Multidisciplinary Environment

The Psychiatric Institute offers a wealth of multidisciplinary approaches to neuroscience research, which is available to M.D./Ph.D. candidates and young post doctoral fellow investigators. The Psychiatric Institute staff includes faculty with expertise in every neuro-science specialty, creating a supportive envioroment for education and training in neuroscience. Together with the postdoctoral staff, undergoing further training, the scientific community of The Psychiatric Instituteincludes over 50 researchers.

State-of-the-Art Research Facilities

The Psychiatric Institute has nearly 35,000 sq ft of neuroscience research laboratories (including animal facilities for transgenic mice). An additional 4,000 sq ft at the nearby V.A. Chicago Health Care System (West Side Division) are dedicated to molecular biological studies of neural stem cells and behavioral studies of alcholism and drugs of abuse in rats, mice, and monkeys.
The following equipment is available at the Psychiatric Institute for researchers:
• Freeze-fracture apparatus
• Electron microscope
• Mass fragmentograph
• Laser-activated confocal microscope
• MRI/MS facility (available to The Psychiatric Institute 3 days/week)
• Equipment for molecular electrophysiology
• Laboratory for behavioral study of Drosophila melanogaster.

Research Funding

Support for research at Psychiatric Institute comes from state funds and NIH grants. Most of the principal investigators supporting M.D./Ph.D. students are funded by NIH. The Department of Psychiatry warrants continuation of M.D./Ph.D. student support should a discontinuity in mentor grant funding occur during training.

Research Conferences and Seminars

A neuroscience research conference discussing ongoing Psychiatric Institute research, is provided each Monday morning. These forums offer an important venue for the training of young neuroscientists by introducing novel questions and discussing in depth appropriate research strategies. In addition, The Psychiatric Institute offers a series of seminars conducted by world-class neuroscientists, who visit the facilities to discuss research activities with staff and students. Also, there are bimonthly seminars, given by nationally known neuroscientists working on topics related to ongoing research of The Psychiatric Institute. These seminars are excellent opportunities for M.D./Ph.D. students to forge essential scientific and professional contacts.

Contact

The Psychiatric Institute Neuroscience Research Program Information:

MD/PhD Training Program
Office of the Director
The Psychiatric Institute (M/C 912)
Department of Psychiatry
University of Illinois at Chicago
1601 West Taylor Street
Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: 312-413-4592
Fax: 312-413-4569

Application Information:

MD/PhD Training Program Coodinator
E714A Medical Sciences Building
835 South Wolcott (M/C 790)
Chicago IL 60612-7344
Phone: 312-996-7473