Research in the Department of Biomedical & Nutritional Sciences (BNS) at UMass Lowell is conducted by faculty who are experts in their fields and is incorporated into the various curricula within the department. Undergraduates can choose to engage in hands-on laboratory or community research during their senior year, for many of them leading to presentations at professional symposia, and even publications in peer-reviewed journals. Graduate students receive extensive hands-on experience in cutting-edge research in their area of choice, giving them the necessary technical and social skills that will enable them to succeed in the current job market.
Applied Biomedical Sciences
The Research Faculty of the Applied Biomedical Sciences program are engaged in cutting-edge research among a broad range of disciplines. Undergraduate students can enroll in a one-semester or year-long Senior Research course under the direction of expert research faculty from the BNS Department. The nature of the experience depends on the faculty with whom the research is conducted and varies among students from literature research and compilation, to data collection and analysis, to hands-on laboratory investigations. Many graduates of the Applied Biomedical Sciences are employed in industry research, including biomedical device, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical companies, and as laboratory technologists in academic and government research facilities.
Pharmaceutical Sciences
As the only Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program currently offered by the 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.
Nutritional Sciences
Faculty of the Nutritional Science program lead diverse and robust research programs that have local, regional, national, and international impact. Research includes innovative programs in biochemistry, molecular/cell biology, food microbiology, preclinical studies (in vitro and animal studies), clinical trials, and population-based studies with translation to community-engaged research. Students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels are encouraged to get involved by reaching out to faculty with expertise in their area of interest. UMass Lowell Core Research Facilities that support this research include: