Our faculty and students participate in a wide range of broad research areas, including:

• Anatomy/structural biology
• Biochemistry
• Cancer biology
• Cardiovascular biology
• Cellular biology
• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Molecular biology
• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Physiology

Research is an integral part of our program, and we provide a range of resources, funding and programs to ensure our faculty and students have access to enriching research opportunities.

In addition to offering degree programs, we also offer unique research and training programs that enhance students' education and expand access to research.

Summer Program for Undergraduate Research in Addiction (SPURA)

This multi-disciplinary summer research program gives USD undergraduate students an opportunity to conduct high-quality, mentored, hypothesis-driven research in fields related to substance use, abuse and related or underlying mental health issues.

Medical Student Summer Research Program (MSRP)

Medical students who have been newly accepted to our medical school have the opportunity to spend their summer as part of research projects. A group of faculty research mentors provide a range of research in which students can participate through the Medical Student Summer Research Program.

Scholarship Pathways Program (SPP)

The Scholarship Pathways Program offers three elective tracks:

• Education: For students with a special interest in academic medicine, teaching and the medical curriculum
• Research: For students with a special interest in clinical or basic science research
• Service: For students with a special interest in community service and leadership development

Learn More

Gain valuable, real-world professional experience while enjoying paid employment and discounted tuition rates as a graduate student at USD. The affordability you gain through graduate assistantships and fellowships will equip you with valuable, professional-level skills that will set you apart after graduation. 

Stipend

In the basic biomedical sciences program, admitted students in research track programs are eligible to receive a fellowship stipend and reduced tuition. Recipients must work full time towards degree completion. Stipend is also contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

• The Ph.D. Research Graduate Assistantship stipend is currently $28,084 for the first full year ($2,340 per month)
• The M.S. Plan A Research Graduate Assistantship stipend is currently $14,042 annually ($1,170 monthly)

Tuition Reduction

• Fellows with resident student status receive an additional reduction in tuition and fees on top of the resident student tuition reduction (student portion = $4,893 annually for 21 credit hours).
• Fellows with non-resident student status receive a 62% reduction in tuition and fees (student portion = $5,601 annually for 21 credit hours).
• Credit hour tuition and fee details are listed on the USD tuition and fees page.
• You may be asked to assist faculty in some teaching, but this typically is limited to fewer than 20 hours per year.

Teaching and research assistantships are awarded by individual departments. If you do not receive an assistantship within your department, you are eligible for an assistantship outside of your academic program or within support offices at USD. Further inquiries should be directed to the graduate chair of the department.

For more information and to apply for a graduate assistantship, visit the Graduate Assistantship webpage.