The Neuroscience Graduate Group (NGG) at the University of Pennsylvania is a collaborative and interdisciplinary Ph.D. program that provides training for careers in neuroscience research and teaching. Founded in 1984, the NGG is part of the Biomedical Graduate Studies (BGS) program. We bring together over 100 faculty from 32 academic departments in the Schools of Arts and Sciences, Dental Medicine, Engineering, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, and the associated Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Our training program is designed to provide a strong foundation of neuroscience knowledge while at the same time taking into account each student's strengths, needs, and career goals. In the first two years, students take core and elective courses and participate in laboratory rotations that provide practical experience in different techniques and approaches to the study of the nervous system. At the end of the second year, students prepare and defend a research proposal and then enter their dissertation laboratory to carry out an original research project. Throughout their training, students participate in seminars, retreats, and other programmatic activities. More information can be found in our Student Handbook.
We are closely affiliated with the Mahoney Institute of Neurological Sciences (MINS), which organizes a weekly seminar series, an annual retreat, and other events attended by our students. The NGG and MINS also work closely together on several outreach efforts to promote neuroscience throughout our community.
Our unique Graduate-Led Initiatives and Activities (GLIA) student committee organizes many of the events that provide professional development, community building, outreach, and public relations. We are proud of our students' dedication to these programs and of their other award and honors, which we recognize here and at the annual Flexner Lecture and Dinner, held in October.
Joshua Gold, NGG Chair
Contact Information
| Chair | Joshua Gold | 746-0028 |
| Vice Chair | Kelly Jordan-Sciutto | 898-4196 |
| Coordinator | Jane Hoshi | 898-8048 |
| Director for Admissions | Chris Pierce | 746-8915 |
| Director for Advising | Minghong Ma | 746-2790 |
| Director for Curriculum | Akiva Cohen | 590-1472 |
| MINS Financial Director | Cherie Glanzmann | 898-8820 |
| MINS Financial Coordinator | Joanne Crossin | 898-5142 |
| BGS Financial Director | Nam Narain | 573-2234 |
| BGS Associate Director | Judy Jackson | 898-2793 |
| Administrative Assistant | Efe Cantekin | 898-0869 |
Current faculty committee rosters are listed here.
