Considered the vanguard of the new millennium in which science truly complements the art of medicine, molecular medicine strives to understand the molecules key to normal body function and the pathogenesis of disease and to design molecular tools for diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Recent changes in research and scholarship in the biomedical sciences has directed attention to the development and training of students who are able to cross the barriers of traditional disciplines and embrace the concepts of interdisciplinary approaches to biomedical problems.

The Master's of Science in Medical Sciences, Molecular Medicine concentration, has been developed to provide a novel interdisciplinary and concentrated program of study that is designed for students interested in either future doctoral or professional programs in the biomedical sciences. The rigorous program allows students to demonstrate their full academic ability for future graduate programs or medical school. The interdisciplinary program promotes the broad intellectual focus required of future graduate students in the biomedical sciences or health-care profession. The courses integrate modern teaching methods with extensive student participation designed to improve their oral and presentation skills that are critical to their future professional development.

Why Choose Our Program?

The Molecular Medicine concentration features a strong research component that provides the student with extensive hands-on experience in a mentored research laboratory of their choosing.  

We have a track record of success! Students that have completed the Molecular Medicine concentration have successfully matriculated into:

• PhD programs
• Medical school
• Dental school
• Osteopathic medical school
• Biotech industry
• Academic research

Read more about one of our graduates below, then start your journey by applying today. 

Featured Student: Jonna Ocampo

Jonna Ocampo, an alumna of the Molecular Medicine concentration, has had many notable accomplishments in the field of Molecular Medicine. While enrolled, she worked in the labs of Dr. Caralina Marin de Evsikova and Dr. Alexei Evsikov. During her time in the lab, she researched metabolic disease in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans utilizing techniques such as DNA Sequencing, RNA interference, and Bioinformatics analysis.  Additionally, she conducted NASA Florida Space research on Transposon Expression Changes Induced by Simulated Microgravity as an area of priority that aligns with the NASA Human Exploration and Operations (HEO) Mission Directorate for Space Life and Physical Sciences Research & Applications.

Jonna also conducted research in Chemistry and Molecular Medicine with Dr. Bill Baker and Dr. Xingmin Sun. In these labs, she studied the chemical ecology of Antarctica and Florida marine invertebrates for carrying out natural product isolation.  Research included isolating the microorganisms and testing using minimum inhibitory concentrations for potential pharmaceutical applications against Clostridium difficile.

In August 2018, Jonna was awarded the NASA Florida Space Grant Consortium Fellowship for her submission Transposon Expression Changes Induced by Simulated Microgravity. In December of 2018Jonna was selected for an oral presentation at the United Nations Expert Meeting on Human Space Technology – Providing Access to Space in Vienna, Austria. Her presentation focused on Synergistic effects on gene expression changes in microgravity: bioinformatics analysis for the model organism Oryzias latipes and propagation toward astrobiological, simulated microgravity experiments.  Jonna also presented at the 4th Mexican Congress of Medicine & Space Health, in Mexico City, Mexico and to the Board of Florida Space Grant Consortium at NASA Kennedy Space Center.

Jonna has given poster presentations at Florida Institute of Technology and Southeastern Regional Society for Developmental Biology. Her poster presentation focused on Identification of candidate ATP synthase subunits homologs and their expression across developmental stages of Caenorhabditis elegans.

While at USF, Jonna submitted two patents for a biomedical and a biotechnology patent with the Patent and Research Office at the University of South Florida, January 2019.