Virology and Gene Therapy (VGT) - Professional Master's

  • Autumn J. Schulze, Ph.D., Program Director
  • Christian K. Pfaller, Ph.D., Associate Program Director 


There are two pathways to choose from: 

The Regulatory/Translational Pathway student will gain a broad scope of gene therapy and will learn how to develop a gene based therapeutic from an idea to a validated product. Various gene therapy strategies will be considered in relation to a broad spectrum of human diseases illustrating how genes can be used for gene replacement, tissue engineering, destruction of unwanted tissues, or immune stimulation. Stages in the development of gene-based drugs & biologics will be studied from vector design through preclinical proof of efficacy, clinical protocol development, product manufacture, pharmacology and toxicology testing, analysis of clinical trial outcomes, regulatory affairs, patenting and partnering with industry. The Regulatory/Translation pathway is designed for those learners who desire to conduct or participate in research that will identify therapies/devices that will move into manufacturing facilities.

The Research Pathway student will learn from and work alongside faculty members who have primary interests in virology, viral vectors and gene therapy and will develop research skills in conducting or participate in vaccine and gene therapy discovery. These areas overlap with the fields of biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, genetics, and immunology and regulatory science. The Research pathway is designed for learners who desire to be an informed member of a research team conducting or participating in Virology and Gene Therapy research.