It seems like Dexter Holland has indeed gone far, kid.

The Offspring frontman graduated from the University of Southern California with a doctorate in molecular biology on Thursday. Holland commenced his studies a number of years ago, but he put them on hold when The Offspring’s touring ramped up. He returned to finish his research and write his dissertation a few years ago, focusing on HIV and immunodeficiency viruses.

“My research is not meant to be a cure or even an immediate step toward a cure, but I believe that by adding to the vast amount of information that we’ve learned about HIV in the last 30 years or so, we’ll get there,” he wrote in an emailed press release. “Toward that end, I’m going to continue to do research, and you’ll probably see some of my research papers get published here and there over the next few years.”

His 175-page thesis is titled “Discovery of Mature MicroRNASequences within the Protein-Coding Regions of Global HIV-1 Genomes: Predictions of Novel Mechanisms for Viral Infection and Pathogenicity,” and can be found here.

Holland isn’t the only musician to hold a degree in a non-music related field. “Weird Al” Yankovic graduated from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo with a degree in architecture, and Brian May of Queen earned a B.S. in physics and mathematics, later returning in 2007 to achieve a doctorate in astrophysics.

Holland wrote that The Offspring will continue to tour despite his new scientific pursuits, and are performing at a string of festivals and solo shows. Dates can be found below and here.

05/14 – Somerset, WI @ Northern Invasion

05/20 – Columbus, OH @ Rock on the Range

05/26-28 – Pryor, OK @ Rocklahoma

05/27 – San Antonio, TX @ River City Rockfest

6/22 – Montebello, QC @ Montebello Rockfest

07/06 – Airway Heights, WA @ Northern Quest Resort & Casino *

07/07 – Abbotsford, BC @ Abbotsford Centre *

07/08 – Penticton, BC @ South Okanagan Events Centre *

07/10 – Calgary, AB @ Cowboys Stampede *

07/11 – Moose Jaw, SK @ Mosaic Place *

07/12 – Winnipeg, MB @ RBC Convention Centre *

07/14 – Sudbury, ON @ Sudbury Arena *

07/15 – London, ON @ Rock The Park Music Festival

07/27 – Barolo, IT @ Collisioni Festival

07/29 – Gijon, ES @ Tsunami Xix

08/02 – Roma, IT @ Rock in Roma

08/04 – Lignano Sabbiadoro, IT @ Sunset Festival

08/05 – Szekesfehervar, HR @ Fezen Festival

08/07 – Tolmin, SL @ Punk Rock Holiday

08/09 – Lokeren, BE @ Lokerse Feesten

08/11-13 – Landerneau, FR @ Festival Fete du Bruit

08/15-17 – Saint Polten, AT @ FM4 Frequency Festival

08/18-20 – Leipzig, DE @ Highfield Festival

09/08 – Chicago, IL @ Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island *

09/09 – Sterling Heights, MI @ Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill *

09/12 – Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center *

09/14 – Philadelphia, PA @ Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing *

09/15 – Boston, MA @ Blue Hills Bank Pavilion *

09/16 – Wantagh, NY @ Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater *

09/19 – Rogers, AR @ Walmart AMP *

09/21 – The Woodlands, TX @ The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion *

09/26 – Chula Vista, CA @ Mattress Firm Amphitheatre *

09/27 – Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre *

09/29 – Las Vegas, NV @ Downtown Las Vegas Events Center *

09/30 – Salt Lake City, UT @ USANA Amphitheatre *

* = w/Sublime and Rome