phd in translation studies in usa

• Translation Studies
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The Graduate Secondary Field in Translation Studies (GSFTS) offers graduate students the opportunity to undertake sustained study of the theory and practice of translation, broadly understood across languages, media, and the arts. The secondary field in translation studies has a triple rationale: intellectual, multidisciplinary, and practical. By examining a range of linguistic encounters and cultural exchanges, students pursuing the secondary field have the opportunity to root their translation work within their knowledge of at least two languages while expanding their engagement with the craft of translation. As they move through the curriculum, graduate students do more than simply examine how meaning is transferred from one language to another; they acquire the knowledge necessary to intervene in current scholarly debates in the growing field of translation studies, as well as the ability to teach translation to undergraduate and graduate students. While deepening their expertise in at least two languages, students enroll in a range of courses offered across departments that consider theoretical issues raised by and through the process of translation and will then complete a capstone project, supervised by a faculty advisor. 

The secondary field provides enrolled students with opportunities for professional development, training in translation pedagogy, and an additional credential in today’s extremely competitive academic job market. It complements students’ main PhD programs while providing the competitive edge that they need to distinguish themselves as outstanding candidates for jobs at research universities and liberal arts colleges in North America, Europe, Asia, and elsewhere. Faculty with expertise in one or two national languages and literatures are often now expected to teach broad-ranging comparative courses in and on translation. Even a cursory look at this year’s MLA Job List shows that more and more advertisements for junior searches make explicit the desirability for practical and theoretical knowledge of translation studies as proof of interdisciplinarity and crossover intellectual capacity for a prospective faculty member. 

Admission Eligibility

A student may apply for the secondary field in translation studies at any point in their academic progression. Students from any PhD program in the FAS may apply; students may pursue only one secondary field. Students in the comparative literature PhD program interested in the translation studies secondary field must ensure that no courses taken for the field are double counted toward the PhD; that is, any courses counted toward the secondary field, including Translation Studies 280, may not be used also to meet requirements for the doctoral program. 

Requirements

The Graduate Secondary Field in Translation Studies involves the following requirements: 

Translation Studies 280: Proseminar in Translation Studies : The Proseminar will be a team-taught course that combines the study of translation theory with translation practice and will emphasize the development of projects that have the potential to become capstone projects. 

Two graduate-level seminars in translation studies , including, for example, Translation Studies 260: Literary Translation Workshop, which, with recurring support from the FAS Elson Arts Fund, pairs professional translators and source language experts with students as they workshop their manuscripts-in-progress. With approval of the student’s advisor and the Translation Studies Executive Committee, a summer internship in publishing, literary translation, or design may take the place of one of these two seminars.  

A capstone project which features a substantive translation, of variable length (dependent upon the difficulty of the languages involved), potentially publishable in a scholarly journal or as a short book. The capstone project will be accompanied by a critical essay of 4,000–7,000 words, or, if approved by the student’s advisor and the Executive Committee, a digital humanities project or public exhibition. As they complete the capstone project, graduate students will enroll in a semester-long 300-level Translation Studies reading course with their faculty advisor. The project will be supervised by the student’s translation studies advisor and evaluated by two appropriate readers from the Harvard faculty who, together with the advisor, will be responsible for assessing the completed project. 

The Executive Committee of GSFTS will appoint from among itself or, in the case of a language that is not represented on the Committee, from among the experts on the Harvard faculty, an appropriate advisor for each student in the secondary field, who will offer tailored guidance throughout the curriculum and on the capstone project.    

The co-chairs of the Executive Committee that governs the Graduate Secondary Field in Translation Studies for 2023–2024 are Professors Sandra Naddaff and Jeffrey Schnapp. The members of the Executive Committee for 2023–2024 are: Luke Leafgren, Sandra Naddaff, Luis Girón-Negrón, John Mugane, Stephanie Sandler, Jeffrey Schnapp, Karen Thornber, and Tom Wisniewski (fall). 

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Translation Studies (PhD, MA, certificate)

Program overview.

Binghamton University’s Translation Research and Instruction Program (TRIP) is the first doctoral degree in translation studies in the United States. In line with the University’s progressive and multifaceted approach to education at large, TRIP represents another way in which the University’s liberal arts departments continue to be pioneers in their fields.

The program prepares students for both the professoriate and for scholarly research, including research-informed translation, and it encourages individualized interdisciplinary research plans to accommodate a variety of backgrounds. A highly interdisciplinary program, TRIP offers opportunities for study on topics ranging from critical theory to comparative literature to pedagogy, among others. This broad sense of scholarship allows TRIP to utilize many of the University’s best resources and provides TRIP students with the opportunity to customize their own degree emphases.

Degrees Offered

• PhD in Translation Studies
• MA in Translation
• certificate in Translation

Internships, Research Opportunities and More

Depending on their interests, students will be able to choose electives from a variety of courses from disciplines such as history, political science, sociology, linguistics, philosophy or art history, so that they can be better prepared to develop their research.

After finishing their required credits and courses, doctoral students are expected to take the TRIP PhD comprehensive examination, which will be evaluated by an examination committee composed of three examiners chosen by the students in conjunction with the TRIP director.

The University's Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development is an additional resource for students. The Fleishman Center provides many useful services that aid professional development, including mock interviews, résumé critique, and career workshops.

After You Graduate

The intense language immersion, as well as the cultural competency aspect of TRIP, prepares our graduates for both academic and research-oriented careers after graduation. Our alumni have obtained academic positions in institutions within the United States and around the world, such as Adelphi University, Al-Balqa Applied University (Jordan), Al-Zaytoonah University (Jordan), Appalachian State University, Beijing International Studies University (China), Coastal Carolina University, Gaza University (Palestine), Indiana University-Purdue, Ithaca College, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Qassim University (Saudi Arabia), São Paulo State University (Brazil), Saudi Electronic University (Saudi Arabia), Shenzhen University (China), Taif University (Saudi Arabia), Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, University of British Columbia,  University of Pennsylvania, Wake Forest University, Weber State University, Yarmouk University (Jordan). 

Admission Requirements

• General graduate admission requirements
• Program-specific admission requirements

Funding/Scholarships

There are many funding and scholarship opportunities at Binghamton. We encourage prospective students to review available program-specific scholarships and awards , and visit the program's website for additional information. PhD students who are registered and/or certified full-time will receive a scholarship that covers the cost of broad-based fees (this does not include international student fees). Note: Master's students are generally self-funded, although funding opportunities occasionally arise.

For more information, visit the Translation Studies website .

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Learn how Binghamton's Translation Studies program can help you meet your education and career goals.

Jeanette Patterson

Associate professor; associate professor, undergraduate director.

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University Catalog 2023-2024

Translation studies - ph.d..

About This Program

The Translation Studies Ph.D. program is designed for students who want to conduct research and contribute to the field of translation studies. With a blend of theoretical and practical knowledge, students will work with experienced faculty and have access to resources and opportunities to develop your skills. Read more...

Contact Information

• Graduate Coordinator: Brian Baer, Ph.D. | [email protected]
• Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student

Program Delivery

• Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary.

• 5.7% faster than the average
• 30,600 number of jobs
• $69,920 potential earnings

Interpreters and translators

• 20.0% much faster than the average
• 77,400 number of jobs
• $52,330 potential earnings

* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook . Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website . For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website .

Admission Requirements

• Master's degree in translation, a foreign language or in any other relevant discipline with prior experience or training in translation
• Minimum senior-year 2.750 undergraduate GPA and/or minimum 3.500 graduate GPA
• Official transcript(s)
• Proficiency in a foreign language
• Goal statement
• Essay or writing sample (7-10 pages) from a research paper on any aspect of translation (or a prospectus for a translation studies project)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Minimum 610 TOEFL PBT score
• Minimum 102 TOEFL IBT score
• Minimum 86 MELAB score
• Minimum 7.5 IELTS score
• Minimum 73 PTE score
• Minimum 130 Duolingo English score

Application Deadlines

• Priority deadline: January 1
• Priority deadline: October 1

Applications submitted by these deadlines will receive the strongest consideration for admission .

Program Requirements

Major requirements.

Students may elect to take doctoral courses from other departments as appropriate and with prior approval from the graduate coordinator and the student's advisor.

Each doctoral candidate, upon admission to candidacy, must register for TRST 80199 for a total of 30 credit hours. It is required that doctoral candidates continuously register for Dissertation I, and thereafter TRST 80299 , each semester, until all requirements for the degree have been met. After passing the written examination, students must present a detailed written proposal of their dissertation research. The dissertation focuses on original research. The dissertation topic must fall within one or more of the sub-fields in translation studies. The written dissertation is reviewed and approved by the research adviser and the dissertation advisory committee prior to scheduling a final defense before the committee.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate broad knowledge across several areas in the field of translation studies, as well as in-depth knowledge in an area of expertise.
• Demonstrate the ability to design and conduct original research.
• Critically assess translation studies literature, as well as their own empirical and theoretical findings.
• Communicate research findings effectively in written and spoken form.
• Follow ethical guidelines for work in the field.

Full Description

The Ph.D. degree in Translation Studies is a research-based program that provides advanced training in translation studies. The program focuses on translation research skills, specialized translation, computer-assisted terminology and translation, software localization and project management for the language industry. The program is designed to provide a comprehensive foundation for the development of key skills in humanistic translation and translation studies.

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Translation Studies - UC Santa Barbara

Search form, the phd emphasis.

Comparative Literature is the home Program for the Graduate Emphasis in Translation Studies. The current Advisor for the TS Emphasis is Professor Dominique Jullien (Chair, Comparative Literature).

Courses in Translation Studies engage the theoretical questions that are germane to a philosophy of translation and that inform the practice of translation.

How can you take part in the Emphasis? You need to be an enrolled graduate student in good academic standing and pursuing a PhD in Classics, Comparative Literature, East Asian Studies, English, French, German, Religious Studies or Spanish, and have an interest in literary translation as well as competency in more than one language. Following a successful year of master's and/or doctoral study in one of the participating departments, you will be able to add officially the Translation Studies Emphasis, which, in addition to the PhD requirements of the home department, requires the following:

Course Work Completion of 16 units, to include Comparative Literature 260 : Literary Translation: Theory and Practice, which is offered at least every other year, or an equivalent course covering some aspect of translation theory and practice approved by the Translation Studies faculty advisor in consultation with the advisory committee.

The four courses (16 units) may be fulfilled in a number of ways:

• Students must take at least two courses which cover some aspect of critical, theoretical and/or historical approaches to translation.
• At least one of the four courses should be taken outside the student’s home department.
• At least four of the 16 units can be taken as an independent study/practicum, in the event a course does not have a sister graduate-level course.

Students may take any two 4-unit courses in their department in which a translation component can be integrated into the course material—e.g.. any literature course in the various language and literature departments; any catalogue or approved independent study course in Religious Studies, Classics, etc. involving close textual reading, linguistic analysis, cultural study/ interpretation—and work with the faculty/supervisor on a translation-related final project aside from doing all the course work. These units would be part of the basic 16 unit-requirement.

Final Project Completion of a final capstone project (approximately 30 pages), approved by the Translation Studies advisor in consultation with an advisory committee made up of two additional affiliated faculty (see below), which, based on the translation(s) of a particular text, examines the relationships between textual practice and theoretical perspectives, thus addressing some relevant aspect of translation theory, criticism, or history. Students may include their own translation as part of the project. The final project must be unanimously passed (B or higher) by the three-member project committee, made up of affiliated faculty. The project with comments and grade will then be sent to the advisory committee and the Translation Studies advisor for viewing and filing.

How do you add the Emphasis?

1. Download the "Change of Degree Status Petition" from the Graduate Division's website (first form): http://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/academic/forms-petitions . 2. Under "ADD the following Credential, Emphasis, or Certificate," list "Doctoral Emphasis in Translation Studies." Complete all required fields and sign form. 3. Take completed change of status petition to your home department chair or faculty graduate advisor (not the GPA staff advisor) for approval and signature. 4. Email Professor Jullien to setup a time to meet with her. She will then approve/deny and sign the petition as the Interdisciplinary Emphasis Advisor. 5. International Students using a non-immigrant visa also need approval and a signature from the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) representative. 6. Scan/copy the original approved, signed, and completed change of status petition, then bring (Phelps 4212) or email a copy to the Comparative Literature Graduate Program Coordinator for filing in Comparative Literature. 7. Take the completed change of status petition to the Cashier's Office (1212 SAASB), pay the $20 petition fee, and save the receipt. 8. Take cashier's receipt and completed change of status petition to the Graduate Division for the final approval and signature, to officially add the Translation Studies Emphasis.

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Top 10 U.S. Translation Schools

So you’ve decided to take that next big step, to apply to graduate schools for a Translation Studies degree. But the big questions are rolling around in your head — which of the U.S. schools that offer translation degrees are the best, and what sets each program apart?

As we mentioned in the Translation Degree Overview , graduate degrees and certification programs in translation offer a great foundation in the skills you need for a career in translation or interpreting, but each program is different, and not every one is tailored to your specific goals.

While making the best choice is difficult, it’s always made easier by having the right information. Here’s an explanation of how we researched and ranked the best programs, followed by the top rankings:

Ranking Methodology:

The Top 5 Graduate Programs in Translation , and the Top 5 Certificate Programs were determined, first of all, by the mission of each program. Some universities only offer a Master’s or a Doctorate degree, some only offer graduate or professional certificates, and some offer all of the above. We found it necessary to separate the various translation and interpretation programs by degrees or certificates before analyzing any other factors.

Graduate and professional certificate programs vary in length and goal. Some programs offer general translation/interpretation certificates while others focus on medical or court translation. Our rankings attempt to emphasize this diversity of certificate programs.

In order to generally rank the programs, we looked at each program’s enrollment data (as available), the number of languages represented in each program, the varying types of degrees or certificates offered, and the general ability of each program to address a certain field of translation and interpretation (number of courses offered, number of faculty members, department resources, etc.).

It must be emphasized that our rankings are holistic, not reductive. They are not based on statistical analysis and they are not intended to produce a #1 or a #5 program. Instead, the rankings highlight the top translation and interpretation programs in the nation in alphabetical order in an attempt to offer the most unbiased information possible. Here are the Top 10 U.S. Translation Programs :

Top Translation Graduate Schools

Graduates of Translation Studies programs are qualified to work for personal and corporate translation services, as freelance translators, as government agency employees, and as translation software developers.

PhD graduates often stay in academia and teach linguistics or translation studies.

As with any comprehensive humanities degree, a master’s degree or PhD in translation studies allows each student to tailor the program to his or her individual interests.

Gallaudet University

Founded in 1864, Gallaudet University is a private liberal arts university located in Washington, D.C. As the world’s only university in which all programs and services are specifically designed to accommodate deaf and hard of hearing students, Gallaudet is a leader in the field of ASL and Deaf Studies. While its undergraduate population is 95% deaf or hard of hearing, the graduate departments are open to deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing students.

Instead of a degree in Translation Studies, Gallaudet offers a Masters of Arts in Interpretation, specifically American Sign Language interpretation. The M.A. in Interpretation program is designed to prepare and educate deaf, hard of hearing and hearing persons in working as interpreters in deaf and hearing communities. Through intensive study of American Sign Language, interpretation skills, and professional experience, the M.A. program prepares students for work as an ASL interpreter in all professional fields from medical to legal to conference to community work. The M.A. interpreter preparation program mainly is in a two-year format, which consists of four semesters and one summer internship. The program requires the completion of 59 credit hours of course work. The program is available in a three-year format for students who need an additional year of advanced language classes. Part-time study is also available.

Kent State University

Kent State University is a public liberal arts university located in Northeast Ohio. Comprised of eight different campuses, Kent State is able to provide a small, liberal arts education through a large university system.

The Institute for Applied Linguistics offers a two year Master of Arts in Translation and a PhD in Translation Studies. These translation degree programs focus on translation research skills, specialized translation, computer-assisted terminology and translation, software localization and project management for the language industry, but are also designed to provide a comprehensive foundation for skill development in humanistic translation and translation studies. The IAL’s B.S. and M.A. curricula provide a firm foundation in translation studies and translation practice for students in French, German, Japanese, Russian and Spanish while the Ph.D. program provides advanced training in translation studies and language informatics.

A center for research in translation studies and in several areas of language engineering (computer-assisted translation and terminology, multilingual document management and cross-language information exchange and retrieval), the IAL is one of America’s leading university-based translator training programs and the only comprehensive B.S. to Ph.D. program.

Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey

The Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey was founded in 1955 in Monterey, California as a multilingual, globally focused graduate school. Formerly known as the Monterey Institute of International Studies, it has been affiliated with Middlebury College since 2005. With enrollment around 800 students (all in graduate programs), the Middlebury Institute boasts a close-knit, globally focused community.

The Middlebury Institute offers a M.A. in Translation, a M.A. in Translation & Localization Management, a M.A. in Translation & Interpretation, and a M.A. in Conference Interpretation. The M.A. in Translation offers students the opportunity to work in a broad range of areas — medical, legal, conference, etc. — and provides the necessary computer and on-the-job training necessary to function as a translator.

The M.A. in Translation & Localization Management, on the other hand, centers around three axes of training: translation, technology, and business management. This translation track develops students’ translation skills, as well as their language and cultural proficiency, through core courses offered, as well as elective courses from the other schools at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. The technical courses developed at the Middlebury Institute will cover translation technology, software and web site localization, translation automation, processes standardization, IT/workflow strategies, and project management tools. Tools used in class include Alchemy Catalyst, Passolo, SDLX and TRADOS, Star Transit and Workflow. Finally, the business track will cover key business management areas, such as principles of project management, multilingual marketing, managerial economics, product development, and international business strategy in courses offered by the School of International Policy and Management.

The M.A. in Translation & Interpretation program reinforces mastery of the written and oral aspects of the students’ working languages by performing both translation and interpretation of related texts. Recent technological innovations blur the distinction between the two. More than 60 percent of students choose to pursue an MATI degree. Graduates have found that being able to provide both translation and interpretation services gives them a significant edge in today’s competitive job market.

The M.A. in Conference Interpretation prepares students to work as both simultaneous and consecutive interpreters at conferences. In simultaneous interpretation, interpreters sit in soundproof booths (one booth for each language), where they listen to the speech from the meeting room through headsets. As the speaker talks, each interpreter interprets at the same time into his or her native or A language. The interpreter’s words are spoken into a microphone and transmitted via headset to meeting participants. In this manner, the same speech can be interpreted into several languages at once with very little time lag. In each booth, interpreters work as a team, sharing the workload at regular intervals. In consecutive interpretation, the interpreter usually sits with conference delegates while a speech is being made, listens to the speech, and takes notes. When the speaker pauses or finishes, the interpreter renders the speech in the first person in the target language. Speech and interpretation generally occur in segments no longer than 10-15 minutes. Most graduates of the MACI program work as freelance interpreters, although some do work with larger organizations like the United Nations and the U.S. State Department.

SUNY Binghamton

Unlike most of the other translation graduate programs, the Translation Research and Instruction Program at State University New York, Binghamton, focuses on the PhD in Translation Studies (the school also offers a Graduate Certificate in Translation Research and Instruction, and an undergrad Minor in Translation, but no MA). SUNY Binghamton is a campus of the State University of New York university system and is located in south-central New York.

The PhD in Translation Studies is the first of its kind in the United States and prepares students both for the professoriate and for scholarly research-including research-informed translation and offers individualized interdisciplinary tracks to accommodate a variety of backgrounds. Courses focus on the history and traditions of Translation Studies, comparative literature, cultural and postcolonial studies, national literatures and major figures, philosophy, and pedagogy, as well as individualized programs of study. Rather than preparing students for professional work as a translator or interpreter (which students can definitely choose to do at the completion of the degree), the PhD prepares students for academic work — either in research or in teaching.

University of Texas, Dallas

The Center for Translation Studies at The University of Texas at Dallas was established in 1980 to support the scholarly analysis and creation of literary translations, to collaborate with writers, scholars, and publishers around the world, to enhance the visibility of the translator as a mediator between cultures, to develop innovative translation workshop pedagogy, and to publish the international journal Translation Review.

The Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities are non-traditional degrees that allow students to concentrate their graduate studies around their individual interests in Translation Studies. At the same time, this approach allows students to explore other scholarly contexts from an interdisciplinary point of view, thus enriching their understanding of Translation Studies and preparing them for a wider variety of jobs than a more specialized degree would. Faculty within The Center for Translation Studies and The School of Arts & Humanities work closely with students to design degree plans with an emphasis on Translation Studies that also supply a broad general background in one or more of three scholarly areas: Literary Studies; History of Ideas; and Aesthetic Studies.

Top Translation Certification Programs

Dozens of translation certification programs exist in the United States and narrowing down the programs can be daunting. Some certificates are general French translation, German translation, Spanish translation, etc., but some are more specific: legal, medical, conference interpreting.

The general certificates function like the graduate degrees in translation studies. They allow for a translator to gain advanced study in the foreign language as well as to take courses specific to the profession. Legal translation and interpreting certificates prepare candidates to work in legal and courtroom settings. In order to become a court interpreter, one must pass a state-specific test (comprised of a written and oral component) for both English and the foreign language. The certificate program helps to prepare candidates for translating or interpreting in a legal setting by focusing on legal vernacular, the professional conduct of a courtroom translator, and state court test preparation. Likewise, medical translation certification focuses on medical vernacular and professional conduct as a translator or interpreter in a hospital or other medical setting. Conference interpreter certificate programs prepare candidates for translating and interpreting at conferences and seminars.

These certificate programs vary in time and cost, but most are designed for the professional student and take place at night or in two week commitments over a period of one to two years.

American University

In Washington D.C., American University offers Graduate Certificates in Translation from either French, Russian , or Spanish to English. The certificate program consists of 15 credit hours, including advanced courses in Translation and Linguistics which can also be applied towards a foreign language MA.

Boston University

Boston University offers professional certificates in community, legal, and medical interpreting with specializations in Chinese, Portuguese, and Spanish. The program focuses on the linguistic techniques and ethical considerations of the interpreting profession, and organizes students in Cohort Groups based on their language specialization.

Florida International University

Located in Miami, Florida International offers a Certificate in Translation Studies (English / Spanish) and certificate in Legal Translation and Court Interpreting (English / Spanish). Established in 1980, the program offers classes in the evenings and weekends, and allows students to take up to five courses before making a commitment.

Georgia State University

Located in Atlanta and established in 1980, Georgia State University’s Translation Certificate Program offers specializations in French, German, and Spanish translation, as well as French and Spanish Interpreting for medical, legal, and conference interpretation. The program consists of 15 semester hours which include classes in comparative stylistics, general and advanced translation, and a translation workshop.

NYU offers professional certificates in general translation, medical interpreting, court interpreting (Spanish/English), simultaneous interpreting, and general language studies certificates in Arabic, Japanese, Mandarin, Italian, Greek, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and language groups such as Slavic, East Asian, Middle Eastern, Scandinavian, and Classical languages.

We hope that this information helps you to get started preparing for graduate studies in translation or interpreting. Translating and interpreting are demanding, competitive, and rewarding professions that require a lot of training, thought, and discipline, so good luck with your preparation and career.

If your school was included in the Top Ten, or if you’d simply like to share this list, feel free to use the following graphic — just cut and paste the code into your website or blog:

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Requirements

• Completed application form. See Application Instructions to learn how.
• A non-refundable application fee of $75.
• A minimum 3.0 grade point average (on a four-point scale) in all previous undergraduate and graduate study. (Occasionally, applicants with a GPA lower than 3.0 may be admitted conditionally upon the recommendation of the department.)
• Official transcripts of all graduate study, including evidence of having received a master’s degree from an accredited university. See Application Guidelines and FAQ for more information.
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate study, including evidence of having received a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. See Application Guidelines and FAQ for more information.
• Goals Statement.
• Three letters of recommendation – At least one letter should focus on your potential for doctoral level graduate study and research .
• All international applicants from non-English speaking countries must demonstrate English language competence via the Degrees of Reading Power (DRP) examination. TOEFL results may be substituted instead of taking the DRP. ( Use 5240 for the ETS institutional code)

Additional Program Requirements

• M.A. in interpretation, translation or related field
• A 15-20 page academic writing sample, or a 15-20 page essay, including references and citations (APA style) on the following: Please describe and assess three peer-reviewed articles or books in the field of Interpretation Studies that have shaped your thinking about the interpreting process and/or the role of the interpreter.
• Evidence of professional certification as interpreter
• Minimum 3 years interpreting experience (five years strongly encouraged)
• ASLPI score of 4 for American Sign Language (ASL) users and an ASLPI score of 3 or the passing of a Department Screening for international students

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Translation Studies - Ph.D.

The Ph.D. degree in Translation Studies is a research-based program that provides advanced training in translation studies. The program focuses on translation research skills, specialized translation, computer-assisted terminology and translation, software localization and project management for the language industry. The program is designed to provide a comprehensive foundation for the development of key skills in humanistic translation and translation studies.

• Graduate Coordinator: Brian Baer, Ph.D. | [email protected]
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Program Information

Full description.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website . For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website .

Admission Requirements

• Master's degree in translation, a foreign language or in any other relevant discipline with prior experience or training in translation
• Minimum senior-year 2.750 undergraduate GPA and/or minimum 3.500 graduate GPA
• Official transcript(s)
• Proficiency in a foreign language
• Goal statement
• Essay or writing sample (7-10 pages) from a research paper on any aspect of translation (or a prospectus for a translation studies project)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Minimum 610 TOEFL PBT score
• Minimum 102 TOEFL IBT score
• Minimum 86 MELAB score
• Minimum 7.5 IELTS score
• Minimum 73 PTE score
• Minimum 130 Duolingo English score

Application Deadlines

• Priority deadline: January 1
• Priority deadline: October 1

Applications submitted by these deadlines will receive the strongest consideration for admission .

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate broad knowledge across several areas in the field of translation studies, as well as in-depth knowledge in an area of expertise.
• Demonstrate the ability to design and conduct original research.
• Critically assess translation studies literature, as well as their own empirical and theoretical findings.
• Communicate research findings effectively in written and spoken form.
• Follow ethical guidelines for work in the field.

Program Requirements

Major requirements.

Students may elect to take doctoral courses from other departments as appropriate and with prior approval from the graduate coordinator and the student's advisor.

Each doctoral candidate, upon admission to candidacy, must register for TRST 80199 for a total of 30 credit hours. It is required that doctoral candidates continuously register for Dissertation I, and thereafter TRST 80299 , each semester, until all requirements for the degree have been met. After passing the written examination, students must present a detailed written proposal of their dissertation research. The dissertation focuses on original research. The dissertation topic must fall within one or more of the sub-fields in translation studies. The written dissertation is reviewed and approved by the research adviser and the dissertation advisory committee prior to scheduling a final defense before the committee.

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• Master’s in Translation and Interpreting Online

Master's in Translation and Interpreting Online

100% online study.

Want to turn your language skills into a translation or interpreting career? Whether you are interested in business translation, medical translation, conference interpreting, legal translation, literary translation, transcreation, or localization, the online Master's (MS) in Translation & Interpreting offered by the NYU SPS Center for Publishing & Applied Liberal Arts prepares you for a wide range of translation and interpreting careers, from localization to project management. This 36-credit, fully online program provides students with the best of both worlds—the convenience and flexibility of learning on your own terms and at your own pace, while benefiting from a rigorous curriculum, a variety of elective courses tailored to your interests, and the prestige of earning your master’s degree at NYU , one of the world's most respected universities.

Degree Advantages

• Fully online format with opportunities to engage with faculty members and students at regular intervals
• Curricu lum that allows students to study translation from any language into English
• Covers both written translation and the best practices of oral interpreting
• Elective courses that customize your learning experience
• Prepares students for the American Translators Association (ATA) Certification Exam, a language industry-recognized credential
• Taught by faculty members who are professional experts in their fields
• Full-and part-time study options

VIEW FULL CURRICULUM AND DEGREE REQUIREMENTS >

Explore graduate opportunities at nyu sps.

Join an upcoming online session to learn more about our graduate degree program in Translation and Interpreting. As an attendee of an Explore Graduate Opportunities at NYU SPS session, you will meet members of our team and have the opportunity to ask questions about the online program, admission requirements, and application process.

6:00 PM until 7:30 PM EDT  

Who Should Consider Earning the MS in Translation & Interpreting?

Whether you are interested in pursuing a full-time position with a language services provider or prefer the flexibility of a freelance translation and interpreting career, the MS in Translation & Interpreting will prepare you for a professional path in the translation industry, which is growing faster than many other fields. The online program provides students with the professional growth and cutting-edge translation and interpreting skills to work anywhere in the world. In a 2022 survey, we found that 100% of recent MS in Translation & Interpreting graduates reported being employed within six months of graduation.

Become a Language Professional

Faculty members who teach in the online MS in Translation & Interpreting program share their deep expertise with students from around the world. The comprehensive online program focuses on the specialized skills required for translation and interpreting, while thesis advisers provide guidance to students on the subtle nuances of Spanish-to-English translation , Chinese-to-English translation , Arabic-to-English translation , and numerous other language pairs.

Choose From a Wide Range of Elective Courses in Emerging Fields

The online MS in Translation & Interpreting program affords a solid core in theory and practice, terminology, and technology. In addition, the degree's elective courses provide students with the knowledge and tools to succeed in fields such as legal translation , literary translation , transcreation , website localization , machine translation , and financial translation and will provide tremendous flexibility in your translating and interpreting career.

Build a Portfolio of Projects That Demonstrates Your Translation and Interpretation Skills

The online MS in Translation & Interpreting is designed to ensure that you walk away with a comprehensive portfolio of translation projects that truly demonstrate your translation and interpreting skills to prospective employers, organizations, and clients. Your portfolio can be tailored to the area of specialization you choose—from medical translation , literary translation , and legal translation , to transcreation , financial translation , and localization of software and websites .

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a master's degree in translation and interpreting.

A master's degree in translation and interpreting is a graduate-level academic program designed to provide students and working professionals with advanced training in the fields of translation and interpreting. The New York University SPS MS in Translation and Interpreting online program is intended for students with proficiency in at least one language in addition to English and who seek to develop specialized skill sets in translating written texts and interpreting spoken communication.

What can you do with a Master’s (MS) in Translation and Interpreting?

Once you've completed your MS in Translation & Interpreting, available jobs range from translation and localization to publishing and project management. Whether in law, finance, advertising, or intergovernmental agencies, the great need for translators is creating rewarding freelance and employment opportunities.

What languages are in high demand for translators?

Translators are in high demand across many languages given the global market for these professionals. The MS in Translation & Interpreting is open to applicants who wish to study translation from any language into English. The curriculum features terminology, research, revision, technology, and professionalization skills along with language-specific guidance.

Do translators need a Master’s degree?

Having a Master’s degree sets you apart and shortens the path to success in this rewarding career. Almost half of translators and interpreters surveyed by the American Translators Association hold master’s degrees. The MS in Translation & Interpreting program prepares its students for dynamic careers as highly skilled translators and language specialists.

How can I prepare for the ATA Certification Exam through this program?

Many of our students take the American Translators Association (ATA) Certification Exam , which is a 3-hour test-based credential and an advantageous addition to your resume. By the end of the MS in Translation & Interpreting program, graduates translate at a level that meets the ILR skill descriptions for professional performance.

What is the difference between translation and interpreting?

Translators work with written texts, while interpreters work with the spoken word. Students benefit from exposure to both practices, even though most professionals specialize in either translation or interpreting. In this program, students will master advanced strategies for translating complex documents and gain a foundation in the principles of interpreting.

How can I finance my degree? Are financial aid or scholarships available?

Options for financing the MS in Translation & Interpreting degree include Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), scholarships, private loan options, employer or veterans’ benefits, and New York University payment plans. We encourage students to explore the NYU SPS resources page on Graduate Financial Aid to find more information on financial aid and scholarships.

How does the MS in Translation and Interpreting at NYU differ from other programs?

The Master of Science in Translation and Interpreting at New York University was the first program to offer students a fully online degree in this discipline and has done so since 2012. We are also the only program to offer translation from any source language into English. Students will receive language-specific guidance in independent studies and the thesis project. We also designed the curriculum with the understanding that many translators and interpreters work in multiple language pairs. Our focus is on core skills in research, terminology, revision, technology, and professionalization to support translation from any language, along with the widest range of electives available.

What are the admission requirements for this online MS in Translation and Interpreting?

The NYU SPS Admissions team carefully weighs each component of your application during the admissions review process to evaluate your ability to benefit from and contribute to the dynamic learning environment and the challenging curriculum that the NYU School of Professional Studies offers. Visit the NYU SPS Graduate Application Requirements and Deadlines page for additional information about our admission requirements. Applicants to the MS in Translation and Interpreting should also take the ACTFL Proficiency Test . 

How long does it take to complete the online MS in Translation and Interpreting?

The NYU SPS MS in Translation and Interpreting program usually takes three semesters to complete as a full-time student and two to four years to complete as a part-time student.

Is it worth doing a Master of Science in Translation and Interpreting?

A Master’s degree is the gold standard credential in the language professions. The decision to pursue a Master of Science in Translation and Interpreting depends on your career goals and interests. Meet with professionals in the field and current students to gather insights and learn how completing an online graduate program in translation and interpreting can help you fulfill your aspirations.

Can translators make a lot of money?

Translators' wages vary depending on several factors such as the specialization in which they work and their experience, work structure (freelance vs. salaried), and clientele. For example, salaried professionals working in advertising or computer systems design make $91,390 to $106,540 per year on average, while those working in elementary schools or local government make $56,490 to $63,680 per year on average according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics . Freelance language professionals can make into the six figures, according to the American Translators Association .

What language is most in demand for translation?

The demand for translation services can vary depending on factors such as geographic location, industries, and global economic trends. However, certain languages are consistently in high demand due to their widespread use in international business, diplomacy, and cultural exchange. Chinese, Spanish, and Arabic are examples of in-demand languages for translation services. Translators in other languages can specialize and succeed as well. The NYU SPS program has trained students in Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, French, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, and many others, including languages of lesser diffusion.

Will artificial intelligence replace translators?

While AI technologies have made significant advancements in the digital age, they are not likely to replace human translators any time soon. This is because, unlike a professional human translator, AI struggles with nuance, cultural understanding, humor, and creative expression. The future of translation and the language services industry is likely a collaborative one, with human translators and AI working together to provide accurately translated content. The NYU MS in Translation & Interpreting program has integrated AI throughout the curriculum, including in particular the Core courses in Translation Technologies and The Language Professions and electives from Transcreation and Marketing Translation to Patent Translation to Post-Editing Machine Translation. The teaching of up-to-date technologies, including AI, is a key component of our program’s learning outcomes. We also hold events about AI in the Professions .

Is being a translator a stressful job?

Our faculty and students report that translation careers are joyful, creative, and rewarding. Being a translator can be challenging, and the level of stress varies like any job, but translation is ultimately a fulfilling career that leverages your multilingual skills. Since many translators and interpreters are self-employed, you will also have options to take control of your career. The NYU Master’s program in Translation & Interpreting helps students track toward freelance or full-time employment based on your personal situation and preferences. 

How do I start a career in translation?

To start a career in translation, it's crucial to be fluent in at least two languages. From there, you can obtain a formal education to build your foundation and establish yourself as a professional in the field.

How many years does it take to become a translator?

The time it takes to become a translator can vary. Many translators start their profession by earning a bachelor's degree in any field and then pursue a Master’s degree in Translation & Interpreting to dive into a specialization of their interest.

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Your request has been submitted, department highlights, translation and interpreting faculty member alejandra oliva publishes rivermouth: a chronicle of language, faith, and migration, pala academic director of continuing education jenny mcphee’s translation of elsa morante’s novel ‘lies and sorcery’ wins accolades, scribe at spirit week: the translated and queer/banned book expo, pala student bethany fisher pursues nyu sps master’s degree to help give a voice to marshallese people, ms in translation & interpreting student justin sergi publishes translation in asymptote, navigating peacekeeping and climate change through translation, translators in the digital age: interview with faculty member elizabeth lowe, pala alum spotlight: mariam moustafa, ms in translation & interpreting, elizabeth hsu, ms in translation and interpreting graduate, selected as 2023 flag bearer, ai in the professions: professional writing, translation, and the new face of content creation, terminology: the border wall, entitlements, abortion, translation and localization project management, pala faculty spotlight: barbara inge karsch, ms in translation & interpreting, ms in translation & interpreting student judith santos awarded the malkemes scholarship for fall 2022, take the next step.

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Translational Science PhD

Doctoral Program

This PhD program creates scientists who advance knowledge toward the goal of translating basic biomedical scientific discoveries into strategies that will improve healthcare delivery, patient outcomes, and community health.

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Joint Program

The Translational Science program is a joint effort between UT Health San Antonio, UT San Antonio, UT Austin, and UT Health Houston School of Public Health. This collaboration of four universities to offer a single joint doctoral degree is unique in the UT System. The goal is to provide an in-depth, rigorous, and individualized multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional research education and training program that will prepare research scientists to integrate information from multiple domains and conduct independent and team-oriented research to improve human and global health.

Why Pursue a PhD in Translational Science?

For many years, extensive national resources have been devoted to basic biomedical (bench) and clinical (human subject) research. However, significant barriers continue to exist in moving knowledge bi-directionally between basic research, clinical research, and applications to improve health outcomes in individuals and the community. These barriers make it difficult to efficiently and effectively translate new knowledge into improved patient care.

To remedy these problems, Translational Science is emerging as an academic and scientific discipline. Translational Science (TS) is a scientific discipline that investigates methods to move discovery more efficiently and effectively into application. TS investigators must respond, interact, facilitate change, and conduct research within and among varied organizational behaviors, structures, and cultures. TS conducts rigorous studies that close the knowledge gaps between different levels of the research process – the basic science laboratory, clinical research discoveries, and application of these research findings toward disease prevention and management, and strategies to improve human, community, and global health.

Translational research is often defined at two levels: (T1) Applying and advancing research-generated discoveries in the laboratory to research trials in human subjects; and (T2) Research that promotes the adoption of best practices in clinical practice settings and the community and policy development.

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Application Deadlines

Funding opportunities, admission & application requirements.

Applications are submitted through the UTSA Graduate Application . Please upload all required documents (listed below) on your UTSA Graduate Application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure completion and submission of the application, a nonrefundable application fee, and all required supporting documents are on file with UTSA by the appropriate application deadline.

Applicants are encouraged to have their admission file completed as early as possible. All applications, required documents and letters of recommendation, if applicable, must be submitted by 5:00 PM U.S. Central Time on the day of the deadline. Deadlines are subject to change.

Full-time students accepted for the program are eligible to apply for financial support in the form of competitive teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or research fellowships.

Earning a Master's Degree

While in a doctoral program, a student may earn a master’s degree provided the following conditions are satisfied:

• A student must be admitted to candidacy.
• A student is eligible to receive a master’s degree upon completion of University-wide requirements and any additional degree requirements specific to the program.
• The Doctoral Studies Committee, Department Chair, and the Graduate Associate Dean of the College must recommend students for the degree.
• The student must apply for graduation by the published deadline the semester prior to awarding the doctoral degree.
• All required coursework in the doctoral program at the time of admission to candidacy must have been taken within the previous six years.
• If the master’s degree requires a thesis, the degree cannot be awarded on the basis of the doctoral qualifying examination.
• Students will not be approved for an additional master’s degree in the same field in which an individual has previously received a master’s degree.

Course Offerings & Admissions

The Translational Science PhD program utilizes a single application source through the UT Health San Antonio. Click below to learn more.

UTSA Representative

Reyna Tostado

UTHSCSA Representative

Giovanna D'Ambra

210-567-8094

Graduate Advisor of Record (UTHSCSA)

Christopher R. Frei, PharmD, MSc

210-567-8371

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College of letters & science translation & interpreting studies.

Powerful Ideas. Proven Results.

Our Graduates

More than one hundred language services professionals have graduated from Translation & Interpreting Studies. Our graduates go on to a variety of industry and academic positions. Most enter the language services industry. Many have launched successful freelance businesses in the US and abroad. Others have secured positions as CEOs, sales or project managers, editors, quality control specialists, or translators in translation companies across the globe.

We also have alumni active in academia, chairing or teaching in translation and/or interpreting programs across the nation. Approximately five per cent of our graduates pursue PhD studies, and many of them are employed in academic positions in the US and abroad.

Congratulations to our recent graduates

Graduate certificate.

Anna Farbotko (French to English Graduate Certificate) Alexander Schirk (French to English Graduate Certificate)

Stephanie Ament (Spanish to English Translation) Michelle Coizman (Spanish to English Translation)

Best wishes for your continued success!

“I got my Master’s in Translation from UWM and within six months I was able to pay my bills working as a freelance translator & interpreter. Not bad!”

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PhD in Translation Studies

Gain an intellectual and philosophical perspective on the activity of translation.

How to apply for a PhD in Translation Studies

Before you formally apply for a Translation Studies through the University of Edinburgh’s online system, you will likely find it beneficial to get to know us first so that you are confident we’re the best place for you to undertake your research.

We ask candidates to take the following two steps before applying for a PhD: 

Have a look at the research interests and expertise of our staff. Please do take some time to read over staff members’ profiles, research interests, and publications, to ensure that your project is something we can effectively supervise. We are much more likely to supervise a project if it closely relates to our own expertise and research interests. Together with colleagues across our School, the following Translation Studies staff are available to supervise PhD research:

Browse a directory of all academic staff in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures

Find out more about our research in Translation Studies

Languages offered

At PhD level, we  typically offer the following languages, but not necessarily on a year-on-year basis due to staff commitment and leave .

This list was last updated on 15 September 2023

Following our guidelines, write a draft PhD proposal detailing your research project. This will enable us to evaluate the general and specific areas of your research interests, the originality and importance of your topic, and the feasibility of the proposed project within the given timescale. 

Please note that this document is not assessed. We request it so that we can offer useful comments on your proposed topic and research outline, and we strongly encourage you to incorporate our feedback into your final application, which you submit to the University via its online system.

We value your privacy and will hold your information in line with the University of Edinburgh’s  Privacy Policy for Applicants . 

Guidelines for writing a PhD proposal for Translation Studies

Below you will find certain headings under which it's useful to present your research proposal. The headings are listed in chronological order.

1. Territory/ Introduction

The first stage of your proposal establishes the territory in which the proposed research will place itself. This territory can be either

• a research territory (i.e. the academic field that is going to be addressed by the research), or
• a ‘real world’ territory (i.e. what kind of applications or implications the proposed project can have in the world outside the immediate academic field).

In some research proposals both territories can be usefully addressed.

2. Gap/ Rationale

Here you indicate the gap in the knowledge or the problem in the territory. With your research, you want to fill in this gap or to solve this problem. If the gap is in the research territory, it means you aim at contributing to the general understanding and knowledge within the discipline. If it is in the ‘real world’ (e.g. environmental, social, commercial problems), it means your objective is to offer a solution to particular problems.

3. Goal/Objective

Here you state the aim or general objective of your study. You explain what the project intends to do, what its chief contribution will be. It is in this stage that you can suggest how to fill in the gap presented in the previous stage.

4. Reporting Previous Research/ Literature Review

Here you can report or refer to the earlier research in the field, either by yourself or by others.

5. Theoretical framework

This is the section where you elaborate on the theoretical approach(es) you will adopt while examining your data or those approaches which you will be challenging, enhancing or refuting. This section is crucial in giving the evaluators an idea about how prepared you are to do research at doctoral level.

6.  Data and accessibility

The material you will be looking at in your research will be presented here. This section should also mention any particular difficulties envisaged in accessing your data and how you are planning to overcome them.

7. Means/Methodology

Here you specify how the goal will be achieved, describing the methods, procedures, plans of actions and tasks that lead to the goal. At the initial stage of your research, you do not need to put a lot of details here. Yet there should still be an obvious link between the gap, the goal, the theoretical framework, the data and the means.

8. Achievements

You might wish to conjecture about the anticipated results, findings or outcomes of the study, if you already have a general idea about them. Of course, the actual results, findings or outcomes may differ drastically in the end.

9. Benefits

You can then briefly explain the usefulness and value of these achievements for the domain of research itself, for the world outside or for both.

10. Competence Claim

It is here that you might wish to boast about yourself! You can make a statement to the effect that you are well qualified to undertake this research and to carry out the tasks involved.

11. Importance Claim

You may wish to conclude your proposal by emphasising the urgency or importance of your proposal’s territory, its objectives, or its anticipated outcomes with respect to either the ‘real world’ or the research field.

12. References

Here list only those texts you referred to within your proposal. We do not ask for a bibliography, but a references list.

Prepared by:

Dr Şebnem Susam-Sarajeva

Connor, Ulla and Anna Mauranen. 1999. “Linguistic Analysis of Grant Proposals: European Union Research Grants”. English for Specific Purposes 18:1. 47-62.

We also suggest that you read the University’s general guide to applying for Postgraduate Study, which includes advice on entrance requirements, writing a personal statement, choosing your referees, writing a research proposal and more.

Take me to the guide to applying for Postgraduate Study on the University of Edinburgh website

Formal application

You can find out more about language requirements, facilities, fees, funding opportunities and application deadlines for this PhD programme, and formally apply to study on it, on the University of Edinburgh’s online Degree Finder.

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Get in touch

If you have any queries about the process, or any other aspect of the PhD in Translation Studies, please contact us by email in the first instance.

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UC study: Protein helps prevent breast cancer metastasis

Novel findings of systematic study published in cell reports.

While better screening and improved treatments are leading to better outcomes for patients with breast cancer, 90% of breast cancer deaths are a result of metastasis, or the cancer growing and spreading to other parts of the body.

University of Cincinnati Cancer Center researchers in the lab of Jun-Lin Guan, PhD, have identified a new protein that helps prevent metastasis of a subset called HER2-positive breast cancer. About 20% of patients have HER2-positive breast cancer, and these cancers tend to be more aggressive than other types.

The study findings were recently published in the journal Cell Reports.

Study background

Mingang Hao, PhD. Photo provided.

Guan’s lab has focused on how autophagy, or the cell's “recycling” function, affects cancer metastasis.

“Autophagy can be likened to a self-cleansing mechanism within cells,” said Mingang Hao, PhD, first author of the study and research scientist in Guan’s lab. “It allows them to eliminate undesirable or harmful components and emerge stronger and unharmed. In the context of cancer, dysfunctional autophagy has been linked to the development and progression of tumors.”

Research published in 2021 led by Hao found that blocking autophagy in HER2-positive breast cancer cells helped eliminate cancer development in an animal model of the disease. However, it was not clear whether the autophagy blockade also inhibited the process of cancer metastasis, as the lack of metastasis could be due to the elimination of the primary tumor growth in the model.

Very few studies in the field have directly examined the role of autophagy in metastasis, and most studies focused on genes thought to only play a role in autophagy (so-called “core” autophagy genes).

“In addition to these primary autophagy genes, which have been a major focus of research on cancer development and progression, there are many other proteins which regulate autophagy within cells,” Hao said.

I view this as one of the most important findings from my lab and a culmination of a lot of research expertise.

Jun-Lin Guan, PhD

Study results

Using CRISPR gene-editing technology, Hao and his colleagues created a specialized genetic library that targeted 171 different genes that are involved in autophagy regulation. By “turning off” each gene, the researchers aimed to identify specific genes that prevented the spread of breast cancer cells.

Using this technique, Hao said they identified a protein called p47 that prevents breast cancer metastasis.

“It does this by affecting different cellular pathways that are crucial for tumor cell movement,” Hao said. “These findings help us better understand the mechanisms behind cancer metastasis and may eventually lead to new strategies for preventing or treating the spread of breast cancer.”

In human breast cancer samples, lower p47 expression was correlated with higher breast cancer metastasis.

“This is one of the first few studies that links a particular autophagy regulatory gene with cancer metastasis with clear mechanisms that can potentially lead to the development of new therapies,” said Guan, professor and former chair of the Department of Cancer Biology in UC’s College of Medicine. “I view this as one of the most important findings from my lab and a culmination of a lot of research expertise as well as unique reagents we generated over the years.”

Jun-Lin Guan, PhD. Photo/Colleen Kelley/UC Marketing + Brand.

Guan said cancer drugs are often developed to inhibit a gene that helps cancer cells grow, but in the case of p47, a potential therapy would seek to increase the functions of the protein so that it can prevent metastasis.

“I would argue it’s more powerful than inhibiting something,” he said, noting popular immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab similarly works by boosting a pathway the body uses to fight cancer. 

Moving forward, the research team will seek to learn more about p47’s mechanism of action and potential to be developed as a therapeutic. The researchers identified additional genes involved in autophagy that appear to affect metastasis that could become further targets for new treatments.

The gene library Hao custom-developed for this study is also available for other researchers at the Cancer Center and other institutions to use to identify potential targets in other cancers.

Hao began this particular line of research in 2018 and said patience, time, effort and genuine interest in your work are essential for cancer researchers.

Guan said many researchers focus on one protein or gene at a time, but it takes a specific expertise to conduct systematic, impactful research of many genes at one time.

“Mingang’s previous work laid the foundation for this, so this is something very unique that not many labs would be able to perform,” Guan said. “When I recruited him, this was the kind of thing I hoped he could do.”

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The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction.  Next Lives Here.

Featured photo of 3D breast cancer cell courtesy of the National Cancer Institute.

This research was funded by the National Institutes of Health (R01 CA211066; R01 HL073394; R01 NS094144). Researchers cite no conflicts of interest.

• Faculty Staff
• College of Medicine
• Academic Health Center
• Cancer Biology
• UC Cancer Institute

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