About the Regenerative Medicine and Technologies Graduate Program

Standing left to right are Drs. Sen and Dr. Evans.

The MS and PhD programs in Regenerative Medicine and Technologies are designed to develop the workforce for Indiana’s rapidly expanding bioscience industry by coupling rigorous research experience with internships and international opportunities. Currently, Indiana is the second highest exporter of life sciences products in the country. We developed a curriculum in cooperation with industry partners to ensure students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to create the next cell-based therapies, improve wound care and chronic disease management and invent novel medical devices.

“Right now, there is a deficit of people that are specifically trained toward regenerative medicine, and that’s been historically lacking, and it’s making it challenging for people who run these businesses,” said Erik Woods, PhD, co-founder, executive vice president and chief scientific officer of Ossium Health. “If you can prepare graduates with an industrial-focused curriculum, they will be in a better position to adapt and be a stronger contributor to a life sciences company, and it’s going to make everything more efficient; it’s going to lead to more commercial success and be self-sustaining.”

Chart your high-tech regenerative medicine career alongside experts and inventors

Our Master’s Program provides an introduction into translational research, with a curriculum emphasizing applied sciences and technology, device and therapy manufacturing, regulatory compliance and a required industrial or clinical internship. To graduate, students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours. Students have access to intern with regional life sciences and regenerative medicine leaders such as Cook Biotech, Eli Lilly and Company, Roche Diagnostics and Ossium Health. The MS program is ideal for physicians, biomedical researchers, medical residents and Bachelor of Science graduates who are interested in regenerative medicine.

Our PhD program offers customizable classroom instruction and research training to train graduates on how to direct a regenerative medicine laboratory. Participants in the program receive specialized training in the regulation, manufacturing, and clinical application of basic sciences to produce regenerative medicines. A requirement of the degree is to secure an internship with regional life sciences and regenerative medicine leaders such as Cook Biotech, Eli Lilly and Company, Roche Diagnostics, and Ossium Health.

Degree requirements for both programs are available in the current University Graduate School Bulletin.

IU School of Medicine Graduate Division provides career and professional development support.

Expert Testimonials

Erik Woods, PhD, HCLD (ABB), co-founder, executive vice president & chief scientific officer, Ossium Health, Inc

“If you’re working in the field of regenerative medicine, you must have the scientific knowledge and technical skills to work at a high level, in an interdisciplinary way. Programs such as the new MS and PhD in Regenerative Medicine and Technologies prepare graduates to have the critical thinking and problem-solving skills to collaborate and contribute to testing and product development.”
Mike Hiles, PhD, senior vice president and chief scientific officer, Cook Biotech, Inc.

“The fusion of engineering and medicine is becoming closer and closer. We are always looking for bright graduates who have a high degree of engineering skills and medical knowledge. We like to hire master’s level graduates and continue to train them to become good development engineers or a good regulatory scientists. This master’s in regenerative medicine and technologies program is another opportunity for Indiana to lead medicine into a new realm that’s a hybrid between medical devices and overall engineering of tissues.”
Jay L. Hess, MD, PhD, MHSA, dean of IU School of Medicine and IU’s executive vice president for university clinical affairs.

"Regenerative medicine is growing rapidly and we are proud to be a global leader in training the next generation of researchers in this exciting field. The RMAT program leverages the resources and expertise at Indiana University and Purdue University to provide robust training for these future scientists."
Chandan K. Sen, PhD, associate vice president of military and applied research, the J. Stanley Battersby chair and professor of surgery and director of the Indiana Center for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering

"The Regenerative Medicine and Technologies graduate program provides and extraordinary opportunity for students to train in the emergent field of regenerative medicine, which has the clear potential to transform healthcare in the near future. Special emphasis is directed toward industry partnership and workforce development to cater to the growing needs of a fast-developing industry. Graduate students will undergo a rigorous curriculum and immerse themselves in practical applications that will prepare them for the expanding job market in regenerative medicine, engineering and advanced manufacturing."

Future in Regenerative Medicine

Two lab members discus image displayed by a microscope

Currently, the regenerative medicine market sits at $13 billion. By 2031, Market Watch projects the regenerative medicine market to reach $38.7 billion, with a compound annual growth rate of 23.8%. The growth of regenerative medicine is magnified by the 21^st Century Cures Act, which facilitates the growth of the market by giving the U.S. Food and Drug Administration the authority to accelerate medical product development to bring advanced therapies to patients faster. Recognizing a more highly skilled and educated workforce is needed to support the growth of regenerative medicine, the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI), funded by the White House in 2016, was established through a joint initiative of the federal government and industry. The Indiana Center for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering created the PhD program in 2020 to develop a workforce in regenerative medicine and technology for the state of Indiana. The new Master's program will enable graduates to enter the workforce more quickly after completion of the program, should they decide not to pursue a PhD.