University of Guelph Launches Master of Applied Molecular and Health Sciences

A new master’s program launching this January at the University of Guelph will prepare future leaders in the fast-growing fields of biotechnology, therapeutic development, and precision medicine.

A first-of-its-kind program in Canada, the Master of Applied Molecular and Health Sciences (MAMHS) combines advanced molecular biology with training in emerging disciplines, including AI-driven drug discovery, immunology, and stem cell research. This one-year, course-based program blends scientific training with professional development in leadership, communications, and ethics, equipping students to excel in both industry and research.

“This program reflects the University’s strengths in research excellence and practical, hands-on learning,” says Dr. Jasmin Lalonde, MAMHS program director and associate professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology. “We’re bridging the gap between discovery and application and preparing graduates to become leaders in biomedicine.”

Strengths in Immunology

As part of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Master of Applied Molecular and Health Sciences students will interact closely with leading researchers in genetics, bioinformatics, microbiology, molecular biology, neurobiology, and immunology.

Immunology has become a growing research focus within the department, supported by several new faculty hires specializing in cancer, virology, and vaccinology.

The department has also invested $1 million into a new cell culture teaching laboratory, set to open in early 2026. The space will provide training in both basic and advanced cell culture techniques, including how to build monolayer and 3D models of complex systems, including kidney and brain organoids, using stem cells.

MAMHS students will also take advantage of existing state-of-the-art facilities for genomics, advanced microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectrometry through the Advanced Analysis Centre, located in the Summerlee Science Complex.

Addressing Industry Needs in a Rapidly Evolving Field

Employers in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are increasingly seeking graduates with applied, interdisciplinary experience who can contribute immediately to research and product development, with minimal additional training.  

The MAMHS program meets these needs through hands-on, technical training and authentic, industry-relevant scenarios, including regulatory case studies, ethical debates, biomanufacturing scale-up challenges, and team-based simulations, alongside courses in leadership and scientific communication.   

Graduates of the MAMHS program will be equipped for a wide range of careers across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, biomanufacturing, precision medicine, and health policy, as well as doctoral studies in related fields.

“This program builds on our internationally recognized expertise in the health sciences, particularly molecular biology and biotechnology,” says Dr. Mazyar Fallah, dean of the College of Biological Science. “With our research and teaching strengths, as well as our focus on hands-on learning, we are in a unique position to prepare the next generation of life science innovators.”

Applications are now open for a January 2026 start. 

The Master of Applied Molecular and Health Sciences program is still subject to formal approval by the Ontario Universities Council on Quality Assurance.