How to choose a graduate school
and why it should be UVA

Nathan Sheffield





UVA is the only University in the United States designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
# Grounds
# Academical village ![](/images/presentations/uva/discussion.jpg)
### The lawn: culture center of the university ![](/images/presentations/uva/sunset.jpg)
### Fall: Community trick-or-treat on the lawn ![](/images/presentations/uva/lawn-trick-or-treat.jpg)
### Winter: Lighting of the lawn ![](/images/presentations/uva/lawn-lighting.jpg)
### Spring: Convocation ![](/images/presentations/uva/lawn-convocation.jpg)
### Integrated research buildings (*e.g* Carter-Harrison building, MR6) ![](/images/presentations/uva/carter-harrison-exterior_3.jpg)
### Interdisciplinary research centers (*e.g.* CPHG) ![](/images/presentations/uva/msb_west_complex.jpg)
### Co-located health system ![](/images/presentations/uva/hospital.jpg)
### NCI-designated Cancer Center ![](/images/presentations/uva/cancer-center.jpg)
### John Paul Jones Arena ![](/images/presentations/uva/jpj_arena.jpg)
https://www.johnpauljonesarena.com/
### Stadium and fitness center ![](/images/presentations/uva/stadium-aerial.jpg)
### Observatory hill ![](/images/presentations/uva/hospital-view.jpg)
# Surroundings
### Blue Ridge mountains ![](/images/presentations/uva/map.png)
### Shenandoah National Park ![](/images/presentations/uva/shenandoah.jpg)
### Nearby bodies of water ![](/images/presentations/uva/kayaking.jpg) Within 20 min: Walnut Creek, Beaver Creek, Ragged Mountain, Sugar Hollow, Rivanna Reservoir, Ivy Creek, Chris Green Lake
### Downtown mall ![](/images/presentations/uva/downtown2.jpg)
### Events ![](/images/presentations/uva/paramount.jpg)
Cville BIOHUB https://cvillebiohub.org/
### Washington, D.C. ![](/images/presentations/uva/jefferson-memorial.jpg)
# Climate
![](/images/presentations/uva/seasons-fall.jpg)
![](/images/presentations/uva/seasons-winter.jpg)
![](/images/presentations/uva/seasons-spring.jpg)
![](/images/presentations/uva/seasons-summer.jpg)
# Research
Can I really do world-class science in a place this beautiful?
Your question: what's the program ranked?
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics: 34th - Cell Biology: 40th - Microbiology: 29th - Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics: 10th - Neuroscience: 22nd - Pathology: 28th - Pharmacology: 28th
Don't confuse funding quantity with research quality.

Your question: what's the program ranked?

Is there enough great science to keep me interested and busy?
Is there sufficient funding in areas of interest to me?
Can I find more than one lab I'm interested in?
Would I enjoy my life here?

Is there enough great science
to keep me interested and busy?

# Seminars (too many to list): - BMG Department seminar weekly - Genome Sciences Seminar Series weekly - Biomedical Engineering seminar weekly - Cancer Center seminar weekly - Child Health Research Center bi-weekly
# Scientific departmental events: - Annual BMG Symposium - Annual BMG Retreat - Weekly BMG Research In Progress (RIP) Lunch - CPHG Computing Club - Bi-weekly CPHG Research In Progress
# Scientific training grant events: - Biomedical Data Science: - Annual hackathon - Monthly lunch discussions - Journal club - Cell and Molecular Biology: - Annual retreat - Monthly 'data dinners'

UVA-wide events

[CPHG Publications](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=%22Center%20for%20Public%20Health%20Genomics%22%20and%20%22University%20of%20Virginia%22&filter=ds1.y_1&sort=date&pos=14)
### Is there funding in areas of interest to me?

NIH Training Grants

  • Biotechnology
  • Cancer Research
  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Cell & Molecular Biology
  • Global Biothreats
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases Research
  • Molecular Biophysics
  • Pharmacological Sciences
  • Computational and Systems Biology
    • ### NIH Reporter NIH funding information is public. You can search a prospective mentor's funding at: https://reporter.nih.gov/
    ### Can I find more than one lab I'm interested in? Your PhD mentor selection process has already begun. Resources: - Web pages - Publications (use Google scholar: [Ex. 1](https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=LLwsG08AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao), [Ex. 2](https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=GV7vSDMAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao)) - Recruitment visits - Faculty presentations - Core course interactions - Rotations
    ### Advice on choosing a mentor - The decision is critical for your career and well-being. - Consider publication and funding record. - Ask students. - You must not only be passionate about the science, but also have personalities compatible with working together closely. First pick your Ph.D. mentor. The two of you then jointly decide what Ph.D. Degree Program is most appropriate for you.

    Would I enjoy living here?

    Of course!
    The stipend is $35,000
    Map of where students live
    # Vision