June 15 - June 19, 2026 | Vol. 12, Issue 24
In this issue:
Toastmasters: Daybreakers Club
��️Thursday, June 18th| ⏱️ 7:30 am - 9:00 am ��Louise Slaughter Conference Room (1-9555) or Zoom
Toastmasters is designed to assist members to improve public speaking and leadership skills in a safe, supportive and fun environment. Daybreakers is our local club and it meets at the Medical Center.
myHub Writing Retreats
��️Wednesday, July 8th | ⏱️ 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm |�� TBD
MyHub hosts monthly mini Writing Retreats on the second Wednesday of every month. Retreats are open to all School of Medicine and Dentistry Trainees and are inclusive of all types of writing projects.
Each session will begin with a brief guided free writing exercise, followed by goal setting, and protected time to write. MyHub’s Director of Writing Service and Training Grant Development, Dr. Elaine Smolock, will be available for consultation and review during each session.
Food and drinks will be provided.
Graduate Teaching Workshop: Learning Assessment Techniques for GTAS
��️Friday, July 17th | ⏱️ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm |�� Zoom
Open to all URochester graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, this interactive Zoom Teaching Center workshop will define and share strategies for implementing learning assessment techniques (LATs) into your work as a GTA. Additional details and registration information are attached and can also be found at https://www.rochester.edu/college/teaching/graduate/programs.html.
Bringing to your attention the upcoming NSF I-Corps information session scheduled for July 15th, along with the newest free NSF I-Corps courses that are currently accepting applications. NSF I-Corps 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. All course offerings can be found at: Events - I-Corps Hub: Interior Northeast.
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NSF I-Corps Information Session
Wednesday, July 15 (12:00 – 12:45 p.m. ET)
Designed for busy graduate students, postdocs, and faculty interested in learning more about I-Corps regional and national programming.
Hosted by the Interior Northeast I-Corps Hub (IN I-Corps), the virtual NSF I-Corps Information Session on Wednesday, July 15 (12:00 – 12:45 p.m. ET) is designed for busy graduate students, postdocs, and faculty interested in learning more about I-Corps regional and national programming. NSF I-Corps instructors and alumni will be in attendance to share their experience and answer questions.
Register by July 14 at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nsf-i-corps-information-session-tickets-1981025652053?aff=oddtdtcreator
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I-Corps Regional Course hosted by University of Vermont - July 2026
Open to researchers in all STEM fields.
Course Overview In this month long virtual course (July 6 - August 5), researchers working on a deep tech innovation “get out of your comfort zone” and talk with customers (virtually) to identify the best product-market fit. You may apply with a team of 1-3 people. Teams may not split attendance between members. Please only include the members of your team that will be fully participating in the course. All team members are required to attend and participate fully in every course session and complete all coursework. This is important for two reasons: 1) Course learning is cumulative 2) Only team members who personally complete the full course can be considered for NSF lineage and a nomination for national I-Corps Teams.
Application Closes: Wednesday, June 17
Apply at: https://www.tfaforms.com/5219043
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I-Corps Regional Course for Startups
Open to startup teams.
Hosted by Rochester Institute of Technology
August 2026
Course Overview In this month long virtual course (July 27 - August 26), researchers working on a deep tech innovation “get out of your comfort zone” and talk with customers (virtually) to identify the best product-market fit. You may apply with a team of 1-3 people. Teams may not split attendance between members. Please only include the members of your team that will be fully participating in the course. All team members are required to attend and participate fully in every course session and complete all coursework. This is important for two reasons: 1) Course learning is cumulative 2) Only team members who personally complete the full course can be considered for NSF lineage and a nomination for national I-Corps Teams.
Application Closes: Wednesday, July 8
Apply at: https://www.tfaforms.com/5219044
Begin your genealogy journey by learning the essential foundations of family history/genealogy research. Participants will explore how to ask effective research questions, use pedigree charts and family group sheets, and build a strong starting point for discovering their family story. This interactive session is perfect for beginners and those looking to refresh their research skills.
Contact for Questions: evaughn@nyrgs.org
| Learners on Location: Chrysilla Emanuelle & Megan Falsetta |
In this episode of Learners on Location, associate professor Megan Falsetta, PhD, and fifth-year PhD student Chrysilla Emanuelle share how mentorship, collaboration, and creativity have shaped their work here at the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry. Filmed at OFC Creations Theatre Center, their conversation explores the parallels between science and storytelling, the supportive culture of the Falsetta Lab, and the translational research they’re conducting to better understand vulvodynia—a chronic pain condition affecting millions of women.
| Mental Health First Aid Training for SMD Faculty, Staff, and Trainees! (Full Day OR Morning Sessions) |
Become certified in Mental Health First Aid through this 7.5 hour in-person training course. Certification is through the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and is active for 3 years.
At a research institution where the demands on PhD students, postdoctoral associates, faculty, and staff are high, mental health literacy is impactful. It helps us become better prepared to support colleagues and trainees, contributes to healthier work environments, and reduces stigma around mental health.
Mental Health First Aid is a training that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance abuse challenges. You'll learn:
✅ Common signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges
✅ How to interact with a person in crisis
✅ How to connect a person with help
✅ More about trauma, substance use and self-care
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
8:00 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Breakfast and lunch provided
Room location will be emailed to you
Faculty/staff register by emailing Amber Rivera amber_rivera@urmc.rochester.edu
Attendance at both sessions is mandatory to achieve certification.
Monday, July 27 and Tuesday, July 28, 2026
8:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Breakfast served both mornings
Room location will be emailed to you
| Mental Health First Aid Training for Graduate Students and Postdocs! (Morning Sessions) |
Become certified in Mental Health First Aid through this 7.5 hour in-person training course. Certification is through the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and is active for 3 years.
At a research institution where the demands on PhD students, postdoctoral associates, faculty, and staff are high, mental health literacy is impactful. It helps us become better prepared to support colleagues and trainees, contributes to healthier work environments, and reduces stigma around mental health.
Mental Health First Aid is a training that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance abuse challenges. You'll learn:
✅ Common signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges
✅ How to interact with a person in crisis
✅ How to connect a person with help
✅ More about trauma, substance use and self-care
Attendance at both sessions is mandatory to achieve certification.
Monday, July 13 and Tuesday, July 14, 2026
8:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Breakfast served both mornings
Room location will be emailed to you
This week's featured read ��✨: Networking for Nerds: Find, Access and Land Hidden Game-Changing Career Opportunities Everywhere by Alaina G. Levine is packed with practical tips and fresh perspectives on building meaningful connections, uncovering hidden opportunities, and taking your career to the next level. Whether networking comes naturally to you or feels a little intimidating, this book offers actionable strategies to help you succeed. Stop by the GEPA office to check it out and discover why it's one of our favorite career-development reads!
This week’s social media spotlight features Md Rayhanul Islam, PhD student, who recently attended the ISEE-NAC (International Society for Environmental Epidemiology North America Chapter) Conference at Johns Hopkins University.
Reflecting on the experience, Rayhanul shared that it was “an incredible week of scientific exchange and advocacy.” He presented research on a Seasonal Time-Stratified Case-Crossover design to better understand associations between air pollution and respiratory viral infections, explored emerging environmental health challenges including wildfire smoke and extreme temperatures, and participated in advocacy meetings on Capitol Hill to discuss the importance of sustained NIH funding and evidence-based policymaking.
Rayhanul credits the support of his mentors and colleagues and looks forward to continuing his work at the intersection of air pollution, respiratory health, and environmental policy advocacy. Way to go!
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 the Office of Disability Resources. 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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