Our Research Community

We welcome your interest in being part of an institution that values both discovery and the people who make it possible where curiosity, creativity and excellence drive progress in science and medicine.

The VIBRE PhD Pathways Program's more than 350 faculty are leaders in their fields, honored with Nobel Prizes, election to the National Academies, and membership in the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Research at the Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, which VIBRE is a part of, is supported by a robust funding portfolio fueling discovery across disciplines.

This tradition of groundbreaking science runs deep at Columbia: from Morgan’s foundational work in genetics, to Eric Kandel’s discoveries on memory and neuroplasticity, to Richard Axel and Linda Buck’s mapping of odor receptors, and most recently, Joachim Frank's Nobel-winning advances in cryo-electron microscopy. These milestones underscore our role in translating basic science into innovations that transform health worldwide.

As a PhD student in VIBRE, you’ll join this dynamic research community set in New York City’s Washington Heights and Inwood neighborhoods, with strong ties to Columbia’s Morningside and Manhattanville campuses. You’ll find not only rigorous academic training but also a supportive environment with vibrant campus life and strong support services. Graduate housing fosters community; the Haven Athletic Center and Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library provide space for wellness and study; and student clubs and organizations connect you to peers, leadership opportunities, and the broader Columbia community here in New York City and around the world.