Perspectives

Alumna Amy B. Hall, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School
I am currently a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Cell Biology at Harvard Medical School. My experience as a graduate student in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics at Stony Brook was incredibly exciting and rewarding. The infrastructure created by the department and my advisor has allowed me to pursue my own research interests. Furthermore, the wide variety of courses and laboratories creates a comprehensive learning environment. The accessibility of the faculty members and the first-class research facilities at Stony Brook and its affiliated institutions, Brookhaven National Laboratory and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, provided many unique research opportunities. In addition, the ability to focus on teaching, as a teaching assistant, was truly one of the most rewarding experiences of my graduate career.

Alumnus Francisco J. Martinez-Wittinghan, Ph.D., Research Scientist, Stony Brook University
The Graduate Program in Physiology and Biophysics is very appealing since it is a highly interdisciplinary program with joint appointments with several other departments and research facilities (i.e. Brookhaven National Laboratory). When I was looking for programs from my country (Colombia, South America) I came across a number of interdisciplinary programs, but what made this program stand out was the presence of many well-known and respected researchers. Once I came to the program, I also found a friendly environment with faculty and staff who are always willing to help and provide advice.

Whether you come focused or undecided about your research interest, this program provides the opportunity to develop your scientific knowledge and reach your goals. I came with interest in ionic channels and electrophysiology but throughout rotations in different laboratories I learned other techniques beyond my primary focus; now I am able to apply them in my research. If you come undecided you have numerous possibilities of rotations to choose from.
The program is flexible enough to accommodate the extensive range of research interests in the area of Physiology and Biophysics. For me, the basic course work gave me a broad perspective of the different approaches to questions in physiology and biophysics, and the electives were tailored to my more specific research interests.

Lastly, the program has a very nice multicultural atmosphere to the point that it hosts an International Cuisine Festival every December where everybody is welcome to bring food representing their native culture.

 

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