May 19-23, 2025 | Vol. 11, Issue 20
In this issue:
- Managing Professional Responsibilities for Early-Stage Investigators
- Career Story with Jishyra Serrano, PhD
- Qual Exam Writing Workshop
- Summer F-Club
- University Student Life Survey
- Asynchronous Learning Opportunities to Support Student Well-being
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 PhD students and postdocs 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.
Visiting Scientist Fellowship (VSF) 2025-2026 Recruitment Series! – An Introduction into the Pharmaceutical Industry
��️ Tuesday, May 20 | ⏱️ 7pm | �� Virtual
Attention PharmD, MD/DO, PhD, and Master's students! Join us to learn more about post graduate opportunities within the pharmaceutical industry! Lilly's Visiting Scientist Fellows and Leadership Team will be hosting a webinar on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 7:00 pm EST. This session will provide an overview of the VSF program and offer career planning tips from current fellows to help prepare for fellowship opportunities within the pharmaceutical industry.
This webinar will also include a live panel discussion featuring the 2024-2025 Visiting Scientist Fellowship class. Come and meet the fellows while learning more about the roles/responsibilities of various functional areas within the pharmaceutical industry!
University Student Life Survey
University Student Life is working to create their first mission statement, and that can’t be accomplished without input! Please take a few moments to share your thoughts on the vision and purpose of student life at the University in this survey. This is the first step in a series of engagement opportunities as University Student Life aligns their strategy with Boundless Possibility. The survey is open to all students/staff across all schools of the University.
Technology Development Fund (TDF) Call for Pre-Proposal Applications
The University of Rochester is pleased to announce that the Technology Development Fund (TDF) will begin accepting Pre-Proposal Applications for its 23rd round of funding starting June 1, 2025. The fund supports University researchers who wish to further the process of translating their research into commercial opportunities. Awards can range from $40,000 to $100,000 to support projects of approximately one year in duration. Faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, students, and employees of the University who have submitted (or who will submit by June 30, 2025) an invention disclosure to the UR Ventures Office are encouraged to apply. Please see the FAQs on the main TDF page for more information.
The deadline for submitting pre-proposal applications for consideration of funding this cycle is June 30, 2025.
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.
NPA SmartSkills: Surviving and Thriving in the First Year as a Faculty Member
��️ Tuesday, May 27 | ⏱️ 3pm | �� Virtual
Join NPA for an online webinar designed for postdocs transitioning into their first faculty position. In this webinar, we will discuss issues related to navigating the landscape of academic life, offering expert guidance on balancing teaching responsibilities, maintaining an active research agenda, strategically engaging in service, and effectively building your professional reputation. We will share practical strategies for recruiting students, engaging in reflective teaching practices, and maintaining research productivity while establishing yourself in your professional field.
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 wants to congratulate the Class of 2025!!
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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