Postbaccalaureate Training

Research & Training

Let the Postbac at JAX Program help you stand out. Through our two-year semi-structured training program, postbacs immerse themselves in cutting edge research as part of a team, pursue an independent research project with direct ties to human health and disease, strengthen their professional skills, and improve their scientific communication.

Our Genomic Education team supports the professional development of trainees through:

Access to JAX courses and conferences
Participation in the annual JAX Scientific Symposium
Postbac Journal Club
Interdisciplinary learning through the Postbac Community Read
Travel stipends to attend an external scientific meeting
Personalized planning for the graduate school application process
Feedback on essay drafts and interview practice sessions
Financial support for MCAT/GRE preparation and test registration

Postbac trainees also benefit from:

JAX’s reputation as a leader in genetics & genomics research
Dedicated, world-class faculty
State-of-the-art research resources
Comprehensive scientific services
Institutional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Vibrant community of doctoral students and postdocs
Full-time employment status, salary and benefits

JAX Postbac Information Session

Join us December 5, 2024 at 6 p.m. ET!

Bar Harbor, Maine

Life at JAX

Postbacs are matched with PIs for training and mentorship so that they can meaningfully contribute to their lab’s research program. Postbacs are valuable members of our trainee community that also includes Postdocs and PhD students. In addition to conducting research, postbacs attend trainee-specific workshops and events, and have free access to JAX courses (both online and in-person). As a research institution with a diverse group of nearly 3,000 staff, JAX has a wide range of scientific interest groups and social communities that help forge connections between colleagues.

Postbac @ JAX

MD-PhD Postbac Fellows

A full-time research experience with professional development training to prepare you for a career as a physician-scientist.

Learn More

Postbac Alumni

Paige Ramkissoon

Undergraduate Institution: Ithaca College

Undergraduate Major: Biochemistry

JAX PI: Carol Bult, Ph.D.

In the Bult lab, Paige worked on characterizing mouse models of metastatic lung adenocarcinoma utilizing spatial proteomics and RNA sequencing.

After JAX, Paige went on to pursue a Ph.D. in Development, Stem Cells, and Regenerative Medicine at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

Patricia Colom Díaz

Undergraduate Institution: University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez

Undergraduate Major: Biology

JAX PI: Jennifer Trowbridge, Ph.D.

In the Trowbridge lab, Patricia focused on examining the process of clonal hematopoiesis and its implication in leukemia.

After JAX, Patricia went on to pursue a Ph.D. in immunology at Yale University.

Ashley Tucker

Undergraduate Institution: Rochester Institute of Technology

Undergraduate Major: Biomedical Sciences

JAX PI: Carol Bult, Ph.D.

Ashley worked alongside Dr. Julie Wells and Dr. Carol Bult to develop and characterize a mouse model of metastatic lung cancer.

After JAX, Ashley went on to pursue an MD-PhD at UConn Health.

Jin Komerska

Undergraduate Institution: Grinnell College

Undergraduate Major: Biological Chemistry

JAX PI: George Weinstock, Ph.D.

In the Weinstock lab, Jin investigated the difference in treatment outcomes for cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors, drugs that boost the human immune response against tumors.

After JAX, Jin went on to pursue an MD-PhD at University of Wisconsin - Madison.

Rei Bufi

Undergraduate Institution: University of Connecticut

Undergraduate Major: Molecular and Cellular Biology

JAX PI: Ron Korstanje, Ph.D.

In the Korstanje lab, Rei studied the role of NBL1 gene in kidney phenotypes.

After JAX, Rei went on to pursue a MD-PhD at UConn Health.

Tom Murdy

Undergraduate Institution: Brandeis University

Undergraduate Major: Biology

JAX PI: Catherine Kaczorowski, Ph.D.

In the Kaczorowski lab, Tom investigated the role of genetic diversity in MRI-detectable signatures of cell density and organization in the brain.

After JAX, Tom went on to pursue an MD-PhD at Tufts.

Taylor Wade

Undergraduate Institution: University of Connecticut

Undergraduate Major: Engineering, Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering

JAX PI: Roel Verhaak, Ph.D.

In the Verhaak lab, Taylor investigated mitochondrial genome evolution in gliomas under therapy.

After JAX, Taylor went on to pursue a Ph.D. in Cell & Molecular Biology at Duke University.

Kimberly Heath Borrero

Undergraduate Institution: University of Illinois-Chicago

Undergraduate Major: Biological Sciences

JAX PI: Beth Dumont, Ph.D.

In the Dumont lab, Kimberly's research focused on characterizing changes in centromeric composition and diversity as a result of inbreeding.

After JAX, After JAX, Kimberly went on to pursue an MD-PhD at University of Toledo.