Virtual Open House .
erp.wisc.edu
Thursday, October 29th, 2026
UW-Madison Endocrinology & Reproductive Physiology
Welcome &
Overview with
Dr. Laura Hernandez
&
Bootsy Harden
erp.wisc.edu
ERP Program Office People
erp.wisc.edu
Research Areas:
nutrition, obesity, hypertension, diabetes
fertility, fetal environment, pregnancy, lactation, gonad development, reproductive cancers
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Unique Aspects of the Program:
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Recruiting and retaining a diverse student body and faculty is a priority of the ERP program.
We aim to foster an environment that promotes the success of everyone and supports a sense of belonging for all.
erp.wisc.edu
ERP Admissions Page erp.wisc.edu/admissions
erp.wisc.edu
Supplemental Application Essay Question
“How have your background and life experiences, including cultural, geographical, financial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Wisconsin?”
erp.wisc.edu
Students making satisfactory progress are guaranteed funding.
2027-28 $39,500/year for PhD ($39,288 for MS)
Most funded via research assistantships (RA); some may have individual fellowships or training grants; some become teaching assistants (TAs).
erp.wisc.edu
erp.wisc.edu
ERP Curriculum
Endocrinology Series
Biostatistics (1 grad level course 3-4 credits)
Responsible Conduct of Research (Basic & Advanced)
Weekly ERP Seminar
Recommended Elective
ERP First Year Milestones
TARGET | MILESTONE |
Year 1,� 1st semester | Match with thesis advisor/PI |
Each semester | Maintain 3.0 grade point average |
Each Fall & Spring semester | Register for and attend weekly ERP seminar (OBS&GYN 954, 1 credit) |
Annually | Present in ERP Seminar (Fall or Spring term)
|
Annually (July 30th) |
|
Annually� (abstract optional for 1Ys) | Submit abstract to & attend ERP Annual Symposium (last week in August) |
Year 1,� 2nd semester | Form thesis committee (includes specifying committee chair…a member other than advisor) |
Year 1, before end of Summer | 1st Thesis Committee Meeting (AKA Certification Meeting) |
ERP 2nd Year & Beyond…
ERP Mean time to PhD degree = 5.3 years
Year 2,� 2nd semester | |
Year 2 | 2nd Thesis Committee Meeting (laying groundwork for prelim) |
PhD only Year 2,� Summer term� (not later than 1st semester of Year 3) | Preliminary examination passed |
PhD only Between Year 3 & graduation | NEW for 2026! 1st-author manuscript published in peer-reviewed publication (submitted status acceptable.) |
4-8 months prior to Thesis Defense | “6-month” Thesis Committee Meeting (laying groundwork for defense) |
MS Year 2-3
PhD Year 5-6 | Thesis defense & deposit
PhD only: See Five Year Rule policy for Grad School time limit to ensure continued progress to degree. |
ERP Annual Research Symposium
erp.wisc.edu
Campus Resources
erp.wisc.edu
Professional Development on Campus
The Delta Program in Research, Teaching, and Learning engages graduate students and postdocs in professional development in teaching, mentoring, outreach, and advising. https://grad.wisc.edu/delta
Catalysts for Science Policy Catalysts for Science Policy (CaSP) has three main goals: 1) Educate graduate students and postdocs about science policy and emphasize the importance of increasing scientist participation in science policy issues, both local and national, 2) Increase graduate student and postdoc awareness of various science policy careers and provide opportunities to help them become better candidates for these positions, 3) Communicate relevant science topics to government and funding agencies, and to the non-scientist community in Madison. https://casp.wisc.edu
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CAREERS
See our ERP Alumni page
erp.wisc.edu
ERP at National Recruiting Meetings!
SACNAS (Long Beach, CA) chat with 2nd-year PhD student, Marco Cordero @ Booth 541
ABRCMS (Seattle, WA) meet Dr. Laura Hernandez and ERP 3rd-year PhD student, Elliot Heye @ Booth 1402
erp.wisc.edu
Frequently Asked Question
Q: Does ERP have teaching requirements or opportunities?
A: TA-ing is not required, but is sometimes an option.
UW-Madison’s Delta Program is a terrific resource for aspiring teaching faculty. https://grad.wisc.edu/delta
erp.wisc.edu
Frequently Asked Question
Q: Can I get an Application Fee Waiver?
A: Many domestic applicants will qualify.
https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/fee-grant
erp.wisc.edu
Frequently Asked Question
��
Q: What to include in my Personal Statement?
A: Refer to ERP Admissions Page. https://erp.wisc.edu/admissions
See “Tips for a Successful Application.”
erp.wisc.edu
Frequently Asked Question
�
Q: Word-limits, page-limits, formatting requirements for Personal Statement & Supplemental Application Essay?
A: NO formal limits, but be concise.
erp.wisc.edu
Frequently Asked Question
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Q: What if Recommendation Letters are not received by Dec 1 deadline?
A: Incomplete applications are not guaranteed the same consideration as complete applications. Communicate early and often with your letter-writers.
erp.wisc.edu
erp.wisc.edu
Questions?
2-2:15pm Q&A with ERP Director,
Dr. Laura Hernandez
2:15-2:45pm Student-only Q&A