April 7-11, 2025 | Vol. 11, Issue 14
In this issue:
- Graduate Student Appreciation Week (GSAW)
- myHub's Workplace Wellness Series for Postdocs
- Interstride International Student Career Summit
- Jessie Hogestyn's Career Story
- Living & Working in Cananda
- 6th GWIS Meeting
| Graduate Student Appreciation Week |
April 7-11 is Graduate Student Appreciation Week (GSAW) with a bunch of events to celebrate SMD Graduate Students. Click on the flyer below to find the full schedule of university-wide GSAW events and registration info.
Some myHub sponsored events to highlight are:
SMD Pizza Kickoff
��️ Monday, April 7 | ⏱️ 12-1pm | �� Class of '62 Auditorium
Open to all SMD graduate students, please join us for pizza to kick off the week!
SMD Trainee Group Fair & Ice Cream
��️ Monday, April 7 | ⏱️ 2:30-4pm | �� Sarah Flaum Atrium
Visit with SMD Trainee groups to find out how you can get involved and be part of a vibrant community. Then pick up your free ice cream ticket in the GEPA office and enjoy a treat at the Lugia’s Ice Cream Truck in the parking lot outside Flaum Atrium/Finger Lakes Coffee.
Trainee Wellness Pop-Up
��️ Tuesday, April 8 | ⏱️ 9-10pm | �� Lousie Slaughter Room (1-9555)
Take a minute to relax with coffee and donuts in the myHub Wellness Pop-Up with Legos, sand, and other sensory activities.
myHub Happy Hour
��️ Friday, April 11 | ⏱️ 4-6pm | �� Mt. Hope Distillery
Join myHub at the Distillery on Mt. Hope for appetizers and 1 free drink ticket. Registration is required to attend
myHub's Workplace Wellness Series for Postdocs
��️ Wednesday, April 9 | ⏱️ 12-1:30pm | �� Conference Room (2-7539)
New in 2025! myHub's Workplace Wellness Series for Postdocs brings postdocs together for lunch, community-building, and development of personal well-being through interactive in-person workshops every other month. The February and April Workplace Wellness workshops will explore Science & Mindfulness with Laura Gavigan, founder of Mindful Matters. Laura provides coaching and counseling for practical insight into stress and burnout, and the mindfulness tools you need for immediate and transformative change.
Interstride International Student Career Summit
��️ Thursday, April 10 | ⏱️ 12-6pm | �� Virtual
Interstride is hosting their first-ever, virtual International Student Career Summit and bringing together career experts, employers, and international alumni for an amazing day. This event is completely FREE for students, alumni, and staff at partner universities. Know employers open to hiring international students? Invite them to attend for free to connect with top talent, share internships and job opportunities, and boost their employer brand. Encourage them to sign up here and be part of the event. Let’s make this a milestone event for international student career success!
Jessie Hogestyn's Career Story: "Postdoc to Pipeline: Navigating Career Paths in Industry Post-PhD"
��️ Friday, April 11 | ⏱️ 11-12:15pm | �� K-307 (3-6408)
Join us for a Career Story session with SMD alumna Jessie Hogestyn, Ph.D., as she shares her journey from academia to industry in her talk, "Postdoc to Pipeline: Navigating Career Paths in Industry Post-PhD." After completing a postdoc at Sanofi, Jessie transitioned to a full-time role as a Senior Scientist. She will discuss her career path, key lessons learned, and advice for Ph.D. trainees considering industry postdocs. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and ask questions.
Please register separately for the free networking lunch, which will follow the career story from 12:15 pm to 1:15 pm. Note that registering for the event on Handshake does not automatically register you for the lunch.
Living & Working in Cananda
��️ Monday, April 14 | ⏱️ 3pm | �� Virtual
Join the final info session about living and working in Canada on Monday, April 14, at 3pm. During the session permanent resident pathways, express entry, the work permit process, and more will be discussed. This info session has same content as the first two sessions. Multiple times and days were offered to accommodate various schedules.
6th GWIS Meeting
��️ Thursday, April 17 | ⏱️ 3-4pm | �� Adolph Lower Aud (1-7619)
The next GWSIS meeting will be held on Thursday, April 17 at 3:00pm in the Adolph Lower Auditorium. The invited speaker is Nadya Dimitrova, PhD, an Associate Professor with the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and of Genetics at Yale School of Medicine.
Dr. Dimitrova will also be presenting a seminar in the Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics series on Wednesday, April 16, titled "Long Noncoding RNAs: Strength in Numbers" at 2pm in K-307.
Neuroscience Graduate Program Presents: Neuroscience Retreat 2025
��️ Friday, April 25 | ⏱️ 8am | �� Memorial Art Gallery
36th Annual Genetics Day
��️ Monday, April 28 | ⏱️ 8:30am-4:30pm | �� Class of '62 Auditorium & Flaum Atrium
The keynote speaker will be Marisa Bartolomei, Ph.D., Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to the keynote lecture, this event will include talks by faculty and trainees as well as a poster session.
CALL FOR POSTERS
We invite you and your colleagues to present posters in the Genetics Day poster session (1:00 – 3:00pm). To present a poster and be eligible for a poster prize, submit your registration by 12pm on Monday, April 21st, 2025
CALL FOR STUDENT SPEAKERS
We invite students to apply to give a 20 min oral presentation in the morning session of Genetics Day. A total of two trainee speakers will be selected. To be selected for oral presentations Student submit your registration by 5:00pm on Monday, April 7th, 2025
�� Gain Real-World Experience — And Get Funded! ��
Are you a Master’s, PhD, or Postdoc trainee in the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and looking to explore career paths outside your lab/research experience?
myHub offers funding support for internships and job shadowing experiences!
Whether you want to:
✅ Test-drive a career in industry, government, not-for-profit, academia
✅ Shadow a professional to gain insider knowledge
✅ Build your resume with hands-on experience
…this opportunity is for YOU!
�� Apply for funding to support for short-term, career-focused experiences that align with your goals. Flexible options are available year-round.
Have questions or want help brainstorming an internship or shadowing site? Email myHub@urmc.rochester.edu — we're here to help!
International Student Mentor Information Session
Are you interested in becoming an international student mentor for the fall semester? These are paid positions (up to 15 hours per semester) where students serving as peer mentors will meet with an international student mentee throughout the semester and attend events and workshops. Training will be held in advance. Mentors must apply before May 15.
Register to attend an information session on Friday, April 11, at noon to learn more about the program and what it entails. You can also access the presentation through Zoom by registering here.
GWIS Spring Travel Award 2025
The deadline for the GWIS Travel Award application is Tuesday, April 22nd at noon. You must be a graduate student in years 1 through 5 and an active participant in GWIS. Travel will be sponsored on the basis of scientific merit (thus it is key that you describe your past and ongoing research), need (explain why the requested travel is important for your scientific growth), and regular participation at GWIS meetings as evidenced from the meeting registrations and sign-in sheets. To date, 78 GWIS members have received Travel Awards.
There are two steps for completing an application:
Step 1. Submit a completed Application Form along with a copy of your C.V. and copies of your peer-reviewed publications to stephanie_scoville@urmc.rochester.edu by noon on April 22nd.
Step 2. Request that your Ph.D. mentor and one of your Ph.D. advisory committee members each forward a letter of reference to stephanie_scoville@urmc.rochester.edu by noon on April 22nd.
Successful applicants for a GWIS Travel Award can also use funds to attend and participate in virtual meetings.
myHub Travel Award
myHub is sponsoring a travel award for Master and Ph.D. students and postdoctoral appointees in the School of Medicine and Dentistry. The award is intended to help build skills, learn new techniques or explore career pathways relevant to current or future career endeavors. This award is not intended for academic research related conferences and/or skill development trainings related to your academic research.
Application deadline is May 16, 2025, by 12:00pm
Pathways to Public Health Internship Program
Opportunities are available this summer with the Pathways to Public Health Internship Program! All interested students and recent grads from any relevant field are encouraged to submit their applications right away.
Interns will be based with programs at the New York State Department of Health’s Office of Public Health and Regional Offices. The positions will last 10 weeks from June 2, 2025, through August 8, 2025. Interns will be paid $20 per hour for up to 37.5 hours per week. After the first 4 weeks of working fully in person, interns will be able to telecommute up to 50% of the time at the discretion of their supervisor if appropriate for their role. Currently, none of the positions offered below are fully remote.
Internship benefits include:
• Hands-on experience in public health
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Networking with Department of Health staff and interns
• Support in completing relevant documentation for degree program, if applicable
• Ability to contribute to protecting, improving, and promoting health and well-being for all, building on a foundation of health equity.
Please contact Gianna Woodard, Pathways to Public Health Internship Placement Coordinator, at Pathways2PHIP@health.ny.gov with any questions.
The CIRTL Network
Are you starting to think about post-degree career paths? Every spring CIRTL brings together alumni who have gone into different types of work to hear about their pathway from degree to employment, the moments in their graduate careers that helped them figure out their professional priorities, and the challenging and rewarding parts of their academic careers. This online event series includes the following panels:
��️ Tuesday, April 8 | ⏱️ 12-1pm - Exploring Teaching Careers at Teaching Intensive Universities
��️ Tuesday, April 15 | ⏱️ 12-1pm - Exploring Academic Careers Beyond the Professoriate
Are you interested in cutting edge research on teaching and learning and how to apply this research to your teaching practice? Join Columbia University CIRTL Fellows for our Journal Club series, where we discuss new educational resources designed by and for graduate student instructors to support inclusive STEM teaching. Each session, we’ll look at one resource and focus on how we can use it to inform our own teaching practices. Sessions are:
��️ Friday, April 11 - Research Experiences and the Classroom: Strategies to Broaden Participation in STEM
Mental Health Screenings for SMD Students
��️ Tuesday, April 8 | ⏱️ 12pm-1:30pm | �� Flaum Atrium
Students are invited to take a short depression and anxiety screening and then meet with someone from the University Counseling Center (UCC) to review the result as a part of the annual Flourish Festival. This event will be held on April 8th from 12-1:30 PM in the Flaum Atrium at URMC. First 50 attendees will receive a free Finger Lakes Coffee voucher! More details, view our event page here.
Annual Flourish Festival: A Week of Well-being
The Flourish Festival is back—and bigger than ever! Now in its third year, this event has expanded from a single day to a week-long celebration of well-being and mindfulness. From April 7th – 11th, U of R students are invited to join us for a rejuvenating experience designed to help you de-stress, recharge, and prepare for finals with ease.
Throughout the week, you’ll have the opportunity to explore a diverse lineup of mindfulness and wellness practices, interactive workshops, and educational sessions, plus free giveaways to support your mental and emotional well-being. Whether you're looking to self-reflect, regulate your nervous system, or simply take a much-needed pause, Flourish Festival is here to help you thrive. This event is open to all U of R students. For students who attend 4+ events during the week, you’ll get entered into win one of three giveaways!
April Mindfulness Class Offerings
Breathe and bloom with the flowers in April! Cleanse and refresh your energy by joining our community mindfulness practice, led by experienced teachers, either in-person or online. Finish your semester strong by participating in introspection, guided meditation, and meaningful discussions. Times for meetings are listed below, click to register for the one that suits you best!
• Fridays: April 4th, 11th, 18th, and May 2nd from 4:00-5:15 PM in Genesee 308
• Fridays: April 11th, 18th, 25th, and May 2nd from 10:30AM - 11:45AM via zoom
• Sundays: April 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th from 7:00-8:15PM via zoom
Open to all students, staff, and faculty at the University of Rochester. For all student attendees: By attending all sessions, you will be able to receive a giveaway of your choosing: The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook, a meditation cushion, or a yoga mat.
Healing from Within: A Mind-Body Approach for Chronic Pain in College Students
��️ Friday, April 4, 11, 18, & 25 | ⏱️ 2-3:15pm | �� Zoom
If you’re a U of R student living with chronic pain and seeking tools to feel better, this inaugural Mindful University Project 4-week Spring 2025 course is for you! Designed for undergraduate and graduate students, the program explores evidence-based mind-body approaches, including Pain Reprocessing Therapy, Emotional Awareness & Expression Therapy, and mindfulness techniques. Chronic pain affects academic performance and well-being, with over 66% of U of R undergraduates and 70.8% of graduate students seeking care in 2023. Participants will gain practical tools to reduce pain, receive a free Pain Reprocessing Therapy Workbook, and access exclusive coaching. The course is open to students who have experienced chronic pain for over three months, have been evaluated by a doctor, or have conditions.
Body Acceptance Program
��️ Monday, April 7, 14, 21, & 28 | ⏱️ 5-6pm | �� UHS 2nd Floor Reifler Room
Join us for The Body Project, a 4-week evidence-based body acceptance program designed to help women challenge unrealistic appearance ideals. Through group discussions and interactive activities, participants will gain valuable insights into developing a healthier body image and self-esteem. This program has been shown to reduce body dissatisfaction and promote body positivity. The sessions dates are April 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th at 5:00-6:00 pm in the UHS 2nd Floor Reifler Room. Participants are encouraged to attend all 4 sessions if possible. The Body Project is open to all undergraduate and graduate students. Program is free of charge & all students who attend will get a free journal and pen.
| NSF I-Corps Regional Course Information |
MECCC
NSF I-Corps Regional Courses are for university-based STEM researchers and early-stage startup founders who are interested in exploring the market potential of their work and learning entrepreneurial skills. Participants learn to apply “customer discovery” methodology to evaluate the potential for translating their technology innovation from the lab into a successful product and/or service.
This week’s social media spotlight features Nashae Prout, a Toxicology PhD candidate.
Accommodations
The University of Rochester is committed to providing inclusive experiences and equal access to programs and services. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation, please contact Mary Beth Kitzel. In all situations, a good faith effort (up until the time of the event) will be made to provide accommodations.
OTE Submission Information
Submissions for the weekly Monday edition of OTE are due by Thursday at 5:00 pm. Please submit materials to myHub@urmc.rochester.edu.
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