Dean’s Welcome

Paula Traktman, Dean of the College of Graduate StudiesAs Dean of the College of Graduate Studies, it is my pleasure to introduce you to our mission and vision emanating from the intersection of research and education. Our three major goals are:

  • To sustain and support the ongoing research mission of MUSC through the efforts and skills of our trainees

  • To train the biomedical workforce of tomorrow

  • To work to ensure that the biomedical workforce of tomorrow looks like our community and our nation: diversity and inclusion

A strong research enterprise is a central pillar of MUSC’s identity and strategic plan. Our MS and Ph.D. trainees, and our postdoctoral scholars and fellows, are vital and active participants in the research programs led by MUSC’s faculty. These hard-working scientists provide creativity, intellectual insight, dedication, and commitment.

The nation’s ability to sustain an ongoing biomedical research enterprise - encompassing a broad range of disciplines from molecular studies to clinical research, structural biology to genomics, and drug discovery to epidemiology - requires training the next generation of scientists. CGS’ MS and Ph.D. programs are dedicated to providing training in foundational and discipline-specific content, research ethics and critical thinking, scientific method, and effective communication. In addition, our students engage in apprenticeship research training, are mentored by our distinguished faculty, and are supported by state-of-the-art research facilities.

Our nation deserves a biomedical workforce that is diverse and inclusive, reflecting the perspectives and passions of people from different genders, ethnic groups, and socio-economic backgrounds. Therefore, in its pipeline and graduate programs, CGS works diligently to engage a diverse group of trainees and to provide a supportive and enriching environment that maximizes our trainees’ professional development and opportunities for success.

In sum, CGS is committed to training biomedical scientists across a longitudinal spectrum that spans the pipeline to postdoctoral. Our goal is to provide our trainees with the skills needed to think critically, be both rigorous and creative, and work successfully at the interface of basic science and human health in various professional contexts.