November 9th - November 13th, 2026 | Vol. 12, Issue 45
In this issue:
NIH Postdoc Program Information Session
��️ Monday, November 9th | ⏱️ 3:00 pm - 4:00pm| ��Virtual
Come learn about the NIH Postdoc Program! If you are a soon-to-be or recent doctoral degree graduate interested in doing full-time research at the NIH, then this is a great opportunity that can enhance your career. This webinar will cover eligibility criteria, how to identify and contact NIH Principal Investigators (PIs), NIH resources, and how to thrive as a postdoctoral fellow at NIH. You will also have the chance to ask questions about the program.
NIH postdocs pursue basic, translational, and clinical research. View eligibility requirements here. There is no centralized selection process for postdoctoral fellows at NIH. Instead, applicants should contact individual PIs who select their own research team members and provide the funding to support them. Find information here about how to find a research group at NIH.
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!
UR Science Policy Initiative: Policy Pitch Competition & Workshop!
��️ Wednesday, November 11th | ⏱️ 3:00 pm | ��Ryan Case Methods (1-9576)
The UR Science Policy Initiative is hosting a One Page Policy Pitch Competition! This competition is open to all University of Rochester graduate students and postdoctoral trainees.
The Challenge: Develop a concise, one-page persuasive policy pitch proposing a specific, actionable policy change that addresses a pressing issue in any field such as biomedical research, engineering, science, health, technology, or public policy.
Competition Prizes (Travel Awards)
• 1st Place: $200
• 2nd Place: $150
• 3rd Place: $100
Submission Deadline: December 7, 2026 by 11:59pm
*Details on how to submit your pitch will be shared via email once you have registered*
Want to Learn How to Write an Effective Policy Pitch?
Join us for an interactive Policy Pitch Workshop led by Dr.Hannah Swerbenski and Dr.Vanessa Cao to learn how to develop a compelling policy argument, communicate your ideas effectively, and translate scientific challenges into actionable policy recommendations. This workshop is a great opportunity to get feedback on a draft or to brainstorm!
Workshop Details:
• Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2026
• Location: Ryan Case Methods (1-9576) in University of Rochester Medical Center
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
Lessons for Translating Biomedical Research
��️ Friday, November 13th | ⏱️11:00 am -12:00 pm | ��K-307 Auditorium (SMD 3-6408)
Please join UR Ventures for a Special Guest Seminar by Matthew Shair, PhD ('90), Academic Researcher & Biotech Entrepreneur.
About the Speaker: Matthew Shair, PhD is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University, an associate of the Broad Institute and an affiliate of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute. The Shair lab develops novel small molecule therapeutics and using chemical probes discovered in the lab, they study human disease biology. His lab discovered the dependency of CDK8/19 in acute myeloid leukemia and then licensed to Merck potential therapeutics in this space in the largest upfront payment ever received by Harvard. He co-founded Infinity Pharmaceuticals in 2001 and founded Nuvalent in 2017, where he was also head scientific advisor and a member of the board of directors from 2017 to 2025. Nuvalent has one approved drug in non-small cell lung cancer with another up for FDA review. In June 2026, Nuvalent was acquired by GlaxoSmithKline for $10.6B.
For questions, please contact Dina Uzri at dina.uzri@rochester.edu.
Mastering the Art of Grant Writing
��️ Wednesday, November 18th | ⏱️11:30 am -1:00 pm | ��G-8534 Anderson Room
International students and postdocs: learn how to craft strong proposals and find funding opportunities for your research! Lunch provided!
Unlocking Your Family Story: Genealogy Series
��️Wednesday, November 18th| ⏱️ 12:00pm - 1:00pm |�� Rush Rhees Library
A 12-month genealogy learning program designed to help participants explore, preserve,
and share their family history through interactive sessions and hands-on activities.
Whether you are just getting started or already have genealogy experience, this program
offers something for learners of all backgrounds and skill levels.
3rd GWIS Meeting
��️Thursday November 19th | ⏱️ 3:00pm - 4:00pm |�� 1-7619 Adolph (Lower) Auditorium
You are invited to the 3rd MEETING OF GWIS (Graduates Working in Science) FOR 2026 - 2027
Invited Speaker: Isaac Fianu, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Caltech, Pasadena, CA
| HHMI Gilliam Fellowship Survey |
myHub Writing Services and Grant Development would like your feedback! Please complete this survey if you recently submitted an HHMI Gilliam Fellowship application! Your responses will better help us understand the motivation and resources that trainees feel they needed to submit their application. This survey is open to all trainees at the University of Rochester SMD, SAS and Hajim, regardless of whether or not you utilized any myHub resources.
| Save the Date and Call for Proposals! |
The University of Rochester’s 5th Annual Paul M. Schyve, M.D. Center for Bioethics Conference will take place June 11–12, 2027.
This year’s theme, “The Ethics of Taking Sides: When Judgments Collide,” will explore the ethical challenges that arise from disagreement in healthcare, including competing clinical judgments, professional values, and differences in moral reasoning.
Bringing together healthcare professionals, ethicists, scholars, and policymakers, the conference will feature workshops, paper and poster presentations, and opportunities for constructive dialogue and interdisciplinary exchange.
A call for submissions is now open! We welcome proposals for workshops, paper presentations, and posters. We encourage interdisciplinary perspectives and contributions from across bioethics and the health humanities.
�� Conference: June 11–12, 2027
�� University of Rochester, Saunders Research Building and School of Nursing
�� Submission Deadline: January 18, 2027, at noon
Registration and attendance are free.
| Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program |
The HHMI Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program supports postdoctoral scientists who show exceptional promise as future research leaders, equipping them to pursue bold and creative scientific research as they transition to independent faculty careers. Beginning with the 2028 competition — opening November 3, 2026 — the Hanna H. Gray Fellows and Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Programs will select scientists through a single, combined competition. (Applicant review is specific to career stage.)
Hanna Gray Fellows receive up to two years of salary or stipend support, additional support to cover certain expenses associated with their Fellowship, and tailored professional development, including personalized support for their faculty search. Fellows who obtain a qualifying tenure-track or equivalent faculty position will be appointed as Freeman Hrabowski Scholars.
| Health Promotion Resources & Events |
Join a Student Mindfulness Community
The Mindful University Project invites you to join the Student Mindfulness Community - a welcoming space for students to connect, practice mindfulness together, and explore different mindfulness practices and traditions. Meetings may include guided practices, creative or somatic activities, group discussion, reflection, resource sharing, and opportunities to build facilitation skills. No prior mindfulness experience is required, and all undergraduate and graduate students are welcome! Meetings are every other Sunday from 4:00–5:00 PM in Genesee Hall, Room 321. Snacks provided! Brought to you by Health Promotion.
Emergency Resource Fair
RC-MERT and Health Promotion are collaborating to bring you an Emergency Resource Fair on Thursday November 12th from 2-5pm in Hirst Lounge. Learn emergency resources on campus and practice CPR, bleeding control, naloxone and more!
Join the Mindful Eating Online Challenge
The Mindful University Project wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving and invites you to join the 10-Day Mindful Eating Online Challenge! Thanksgiving is a time to appreciate the food that brings us together, the traditions we share, and the people we get to spend time with. Mindful eating is one way to practice that gratitude by slowing down, savoring our food, and being present with the experience of eating. Explore simple, practical mindfulness practices to build a more intentional relationship with food. Learn to recognize physical and emotional hunger, tune into your body's hunger cues, and explore intuitive eating. You'll also discover ways to reduce distractions, cultivate gratitude for your food, and bring more awareness to everyday eating through guided meditations and mindful eating practices. Brought to you by Health Promotion.
Safe Sex Express
Stock up on FREE safer sex supplies whenever you need them! Anonymously order through Safe Sex Express and have supplies delivered directly to your campus mailbox.
| Postdoc or Industry After a PhD? |
How Whitney Christian Chose His Path!
Whitney Christian earned his PhD while raising two young children—and made career decisions shaped by both his scientific interests and his family’s needs. He joins The Next Step to share his path from working as a lab technician to earning his doctorate at URochester and building a career in industry. A 2012 graduate of our Toxicology program, Whitney raised two young children during graduate school and navigated the unexpected loss of his PhD mentor. He discusses the support and decisions that helped him finish, why he chose consulting over a postdoc at Yale, and how that choice opened doors to medical device safety and industry leadership. After a decade at Medtronic, Whitney now serves as global vice president of clinical safety and head of Americas device safety at L’Oréal.
| 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
Full Day Session:
��️Monday, November 16th| ⏱️ 8:00am - 4:15pm |�� Rooms will be emailed
This week's featured read ��✨: Next Gen PhD: A Guide to Career Paths in Science by Melanie V. Sinche is an essential manual for graduate students and postdocs navigating the transition from academia to diverse scientific careers. Drawing on extensive data and career counseling expertise, Sinche provides actionable strategies for self-reflection, career exploration, and proactive job searching in industry, policy, and beyond.
Stop by the GEPA office to check it out!
This week’s spotlight celebrates Tianna Torrice, a Toxicology Ph.D. candidate who recently passed her qualifying exam and advanced to candidacy after earning her Master’s in Toxicology!
Working under her advisor, Dr. Paul Geha, Tianna’s research focuses on neuropsychopharmacology, psychedelic medicine, depression, chronic pain, and brain MRI. Reflecting on receiving her diploma in the mail, she shared, "I recently received my diploma in the mail, so it feels a lot more real now!" She also expressed deep gratitude for the guidance of Dr. Geha, myHUB's Director of Writing Services Elaine Smolock, and her supportive labmates and friends.
A huge congratulations to Tianna on this incredible milestone!
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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