October 5th - October 9th, 2026 | Vol. 12, Issue 40
In this issue:
myHub Career Ready Boot Camp: Build, Brand, and Break Through - CV & Resumes
��️ Monday, October 5th | ⏱️ 12:00 pm -1:30 pm | ��ROOM CHANGE: 2-7536
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. There will be a sign outside to help locate the room. Food will be provided.
Registration is closed.
Future Faculty Workshop Series: NCFDD RESOURCES
��️Thursday, October 8th | ⏱️ 11:00 am - 12:30 pm |�� Zoom
UR has maintained an institutional membership of NCFDD for several years, first through the OEE(OEI) office, then by AS&E and now we in the provost’s office will be managing it centrally.
The University of Rochester is an institutional member of the NCFDD, an independent professional development and mentoring organization. This membership grants you access to various resources, many at no cost to you. Many URochester graduate students and post-docs already take advantage of NCFDD tools, such as the 14-day writing challenge program, mentor-mapping, and webinars on time-management, semester planning, and managing stress by shifting self-talk. Join us Thursday October 8, 11:00 am (ET), to learn more about NCFDD resources for graduate students and post-docs.
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
Building a Toolkit of Inclusive Teaching Practices
��️Monday, October 26th | ⏱️ 1:00pm - 3:00pm |�� 1W-501 Fiaretti Classroom, School of Nursing
Small changes in teaching can make a big impact on student learning, engagement, and belonging. Lea will share practical strategies and activities to support diverse learners and foster a more inclusive classroom. Food will be provided!
Participants will gain:
- Practical, easy-to-implement strategies
- Adaptable activities and teaching tools
- Ideas to increase engagement and belonging
- Approaches applicable across courses and disciplines
Lea Vacca Michel (she/her/hers) - Professor, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Director of Access and Belonging Initiatives for the College of Science, Rochester Institute of Technology, Senior Research Scientist, Center for Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Rochester General Hospital Research Institute, Rochester Regional Health
Gilliam Fellows Applications Are LIVE!
HHMI Gilliam Fellows Program (2027 Competition) Overview
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Gilliam Fellows Program is a prestigious fellowship that supports outstanding PhD students in the biological and biomedical sciences while also strengthening mentorship and inclusive research environments. The program funds both the student and advisor partnership, recognizing that excellent science depends on strong mentoring and supportive research cultures. [hhmi.org]
Deadline: October 27, 2026 at 11:59PM
Program Goals
The program is designed to:
- Support talented doctoral students conducting biological or biomedical research.
- Develop future scientific leaders.
- Foster excellence and inclusion within academic research environments.
- Enhance mentoring practices through formal advisor training. [hhmi.org]
HHMI supports research across a broad range of biological and biomedical sciences, including biochemistry, bioengineering, biophysics, cancer biology, cell biology, chemical biology, computational biology, developmental biology, evolutionary biology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, neuroscience, pharmacology, physiology, plant biology, structural biology, and systems biology. HHMI-supported scientists investigate living systems at every scale, from molecules and cells to organisms and populations
| Mental Health First Aid Training October 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.
Training Sessions for Graduate Students & Postdocs
Morning Sessions:
��️Monday, October 15th & Tuesday, October 16th| ⏱️ 8:00am - 12:15pm |�� Rooms will be emailed
Training Sessions for Faculty/Staff
Morning Sessions:
��️Monday, October 19th & Tuesday, October 20nd| ⏱️ 8:00am - 12:15pm |�� Rooms will be emailed
| myHub Career Development Retreat |
Annual Career Development Retreat
��️Monday, October 12th | ⏱️ 9:00am - 4:00pm |�� Kellie Anderson Seminar Room (Bloch Alumni & Advancement Center)
Featuring Lauren Celano
Founder & CEO, Propel Careers
Explore career pathways, build essential skills, and gain practical strategies to navigate your next step in the life sciences. Food will be provided.
Event Highlights:
Beyond the Bench: The Business of Running a Lab
Learn what it takes to successfully lead a lab beyond the science.
�� Developing a Career Search Strategy
Build a focused, effective job search aligned with your skills, interests, and goals.
�� The Job Talk: How to Prepare an Effective Talk
Learn how to showcase your research, tell your story, and make an impact in academic and industry job talks.
�� The State of the Industry Job Market
Get an inside look at the evolving life sciences job market and strategies for finding and pursuing opportunities.
| America's Got Regulatory Science Talent Competition |
The fourteenth annual America’s Got Regulatory Science Talent student competition, scheduled for Wednesday, December 2, 2026 at 12:00 pm is now accepting applications. Organized by the UR CTSI, the competition aims to promote student interest in regulatory science. Students matriculated at the University in any undergraduate or graduate program of study are welcome to submit a 50-word entry and provide a five-minute presentation during the competition. The proposed solution should align with the FDA Focus Areas of Regulatory Science. Visit the America’s Got Regulatory Science Talent page to learn more.
Entry forms are due by 5:00 pm on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
This week's featured read ��✨: Driven to Distraction at Work: How to Focus and Be More Productive by Ned Hallowell is a practical guide to improving focus, productivity, and organization in the workplace. Drawing on research and real-world examples, the book explores common challenges that can make it difficult to stay focused and get things done, including distractions, information overload, and competing demands. Hallowell offers strategies for managing attention, organizing tasks, prioritizing responsibilities, and creating an environment that supports productivity. This book is a helpful resource for graduate students and postdocs looking to develop sustainable approaches to managing their time, attention, and many competing responsibilities.
Stop by the GEPA office to check it out!
This week’s social media spotlight features Ania Majewska, PhD, professor of Neuroscience, whose work highlights the importance of mentorship and supporting the next generation of scientists!
Check out this great clip of Majewska talking about mentorship and the importance of continuing to support trainees throughout their careers: “I love seeing the progression. I love seeing the growth. I love seeing what they do next.”
Hear more from Majewska on the latest episode of Neuroscience Perspectives!
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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