The Graduate Program in Life Sciences (GPILS) offers cutting-edge translational research training in basic, biomedical, clinical, and population sciences. We offer seven PhD granting graduate programs and three MS-level programs.
Our graduate programs cover the entire range of biomedical research and life sciences including the basics of protein structure and molecular biology, integrative systems physiology, virology, vaccine development, behavior, cognition, population-based genetics, and the impact of the environment on human health.
Visit our About GPILS page to learn more.
Student Spotlight
Meet Da'Kuawn Johnson
Last year, Da'Kuawn was University of Maryland, Baltimore's first recipient of the prestigious Gilliam Fellowship Award through the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. As a part of the award, Fellows create a project that engages their communities in the process of science and scientific discovery.
Da'Kuawn is a student in the Molecular Microbiology and Immunology program. His research in Dr. Nicholas Carbonetti's lab investigates how type III interferon signaling protects young mice from lethal B. pertussis infection.
Dissertation Defenses
Presenters
Control of Brain Blood Flow by a CaCC-driven Pericyte Cl- clamp Mechanism
Presented by: Liuruimin (Amy) Xiang (Neuroscience)
Thursday, December 18, 2025
1-4pm, HSF II Auditorium
Capillary Pericytes Drive Blood Flow Increases via Parent Arteriole Dilation in the Neocortex.
Presented by: Dominic Isaacs, MS (Neuroscience)
Friday, December 19, 2025
10am-1pm, Howard Hall
Led by

Jessica A. Mong, PhD
Assistant Dean for Graduate & Postdoctoral Scholars
Professor, Department of Pharmacology
jmong@som.umaryland.edu
News
April 2, 2025
March 12, 2025
Meningococcal Vaccine Found to be Safe and Effective for Infants in Sub-Saharan Africa
February 26, 2025
February 24, 2025
February 6, 2025
November 13, 2024
October 22, 2024
September 17, 2024
Student Publications
2023 Publications
2020 Publications
2019 Publications
Student Awards and Honors
2024 GPILS/OPS Awards Winners
- MS Scholar Award
- PhD Thesis Project Award
- PhD Scholar Award
- Postdoctoral Fellow Excellence in Research Award
- Postdoctoral Fellow Excellence in Service Award
- Postdoctoral Fellow Excellence in Mentorship Award
- Faculty Excellence in Postdoctoral Mentorship Award
- Teacher of the Year Award
- The Elaine Miye Otani Memorial Award
- Alumnus Award
- The Dr. Mark Shirtliff PhD Student Mentor Award














Meet Da'Kuawn Johnson