September 7th - September 11th, 2026 | Vol. 12, Issue 36
In this issue:
Science Policy Initiative: First Meeting of the Semester!
��️Tuesday September 8th | ⏱️ 3:30pm - 4:30pm |�� Anderson Room
Interested in learning more about science policy and ways to get involved this semester? Join us for the Science Policy Initiative’s first meeting of the semester!
Come hear about our plans for the semester, including:
- Science Policy Pitch Competition with cash prizes
- Guest speakers
- Workshops and professional development opportunities
- Travel awards
- Open board positions and leadership opportunities
Food and drinks will be provided!
Whether you’re already interested in science policy or just curious about what it is, come meet the team, learn about upcoming opportunities, and find out how you can get involved.
We hope to see you there!
myHub Writing Retreat
��️Wednesday September 9th | ⏱️ 12:00pm - 2:00pm |�� TBD
MyHub will host 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.
Fall [F]ellowship Club 2026
��️Thursday September 10th | ⏱️ 11:00am - 10:30pm |�� 1-7619 Adolph (Lower) Auditorium
Moderator:
Elaine Smolock, PhD; Director of Writing Services & Training Grant Development Elaine_Smolock@urmc.rochester.edu
Independent Work | Check in with Dr. Smolock on ‘Office Hours’ weeks | Sign up docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1a6r6CpCCp2ikauAPxAbC_F0tBXtWbiFeoEFXLgJc0_A/edit?usp=sharing
Dates, Times, and Location:
Thursdays | Sept 10 – Dec, 3 | In-Person Sessions start Sept 10
Time | 11:00am - 1:00pm
Public Health Grand Rounds
��️Friday September 11th | ⏱️ 12:00pm - 1:00pm |�� Zoom Webinar
Are the kids OK? Youth focused community update. The Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of the Monroe County Department of Public Health will present the results of the 2025-2026 Monroe County Youth Risk Behavior Survey and share the department’s work to combat two youth-impacting concerns: Community violence and the use of e-cigarettes/vaping.
Speakers:
1) Marielena Vélez de Brown, MD, MPH, Commissioner, Monroe County Department of Public Health
2) Melissa A. Schwartz, DO, JD, MPH, Deputy Commissioner, Monroe County Department of Public Health
myHub Career Story & Networking Lunch with Eric Schott, Ph.D.:
Biotech Unfiltered: Startups, Science & Entrepreneurship
��️Friday September 25th | ⏱️ 10:00am - 12:30pm |�� CEL 2-7544
Join Eric Schott, Ph.D., URochester SMD alumnus and Co-Founder & COO of sōlaria biō, for a candid look inside the world of biotech. Career Story Time 10:00 - 11:30am!
What You’ll Learn:
�� Academia → Industry: Eric’s career journey
�� Startup Life: Building and growing a biotech company
�� Career Insights: Entrepreneurship, networking & opportunities
�� The Real Talk: Challenges, risks & rewards of biotech careers
Networking Lunch with Eric Schott Ph.D.
Time: 11:30am–12:30pm
Enjoy lunch while hearing Eric’s perspective on life in biotech, building a career beyond academia, and finding opportunities in the startup world.
Connect 1:1 with Eric Schott
1:00pm - 4:00pm | SMD GEPA Conference Room (G.9557)
Meet 1:1 with Eric for personalized career insights on biotech, entrepreneurship, and industry.
30-minute slots | Limited spots | First come, first served!
Steadman Family Awards
��️Friday, September 25th | ⏱️ 3:00pm - 4:30pm |�� Hawkins-Carlson Room of Rush Rhees Library (River Campus)
The SAS|Hajim Graduate Education & Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) office is excited to announce the Steadman Family Postdoctoral Associate Prize in Interdisciplinary Research call for applications. All postdoctoral Associates and Fellows are welcome to apply for the competition which provides a monetary award recognizing outstanding Postdoctoral Associates or Postdoctoral Fellows at the University of Rochester whose research exemplifies the importance of multiple perspectives and/or cross-disciplinary approaches toward examining high impact questions of society.
Career Story with Ryan Dawes, Ph.D.
Join Neuroscience Graduate Program alumnus Ryan Dawes, Ph.D., for two engaging sessions exploring career opportunities beyond the bench and the intersection of science, strategy, and biotech business development.
��️Thursday, October 15th | ⏱️ 1:00pm - 2:30pm |�� CEL 2-7536
Hear Dr. Dawes share his career journey from neuroscience research and drug discovery to business development and external innovation.
Interactive Session & Networking Lunch
Interactive Session: ��️Friday, October 16th| ⏱️ 10:00am - 12:00pm |�� 1W – 502 Collins & Wilson
Take part in an interactive, case-based session on biotech search and evaluation, followed by a networking lunch.
Networking Lunch: ��️Friday, October 16th| ⏱️ 12:00pm - 1:30pm |�� 1W – 502 Collins & Wilson
| Wellness Focus Through URochester Health Promotion |
Healing from Within: A Mind-Body Approach to Chronic Pain: Tuesdays October 6th October 20th, October 27th, and November 3rd from 5-6:15 PM via Zoom. Those who complete all 4-weeks receive a copy of the Pain Reprocessing Therapy Workbook and an exclusive, free Pain Reprocessing Therapy Coaching session.
Relax & Renew Retreat: An immersive retreat experience focused on rest, reflection, and nervous system regulation through mindfulness, gentle movement, and intentional rest. This retreat will be held on Sunday, October 25th from 9 AM – 1 PM at the Interfaith Chapel.
Join the Exclusive Premium Access to the Sol App: The Mindful University Project has teamed up with the Sol App, the #1 mental health and spirituality app, to offer free premium access to the entire University of Rochester community! Sol offers guided meditations, affirmations, breathwork, and spiritual wisdom to support your well-being.
Calming U: 4 Week Mindfulness Classes: A supportive, mindfulness series designed to help you manage stress, build emotional awareness, and cultivate skills you can carry into daily life.
Wednesdays, October 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th 4-5:15 PM with Sean in Douglass Commons, Room 407
Mondays, October 26th, November 2nd, 9th, and 16th 9:30-10:45 AM with Whitney in Douglass Commons, Room 407
Fridays, October 30th, November 6th, 13th, and 20th 11 AM – 12:15 PM with Debra on Zoom
Walk & Unwind: Mindful outdoor walks on the River Campus and Eastman.
Tuesdays from 5:15-6 PM:
September 22nd (meet at Wilson Commons Front Porch)
September 29th (meet at Eastman Living Center)
October 27th (meet at Wilson Commons Front Porch)
November 3rd (meet at Wilson Commons Front Porch)
| Mental Health First Aid Training September Sessions! |
Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training course from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Since 2008, more than 3 million people in the U.S. have been trained by certified instructors to identify, understand, and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges. More information about Mental Health First Aid is available at the National Council for Wellbeing, and also in the slides below.
Training is available for everyone - SMD graduate students, postdocs, staff, and faculty can all attend Mental Health First Aid training conveniently on-site. MHFA Certified Instructor Amber Rivera, Director of Learner Life and Wellness, offers the training several times per year. Contact Amber (amber_rivera@urmc.rochester.edu) for more information or to register for an upcoming training session.
| Childcare Grant for PhD Students |
Full-time PhD students with a child or children aged newborn through six years old may apply for URochester’s childcare grant for PhD students. More information can be found here. The application portal is open through Friday, September 25, for the fall 2026 grant. Email childcaregrant@rochester.edu with questions.
| Student Life Health Promotion Events |
Join the Well-being for Life and Learning Training (for faculty & staff)
As the fall semester begins, now is a great time to add practical tools to your toolbox for supporting student well-being. Many faculty and staff navigate conversations about mental health and well-being without formal training. Well-being for Life and Learning was created to help. This self-paced program offers in-person, Zoom, and asynchronous online workshops. In-person sessions begin September 17! Developed by University of Rochester content experts, the program provides guidance on recognizing students in distress, suicide prevention, trauma-informed conversations, moving through change, and more. Start the semester feeling more confident, prepared, and supported. Build skills that help you support your students while prioritizing your own well-being, too. Join the Well-being for Life and Learning Training today and take the first step toward a healthier, more supportive semester. Offered through Health Promotion within University Student Life.
Walk & Unwind
Join Health Promotion for Walk & Unwind, a guided nature-based mindfulness experience designed to help you pause, de-stress, and reconnect with your surroundings. Walk & Unwind will be offered on select Tuesdays from 5–6 p.m. on September 22, September 29, October 27, and November 3. Each walk will be guided by Gaelen McCormick, who is trained in mindful outdoor leadership through the Kripalu School for Mindful Outdoor Leadership, and will incorporate simple mindfulness activities and breathing exercises to awaken the senses and ease into the present moment. Participants will meander through campus and nearby riverfront areas, with no long-distance walking required! Just bring comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate layers. Walk & Unwind is open to all University of Rochester students, staff, and faculty. Space is limited, register to reserve your spot.
Paws for Stress Relief
Come pet the pups! Spend time with therapy dogs and grab some Health Promotion giveaways at our monthly programs on River Campus and at Eastman School of Music. These programs occur monthly at 6pm on Mondays on River Campus in the Goergen Athletic Center, and on Thursdays in the ESM Student Living Center. Register for each below to mark your calendar!
Free STI Testing
Students can sign up for free and confidential STI testing on September 14 and October 5, provided by Trillium Health in partnership with Health Promotion. Spots are limited, so sign up today.
Part-time Student GAC Scholarships
The Mindful University Project is offering Part-Time Student GAC Scholarships. Each fall, part-time students are invited to apply for a free membership to the Goergen Athletic Center. This membership includes access to free daily yoga classes, and all athletic facilities including the pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, and more to support your wellbeing through mindful movement. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and a limited number of scholarships are available, so we encourage students to apply soon! Brought to you by Health Promotion.
| Share You Research. Make an Impact. |
Meliora Weekend Student Poster Session
��️Saturday, October 3rd | ⏱️ 9:00am - 10:00am |�� Flaum Atrium
Looking for an opportunity to showcase your research and connect with the University of Rochester community?
SMD students and trainees are invited to participate in the Student Poster Session during Meliora Weekend!
Share your work, practice communicating your research to a broader audience, and connect with members of the URochester community. Breakfast will be provided as a thank you to participants!
Interested in presenting?
We hope to see SMD well represented at Meliora Weekend!
Chalk Talk Interest Form!
If you have an upcoming faculty interview or are considering applying for faculty positions in the future and would like to gain practice and receive feedback from a live audience, consider signing up for a Practice Chalk Talk!
Prep and coaching support will be available beforehand to help you feel prepared and make the most of your practice experience
| Supporting Promising Academic Researchers Fellowship |
The Supporting Promising Academic Researchers (SPAR) fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia invites postdoctoral scholars to apply for the SPAR Fellowship by Nov. 20, 2026.
The program is open to all postdoctoral scholars and seeks to attract promising researchers and educators whose many differences contribute significantly to CHOP’s mission.
Applicant Eligibility
- Candidates must be legally authorized to work or study in the US for the duration of the program.
- Graduate students who will complete their PhD requirements by the fellowship start date
- Postdoctoral scholars who have completed their dissertation within the last three years
- Postdoctoral fellows who have been at CHOP less than one year at the time of application are eligible; candidates who are not currently at CHOP are strongly encouraged to apply.
Interested applicants must submit a completed application package, including reference letters and a letter of support from the selected CHOP-based mentor, by Nov. 20. Start dates will be arranged in consultation with the faculty mentor to begin as early as July 2027.
Questions?
Please contact resworkforcedev@chop.edu in the Unit of Research Workforce Development within the Office of Communities for Research, Education, and Workforce.
| Save the Date: Taubman Dean's Lecture |
Please save the date for the next UR Taubman Dean’s Lecture on Monday, October 12th, at 3:30 pm, to be given by Brian Anderson, MD, in the Class of ’62 Aud. (G-9425)
Background: The Taubman Dean’s Lecture Series is intended to showcase the highest caliber and most impactful research in clinical medicine and related biomedical fields,
embracing a diversity of topic areas, speakers and perspectives. Presentations will be applicable to a broad audience of investigators and trainees from multiple areas
of clinical medicine, public health, and life science research, as well as for interested members of the university community and the public at large.
The George D. and Freida B. Abraham Foundation is sponsoring this series.
| MyHub Career Ready Boot Camp Fall Cohort Sign Up |
An Interactive, Experience-Based Journey to Help You Achieve Your Career Goals
Fall 2026 Cohort
Take charge of your professional future with our 15-week 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. Food/Snacks will be provided!
What You’ll Gain:
- Self-Discovery & Goal Setting
- Career Materials That Share Your Story
- Strategic Networking & LinkedIn Mastery
- Informational Interviewing Like a Pro
- Hands-On Career Exploration
Program Starts Monday, September 21st, 2026 from 12pm -1:30pm
In-Person Meeting Dates with Time (12:00pm - 1:30pm)
• September 21st – IDPs & Goal Setting - Location CEL 2-7520
• October 5th- CV & Resumes - Location CEL 2-7520
• October 19th -Networking - Location Louise Slaughter Room (1-9555)
• November 2nd –LinkedIn - Location CEL 2-7520
• November 16th- Informational Interviewing - Location CEL 2-7520
• November 30th- Budgeting - Location CEL 2-7545
• December 14th– Wrap-up Lunch and Q&A - Location CEL 2-7520
This week's featured read ��✨: Gallery of Best Cover Letters by David F. Noble provides practical guidance and professional examples to help job seekers create effective cover letters. The book features more than 300 professionally written cover letters across a wide range of occupations, along with expert tips on writing, organizing, and polishing cover letters. It also includes resume samples and advice to help readers strengthen their overall job application materials. Whether you're preparing for your first job, internship, or next career opportunity, this resource offers helpful examples and strategies to make your application stand out.
Stop by the GEPA office to check it out!
This week’s social media spotlight features Herman Li, a MD/PhD candidate, Herman recently celebrated the publication of his research in Nature Immunology, sharing, "Happy to share that our project on monocyte-derived Galectin-1 in CD8 T cell memory is published in Nature Immunology!"
The research explores "how the body develops long-lasting protection against respiratory viruses" and provides new insights into immune memory following influenza infection.
Full Story Here!
Congratulations, Herman, on this impressive research achievement and publication!
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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