July 6th- July 10th, 2026 | Vol. 12, Issue 27
In this issue:
myHub Writing Retreats
��️Wednesday, July 8th | ⏱️ 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm |�� 1W-501 Fiaretti Classroom
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.
myHub Summer Career Ready Boot Camp Second Session
��️Monday July 13th | ⏱️ 11:30am - 1:30pm |�� CEL 2-7534
Take charge of your professional future with our interactive program designed to guide you through every step of career exploration and development. Whether you're a graduate student or postdoctoral fellow, this experience-based program will empower you with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to take the next big leap in your career. This will include asynchronous, group, and individual appointments. At the end of the session, students will receive a certificate of completion, a digital badge for LinkedIn, and access to career exploration funding.
Registration Closed
Food and snacks will be provided
Unlocking Your Family Story: Genealogy Series
��️Wednesday July 15th | ⏱️ 12:00pm - 1:00pm |�� Rush Rhees Library, Second Floor Special Collections
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
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.
SciLine "Understanding the media" Training for Scientist
��️Wednesday July 15th | ⏱️ 2:00pm - 3:00pm |�� Virtual
This free, virtual, one-hour course - designed specifically for media-curious scientists with little or no media experience - teaches the basics scientists need to know as they consider dipping their toes or diving deeper into media engagement. We provide an overview of the U.S. news landscape, including the different types of media outlets and reporters a scientist might encounter (and what each is looking for), professional similarities and differences between journalists and scientists, and the risks and benefits of participating in interviews.
Designing Effective Assessment: Backward Design in Action
��️Monday July 20th | ⏱️ 12:00pm - 2:00pm |�� G-8534 Anderson Room
Explore what makes assessment meaningful and effective within a course. This session will introduce backward design principles and connect them to curriculum development, scaffolding your learning goals, activities, and assessments for greater student success! Food will be provided!
Guest Speaker: Lauren Brooks, Associate Professor, Co-Director of the Biomedical Sciences Program
Lauren Brooks, PhD, is an Associate Professor at Nazareth University with a deep passion for teaching, learning, and student success. Drawing on her background in microbiology, immunology, and clinical laboratory science, she is dedicated to creating engaging learning experiences that help students connect theory to practice. Lauren is committed to helping others discover new ideas, strategies, and approaches to teaching, fostering growth and excellence in the classroom. Her enthusiasm for education and mentorship inspires both students and fellow educators alike.
9th Annual Presentation Skills Workshop
��️Friday July 24th| ⏱️ 1:00pm - 4:00pm|��Neuman Room (1-6823)
About the workshop:
• learn principles for designing effective scientific talks
• emphasis on clear visual communication
• aimed primarily at students, but postdocs, fellows, techs, faculty,
and staff are welcome
• be prepared to share a set of slides from a scientific talk during
the small-group discussions portion
Presented by Dr. Alan Grossfield - Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Light Refreshments will be provided!
| myHub Travel Award Recipients��✈️ |
Another HUGE congratulations to the myHub Travel Award Recipients!
We are excited to celebrate your accomplishments and look forward to seeing the impact of your work as you represent our community at upcoming conferences and professional events!
�� Fariha Hoque Rimu - PhD Candidate
�� Nat Vance - PhD Candidate
�� Meng-Jung Wen - PhD, Postdoctoral Trainee
�� Nafisa Nawal Islam - PhD Candidate
Congratulations to all of our award recipients! Wishing you safe travels, meaningful collaborations, and continued success!
Teaching Reimagined: Building, Engaging, and Learning Experiences
��️August 10th and, August 11th| ⏱️ Various Times|��TBD
Join us for the myHub Teaching Retreat 2026, a two-day interactive experience designed for graduate students and postdocs who are interested in teaching, mentoring, and academic careers. Whether you're certain about a teaching path or just exploring, this retreat will provide practical tools, strategies, and a supportive community to help you grow as an educator! Food will be provided.
| 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
Leadership Development Retreat
��️Thursday, August 6th| ⏱️ 9:00 am - 3:00 pm |��TBD
We are excited to invite you to a Leadership Development Retreat on Thursday, August 6, 2026, from 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
This retreat is designed specifically for the leaders of graduate student and trainee organizations across the School of Medicine and Dentistry and the School of Arts & Sciences, Hajim School of Engineering. We encourage each organization to send up to four current or emerging leaders to participate.
The Leadership Development Retreat is an opportunity to strengthen your leadership skills while connecting with peers who share similar goals and challenges.
Participants can expect:
- Leadership development workshops focused on effective student organization leadership
- Opportunities to collaborate with, share ideas, and learn from other leaders
- Practical tools and strategies for planning events, engaging members, and sustaining organizational success
- Discussions on navigating common leadership challenges and transitions
- �� A fun afternoon social activity designed to build connections, strengthen collaboration, and celebrate the important work of student organizations
Plus, lunch is on us! ��️ Enjoy a complimentary lunch while networking with fellow student leaders from across the University.
Please save the date and share this opportunity with your executive board and leadership team. For planning purposes, we appreciate your RSVP via the QR code in the attachment, or here. Additional details, including the agenda and registration information, will be shared soon.
We hope your organization will join us for a day of learning, collaboration, and community building.
This week's featured read ��✨: Are You Smart Enough to Work at Google?: Trick Questions, Zen-like Riddles, Insanely Difficult Puzzles, and Other Devious Interviewing Techniques You Need to Know to Get a Job Anywhere in the New Economy by William Poundstone explores the mind-bending logic puzzles top companies use to vet talent. This engaging book reveals the psychology behind high-stakes evaluation while offering practical strategies to sharpen your problem-solving and critical thinking skills - perfect for navigating competitive residency, research, or clinical interviews. Stop by the GEPA office to check it out!
This week’s social media spotlight features Dr. Elizabeth Murray, Director of Child Health & Safety Communications for Golisano Children’s Hospital and an attending physician in the Department of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics at UR Medicine's Strong Memorial Hospital, who shared one of the highlights of her week: “Joining Dr. Nathan A. Smith, Kelsie Smith Hayduk, Ram Haddas, PhD, MBA and the students from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry T32 Predoctoral Training Program in Immunology to discuss the importance of scientists sharing what they know on social media. (Spoiler: they know a lot!) Can’t wait to hear more from Zoe Matacchiera, Imran Tahir, and Natalie Vance.” 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.
Connect with SMD
Tag us or use #URochesterResearch!
