Education

Education and training are essential to the mission of Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the Vanderbilt Genetics Institute. Training and continuous education opportunities are available for undergraduates,  graduate students,  postdoctoral researchers, fellows, faculty, residents, staff and community members.

Master of Genetic Counseling Program

 

The mission of the Master of Genetic Counseling (MGC) program is to educate genetic counselors who will be leaders in genomic medicine, striving to increase access to care, education, and research in genetic counseling. 

The program goals are to: 

  • Matriculate diverse graduate students in genetic counseling who are empowered to succeed in the expanding field of genetics, genomics, and personalized medicine.
  • Facilitate faculty and student collaboration with Vanderbilt researchers to enable significant contributions in the areas of genetics and genomics, genetic counseling, and personalized medicine.
  • Improve access to genetic services by increasing the number of providers and expanding awareness about the field.

Human Genetics (HGEN) PhD Program

The Vanderbilt University School of Medicine PhD Program in Human Genetics (HGEN), supported by VGI, provides students with a solid foundation for a career in human genetics research and teaching.  

The training program in Human Genetics admits students through one of three interdepartmental programs: 

The goal of the program is to train students to explore scientific questions in genetics, with an emphasis on human disease. The program is designed to ensure technical proficiency in statistical and molecular techniques, provide current knowledge of genetics research and methods, and develop scientific communication skills. 

The HGEN program provides a cohesive experience that leverages the many facets of human genetics research at Vanderbilt, for the benefit of trainees and research mentors.  Human Genetics is an equal opportunity graduate program and accepts qualified students regardless of cultural, social, demographic, or biological characteristics. 

For more information on how to apply to a graduate program, see the following websites: 

Predoctoral students in the Human Genetics Training Program are supported in part by multiple training grants funded by the National Institutes of Health, particularly the Vanderbilt Training Program on Genetic Variation and Human Phenotypes. 

Our graduate students are well-rounded biologists conducting research in an amazing variety of topics interfacing with human genetics, largely focused on generating and/or analyzing state-of-the-art genetic and genomic (and other -omic) data, including data from the utterly unique BioVU resource. 

The curriculum will teach students within the program as well as students in other disciplines how to use the tools of genetics to answer a variety of important biological questions.

Postdoctoral Training

 

The VGI has a rich history of deciphering the genetic basis of both rare and common human traits and integrating this knowledge into better diagnostics, treatment, and prevention of human disease. 

During postdoctoral training in a VGI investigator's lab, trainees will gain practical and rigorous experience where they will be encouraged to think critically, work independently and as a part of a team. The Vanderbilt Genetics Institute encompasses a wide range of research labs with a variety of specialties, which gives postdoctoral trainees numerous opportunities to develop their interests in a highly collaborative atmosphere. 

VGI investigators also encourage their postdocs to participate in seminars both locally and at professional conferences. This offers postdocs the opportunity to hone their presentation skills, present their research, and network among peers. Postdocs will also have opportunities to mentor graduate students in their lab, as well as participate in community and educational outreach. The latter provides an opportunity to share their expertise as well as interact with younger students and non-scientists in the community. 

The faculty, staff, students and postdocs in the Vanderbilt Genetics Institte strive to pursue rigorous, cutting-edge research in a collaborative and welcoming environment.