October 26th - October 30th, 2026 | Vol. 12, Issue 43
In this issue:
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
Research Security: Guidelines for Collaborating in a Global Context
��️ Wednesday, October 28th | ⏱️ 1:00 pm -2:30 pm | ��Hybrid, Humanities Conference Room D (located on the 2nd floor of Rush Rhees)
The session will feature the University’s Research Security Officer, Export Control Officer, and members of the Cybersecurity team. Together, they will provide an overview of the evolving research security landscape, including federal policy and sponsor requirements, disclosure obligations, export control compliance, cybersecurity, and foreign talent recruitment programs. Attendees will also have an opportunity to engage directly with the University’s research security experts.
All members of the University community are welcome, including faculty, staff, students, and researchers at all career stages. The session may be particularly useful for individuals funded by or applying for NIH, NSF, or other awards with research security or responsible conduct of research training requirements.
For questions, please reach out to: ORISE@rochester.edu
2026 GEPA Awards Philosophy Meeting
��️ Wednesday, October 28th | ⏱️ 3:30 pm -5:30 pm | ��Sarah Flaum Atrium
SMD Entrepreneurs Coffee Meet & Greet
��️ Friday, October 30th | ⏱️ 2:00 pm | ��Saunders Research Building, 1st Floor Atrium
Fall into Focus: Offsite Writing Retreat at the Gell Center
��️ Wednesday, November 4th | ⏱️ 9:30 pm -5:00 pm | ��Gell Center of the Finger Lakes
Escape the daily grind for a serene day of writing and community | With Dr. Elaine Smolock, Ph.D.
What’s Included:
- Dedicated, quiet writing time off campus at the Gell Center of the Finger Lakes on W. Hollow Road!
- Light breakfast & catered lunch
- Refreshing nature walk or relaxing movement activity
- Optional: Celebratory social gathering after the retreat at Glen Hollow Winery on Seneca Point Road!
- Open to all grad students and postdocs.
�� Currently Full: Waitlist Available!
Brought to you in part by Writers & Books: A premier literary arts organization dedicated to fostering the reading, writing, and sharing of literature. Learn more at writersandbooks.org.
Career Talk: Science Policy & Advocacy
��️Thursday, November 5th| ⏱️ 11:00pm - 1:00pm |�� Ryan Case Methods Room
Join the UR Science Policy Initiative for a career talk with Isaac Smith and Erica Salamida from the Alzheimer's Association. Learn about what a career in science policy entails, from supporting constituents to engaging stakeholders. Coffee and pastries provided!
myHub Virtual Alumni & Trainee Networking Event!
��️ Wednesday, November 11th | ⏱️ 4:00 pm -6:00 pm | ��Virtual Zoom
�� URochester SMD Graduate Students & Trainees:
Explore What's Next!
Hear directly from University of Rochester alumni who have taken their careers in a variety of directions at myHub’s virtual Alumni Career Exploration & Networking Event.
As a graduate student or postdoc, you’ll have the chance to connect 1:1 with alumni for informal, 20-minute conversations on Zoom.
Ask about:
�� How they navigated their career path
�� What their day-to-day work looks like
�� What they wish they had known during training
�� and much more!
No presentations or formal talks - just real conversations, honest insights, and an opportunity to explore what might be next for you.
Come with your questions, curiosity, and an open mind!
NIH Fellowship Mock Study Section
��️Thursday November 12th | ⏱️ 12:00pm - 2:00pm |�� 1-7619 Adolph (Lower) Auditorium
myHub will host an NIH Fellowship Mock Study Section to help trainees understand what happens to a fellowship application after it is submitted, reviewed, and processed.
University of Rochester Faculty will review fellowship applications and demonstrate the process by which an application is discussed and scored.
Food will be provided
| 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.
| Ready...Set...Apply! (Deadline Tomorrow) |
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
Pride Shirt Giveaway!!!
��️ Tuesday, October 20th | ⏱️ 3:00 pm -4:30 pm | ��Flaum Atrium URMC
��️ Monday, October 26th | ⏱️11:30 am -1:30 pm | ��Hirst Lounge River Campus
��️ Wednesday, October 28th | ⏱️ 9:00 am -11:00 am | ��Lowry Hall ESM
Hallo-Queer
��️ Tuesday, October 27th | ⏱️ 4:00 pm -8:00 pm | ��305 Douglass Commons
Join the Paul J. Burgett Intercultural for their annual Hallo-Queer! Celebrate the spooky season with pumpkin painting, halloween movies, candy apples, and the best dang donuts you've ever had. Please RSVP by 10/23 to ensure we have enough food and pumpkins for everyone!
| Mental Health First Aid Training November 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.
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
Afternoon Sessions:
��️Thursday, November 5th & Friday, November 6th| ⏱️ 12:30pm - 4:30pm |�� Rooms will be emailed
OR
Full Day Session:
��️Monday, November 16th| ⏱️ 8:00am - 4:15pm |�� Rooms will be emailed
This week's featured read ��✨: Gallery of Best Resumes: A Collection of Quality Resumes by Professional Resume Writers by David F. Noble is a practical guide to crafting standout resumes across a wide range of industries and experience levels. Drawing on professional resume writing expertise, Noble explores effective formatting, strong action verbs, and strategies for highlighting key achievements, including organizing career histories, tailoring application materials for specific roles, and presenting professional skills clearly. This book offers valuable advice on modern resume layout, effectively communicating career value, and preparing application materials that catch employers' attention. It is a helpful resource for students, postdocs, and professionals looking to advance their job searches, strengthen their application materials, and successfully navigate the next steps in their career journeys.
Stop by the GEPA office to check it out!
This week’s spotlight celebrates Ryan Dawes, PhD, an SMD alumnus who recently returned to lead two career development sessions for our graduate students and postdocs!
Ryan generously shared his career journey and insights through myHub, reinforcing the importance of "taking advantage of the many career development resources and opportunities available to trainees, including myHub, informational interviews, internships, and professional networking." He also highlighted that "our alumni are truly one of our greatest resources!"
A huge thank you to Ryan for his time, enthusiasm, and continued support of the next generation of professionals!
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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