The Chemistry–Biology Interface (CBI) Training Program at UMass Amherst is built on the intentional integration of chemistry and biology—reflected directly in our name and mission. CBI trains graduate students to work fluently across disciplines, recognizing that today’s most pressing biomedical and biological questions demand approaches that blend chemical principles, biological insight, and quantitative thinking.
Supported by a National Institutes of Health (NIH) T32 training grant and matching institutional funds from UMass Amherst, the CBI program creates a collaborative, interdisciplinary training environment where chemistry informs biology and biological questions drive chemical innovation.
Our Mission
The mission of the Chemistry–Biology Interface (CBI) Training Program is to prepare the next generation of scientists to address complex biological and biomedical challenges through integrated chemical and biological approaches. CBI provides rigorous interdisciplinary training that equips graduate students with the scientific, professional, and ethical foundations needed for impactful research careers.
Through cross-disciplinary coursework, collaborative research, structured mentorship, and professional development, CBI fosters scientists who are adaptable, analytically rigorous, and committed to responsible and reproducible research.
Our Vision
We envision a research and training environment where disciplinary boundaries serve as bridges rather than barriers. The CBI program strives to be a national model for interdisciplinary graduate training—one that empowers trainees to translate discoveries at the chemistry–biology interface into meaningful advances in human health, biotechnology, and biomedical research.
By leveraging the strengths of UMass Amherst faculty, state-of-the-art research facilities, and a diverse scientific community, CBI aims to cultivate scientists who:
- Integrate chemical and biological perspectives to solve complex scientific problems
- Lead and collaborate across interdisciplinary research teams
- Uphold the highest standards of research rigor, integrity, and inclusivity
- Communicate science effectively to both scientific and public audiences
Ultimately, the CBI Training Program seeks to develop scientists who not only excel at the bench, but also drive innovation, collaboration, and leadership throughout their careers—advancing the NIH mission to improve human health through discovery.
