TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS…………………………………………………………………...........1

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE…………………………………………………………..............2

PROGRAM ADDRESS……………………………………………………………….…...........3

PROGRAM DIRECTOR AND WELCOME……………………………………………........... 3

MEMBERS OF THE HUMAN GENETICS PROGRAM

      Training Faculty…...……………………….…………………………………………...….4-6

      Non-training Faculty…...….….………………….…………………….…………………….6

Staff…...…….…..………………………………………………..……….………..…………7

 

UCHSC....………………………………………………………………………..………………7

Graduate School – Dean’s Office – Graduate Student Office

Other important numbers – emergency numbers

 

ACADEMIC INFORMATION……………..…………………………..……..………………8-10

      Program Orientation

      Graduate School Orientation

      Financial Support

      Credit Hour Requirements

      Other Rules & Regulations and Information

 

GRADUATE CURRICULUM IN HUMAN MEDICAL GENETICS…....……...………….11-16

      Graduate Coursework                                

      Elective Courses

      Human Medical Genetics Seminar

 

“GOOD ACADEMIC STANDING” …………..………………………………..……..….…… 16

 

LABORATORY ROTATIONS…………………………...…………………………..……..…. 17

 

CHOOSING YOUR GRADUATE RESEARCH (THESIS) ADVISOR …….....….……...17-18

 

PRELIMINARY AND COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATIONS ………….....……..…........18-19

 

THESIS COMMITTEE ……………………………………………………...…………..…..….20

 

PhD DISSERTATION ………………………………………………………...…….....……...21

 

DISCLAIMER…………………………………………………………………….……..………22

 

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

 

 

The Human Medical Genetics Program was initiated in 1996, and brings together investigators from the University of Colorado Denver campus, Children’s Hospital, and affiliated institutions and centers.  The Program provides a formal framework for an integrated, interdepartmental, and interdisciplinary faculty that builds on the Health Sciences Center's longstanding expertise in human and medical genetics.  A key component of the Program is its graduate-training program in human medical genetics, whose goal is to train students for careers as independent investigators in human genetics with emphasis on biomedical aspects of human biology.

Program Director & Address

Richard A. Spritz, MD                    

UCD at Anschutz Medical Campus

Human Medical Genetics Program

PO Box 6511, Mail Stop 8300

Aurora, CO 80045 USA

(303) 724-3107 – Office                                  

(303) 724-3100 – Fax                       

Richard.Spritz@UCHSC.edu             

 

 

Message of Welcome from the Program Director

 

The Human Medical Genetics Program at UCD is an interdisciplinary, inter-departmental Program designed to provide outstanding graduate training and research opportunities in all aspects of Human and Medical Genetics.  I and the HMGP faculty are committed to building a dynamic and outstanding Program that will provide vision, leadership, and focus for human and medical genetical activities at the University of Colorado into the 21^st century. 

 

The new millennium will see a revolution in almost all fields of medicine and biomedical research, as the DNA sequences of the human and other genomes become available, genes critical to development and disease and genetic variations that predispose to common debilitating diseases are discovered, tests to rapidly identify genetically susceptible individuals are developed, and new technologies to treat or even prevent these diseases are brought on line. These advances will result in improved health, longevity, and quality of life, and it is the mission of the Human Medical Genetics Program to be at the forefront of this revolution.  

 

The Human Medical Genetics graduate training program is relatively new.  Thus, students have the opportunity to help design its future. The Program is continually adding new Training Faculty, providing students with an outstanding group of human geneticists from whom to select as Thesis Advisors and mentors.  Our goal is to provide students with a world-class graduate training experience in an interactive and interdisciplinary environment that allows for an individualized learning experience.  We hope that you become as enthusiastic about the Program as we are, and we look forward to the chance to tell you more about it.

 

Research Training Program Faculty and Research Interests

 

          Dennis Ahnen, MD - Genetics of colon cancer

(303) 399-8020 x 3127 – Dennis.Ahnen@UCHSC.edu

 

Kristin Artinger, PhD - Molecular, genetic and developmental mechanisms involved in the patterning of the early neural plate during vertebrate embryogenesis

(303) 724-4562 – Kristen.Artinger@UCHSC.edu

 

David Cloutihier, PhD – Genetics of craniofacial and cardiovascular development

(303) 724-4565 – David.Clouthier@UCHSC.edu

 

            Mark Duncan, PhD – Biomedical proteomics, applications of mass spectrometry to

            Medicine, aging.

            (303) 724-3343 – Mark.Duncan@UCHSC.edu

           

George S. Eisenbarth, MD, PhD – Diabetes, Immunogenetics, and Immunology research

(303) 724-6847 x 6809 – George.Eisenbarth@UCHSC.edu

 

Pamela R. Fain, PhD –Population and quantitative genetics with an emphasis on autoimmune diseases

            (303) 724-6840 – Pam.Fain@UCHSC.edu

 

            Tasha Fingerlin, PhD - Association studies of complex disorders; type 2 diabetes mellitus

            (303) 315-7880 – Tasha.Fingerlin@UCHSC.edu

 

Curt Freed, MD-Neurotransplantation for Parkinson's Disease in man and experimental animals

            (303) 315-8455 – Curt.Freed@UCHSC.edu

 

Robert Freedman, MD-Genetics of schizophrenia; a7-nicotonic receptor

            (303) 315-8403 – Robert.Freedman@UCHSC.edu

 

Frank Frerman, PhD - Inherited metabolic diseases involving flavoproteins and iron-sulfur proteins

            (303) 724-3809 – Frank.Frerman@UCHSC.edu

 

            Katheleen Gardiner, PhD - Molecular genetics of Down Syndrome

            (303) 724-0572 – Katheleen.Gardiner@UCHSC.edu

 

Mark Geraci, MD – Microarray expression analysis to study disease pathogenesis. Eicosanoid biology in pulmonary vascular disease and lung cancer.

            (303) 315-7507 – Mark.Geraci@UCHSC.edu

 

Stephen I. Goodman, MD – Characterization of Biochemical and molecular defects in human glutaric and 2-hydroxyglutaric acidemias

            (303) 724-3825 – Stephen.Goodman@UCHSC.edu

 

            Nancy Hadley-Miller, MD – Genetics of scoliosis

(720) 777-6682 – Nancy.Hadley-Miller@UCHSC.edu

    

            Larry Hunter, PhD – Computational Pharmacology

(303) 724-3574 – Larry.Hunter@UCHSC.edu

 

Jan Kraus, PhD - Molecular basis of cystathionine b-synthase disorders in human

disease

            (303) 724-3812 – Jan.Kraus@UCHSC.edu

 

Sherry S. Leonard, PhD – genetic determinants related to schizophrenia & nicotine

addiction

(303) 724-4426 – Sherry.Leonard@UCHSC.edu

 

Sandra Martin, PhD – genome – transposon interactions and the role of changing

patterns of gene expression in evolutionary adaptation

            (303) 724-3467 – Sandy.Martin@UCHSC.edu

 

            Luisa Mestroni, MD-Genetics of adult heart disease; cardiomyopathies

            (303) 724-0577 – Luisa.Mestroni@UCHSC.edu

 

Lee Niswander, PhD - Genetic and cellular control of vertebrate embryonic development

In the neural tube and limbs

            (303) 724-3790 – Lee.Niswander@UCHSC.edu

 

Jill M. Norris, PhD - Genetics of type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance and

obesity; Genetic epidemiology of type 1 diabetes, celiac disease and rheumatoid

arthritis

(303) 315-7587 – Jill.Norris@UCHSC.edu

  

Dennis Roop , PhD – Genetics of dermatology and skin development; stem cell biology

(303) 724-3042 – Dennis.Roop@UCHSC.edu

 

            Robert A. Sclafani, PhD – Mechanism of DNA replication and Induced Mutations

            In yeast, mouse and human cancer cells

(303) 724-3271 – Robert.Sclafani@UCHSC.edu

 

Nicholas W. Seeds, PhD – Neuro-developmental genetics

(303) 724-3123 – Nicholas.Seeds@UCHSC.edu

 

James Sikela, PhD – Genetics of alcoholism and drug abuse; evolution of human

and great ape genes and genomes

            (303) 724-3385 – James.Sikela@UCHSC.edu

 

            Richard A. Spritz, MD (Program Director) – Molecular genetics of diseases

            of pigmentation and the skin, genetics of autoimmune disorders, cleft lip and palate

            (303) 724-3107 – Richard.Spritz@UCHSC.edu

            Lori Sussel, PhD – Transcriptional regulation of pancreatic differentiation and

            Development in the mouse

            (303) 724-3280 – Lori.Sussel@UCHSC.edu

 

            Trevor Williams, PhD – Craniofacial Biology and Cell and Structural Biology

            (303) 724-4571 – Trevor.Williams@UCHSC.edu

 

Non-Training Program Faculty and Interests

 

            J. Bronwyn Bateman, MD – Genetics of eye disorders, ophthalmology

            (720) 848-2500 – Bronwyn.Bateman@UCHSC.edu

 

            Marileila Garcia, PhD – Cancer cytogenetics

            (303) 724-3147 – Marileila.Garcia@UCHSC.edu

 

            Judith Gault, PhD - The Genetics of Cerebral Vascular Malformations

            (303) 315-1071 – Judith.Gault@UCHSC.edu

 

            David Manchester, MD – Clinical genetics, genetic counseling

            (303) 861-6319 – Manchester.David@tchden.org

 

            York E. Miller, MD – Genetic analysis of human disease, epithelial cell biology

            303.393.2869 – york.miller@UCHSC.edu

 

            Elaine Spector, PhD – Mental retardation and developmental disorders; genetic testing

            (303) 724-3801 – Elaine.Spector@UCHSC.edu

 

            Eva Sujansky, MD – Clinical genetics, genetic counseling

            (303) 861-6320 – Sujansky.Eva@tchden.org

 

            Matthew Taylor, MD – Assistant Professor of Medicine, Cardio Vascular Institute

            (303) 724-1400 – Matthew.Taylor@UCHSC.edu

 

            Janet Thomas, MD – Clinical genetics, genetic counseling

            (303) 861-6942 – Thomas.Janet@tchden.org

 

   Anne Chun-hui Tsai, MD – Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics,

   Clinical Geneticists,

 (303) 837-2759 – Tsai.Chun-hui@tchden.org

            Johan Van Hove, MD, PhD – Mental retardation developmental disorders and biochemical genetics

            (303) 724-3806 – Johan.Vanhove@UCHSC.edu

 

            Carol Walton, M.S. – Director, Genetic Counseling Program,

            (303) 861-6839 – Walton.Carol @tchden.org

           

Human Medical Genetics Program Staff

 

          Office Location – AMC – RC1 North, P18-3107

 

            Ms. MJ Stewart, Administrator

            (303) 724-3102 – MJ.Stewart@UCHSC.edu

           

            Ms. Melody Howard, Administrative Assistant III

            (303) 724-3101 – Melody.Howard@UCHSC.edu

 

UCD

 

Graduate School

 

            Dean’s Office – AO1

 

            John H. Freed, PhD, Dean, Graduate Schoo

            (303) 724-2911 – John.Freed@UCHSC.edu

 

            Milinda Walker, Assistant to the Dean

            (303) 724-2911 – Milinda.Walker@UCHSC.edu

 

            Graduate Student Affairs Office – Denison Building 1D01

 

            Fran Osterberg, M.S., Interim Assistant Dean and Director, Student Admissions and Support

            (303) 724-2915 – Fran.Osterberg@UCHSC.edu

 

            Teresa Bauer-Sogi, Administrative Assistant – Main Line for Information and Student Services

            (303) 724-2915 – Teresa.BauerSogi@UCHSC.edu

 

Other Important Numbers – Emergency Numbers

 

 

           

 

ACADEMIC INFORMATION        

 

·        Prior to arrival

            Each student is responsible for paying a $200.00 tuition deposit (refundable on leaving UCD) prior to admission to the Graduate School

 

·        Upon arrival        

            The Director of the Human Medical Genetics Program will serve as interim advisor for all

             In-coming students in the PhD program until a lab – major professor is chosen. 

            All lab rotations must have PRIOR approval by the Director.

 

Mail received in HMGP mailbox 8300 is delivered to the HMGP administrative office, RC1N, room 3107.

 

·        Checking account

            It is important to establish a checking account as soon as possible. The University issues all pay checks, including student stipends, as automatic deposits. Students should be sure they have a voided check or savings account deposit slip available when filling out payroll forms. Students are also required to produce a social security card and valid drivers license for payroll purposes.

 

·        In-state residency status

New students must immediately obtain documentation to support the Petition for State Residency (see #2 under Graduate Student Financial Support).  This is a very important priority for a new student. After the first full year, full funding will be available (assuming satisfactory academic progress), only if the student qualifies as an in-state resident.* The documents that must be obtained include local checking account, driver’s license or State I.D., and voter’s registration, as well as proof of Colorado domicile. Further information will be provided during the Graduate School Orientation. 

 

 

·         UCD identification card

Everyone on campus must carry – wear a UCD picture ID. This ID serves many purposes including enabling students to access the library, obtain parking, gain access to buildings after hours, and attend special University functions. After arriving on campus, student identification photographs will be taken. If you arrive prior to orientation, call the Human Medical Genetics Program Office at (303) 724-3102 to obtain the correct forms.  Next, call the Security Office at (303) 724-0399 make an appointment. Generally, however, IDs are generated at the Graduate School orientation at the end of August.

 

 

*International students cannot gain residency and will remain at an out-of-state tuition rate; they will not be personally responsible for the difference.

 

·        E-mail Access

Graduate students will obtain an account in the electronic mail and World Wide Web access system by contacting the Student Email Coordinator, Mary Mauck (mary.mauck@UCHSC.edu).  You will need to know both your Student Identification Number and your four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) to obtain an account in the system.  If you do not know your PIN, you may obtain it at the UCD Registrar’s Office in Admissions & Records by going there in person with a picture ID.

 

Instructions for obtaining an account in the system, workstation hardware requirements, and accessing the system are available at Graduate School Orientation or contacting Mary Mauck at the Library Learning Resource Center (303) 724-2129). In addition to remote access, computer workstations are located at Denison Memorial Library on the third floor Learning Resources Center.

 

·        Importance of attending the mandatory Graduate School Orientation

            Obtain ID’s with building accessibility

            Information on obtaining “in-state” residency status

            Information on insurance

            Information on Radiation Safety and Biohazard training

            Information on Library use

            Information on Email and Internet access

            Information on Parking

            Information on Graduate School rules and Expectations

 

 

Graduate Student Financial Support

 

During the first academic year, the Human Medical Genetics Program (HMGP) will support students with a stipend of $23,500 per year, paid monthly by 8:00 a.m. on the last working day of each month.  Monthly checks are automatically deposited into the bank account specified by the student. The Program also pays tuition, fees, and health – dental insurance for the first year and by the chosen Major Professor thereafter. Students are responsible for books, housing, etc. Immediately upon receipt 1^st year students are to bring their tuition bills to the Program Administrator in the HMGP office, all other HMGP students are to turn in their tuition bill to the appropriate financial person in their respective labs.  Not registering and – or paying a tuition bill by the deadlines set by Admission and Records will result in a $20.00 late fee. Students are personally responsible for paying all late fees and fines.  It may also activate a required pension fund deposit when you are not enrolled on time or carrying the right amount of credits (5 credits each semester September – May, summer 3 credits, or 1 if they are thesis credits and you are not defending in the summer semester).

 

Student expenses, including stipend, will be paid until graduation contingent on the student meeting the following conditions: