May 12-16, 2025 | Vol. 11, Issue 19
In this issue:
- Wilmot Shared Resources Lunch and Learn Seminar Series
- Career Story, Networking Lunch, & Info Session with Dr. Joe Sanchez
- Commencement Celebration Philosophy Meeting
- Career Story with Jishyra Serrano, PhD
- Mindful Professor Training Program
- myHub Travel Award
Wilmot Shared Resources Lunch and Learn Seminar Series
��️ Tuesday, May 13 | ⏱️ 12-1pm | �� SMD Large Auditorium (2-6424)
Our "Gone Metabolic: Fishing for Bioenergetic Secrets with Seahorse" Seminar, presented by the Cytometry Shared Resource (CSR), will be held on Tuesday, May 13th from 12-1 pm in the SMD Large Auditorium (Rm 2-6424) and will spotlight their Seahorse service and two Wilmot members who utilize this service including:
• Paul Brookes, PhD - "Why and How to Measure Mitochondrial Function Using the Seahorse XF Platform"
• Roman Eliseev, MD, PhD - "Metabolic Profiling of Skeletal Stem Cells and Their Progeny"
Attendees will learn:
• The fundamentals of Seahorse XF technology
• Key bioenergetic parameters from Seahorse XF assays (e.g., basal respiration, ATP production, maximal respiration, glycolytic rate, and spare respiratory capacity)
• Basic design of Seahorse XF experiments
• Introduction to Seahorse XF data sets
All students, staff, post-docs, and PIs are encouraged to attend. Lunch will be provided.
Career Story, Networking Lunch, & Info Session
��️ Thursday, May 15 | �� Learning Lab 2-7534
Career Story with Joe Sanchez, PhD, MBA: From Bench to Beyond
⏱️ 11 am–12:15 pm
Join us for a candid conversation with Joe Sanchez, PhD, as he shares his career journey beyond the bench. From pivotal transitions to memorable milestones, Sanchez will reflect on the experiences that shaped his path and offer personal insights for trainees looking to explore careers outside traditional academic research. Gain valuable advice on how to recognize your strengths, leverage your training, and build a fulfilling career aligned with your interests.
Networking Lunch with Joe Sanchez and SMD Trainees - Registration required
⏱️ 12:15 pm–1:15 pm
Preparing for Competitive Placement in Industry: A Walkthrough of the Application and Candidate Selection Process
⏱️ 1:15 pm– 2:30 pm
This session provides an insider’s look at the key stages of applying for industry positions, from identifying opportunities to navigating the candidate selection process. Participants will learn how to tailor their application materials, understand what hiring managers look for at each stage, and develop strategies to stand out in a competitive job market. Whether you're exploring career options or actively applying, this walkthrough will help you approach the industry job search with confidence and clarity.
Commencement Celebration Philosophy Meeting
��️ Thursday, May 15 | ⏱️ 4:30-6:30pm | �� Flaum Atrium
For all SMD graduate students, postdocs, faculty, and staff. Join us for food and drinks.
Don’t miss this celebration and reception honoring the 2025 Commencement Awardees!
Managing Professional Responsibilities for Early-Stage Investigators
��️ Thursday, May 22 | ⏱️ 12-1pm | �� Natapow Room (1-9545)
Join the Rochester Early-Stage Investigator Network Program and the Junior Faculty Biomedical Research Association for an interactive panel discussion to provide early-stage faculty investigators with insights and strategies for effectively managing their diverse professional responsibilities, such as clinical practice, research, teaching, and administration. Panelists with clinical, basic science, and population science backgrounds will describe their roles, research focus, and share advice to achieve a successful and balanced research career. The panel will include a Q&A session and closing remarks.
Career Story with Jishyra Serrano, PhD - Translating Science into Community: My Path from PhD to Nonprofit
��️ Friday, May 23 | ⏱️ 10:15-11:30pm | �� K-307 (3-6408)
Sometimes the skills learned outside the lab during graduate school can shape your professional career. Join Jishyra Serrano as she shares her unique career journey from earning a PhD in Translational Biomedical Science to forging a path in the global academic space at a leading science nonprofit. Discover how a passion for research evolved into a commitment to supporting and connecting scientists worldwide.
Free coffee and snack for all participants.
Qual Exam Writing Workshop
��️ Thursday, May 29 & June 5 | ⏱️ 12-2pm | �� Learning Lab 2-7536
Join Dr. Elaine Smolock, Director of Writing Services and Training Grant Development to learn how to craft your qualifying exam. Specifically, this workshop aims to:
• discuss how to formulate a testable hypothesis and why it is important to articulate the rationale behind your particular question
• demonstrate how to organize and incorporate the literature into your proposal
• use writing exercises to put these ideas and tools into practice
• Think critically and analytically about how you present your research
Summer F-Club
��️ Wednesday, June 4 | ⏱️ 2-4pm | �� Northeastern Conference Room (1-9525/35)
myHub will again host an “F-Club”, which will serve as a writing support group for individuals interested in writing applications for F30, F31, F32 and F99 awards. University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry trainees interested in submitting applications for F awards are welcome to attend. Applicants will have the opportunity to improve their grant writing skills via five in-person sessions that occur every other Wednesday at 2pm beginning on June 4 through July 30 in the Northeastern Conference Room (1-9525/35). The Director of Writing Services and Training Grant Development, Dr. Elaine Smolock, will lead the sessions. All participants will have access to the myHub Archer Career Grant Writing Modules titled “Pathway to Fellowship” before the club begins.
Participants will also be encouraged to submit writing drafts for review in the weeks between the in-person F-club sessions. Constructive feedback and guidance will be provided by Dr. Smolock. Participants will be expected to send a draft of the application several days in advance of each review session.
myHub Travel Award
This is the final week to submit an application for the 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 Friday, May 16, 2025, by 12:00pm.
Summer Opportunities in Public Health
Summer is almost here, but there is still time for students from nearly all disciplines to apply for internships and seasonal positions in public health!
Here are a few opportunities across New York State that we’d like to highlight:
• The New York State Department of Health is always accepting Student Assistant applications and does not follow a semester-by-semester timeline.
• The New York State Association of County Health Officials (NYSACHO) is seeking an undergraduate student intern for the summer to support their workforce development initiatives for local health departments across New York State.
• The New York State Department of Health’s Center for Environmental Health is still accepting applications for seasonal Public Health Inspectors and Student Assistants.
Please see the attached flyers for more information about the positions, qualifications, and how to apply.
Asynchronous Learning Opportunities to Support Student Well-being
The Well-being for Life and Learning Training is an initiative designed to equip faculty and staff with knowledge and tools to support student mental health, resilience, and success. Grounded in research-backed practices, this training helps build a culture of well-being across our learning environments and continue to grow a community dedicated to transforming the student experience.
While we’re taking a break from in-person and synchronous sessions this summer, it’s the perfect time to explore our five asynchronous modules—now available on MyPath. Whether you're just getting started or continuing your journey, you can engage with the content at your own pace, on your own time.
• Let’s Talk About It: Navigating Trauma-Informed Conversations
• Navigating the Predominantly White Institution as an Underrepresented Minority Student
• Intercultural Communication: What Did You Say?
• Well-Being in Learning Environments
• Creating a Contemplative Classroom
View the Well-being for Life and Learning Training website today to register to begin your journey!
Fall 2025 Mindful Professor Training Program
Join a growing community of University of Rochester faculty and course instructors committed to well-being, compassionate leadership, and effective teaching. This research-backed program equips participants with tools to reduce stress, enhance presence, foster student well-being, and apply mindful leadership in the classroom and beyond. The Fall dates will be held on Wednesdays, 9:30–10:30 AM at the Saunders Research Building – Free coffee at every session! Sessions will occur on Sept 3, 10, 17, 24 · Oct 1, 8, 22 · Nov 5, with the graduation on November 12th. Reserve your spot today and be part of the movement bridging mindfulness practice and research in higher ed!
Yoga Classes continue this Summer
Whether you’re looking to engage in mindful movement or learn techniques to regulate your emotions, these sessions offer the perfect balance of movement and mindfulness. All levels welcome—just bring your mat and a desire to recharge. Classes run from May 12th to August 25th, every Monday and Thursday at 6-7pm in the Leibner-Cooper Room at the Goergen Athletic Center. Classes are open to all full-time students and R-club members (part-time students, faculty, and staff). Classes are hosted by Mindful University Project x Yoga Vibe’s experienced yoga teachers. Check our schedules and register for classes, or just drop-in.
Supporting Postdoctoral Scholars Experiencing Sexual Harassment in Higher Education
��️ Wednesday, May 14 | ⏱️ 11:30am-12:45pm | �� Virtual
Join the Action Collaborative on Preventing Sexual Harassment in Higher Education for a virtual issue paper release event on Considerations for Supporting Postdoctoral Scholars Experiencing Sexual Harassment. This issue paper reviews existing research on factors contributing to the sexual harassment of postdoctoral scholars, describes the landscape of relevant policies, laws, and regulations that influence postdoctoral scholars’ vulnerability to sexual harassment, and analyzes examples of efforts to address the sexual harassment of postdoctoral scholars.
This issue paper serves as research-based resource for higher education administrators; practitioners; and faculty, staff, and student leaders. Issue Papers describe the status of and key elements shaping an issue, examine and summarize the research or evidence base, examine existing practices on a key issue, and/or provide technical assessments of strategies or priorities. They do not provide consensus findings, conclusions, or recommendations.
Postdoc Houston
��️ Thursday, May 15 | ⏱️ 2pm-5pm (EST) | �� Virtual
The Postdoc Offices at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Methodist, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, and UTHealth Houston invite you to attend Postdoc Houston. Postdoc Houston is a FREE virtual event for prospective postdocs on Thursday, May 15, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Central.
• Discover the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world.
• Learn why Houston is a great place to live and work.
• Explore postdoctoral opportunities at our institutions.
• Meet current postdocs and institutional representatives.
Workplace Wellness for Postdocs
��️ Wednesday, June 11 | ⏱️ 11:45am-1:30pm | �� UR Fitness Science
Take a trip with Workplace Wellness! We will visit URMC's Fitness Science program and the state-of-the-art demo kitchen to hear from Registered Dietician Holly Gilligan about healthy snacking on-the-go. Lunch and shuttle transportation are provided.
You'll learn:
- What our snacks should provide (satiety, energy, nutrients)
- What gives our bodies energy and how to include that in a quick grab-and-go snack
- Examples of quick, easy, nutritious choices and how to mix and match them
- Food demo: energy bites and trail mix
| 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 Leon Harvey, a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 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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