* As the YÖK evaluation process of the program is still ongoing, only students from the TRNC and international students are currently being accepted.
From Bench to Bedside: Shaping the Future of Medicine
The PhD Program in Translational Medicine at Eastern Mediterranean University is an interdisciplinary doctoral program designed to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical practice. It aims to train a new generation of scientists and clinician-researchers who can translate scientific knowledge into innovative diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive strategies.
Focusing on the bidirectional flow of information between bench research and bedside care, the program provides a strong foundation in both basic biomedical sciences and clinical research, equipping graduates to become leaders in the development of personalized medicine and advanced healthcare solutions.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for candidates with a background in:
- Medicine, biomedical sciences, health sciences, molecular biology, pharmacy, genetics, chemistry, engineering or related disciplines
- A strong interest in research and a passion for transforming scientific findings into real-world healthcare applications
Key Features of the Program:
- Medium of instruction: English
- Officially approved by the Higher Education Accreditation Board (YÖDAK)
- Strong interdisciplinary structure combining clinical and basic sciences
- Comprehensive curriculum including research ethics, advanced research methods, bioinformatics, molecular diagnostics, and clinical trial design
- Individual academic supervision and intensive thesis guidance
- Opportunities for collaboration in national and international research networks
Why Translational Medicine?
In today’s rapidly evolving biomedical landscape, traditional boundaries between basic science and clinical practice are no longer sufficient to address the complexity of modern health challenges. Translational Medicine has emerged as a dynamic and essential field that bridges this gap—ensuring that discoveries in the laboratory can be effectively and efficiently transformed into real-world health solutions.
A New Paradigm in Medical Science
Translational medicine is more than a research discipline; it is a transformative approach to biomedical innovation. It fosters bidirectional communication between scientists and clinicians—bringing unmet clinical needs to the laboratory and bringing novel scientific insights to the patient’s bedside.
By focusing on multidisciplinary collaboration, this field integrates tools from molecular biology, bioinformatics, pharmacology, data science, and clinical research to address complex diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, infectious diseases, and rare genetic conditions.
Why It Matters:
- Accelerates the transition from discovery to therapy: Reduces the time between basic research findings and clinical application.
- Promotes innovation in diagnostics and therapeutics: Encourages the development of personalized medicine, targeted treatments, and predictive biomarkers.
- Prepares future-ready scientists: Equips students with the diverse skill set needed to lead interdisciplinary research teams in academia, healthcare, or the biomedical industry.
- Responds to global health needs: Addresses complex health problems with a translational lens—bridging gaps between science, policy, and patient care.
Empowering the Next Generation of Translational Scientists
Our PhD program is designed to cultivate researchers who not only understand the mechanisms of disease but also know how to intervene. Through a combination of cutting-edge coursework, hands-on research, and exposure to real clinical contexts, students are trained to think beyond the laboratory—to imagine, innovate, and implement.
Whether your background is in medicine, biology, pharmacology, engineering, or public health, translational medicine provides a platform for meaningful impact—transforming knowledge into better outcomes for patients, systems, and societies.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the PhD Program in Translational Medicine must meet the following criteria, as stipulated by the Eastern Mediterranean University Institute of Graduate Studies and Research and relevant national regulations.
| Requirement Category | Accepted Qualifications and Scores |
| Academic Background | Either: - Bachelor’s in Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, or Pharmacy OR: - Master’s in Biology, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, Engineering, Health Sciences, or Medical Sciences |
| Academic Personnel and Graduate Education Entrance Exam (ALES) (Applicants from Turkey Only) | Minimum 55 (Quantitative) from ALES or equivalent GRE/GMAT scores |
| Exemptions from ALES - PhD, proficiency in arts, or specialty holders in medicine, dentistry, veterinary sciences, or pharmacy - Graduates from Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, or Pharmacy programs (≥10 semesters including preparatory) with either: ALES ≥ 55 (Quantitative), or valid TUS, DUS, or EUS scores meeting ranking threshold | |
| English Language Proficiency | - YDS/YÖKDİL/ÜDS/KPDS: 66 - TOEFL iBT: 79 - PTE Academic: 58 - IELTS: 6.5 (Not valid for Turkish citizens) - Or pass EMU’s institutional English Proficiency Exam. For details Check: https://grad.emu.edu.tr/en/admission/english-language-requirement |
| Additional Requirements | - Submit all documents required by EMU Institute of Graduate Studies and Research (IGSR) - Shortlisted applicants may be invited for an interview -All details regarding admission can be found via https://grad.emu.edu.tr/en or by contacting Institute of Graduate Studies and Research |
Research Interests
The PhD Program in Translational Medicine offers students the flexibility to pursue specialized research pathways tailored to their academic background and research interests. Through a diverse portfolio of elective courses and interdisciplinary modules, students can explore cutting-edge topics that bridge basic science and clinical application. Below are the key research tracks offered within the program:
Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
This track focuses on the role of microorganisms in human health and disease, with an emphasis on antimicrobial resistance, host–pathogen interactions, clinical microbiology, and translational infection research.
Key Courses:
- Medical Bacteriology and Virology (TMED605)
- Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (TMED615)
Neuroscience
This path investigates the biological basis of neurological function and dysfunction, offering a translational perspective on pain, neurodegeneration, cognitive function, and neuroinflammation.
Key Courses:
- Pain (TMED606)
- Neurodegenerative Disorders (TMED607)
- Cognitive Neuroscience (TMED616)
- Neuroinflammation (TMED617)
Medical Engineering and Data Science
Ideal for students interested in the application of computational tools and engineering principles in medicine. This track covers topics such as biomedical informatics, machine learning, and big data analytics in healthcare.
Key Courses:
- Data Science in Medicine (TMED608)
- Data Mining in Medicine (TMED618)
- Health Informatics (TMED611)
Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Drug Development
This pathway is designed for students interested in the chemical and molecular design of therapeutics, drug discovery, and biomaterials with translational potential.
Key Courses:
- Chemical Design of Biomaterials (CHEM609)
- Drug Discovery (TMED619)
Multidisciplinary and Systems Medicine
This integrated pathway focuses on the molecular and genomic foundations of disease, systems biology, and personalized medicine. It provides a comprehensive framework to study complex biological systems and biomarkers in health and disease.
Key Courses:
- Medical Biochemistry and Biochemical Interaction of Biomolecules (TMED610)
- Biomarker Research (TMED612)
- Epigenetics and Epigenomics in Human Diseases (BIOL652)
- Gene Therapy and Genome Editing (BIOL653)
- Cancer Biology and Cancer Genomics (BIOL654)
- Genetics and Personalized Medicine (BIOL655)
- Systems Medicine (BIOL656)
Each student will work closely with an academic advisor to develop a personalized research plan, aligned with one or more of these focus areas. Through laboratory rotations, advanced seminars, and doctoral thesis work, students will gain hands-on experience in translational biomedical research with direct clinical relevance.
Contact
Tel: +90 392 630 1570
Fax: +90 392 630 3025
E-mail: med.studentaffairs@emu.edu.tr
Web: http://medicine.emu.edu.tr