Career Development & Outcomes

We recognize that our training provides a comprehensive skill set that is easily adapted to a multitude of different careers. Practical experience is a time-honored method to carve out one’s unique career path.

  • Teaching – Although not a required component of the CMP program, teaching opportunities are available in the form of tutoring (fellow graduate students or local high school students; Thread) and teaching assistantships.
  • Training Courses, Internships, and Networking – The Biomedical Careers Initiative provides information, facilitates training and enables networking for the broad range of careers available to Ph.D. students upon graduation. Interested students must coordinate the details of an internship (timing and direction) with their thesis advisor and obtain approval from the Program Director. For more information about these opportunities and more, visit the Biomedical Careers Initiative website.

Alumni

By the numbers

The information below was updated in January 2022 and includes all PhD graduates who matriculated since 2000.

  • Percentage of students who obtained pre-doctoral fellowships: 39.1%
  • Average number of publications at time degree awarded: 3.4
  • Average number of publications from time in CMP program: 4.9
  • Average number of awards (fellowships, travel awards etc): 1.5
CMP Student Time to Degree

Career Outcomes

First Job After Graduating
Present Occupation of CMP Alumna

Testimonials

Why Did You Choose the CMP Graduate Program?

  • “This is a small and friendly department, and I love physiology!”— Jiachen Chu, 2017 (Qiu Lab)
  • “I was working as a technician in a cardiac electrophysiology lab at Hopkins, and when I decided to pursue my Ph. D., the PI in that lab suggested that the CMP program would be a good match for my skills and interests. It was, as I was impressed by not only the specific research being done, but also the camaraderie and diversity of scientific interests of the faculty members.”  Victoria Halperin Kuhns, 2018 Graduate (Pluznick Lab
  • “I chose the CMP graduate program because I was interested in working in a field that would allow me to be involved in projects with high translational potential.” Niranjana Natarajan,  2016 Graduate (Pluznick Lab)
  • “I chose CMP graduate program because I thought I felt I was valued and welcomed by the program. I can always get substantial amount of attention and support.” Hao Jia, 2017 Graduate (Dawson Lab)
  • “The CMP graduate program properly prepared and positioned me for a physician-scientist career. The training was excellent and the mentoring superbly stellar. My CV was enhanced and I made a number of important connections that helped the smooth transitioning to the next phase of my life and career. In retrospect, I made the best decision by going through the program.”—Oluwaseun Ogunbona, 2018 graduate (Claypool Lab)
  • “I chose the CMP program because it offered the opportunity for me to learn basic research that could have clinical ramifications. It’s an opportunity for me to take what I have learned at the bench to the patient’s bedside.” — Isaac Ogunmola, 2018
  • “I was looking for a place where I can learn from brilliant minds and satisfy my curiosity for life and science. CMP turns out to be the exact place.” — Xuechun Zhang, 2018
  • “The CMP program had the highest quality faculty and students; they were extremely welcoming, smart, and supportive.” — Dylan Sarver, 2017 (Wong Lab)
  • “A small and focused graduate program, as well as the diversity of research was particularly attractive” — Marcus Seldin, 2014 graduate (Wong Lab)
  • “I wanted a program that would integrate molecular sciences with physiology. Moreover, the department seemed very supportive on my interview day and everyone was nice.” —Osi Iyalomhe, 2012 graduate (Maloney Lab)
  • “I love physiology. I do believe that after all molecular and cellular works, we need to use physiological approach to answer questions about life.” — Tian Xue, 2004 graduate (Marban Lab)
  • “I chose CMP because it is a strong physiology program in a big research institution. I was able to pursue my own interests in-depth but also have broad exposure to many cutting edge research projects in other areas.” — Zhikui Wei, 2011 graduate (Wong Lab)
  • “I was interested in studying ion channels and their properties and their role in homeostasis and the CMP program had several faculty members studying ion channels. I also had an acquaintance who was already in the program who suggested I apply for it.” — Ishita Das, 2011 graduate (Reeves Lab)

How Has the CMP Graduate Program Met Your Career Goals?

  • “I definitely feel well-prepared for a career in basic science.  It provided me with the critical thinking and experimental expertise to pursue a postdoc fellowship” — Marcus Seldin, 2014 graduate (Wong Lab)
  • “I learned how to do science (from an excellent mentor) and solve scientific problems systematically and with persistence. From my experience in graduate school, I was able to hit the ground running and meaningfully contribute to my research group in medical school and also help write abstracts and manuscripts.” — Osi Iyalomhe, 2012 graduate (Maloney Lab)
  • “By the time I was finishing my medical degree, I realized I wanted to be a physician who will focus on conducting molecular research. This prompted my decision to pursue a graduate degree in the biomedical research field. I chose the Cellular and Molecular Physiology program because of two major reasons. First, physiology is a science that deals with the normal functions of the body, and as such it provides a solid foundation for a career in laboratory medicine. Second, a molecular science program affords me the opportunity to acquire skills that are required for pioneering research which is a handy tool for advancing the frontiers of medicine.” Oluwaseun Ogunbona, 2018 Graduate (Claypool Lab)
  • “CMP program is meeting my career goals by giving me enough understanding of my own situation and flexibility for me to prepare myself for my career choice.”  Hao Jia, 2017 Graduate (Dawson Lab)Hao Jia Linked In:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/hao-jia-84335342/
  • The CMP program has provided an excellent environment to allow me to develop skills (scientific, professional, and personal) that I believe will help me further my career. Not only is there an incredible amount of knowledge represented, but there is also a good amount of support and collaborative thought from fellow students, post-docs, and faculty members.  Victoria Halperin Kuhns, 2018 Graduate (Pluznick Lab)
  • “The coursework offered built a spectrum of skills including a strong foundation in biochemistry, molecular biology and physiology. Furthermore, lab rotations in the first year helped me gain exposure to diverse research areas and techniques. While the program is small in terms of number of candidates accepted every year, it offers access to a large number of labs at JHMI, which is a major positive. Research in the lab, departmental seminars and talks by invited speakers provide a unique platform to develop critical thinking, analytical techniques and hone the necessary skills to become an independent investigator in academia or industry.” Niranjana Natarajan,  2016 Graduate (Pluznick Lab)
  • “CMP Graduate Program was very supportive to me to complete my PhD training.  Moreover, because unique curriculum for CMP emphasizing physiological meaning and diverse views on research, it’s been helping me to keep my research career path.” — HaWon Lee, 2012 graduate(Guggino Lab)
  • “CMP has offered a well-established curriculum to orient me towards gaining knowledge and skills while developing critical thinking to carry out my research. In the meantime, the program also provide flexibility through hundreds of selective courses in multiple campus, which allowed me to branch out in a specialized direction – cancer genetics. Senior students from CMP program had many chances to meet and discuss during journal club and happy hours, which built up a supportive environment. I learnt a lot from my peers and collaborators.” — Annan Yang, 2011 graduate (Reeves Lab)
  • “CMP program provided me with rotation opportunities, research experiences and tremendous support” — Di (Cody) Kang, 2011 graduate (Maloney Lab)
  • “I am active in research, and even though my work is predominantly clinical, the basic science insight helps also and got awards during my Internal Medicine residency and Gastroenterology fellowship – and these accomplishments would not have been possible without training by Dr Donowitz and CMP program 1. American College of Physicians ACP 2012- 2nd Prize in Oral Presentation 2. American College of Gastroenterology 2015- Presidents Medal for Research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease” — Sachin Mohan, 2010 graduate (Donowitz Lab)
  • “It did help me a lot. And now I am a Professor in a top research University in China.” — Tian Xue, 2004 graduate (Marban Lab)
  • “CMP program gave me the foundation to understand biological questions in the context of integrative organ physiology, which is rare given the predominance of molecular and cellular approaches within the current biomedical research.” — Zhikui Wei, 2011 graduate(Wong Lab)
  • “I wanted to work on complex developmental disorders and I believe my thesis on Down syndrome, a very complex genetic disorder, has equipped me in understanding neurobiological disorders. “— Ishita Das, 2011 graduate (Reeves Lab)