Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences Overview

The Doctorate in Pharmaceutical Sciences program at UMass Lowell will prepare you for academic careers, research careers and upper-level executive positions in both public and private institutions. You will develop relevant, interdisciplinary research skills by applying work to current and future pharmaceutical challenges.

The Pharmaceutical Sciences Ph.D. program curriculum is geared toward the development and evaluation of new drug therapies and research on drug modalities, drug delivery, drug metabolism and pharmaceutical analysis.

Early in the program, you will identify a research area and develop a research plan supporting this interest. You will study the scientific framework of your specialty area and master highly technical, cutting-edge research methodologies appropriate to your respective specialties and responsive to the latest research findings and pharmaceutical issues.

As a graduate of the Ph.D. program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, you will be able to:

  • Conduct high-quality research. 
  • Lead and partner effectively in research initiatives with other interested stakeholders.
  • Disseminate research findings through publication and conference participation.
  • Serve as a worldwide ambassador for the UMass system.
  • Demonstrate an unparalleled ethical perspective on research issues and approaches.

For additional details and courses, please visit the Academic Catalog.

Research

UMass Lowell is a Research 1 (R1) University, the highest status held by only 7% of four-year universities in the United States. You’ll have access to advanced labs and collaborative opportunities that prepare you to make a real-world impact in biomedical innovation.

As the only Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program currently offered by the Biomedical and Nutritional Sciences (BNS) Department, this advanced degree program in Pharmaceutical Sciences is also interdisciplinary. A diverse group of faculty and graduate students from various basic science, engineering, and applied science departments across the university come together to engage in collaborative work, all under the umbrella of this program housed in the BNS Department. Students engage in advanced research projects in areas like biomarker identification and medical laboratory sciences, drug discovery, pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism, drug delivery, pharmacology/toxicology and safety, environmental health, biopharmaceutical development, and pharmaceutical analysis.

FacultyResearch
Dhimiter Bello, Doctor of Science (Sc.D.), Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Email: Dhimiter_Bello@uml.edu
Adverse human health effects of workplace, consumer, and community exposures to toxic chemicals especially exposure to biomarkers/biology.
Soumita Das, Ph.D.
Email: Soumita_Das@uml.edu
Host-microbe interaction; microbial pathogenesis, Infection/inflammation-mediated cancer, immune responses, Inflammatory diseases; Gastro-intestinal diseases; ‘gut in a dish’ model with microbes, epithelial cells and immune cells; Organoid and stem cell biology; organoid-based disease modeling.
Nancy Goodyear, Ph.D. Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) CM
Email: Nancy_Goodyear@uml.edu
Focused on evaluating safer approaches to disinfection ("green" or low toxicity disinfectants.) Safer approaches include saturated steam vapor, activated water, thymol and other plant-derived chemicals, and do-it-yourself approaches using household products such as vinegar.
Gui-Xin (Susan) He, Ph.D.
Email: Gui-Xin _He@uml.edu
Researching antibiotic resistance mechanisms and new antimicrobial drugs. Currently, we are focused on the following studies:
  1. Investigating biofilm and drug resistance development;
  2. Analyzing resistance genes in antibiotic resistant Enteric bacteria;
  3. Developing biosensors for drug resistance and pathogens;
  4. Screening new antimicrobial agents from ocean microbes and natural products.
Shannon Kelleher, Ph.D.
Email: Shannon_Kelleher@uml.edu
Molecular studies focused on mammary gland biology, human milk and lactation; functional genomics; biomarker discovery and validation; nutritional biochemistry; functional foods and phytochemicals.
Jonghan Kim, Ph.D.
Email: Jonghan_Kim@uml.edu
Pharmacokinetics; Pharmacodynamics; Nanomedicine; Drug/Gene Delivery; Iron Disorders and Hematology; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Cardiovascular Pharmacology; Cancer Therapeutics; Toxicology.
Yuho Kim, Ph.D.
Email: Yuho Kim@uml.edu
My research is focused on understanding the roles of mitochondria in muscle physiology and pathophysiology. Research topics include exercise, iron disorder diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and various disease models (e.g., muscle weakness).
Thomas A. Wilson, Ph.D.
Email: Thomas_Wilson@uml.edu
Cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis and blood lipids; macular degeneration; nanotechnology delivery of nutrients and drugs; nutrition and hormone metabolism; diabetes and obesity; nutrition and exercise physiology.
Seongkyu Yoon, Ph.D.
Email: Seongkyu_Yoon@uml.edu
Engineering Biology; Systems and Synthetic Biology; Process System Engineering; Biomanufacturing Innovation; Protein Therapeutics; Biotherapeutic Vector Manufacturing; Multivariate Data Analysis.

Meet Our Students and Alumni

Christianto Putra poses in a lab at UMass Lowell
Christianto Putra '16, '21
Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Christianto Putra conducted research on titanium dioxide, a common food additive, for his dissertation and published the results in the Journal of Nutrition.

UMass Lowell offered me a place to learn about nutritional sciences, experience the campus culture and conduct research.
Read More About Christianto Putra 
Marita Merheb using a microscope in a UMass Lowell lab
Marita Merheb '24
Pharmaceutical Sciences

As a pharmaceutical sciences major interested in research and business, Marita Merheb pursues all opportunities to advance her goals.

All in all, UML provides high value for a lower cost, which you can’t find at other colleges.
Read More About Marita Merheb 
Kavi Oeur working in a lab at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals.
Kavi Oeur '27
Pharmaceutical Sciences, Marketing and Management Option

Kavi Oeur decided to major in the pharmaceutical sciences, marketing and management option to pursue a more business-related job in the pharmaceutical industry.

My co-op experience solidified my passion for the pharmaceutical field and erased any doubts that I was having.
Read More About Kavi Oeur 
Erin Soulia poses with a friend at the flagship event for clinical research and trial management professionals, the Fierce Clinical Summit, in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
Erin Soulia '25
Pharmaceutical Sciences, Minor in Business Administration

Erin Soulia gained on-the-job experience at Morphic Therapeutic, a biopharmaceutical company that was recently acquired by Eli Lilly and Company.

All of my professors have supported my success and helped me see how my courses will apply to my future career.
Read More About Erin Soulia 
Keya Linton standing in lab.
Keya Linton '25
Pharmaceutical Sciences

Transfer student Keya Linton gained valuable lab experience during a six-month paid co-op at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals.

The transition to UMass Lowell has been smooth, all thanks to the amazing faculty in health sciences.
Read More About Keya Linton 

Funding Opportunities

UMass Lowell strives to provide financial support for all admitted Ph.D. students. This includes funding through Teaching Assistantships (TA), Research Assistantships (RA) and summer research support. Assistantships are contingent upon availability and may be subject to change.

Admissions

All Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences master’s and doctoral applicants must submit:

  1. An application
  2. An application fee
  3. A statement of purpose
  4. Letters of recommendation
  5. Official transcripts
  6. Official test score report
    1. Language scores
    2. GRE only required for two doctoral programs
      1. Public Health (Doctor of Science - Sc.D.)
      2. Physical Therapy (Doctor of Physical Therapy - DPT)
  7. Resume (if applicable)

Note: All required materials must be received before the application package can be evaluated. If you need to introduce new references or add other supporting documents, log on to your application, click on “Program Materials” to update your application. Nursing and Public Health applicants should submit supporting documents directly to Graduate Admissions. Please note, the new documents and references will be considered only if your application has not been reviewed for admission.

Program Specific Application Notes

  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Pharmaceutical Sciences: The program accepts applications for Fall admission. The priority deadline is Feb. 15. To be considered for admission, all required documents including transcripts, evaluation reports and letters of recommendation must be received by the deadline. Applications received after the deadline, if there are openings, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
  • Master of Science (MS) in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Successful completion of the following subjects is required: Biochemistry, Calculus, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biology or Anatomy and Physiology. Up to two of these courses may be completed within the first year of the master's program.
  • Master of Public Health (MPH): Submitting GRE scores is optional for the admissions to the MPH Program. All MPH programs require a semester of statistics and a semester of either biology or anatomy and physiology with a grade of C or higher (if missing, the program can work with you to complete these within the first year). Dietetics applicants are required to complete the above courses in addition to the following courses with a B- or higher: Human Nutrition, Microbiology, Food Science, Nutrition and Metabolism, Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Psychology or Sociology or Anthropology.
  • Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT): All documents in support of an application (e.g. letters of recommendation, official transcripts, official GRE scores, etc.) are due at our annual deadline of November 1 to the Office of Graduate Admissions. No more that 2 (two) pre-requisite courses may be missing at the time of our application deadline to remain eligible for full consideration (courses which are in-progress are considered missing). Each newly accepted cohort immediately begins matriculation the subsequent Summer term. (i.e. mid-May).
  • Master of Science (MS) in Nursing: The priority deadline is March 1 for summer and fall admission and November 1 for spring admission. 
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): The priority deadline is March 1 for summer and fall admission and December 30 for spring admission.
  • Master of Science (MS) Applied Biomedical Science: Applicants to this program must complete biochemistry with at grade of C or higher to qualify for admission.
  • All other graduate programs have rolling admissions policies. We encourage you to apply at the earliest to increase your chance of being considered for merit awards.

International Students: please see the additional application requirements.

Bachelor's to Master's Students: You will not need to apply via the application portal. Visit the Bachelor's to Master's page to learn about the process to transition to your desired master's program.

1. Online Application application

Applications are only being accepted using the online process. Instructions are included in the online application link.

Tips for accessing and completing the online application:

  • Capitalize your proper name.
  • Once the form is submitted, changes can only be made by calling the Office of Graduate Admissions at 978-934-2390.

Please note:Current UMass Lowell Exercise Science majors can apply to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program through our Graduate Admissions application.

Spring 2026 - Spring 2027 Applications

Apply for MPH Dietetics

Apply for Physical Therapy

Apply for Nursing and Public Health

Apply for All Other Programs Spring 2026

Apply for All Other Programs Summer 2026, Fall 2026 & Spring 2027

2. Application Fee

Physical Therapy Applications - PTCAS charges an application fee. Applications will not be processed until this fee is received or application fee waiver has been approved and delivered to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences Applications - The application fee is $50.00 for each application (except Physical Therapy) and is non-refundable. Applications will not be processed until this fee is received or application fee waiver has been approved and delivered to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

3. Statement of Purpose statement

In a separate document, submit a brief statement indicating your immediate and long-range goals, relevant work history, academic honors/awards received, any teaching experience and/or research conducted/published that may be pertinent to your graduate program. Two page recommended maximum.

Note: If you are applying to more than one program, you will need to submit a program-specific statement of purpose with each application package.

Submit Supporting Documents for Nursing and Public Health

4. Letters of Recommendation recommendation

Master's applicants will need to submit two (2) letters of recommendation. Doctoral applicants will be asked to submit three (3) letters of recommendation for all programs except for the Doctor of Nursing Practice, which requires 2. You will be asked to provide (names and email addresses) references during the application process, and an automated request will be sent out after the completion of your application. Alternatively, you may use the graduate admissions recommendation form (pdf) to request letters of recommendations.

Recommendations should be from instructors who have taught you, ideally in the field to which you are applying. Recommendations may also be from employers or supervisors who are in a position to compare your performance to that of your peers. Please use the recommendation form for these.

Submit Supporting Documents for Nursing and Public Health

5. Official Transcripts transcripts

Provide a complete and official transcript from the institution that awarded or will award you a bachelor’s degree. You may also include transcripts from other institutions at which you have taken relevant coursework. Please note that waiting for additional transcripts may delay review of your application.

Transcripts should be sent in sealed and signed envelopes mailed to the Office of Graduate Admissions. If you received your degree from UMass Lowell, it is not necessary for you to request a transcript, we are able to provide one for you.

University of Massachusetts - Lowell
Graduate Admissions
Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) Center
839 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor
Lowell, MA 01854-3941

International transcripts that do not clearly indicate to the Office of Graduate Admissions that you have received a four-year bachelor’s degree, the equivalent of an American bachelor's degree must be demonstrated before an application will be processed. Please note, the Office of Graduate Admissions reserves the right to have any application credential evaluated. Baccalaureate verification may be obtained for a fee at:

Center for Educational Documentation, Inc.
P.O. Box 170116
Boston, MA 02117
Telephone: 617-338-7171
Fax: 617-338-7101
Center for Educational Documentation website
World Education Services website

6. Official Test Score Report(s) test-score

The following programs require a GRE for admission consideration:

  • Public Health (Sc.D.)
  • Physical Therapy (DPT)

All programs require the minimum language scores needed for acceptance:

  • TOEFL minimum 79
  • IELTS minimum 6.5
  • Duolingo minimum 115

Request that the appropriate agency send an official test score report for the GRE or GMAT to the Office of Graduate Admissions. UMass Lowell’s school code is 3911. Get more information about standardized tests on our Admissions Standards webpage.

7. Resume

The programs listed below require a resume for admission consideration:

  • Applied Biomedical Sciences (MS)
  • Health Information Management (MS)
  • Health Informatics (Graduate Certificate)
  • Health Service Management (Graduate Certificate)
  • Nursing (MS)
  • Nursing Practice (DNP)
  • Nursing (Ph.D.)
  • Pharmaceutical Sciences (MS)
  • Pharmaceutical Sciences (Ph.D.)
  • Public Health (ScD)

Submit Supporting Documents for Nursing and Public Health

All others, if you need to introduce new references or add other supporting documents:

  • log in to your application portal (links vary),
  • click on “Program Materials” to update your application.

Please note, the new documents and references will be considered only if your application has not been reviewed for admission.

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Questions? Contact Us!

Phone:
800-656-4723 (U.S. Students)
978-934-2390 (International Students)

Email
Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu