1 of 22

Virtual Open House .

erp.wisc.edu

Thursday, October 9th, 2025

2 of 22

UW-Madison Endocrinology & Reproductive Physiology

Welcome &

Overview with

Dr. Manish Patankar &

Bootsy Harden

erp.wisc.edu

3 of 22

ERP Program Office People

erp.wisc.edu

4 of 22

Research Areas:

  • Endocrinology / Metabolism

nutrition, obesity, hypertension, diabetes

  • Reproduction & Development

fertility, fetal environment, pregnancy, lactation, gonad development, reproductive cancers

erp.wisc.edu

5 of 22

Unique Aspects of the Program:

  • Transdisciplinary for over 60 years
  • Basic, clinical, & translational research
  • >50 faculty trainers from a spectrum of disciplines
    • 13 new faculty joined ERP in past 2 years!
  • Human & animal physiology to cellular & molecular biology
  • MS and PhD tracks
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

erp.wisc.edu

6 of 22

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

7 of 22

ERP Admissions Page erp.wisc.edu/admissions

  • Personal statement
  • Essay question supplemental application
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Transcript(s)

  • GRE is not required (or considered)

erp.wisc.edu

8 of 22

  • Personal statement
  • Essay question supplemental application
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Transcript(s)

  • GRE is not required (or considered)

erp.wisc.edu

FAQ:�

Q: Can I get an Application Fee Waiver?

A: Many domestic applicants will qualify. https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/fee-grant

9 of 22

  • Personal statement
  • Essay question supplemental application
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Transcript(s)

  • GRE is not required (or considered)

erp.wisc.edu

FAQ:�

Q: Personal Statement - any formatting, page-limit, word-limit requirements?

A: NO, but be concise. Admissions Committee members have LOTS of applications to review.

10 of 22

  • Personal statement
  • Essay question supplemental application
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Transcript(s)

  • GRE is not required (or considered)

erp.wisc.edu

FAQ:�

Q: What should I include in my Personal Statement?

A: Refer to ERP Admissions Page. https://erp.wisc.edu/admissions Scroll down to “Tips for a Successful Application.”

11 of 22

  • Personal statement
  • Essay question supplemental application
  • Letters of recommendation (3)
  • Transcript(s)

  • GRE is not required (or considered)

erp.wisc.edu

FAQ:�

Q: What if my Letters of Recommendation are not received by the Dec 1st deadline?

A: Incomplete applications aren’t guaranteed the same consideration as complete applications. Communicate early and often with your letter-writers.

12 of 22

All ERP students are guaranteed funding provided they make satisfactory progress.

  • Competitive stipend (increasing Fall 2026, rate still TBD)
    • 2025-26 PhD stipend $37,000/year
    • 2025-26 MS stipend $35,636/year
  • Full tuition remission
  • Health insurance (same as UW faculty & staff)

Typically funded through research assistant (RA) appointments; eligible students may also be funded through individual fellowships or training grants; some dissertators become teaching assistants (TAs).

erp.wisc.edu

13 of 22

All ERP students are guaranteed funding provided they make satisfactory progress.

  • Competitive stipend (increasing Fall 2026, rate still TBD)
    • 2025-26 PhD stipend $37,000/year
    • 2025-26 MS stipend $35,636/year
  • Full tuition remission
  • Health insurance (same as UW faculty & staff)

Typically funded through research assistant (RA) appointments; eligible students may also be funded through individual fellowships or training grants; some dissertators become teaching assistants (TAs).

erp.wisc.edu

FAQ:�

Q: Does ERP have teaching requirements or teaching opportunities?

A: TAships are not required, but are sometimes an option. Students with a special interest in learning to teach have excellent opportunities. See the Delta Program. https://grad.wisc.edu/delta

14 of 22

erp.wisc.edu

ERP Curriculum

Endocrinology Series

  • “Endo 1” Reproductive Endocrine Physiology
  • “Endo 2” Endocrinology & Metabolism
  • Biochemical Concepts in Endocrinology

Biostatistics

  • 1 grad level course such as Design and Analysis of Biological Studies

Professional Development

  • Basic Responsible Conduct of Research
  • Advanced Responsible Conduct of Research

ERP Seminar (weekly)

  • Present 1x/year, provide peer feedback weekly

ERP-recommended Elective

  • Options include Advanced Repro Phys & Scientific Communication

15 of 22

Link to ERP Student Handbook

erp.wisc.edu

16 of 22

erp.wisc.edu

17 of 22

ERP Annual Research Symposium

erp.wisc.edu

18 of 22

Campus Resources

  • Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP)
  • Science and Medicine Graduate Research Scholars (SciMed GRS)
  • Mentorship Opportunities in Science & Agriculture for Individuals of Color (MOSAIC)
  • McBurney Disability Resource Center
  • Gender and Sexuality Campus Center (GSCC)
  • Graduate Women in Science (GWIS) Madison Chapter

erp.wisc.edu

19 of 22

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

erp.wisc.edu

20 of 22

CAREERS

See our ERP Alumni page

  • Most ERP graduates pursue careers in industry and academia.
  • Government careers are also popular.

erp.wisc.edu

21 of 22

Get to know us at a national recruiting meeting!

Connect with us at the exhibit hall of the 2025 ABRCMS (San Antonio) conference. ERP Director, Dr. Laura Hernandez, and ERP 3rd-year PhD student, Jake Gutkes, will attend.

(email Bootsy Harden at charden@wisc.edu for details)

erp.wisc.edu

22 of 22

 

erp.wisc.edu

Questions?

4:15-4:30pm Q&A with

Dr. Manish Patankar

& Current Students

4:30-5:00pm Student-only Q&A