Felicity Enders, Ph.D.
Clinical and Translational Science Track Director
Professor of Biostatistics
Phone: 507-538-4970
Email: Enders.Felicity@mayo.edu
View research interests
average amount of time to Ph.D. degree
Moving new biomedical discoveries into clinical use as new treatments and cures takes considerable time and resources. A translational scientist is at the forefront of this work, teaming with an integrated group of experts focused on taking knowledge gained through research and translating it for use in health care settings. This bench-to-bedside effort is essential to bridging the gap between basic science and patient care.
The Clinical and Translational Science (CTS) Track within the Ph.D. Program at Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Science is built upon Mayo Clinic's extensive interdisciplinary research and medical environment. It prepares you to lead the biomedical research teams of the future that will rapidly translate discoveries to new treatments and change the paradigms of how we conduct biomedical research.
As a graduate of this program, you’ll be able to conduct research leading to meaningful scientific contributions. In addition, you’ll be prepared to change and improve how biomedical research is conceptualized and implemented.
The Clinical and Translational Science Track allows students to personalize their studies in three areas of emphasis:
A great strength of the Mayo Clinic CTS track is its focus on providing mentored research experiences for each student. The pre-eminent physicians, scientists, and educators who comprise the faculty at Mayo Clinic are available as mentors or co-mentors for students in the track.
All doctoral students in the CTS track have a common core curriculum. Depending on your area of concentration (laboratory-, patient- or population-based translational science), you’ll select your advanced courses from either track courses or graduate school courses in the basic science disciplines.
I chose the Clinical and Translational Science Track because of the flexibility of the program. Much of your coursework can be whichever topic helps you most for your research, and there are very few restrictions on the principal investigators you can work under. Also, because Mayo provides access to such unique patient populations, I’m able to use a lot of techniques that I wouldn’t be able to at a university or institution.
Kevin Kelly
Ph.D. student, Clinical and Translational Science Track
One thing that attracted me to the CTS Track is how supported I felt as a student and the opportunities we have to learn and grow. We’re encouraged to explore career options other than the traditional academic route. I’m interested in translational science, and there have been numerous examples in which discoveries happened at the bench and ended up as clinical trials here at Mayo.
Alaa Koleilat, Ph.D.
2020 graduate of the Ph.D. Program, Clinical and Translational Science Track
Mayo Clinic draws students and patients from all over the world, which creates a unique educational environment. It also emphasize patient needs, which shapes the way that students learn and interact with other professionals. The small class size and primary focus on biomedical sciences contributes to the welcoming, energetic and collaborative environment. The leaders of all the programs I am associated with are clearly invested in my success.
Josiane Joseph
M.D.-Ph.D. student, Clinical and Translational Science Track
Many graduates of the Clinical and Translational Science Track choose to pursue postdoctoral training regardless of whether they intend to pursue careers in academia or industry. Other students choose to enter advanced training programs, such as genetics fellowships.
Clinical and translational science is a rapidly developing area of science. Advances in technology and the way we approach and treat diseases or other conditions have set the stage for improved human health.
Our program combines the clinical and scientific resources of Mayo Clinic, where you’ll graduate with an understanding of how research is translated to health care, and ready to carry out research that accelerates medical discoveries into better health.