Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program

The image is an electron tomographic reconstruction of a developing maize aleurone cell containing vacuoles with large aggregates of storage proteins (red) and intravacuolar membranes (green): mitochondria (gold), plastids (green), lipid bodies (blue) and ribosomes (white) are abundant in the cytoplasm. (Figure provided by Prof. Marisa Otegui, UW Madison)
aerial photo of UW campus

Applications for Fall 2026 will open on September 3rd. The deadline to apply is December 1 at 11PM CST.

Admissions Information
Spermatogenesis in the planarian /Schmditea mediterranea/. Nuclei are visualized by Hoechst staining (gray) and the mitotic marker phospho-histone H3 is visualized in red. Maximum-intensity projection of a laser-scanning confocal image series. Image by Tracy Chong (Newmark lab).
aerial photo of UW campus

Applications for Fall 2026 will open on September 3rd. The deadline to apply is December 1 at 11PM CST.

Admissions Info
aerial photo of UW campus

Applications for Fall 2026 will open on September 3rd. The deadline to apply is December 1 at 11PM CST.

Admissions Info
Photo of a virus infected cell
aerial photo of UW campus

Applications for Fall 2026 will open on September 3rd. The deadline to apply is December 1 at 11PM CST.

Admissions Info
CMB Student Sharon Tang collaborated with two other artists to create an interactive mural.
aerial photo of UW campus

Applications for Fall 2026 will open on September 3rd. The deadline to apply is December 1 at 11PM CST.

Applications for Fall 2026 will open on September 3rd. The deadline to apply is December 1 at 11PM CST.

Welcome

Welcome to the Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology (CMB) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Since 1961, CMB has been pioneering graduate education in the fields of cell biology and molecular biology. We are a community of individuals from many different backgrounds, and we appreciate that a diverse student body and faculty enhance every part of our community. Currently, there are over 200 faculty trainers and over 130 students in the program. For prospective students, this site provides information about the application process, the Ph.D. curriculum, and research being conducted by faculty trainers. Read more about CMB.

2025 Alumni Newsletter

  • 2025 Alumni Newsletter

    We hope you enjoy reading more about the changes and growth of the CMB program and the success of CMB students, faculty, and alumni throughout the past year! The 2025 Alumni Newsletter is available online …

Upcoming Events

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CMB News

  • Alumni Spotlight- Paul Bates

    Current Employer: University of Minnesota Job Title: Teaching Associate Professor Home Town: Greensboro, NC Current Location: Duluth, MN Short Description of your Graduate School Research: I studied enzymes in the ubiquitin-proteosome system and their role …

  • Alumni Spotlight- Jon Houtman

      Current Employer: University of Iowa Job Title: Professor of Microbiology and Immunology Home Town: Canby, MN Current Location: Iowa City, IA Short Description of your Graduate School Research: Examination of the role of epidermal …

  • New CMB Trainer Faculty Profile: Bryce LaFoya

  • 2025 Alumni Newsletter

    We hope you enjoy reading more about the changes and growth of the CMB program and the success of CMB students, faculty, and alumni throughout the past year! The 2025 Alumni Newsletter is available online …

  • CMB Alumni Reji Babygirija and Grant Nickles Receive UW Distinguished Research Fellowships

    The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research has awarded 11 postdoctoral trainees UW Distinguished Research Fellowships, designed to support interdisciplinary research areas related to RISE-AI, RISE-THRIVE and RISE-EARTH. The intent of the program is …

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