# Harvard Biological & Biomedical Sciences PhD Program ![Gordon Hall at Harvard Medical School](/sites/g/files/omnuum5321/files/styles/hwp_28_10__1920x685/public/bbsphd/files/gordon_hall_spring_slide.jpg?itok=MjAg_IC4) ## Welcome to Harvard BBS! The Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) Program at Harvard offers Ph.D. training in the biosciences, built outward from core training in contemporary genetics, biochemistry, and molecular, cellular, and mechanistic biology. Under BBS, are interwoven research communities comprised of basic science departments and interdepartmental programs at Harvard Medical School. We think of these communities as our “neighborhoods within the city.” Each provides a close-knit environment where faculty and trainees with common interests work together to advance research in their field and participate in training activities tailored to the diversity of career trajectories for today’s PhDs. BBS combines the unparalleled choice of research lab, made possible by its unique breadth and depth, with the cohesiveness of shared-interest communities typical of smaller departmental programs. ## News & Research [**See all news**](https://bbsphd.hms.harvard.edu/bbsnews) [### Bruce Yankner’s Alzheimer’s Research Journey ](/news/2026/07/bruce-yankners-alzheimers-research-journey) July 10, 2026 Bruce Yankner has had a busy few months. In August 2025, his team published a study in Nature showing that lithium is a natural, biologically important element in the brain that has the potential to prevent or even reverse Alzheimer’s disease. The... ![Bruce Headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum5321/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-07/Screenshot%202026-07-10%20at%2010.17.22%E2%80%AFAM.png?h=5da8cdc7&itok=gS5Wv8k5) [### New Tool Helps Uncover Rare Genetic Mutations in Common Diseases, Including Parkinson’s ](/news/2026/07/new-tool-helps-uncover-rare-genetic-mutations-common-diseases-including-parkinsons) July 06, 2026 Studies of genetics conducted in yeast cells, human neurons, mice, or other model systems often reveal networks of genes that could contribute to complex diseases, such as breast cancer, type 2 diabetes, and Parkinson’s disease. But those findings don’t... ![abstract network](/sites/g/files/omnuum5321/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-07/848%20abstract%20network.jpg?itok=Qhzkk9md) [### 2026 Warren Alpert Foundation Prize Awarded for Gene-Editing Therapies ](/news/2026/07/2026-warren-alpert-foundation-prize-awarded-gene-editing-therapies) July 06, 2026 The 2026 Warren Alpert Foundation Prize has been awarded to scientists for their work leading to curative genetic therapies for two major blood disorders: sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia. These diseases affect millions of people around the world... ![Red Blood Cells](/sites/g/files/omnuum5321/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-07/848%20red%20blood%20cells.jpg?itok=t9oB-OZJ) ## Meet the Leadership Team [### David Van Vactor ](/people/david-l-van-vactor) Director, Biological & Biomedical Sciences (BBS) Professor of Cell Biology ![Van Vactor](/sites/g/files/omnuum5321/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-07/Screenshot%202026-07-07%20at%203.33.55%E2%80%AFPM.png?itok=F3Fe_yIF) [### Monica Colaiácovo ](/people/monica-colaiacovo) Associate Director, Biological & Biomedical Sciences (BBS) Professor of Genetics ![Monica Colaiácovo](/sites/g/files/omnuum5321/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/bbsphd/files/colaiacovo_monica.jpg?itok=DmclwZi2) [### Deirdre Duckett ](/people/deirdre-duckett) [Deirdre\_Duckett@hms.harvard.edu](mailto:Deirdre_Duckett@hms.harvard.edu)Assistant Director, Biological & Biomedical Sciences (BBS) ![Deirdre Duckett](/sites/g/files/omnuum5321/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/bbsphd/files/duckett_deirdre_4.jpg?h=d657ccf6&itok=m0-2JGFu) [### Danny Gonzalez ](/people/danny-gonzalez) [daniel\_gonzalez@hms.harvard.edu](mailto:daniel_gonzalez@hms.harvard.edu)Program Administrator, Biological & Biomedical Sciences (BBS) ![Danny](/sites/g/files/omnuum5321/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-06/Danny%20Headshot%202.jpg?itok=d1GM0xki) [### Anne O'Shea ](/people/anne-oshea) [anne\_oshea@hms.harvard.edu](mailto:anne_oshea@hms.harvard.edu)Program Administrator, Biological & Biomedical Sciences (BBS) ![Anne O'Shea](/sites/g/files/omnuum5321/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/bbsphd/files/oshea_anne_1.jpg?h=fbaab039&itok=hSbK0Zrf) ## Explore Our Partners [ HMS Office for Graduate Education PhD Programs arrow\_circle\_right ](https://ogephd.hms.harvard.edu/) [ Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences arrow\_circle\_right ](https://gsas.harvard.edu/) [ Harvard Medical School arrow\_circle\_right ](https://hms.harvard.edu/) [ Harvard Integrated Life Sciences arrow\_circle\_right ](https://gsas.harvard.edu/programs/life-sciences)