At a Glance

  • Flexibility
    Part Time | Full Time
  • Delivery Options
    On Campus
  • Degree
    PhD

Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences Overview

The Doctorate in Pharmaceutical Sciences program at UMass Lowell will prepare you for academic careers, research careers and upper-level executive positions in both public and private institutions. You will develop relevant, interdisciplinary research skills by applying work to current and future pharmaceutical challenges.

The Pharmaceutical Sciences Ph.D. program curriculum is geared toward the development and evaluation of new drug therapies and research on drug modalities, drug delivery, drug metabolism and pharmaceutical analysis.

Early in the program, you will identify a research area and develop a research plan supporting this interest. You will study the scientific framework of your specialty area and master highly technical, cutting-edge research methodologies appropriate to your respective specialties and responsive to the latest research findings and pharmaceutical issues.

As a graduate of the Ph.D. program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, you will be able to:

  • Conduct high-quality research. 
  • Lead and partner effectively in research initiatives with other interested stakeholders.
  • Disseminate research findings through publication and conference participation.
  • Serve as a worldwide ambassador for the UMass system.
  • Demonstrate an unparalleled ethical perspective on research issues and approaches.

For additional details and courses, please visit the Academic Catalog.

Research

UMass Lowell is a Research 1 (R1) University, the highest status held by only 7% of four-year universities in the United States. You’ll have access to advanced labs and collaborative opportunities that prepare you to make a real-world impact in biomedical innovation.

As the only Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program currently offered by the Biomedical and Nutritional Sciences (BNS) Department, this advanced degree program in Pharmaceutical Sciences is also interdisciplinary. A diverse group of faculty and graduate students from various basic science, engineering, and applied science departments across the university come together to engage in collaborative work, all under the umbrella of this program housed in the BNS Department. Students engage in advanced research projects in areas like biomarker identification and medical laboratory sciences, drug discovery, pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism, drug delivery, pharmacology/toxicology and safety, environmental health, biopharmaceutical development, and pharmaceutical analysis.

FacultyResearch
Dhimiter Bello, Doctor of Science (Sc.D.), Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Email: Dhimiter_Bello@uml.edu		Adverse human health effects of workplace, consumer, and community exposures to toxic chemicals especially exposure to biomarkers/biology.
Soumita Das, Ph.D.
Email: Soumita_Das@uml.edu		Host-microbe interaction; microbial pathogenesis, Infection/inflammation-mediated cancer, immune responses, Inflammatory diseases; Gastro-intestinal diseases; ‘gut in a dish’ model with microbes, epithelial cells and immune cells; Organoid and stem cell biology; organoid-based disease modeling.
Nancy Goodyear, Ph.D. Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) CM
Email: Nancy_Goodyear@uml.edu		Focused on evaluating safer approaches to disinfection ("green" or low toxicity disinfectants.) Safer approaches include saturated steam vapor, activated water, thymol and other plant-derived chemicals, and do-it-yourself approaches using household products such as vinegar.
Gui-Xin (Susan) He, Ph.D.
Email: Gui-Xin _He@uml.edu		Researching antibiotic resistance mechanisms and new antimicrobial drugs. Currently, we are focused on the following studies:
  1. Investigating biofilm and drug resistance development;
  2. Analyzing resistance genes in antibiotic resistant Enteric bacteria;
  3. Developing biosensors for drug resistance and pathogens;
  4. Screening new antimicrobial agents from ocean microbes and natural products.
Shannon Kelleher, Ph.D.
Email: Shannon_Kelleher@uml.edu		Molecular studies focused on mammary gland biology, human milk and lactation; functional genomics; biomarker discovery and validation; nutritional biochemistry; functional foods and phytochemicals.
Jonghan Kim, Ph.D.
Email: Jonghan_Kim@uml.edu		Pharmacokinetics; Pharmacodynamics; Nanomedicine; Drug/Gene Delivery; Iron Disorders and Hematology; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Cardiovascular Pharmacology; Cancer Therapeutics; Toxicology.
Yuho Kim, Ph.D.
Email: Yuho Kim@uml.edu		My research is focused on understanding the roles of mitochondria in muscle physiology and pathophysiology. Research topics include exercise, iron disorder diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and various disease models (e.g., muscle weakness).
Thomas A. Wilson, Ph.D.
Email: Thomas_Wilson@uml.edu		Cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis and blood lipids; macular degeneration; nanotechnology delivery of nutrients and drugs; nutrition and hormone metabolism; diabetes and obesity; nutrition and exercise physiology.
Seongkyu Yoon, Ph.D.
Email: Seongkyu_Yoon@uml.edu		Engineering Biology; Systems and Synthetic Biology; Process System Engineering; Biomanufacturing Innovation; Protein Therapeutics; Biotherapeutic Vector Manufacturing; Multivariate Data Analysis.

Meet Our Students and Alumni

Kavi Oeur working in a lab at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals.
Kavi Oeur '27
Pharmaceutical Sciences, Marketing and Management Option

Kavi Oeur decided to major in the pharmaceutical sciences, marketing and management option to pursue a more business-related job in the pharmaceutical industry.

My co-op experience solidified my passion for the pharmaceutical field and erased any doubts that I was having.
Read More About Kavi Oeur 
Marita Merheb using a microscope in a UMass Lowell lab
Marita Merheb '24
Pharmaceutical Sciences

As a pharmaceutical sciences major interested in research and business, Marita Merheb pursues all opportunities to advance her goals.

All in all, UML provides high value for a lower cost, which you can’t find at other colleges.
Read More About Marita Merheb 
Erin Soulia poses with a friend at the flagship event for clinical research and trial management professionals, the Fierce Clinical Summit, in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
Erin Soulia '25
Pharmaceutical Sciences, Minor in Business Administration

Erin Soulia gained on-the-job experience at Morphic Therapeutic, a biopharmaceutical company that was recently acquired by Eli Lilly and Company.

All of my professors have supported my success and helped me see how my courses will apply to my future career.
Read More About Erin Soulia 

Funding Opportunities

UMass Lowell strives to provide financial support for all admitted Ph.D. students. This includes funding through Teaching Assistantships (TA), Research Assistantships (RA) and summer research support. Assistantships are contingent upon availability and may be subject to change.

Admissions

  • Application Fee: $50
  • Statement of Purpose: Outline goals, experience and achievements (maximum 2 pages).
  • Letters of Recommendation: Two (2) for master's and Doctor of Nursing Practice, three (3) for doctoral applicants.
  • Transcripts: You may apply with unofficial transcripts, but if accepted, official transcripts are required. We do not accept opened, photocopied, emailed PDFs or faxed official transcripts.
  • Resume: All programs require a resume except for the following: Doctor of Physical Therapy and all Master of Public Health programs
  • Test Scores: UMass Lowell’s school code is 3911. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are only required for the following programs:
    • Public Health (Doctor of Science)
    • Physical   Therapy (Doctor of Physical Therapy)

All materials must be received before your application is reviewed.  To add supporting documents, please log in to your application and select "Program Materials."

International Applicants

International transcripts must indicate completion of a four-year bachelor’s degree (equivalent of an American bachelor's degree) before an application will be processed. The Office of Graduate Admissions reserves the right to have any application credentials evaluated.  Baccalaureate verification may be obtained for a fee from:

English proficiency is required. If English is not your country’s national language, please submit one of the following scores:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 79+
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.5+
  • Duolingo: 115+

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Phone:
800-656-4723 (U.S. Students)
978-934-2390 (International Students)

Email: 
Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu