Join the Lab
We welcome ambitious PhD students interested in drug, gene, and cell delivery at the University of Utah College of Pharmacy.
Our lab focuses on the synthesis and rational design of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), nucleic acid therapeutics, protein engineering, CAR-based cell therapy, and immunoengineering. Students excited by the intersection of molecular pharmaceutics, RNA therapeutics, and biomaterials are encouraged to apply.
Working Environment
In our lab, you will be supported by state-of-the-art equipment that maximizes your efficiency and productivity, streamlining nearly all your experiments, from organic synthesis and formulation R&D to high-throughput/high-content screening. See our [lab facilities] for more information.
PhD Programs
PhD Students: We recruit primarily through the Molecular Pharmaceutics PhD program.
To enter the Molecular Pharmaceutics PhD program directly (the standard way), join our lab after 2 rotations.
Alternatively, you can also join us via the following program:
The Bioscience PhD (Biological Chemistry track, which has different prerequisites and course structures than Mol Pharmaceutics),
PharmD-PhD or MD-PhD via Bioscience/BC track.
The NIH STAR T32 Joint PhD program.
Candidate Profile
We welcome candidates with a strong background in pharmaceutics, bioengineering, molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry, biological chemistry, or related fields.
Who Thrives Here?
To succeed in our group, we look for specific scientific values:
Mechanistic Curiosity: You aren't satisfied knowing that an experiment worked; you wanted to and felt the need to understand why it worked (or why it did not work).
Technical Rigor: You prioritize clean chemistry, structural-activity-relationships (SAR), and reproducible data over quick "positive" results. We highly value reproducible negative data—it is informative and guides the next design.
Interdisciplinary Mindset: You are eager to become fluent in multiple scientific languages, bridging the gaps between organic synthesis, pharmaceutics, materials science, and systems immunology.
Project Ownership: We view trainees as future colleagues. We empower you to be the champion of your research. You are expected to drive daily progress and creative problem-solving, leveraging the lab's resources and mentorship to achieve your goals.
How to Apply
To inquire about openings, please email Dr. Mei (kc . mei @ pharm . utah . edu) with the following attached as a single PDF if possible:
CV (please include publication records or the full text of your Honors/Master's/PhD thesis if available).
Unofficial Transcript.
Cover Letter briefly outlining your research interests, career goals, and why you believe this lab is a good fit for your training.
