix remodeling and pulmonary fibrosis
Identification of potential therapeutic targets for prostate, bladder, and colorectal cancers
Diabetes, Atherosclerosis and Dysregulation of smooth muscle contractility
Molecular mechanisms regulating smooth muscle cell proliferation and contractile proteins
Smooth Muscle Biology and Glucose transporters

Students enrolled in the CET program will have the opportunity to rotate through several laboratories. The laboratory rotations allow students to explore different areas of research and help them ultimately choose an area of study on which to focus.

We encourage you to visit each faculty member's biosketch page and the CET Lab pages for more information on current and ongoing research projects.

CET Curriculum

A full course load for a student who does not hold an assistantship or fellowship is considered to be 15 semester hours. Course loads exceeding 17 semester hours require written approval of the major professor, the graduate coordinator, and the Dean of the Graduate School. A student on assistantship may not exceed a 15 hour maximum course load without approval of the graduate coordinator and the Dean of the Graduate School. If the student’s assistantship exceeds 4/9 time, the student’s course load may be reduced accordingly. Students who have completed all coursework, fulfilled the residence requirement and are engaged only in research, will have their academic load assessed on an individual basis. Graduate students will not be considered as carrying a full course load if registered for less than 15 semester hours (12 semester hours in summer). Students using University facilities and/or staff time are required to register for a minimum of 3 semester hours.

Required Ph.D. Core Courses: (8000 and 9000 level or the equivalent)

Laboratory Rotation (minimum of 3 different laboratories)

Suggested course schedule:

First Year

Fall semester core courses (Year 1)

Biochemistry (GHSU equivalent SGS8021 Biochemistry & Gene Regulation 5 credit hours)

Molecular/Cell Biology ((GHSU equivalent SGS8022 Molecular Cell Biology 5 credit hours)

Introduction to Research in CET- (first Lab rotation) (UGA PHRM 8740, 4 credit hours)

Clinical Seminar/Journal Club (UGA PHRM 8730)

Doctoral Research (PHRM 9000)

Spring semester core courses (Year 1)

Advanced Therapeutics I * (UGA PHRM8700 4 credit hours)

Clinical Seminar/Journal Club (UGA PHRM 8730)

Doctoral Research (PHRM 9000), second and 3^rd lab rotation

Summer semester core courses (Year 1)

Biostatistics – (GHSU equivalent STA7040 3 credit hours)

Doctoral Research (PHRM 9000), (4^th Lab rotation or declaring your major advisor).

Electives:

1 semester (select from list below)

Cardiovascular Physiology and Pharmacology (GHSU equivalent SGS8120, 3 credit hours)

Experimental Therapeutics (GHSU PHRM8130, 3 credit hours)

Special Topics in Vision Research GHSU ANAT8030, 3 credit hours

Drug Targets and cell signaling PHRM8600 (3 credit hours)

Additional courses may be required depending on a student’s academic and professional background and the discretion of the student’s advisory committee. Students not exhibiting excellent written and/or oral communication skills will be required to take various courses to correct these deficiencies.

* Courses identified with a * may be exempted by those holding a Pharm.D. degree.

Second Year

Fall semester core courses (Year 2)

Advanced Therapeutics II* (UGA PHRM 8710 4 credit hours,

Clinical Seminar/Journal Club (UGA PHRM 8730, 1 credit hour)

Spring semester core courses (Year 2)

Advanced Therapeutics III* (UGA PHRM 8720 3 credit hours)

Research Ethics& Grant writing – (UGA PHRM7210, 3 credit hours)

Clinical Seminar/Journal Club (UGA PHRM 8730, 1 credit hour)

Clinical Rotation / Clinical Trial Certification* (UGA PHRM 7500 2 credit hours, 1 semester after core courses are completed)