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Graduate School Updates

NewGraduateSchoolCourseDesignedtoTrainEffectiveScientific Communicators

by Nisha Cavanaugh, Ph.D.

Associate Director, Career Development & Postdoctoral Programs

To advance scientific understanding, scientists are expected to effectively communicate their latest research findings through manuscripts and grant proposals as well as at conferences, scientific meetings, and to the public. Often this scientific communication training is left to the responsibility of the lab, which can lead to some trainees receiving more training and guidance than others. In Fall 2021, graduate faculty mentors voted to include a Scientific Communication course in the required GSBS curriculum. Required for first-year graduate students, the course is designed to help graduate students develop their oral and written scientific communication skills through learning best practices, developing their skills through inclass activities and enhancing their critical thinking skills by evaluating their peers’ work. As one student described the importance of this course: “Scientific communication is the primary method that we use to convey our knowledge and work. Effective oral and written communication can inspire and increase scientific progress. Poor communication may hinder scientific progress or minimize the importance of our work. ” Taught by Professors Alessandra Sacco, Hudson Freeze, and Dr. Nisha Cavanaugh, the course covered all of the following topics: · Abstract & Manuscript Writing · Poster Presentations · Oral Presentations · Oral Communication to a non-Scientific Audience · Fellowship Writing

By the end of the course, the first-year graduate students assessed themselves and the course; they were more confident in their oral and written communication skills and more knowledgeable of the scientific communication areas covered by the course.

2022GSBSRecruitmentDay:BringingTogetherProspectiveStudentsFromAcross TheGlobe

by Paula Checchi, Ph.D. Program Manager, Recruitment, Outreach & Achievement

On February 11th, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) hosted their second, entirely virtual Recruitment Day. This year’s event was attended by 30 invited, GSBS applicants from around the world. Participants logged in from cities across the United States, Chile, Italy, Iran, India, and China to learn about our Graduate Program and its mission to conduct world-class, collaborative, biological research while educating the next generation of scientists to continue research to improve human health. Kicked off by an introduction from Dean Guy Salvesen, Ph.D. (founder of GSBS), attendees were treated to an overview of our innovative doctoral program followed by several Q&A sessions where participants engaged with GSBS Deans and the OETIS/GSBS Team to learn more about our curriculum, training opportunities, campus-wide DEI efforts and support for international students. Throughout the day-long program, attendees met with multiple members of our strong and supportive community, which involved dozens of current students, alumni and faculty logging in for virtual sessions. On behalf of all of us in the Graduate School, we can’t wait to introduce you to our incoming class who will start in Fall 2022!