Office of Graduate and
Postdoctoral Studies
97 Waterman Street
Box G-217
Providence, RI 02912
Office: 401-863-3281
Fax: 401-863-2660

Welcome to The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies! The Office was created in January 2006 to focus on and enhance the training environment for the roughly 320 graduate students and 120 postdocs within the Division of Biology and Medicine. In creating this office, Eli Y. Adashi, Dean of Medicine and Biological Sciences, made a commitment not only to growth in the overall numbers of our trainees, but also to increasing the diversity of this group and enriching trainees' preparation as scholars within the university setting and in their future career paths.

Our Office oversees admissions, recruitment, tracking, support, and professional development for students in all of our graduate programs. We handle appointments and support of postdoctoral fellows. We also facilitate fellowship and training grant applications in order to increase funding for graduate students and postdocs. In addition to Associate Dean for Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Nancy L. Thompson, PhD, the Office is staffed by:

Tracey E. Cronin, Executive Assistant and Coordinator of Graduate Affairs, 863-3281

Roberta M. Swanson, Postdoctoral Program Coordinator and Data Coordinator, 863-1614

Cheryl Whiteside, Financial Manager for Graduate Funding, 863-1981

Elizabeth McClaine, Training Grants Coordinator, 863-2067

A Message from Associate Dean Nancy Thompson

If you want training that will launch your career >>

For students and postdoctoral trainees at Brown now >>

US News & World Report's latest ranking of the top Biological Sciences Programs, based solely on peer assessment by other administrators, deans, and/or faculty at accredited degree programs or schools, places Brown’s doctoral program in the biological sciences well within the top 20th percentile.

Nancy Thompson, PhD If you want training that will launch your career, then you are looking for cutting-edge research, superb faculty, facilities, and mentoring, diversity, and a supportive environment. The Division of Biology and Medicine at Brown has a rich tradition of excellence as well as the breadth and depth of research opportunities to prepare you for a variety of career paths and leadership roles. Nine graduate programs offer thematic PhD training that encompasses virtually every area of modern biomedical research in a variety of unique interdisciplinary frameworks and settings, including Brain Sciences, hospital partners affiliated with Brown Medical School, the Marine Biology Laboratory at Woods Hole, and an NIH Neuroscience partnership. Master's-level training is also available in several of our Graduate Programs, including Public Health. As of December 2006, the Division's graduate student body is 238 PhD students and 78 master's students. Postdoctoral research training takes place in our basic science and clinical departments within a community of some 120 postdoctoral scholars. The moderate size of our trainee programs within the larger University setting allows for considerable interaction, collaboration, and personal fulfillment. As Associate Dean for Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, my mission is to ensure that our training environment within the Division of Biology and Medicine maximizes your success as a graduate or postdoctoral trainee. My office is here to assist you with information about our graduate programs, fellowship and other funding opportunities, professional development and networking, mentoring, career development, responsible conduct in research training, and navigating resources within the University. You are welcome to contact me with any questions you may have. I hope to meet you in person as a new trainee here on campus!

Nancy L. Thompson, PhD,
Associate Dean for Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Nancy Thompson, PhD For students and postdoctoral trainees at Brown now, please know that I am personally interested in hearing about your experiences here and learning what more my office can do to facilitate your academic training and professional development. I welcome your input and interaction throughout your time here and hope to keep in touch with you as you go on to new successes beyond Brown.

Nancy L. Thompson, PhD,
Associate Dean for Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies