At the Graduate Program in Neuroscience (GPN) at the University of Washington, our students explore the brain from multiple angles—ranging from computational simulations to behavioral experiments and molecular genetics. Neuroscience is one of the most dynamic and complex areas of scientific inquiry. For example, students study neural mechanisms using fruit flies in the Clemens Cabernard Lab, housed in the Life Sciences Building on campus. Whether at the bench or behind a computer, GPN students thrive in a supportive, intellectually rich environment designed to foster scientific excellence and innovation.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide rigorous, accessible, and interdisciplinary training in neuroscience. We prepare our students to become independent researchers and future leaders in the field, grounded in both scientific depth and broad cross-disciplinary insight.
About the Program
GPN is a dynamic Ph.D. program that brings together faculty from over 35 academic departments and four partner institutes. Our faculty hold appointments in the School of Medicine, College of Arts & Sciences, College of Engineering, and School of Public Health. Research takes place across UW’s Seattle campus and at affiliated institutions, including:
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UW Medical Center
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Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
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Harborview Medical Center
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Seattle Children’s Research Institute
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South Lake Union (UW Medicine)
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VA Medical Center
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Allen Institute for Brain Science
This extensive network offers students access to a wide variety of research settings and collaborative opportunities.
Training and Research
Our faculty are internationally recognized for their work across all major domains of modern neuroscience. Students receive hands-on training in areas such as:
Molecular and cellular neuroscience
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Systems neuroscience
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Neuroanatomy and biochemistry
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Physiology and biophysics
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Pharmacology
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In vivo brain imaging (e.g., fMRI, M-EEG)
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Computational modeling
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Behavior and cognition
The diversity of research interests among our faculty enables students to design individualized, interdisciplinary training experiences. Graduates of our program are well-equipped to conduct independent research and pursue a wide range of career paths in academia, industry, healthcare, and beyond.
What It Means to Be a “Program”
Unlike a department, the GPN draws faculty and resources from across the university and beyond. Students may work closely with mentors based in various departments or affiliated institutes, yet all graduate with a Ph.D. in Neuroscience. This programmatic structure allows us to offer truly interdisciplinary training and a unique, synergistic academic community. Our students and faculty are united by a shared passion for understanding the brain and a collective commitment to graduate education in neuroscience.
Join us in exploring one of the most exciting and transformative fields in science—at a world-class university, in one of America’s most livable cities.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
We acknowledge that the University of Washington occupies the ancestral lands of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Suquamish, Tulalip, and Muckleshoot nations. We honor their enduring connection to this land, which continues to sustain our teaching, research, and community life.
At GPN, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are core values—integral to our educational mission and daily practice. We believe that equity and inclusion are fundamental human rights. As a program, we commit to continue working on dismantling systemic barriers and biases through deliberate, visible, and measurable actions. We recognize and value the unique experiences and backgrounds that each member of our community brings, and we actively seek to engage those who have been historically excluded from higher education and science. We also acknowledge the roles of enslavement, colonization, and immigration in shaping our nation’s history—and, by extension, our institutions.
Scientific progress thrives in environments that welcome diverse perspectives, promote mutual respect, and foster collaboration. GPN strives to be that kind of space.