The Georgetown Difference
Why choose Georgetown University?
Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience
A Ph.D. program designed to support, encourage, and stretch our students to a deeper understanding of the field of neuroscience so they are able to contribute new knowledge and original research. Through continued academic and professional formation, our students are part of the constant ongoing evolution of neuroscience.
Diversifying the Neuroscience Workforce
Admissions
Learn about the application process and requirements, and register for information sessions.
Curriculum
Find the degree requirements, thesis research, and course schedules here.
Virtual Information Sessions for 2024 Admissions
Our graduate program is devoted to providing a supportive environment for a diverse and competitive student community. We are happy to guide you through the application process and answer your questions about research, opportunities, student life and more.
Upcoming info sessions will be posted here.
“The IPN will continue to provide an inclusive environment for all and as members of this community we are actively and openly opposed to biases in all forms.”
Ashley VanMeter, Ph.D.
Director, Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience
IPN Director
The Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience (IPN) has existed since 1994. With faculty from more than 10 departments across Georgetown, the IPN program encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and approaches toward research. IPN is highly ranked in the National Research Council’s rankings of U.S. graduate programs in Neuroscience.
IPN has 50 Ph.D. students investigating topics ranging from glial activation, neuron signaling, and dendritic spine plasticity, to mechanisms of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and traumatic brain injury, to systems of face recognition, word reading, and interpretation of sounds. Our Ph.D. students actively participate in organizing our program and teaching courses, and they have an excellent record of publishing manuscripts and receiving grants. Georgetown University also offers a MS in Integrative Neuroscience, providing students with a comprehensive neuroscience education.
Our faculty members are from various departments at Georgetown University and neighboring institutions. We have strong programs in neurodegeneration, examining molecular mechanisms of pathogenic processes, and cognitive neuroscience, investigating development, language, memory, social interactions, and impairments of these systems. A specific training program is available for students interested in neural injury and plasticity and translational biomedical science. It is also possible for our students to apply for a concentration in cognitive science.
Our mission is to educate our trainees to be excellent neuroscientists, lifelong learners, and responsible, active participants in the global scientific community. The success of our alumni in diverse scientific career paths gives us great pride and demonstrates their commitment to be stewards of the discipline of neuroscience while living generously in service to the community.
Georgetown BGE Alumni Selected as Rising Stars
(January 8, 2021) — Several Georgetown alumni have been singled out as “Rising Stars” in a list of “1,000 Inspiring Black Scientists in America” published at the end of December in “Crosstalk,” the Cell Mentor blog hosted by Cell Press. The Community of Scholars, responsible for the selection, described the scientists as “champions of change” and “gladiators of purpose.” Georgetown alumni selected as “Rising Stars” include:
- Kaela Singleton, Ph.D. (BGE’20) – NIH Blueprint D-SPAN Fellow and FIRST Postdoctoral Fellow, Emory University
- Sikoya Ashburn, Ph.D. (BGE’20) – Postdoctoral Researcher, Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Valerie L. Darcey, Ph.D. (BGE’17) – Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Metabolism, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH
- Chinyere Agbaegbu Iweka, Ph.D. (BGE’18) – Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Stanford University School of Medicine