Pride Month Tradition
Providing Scientists & Researchers with Visa Options
Postdoc Recruitment Virtual Open House
Celebrating GSBS
Inaugural Commencement Ceremony
2023-2024 OETIS Program Highlights
Rising Stars Shine
Graduations & Postdoc Highlights
By: Lauren Mitchell, M.S.
On Friday, June 7th, the Institute carried on its Pride flagraising tradition for the third year in a row The event was a collaborative effort that involved support from DEIB, Research Administrative Services and Facilities, and was attended by researchers and administrators from across the Institute. It was undeniable, though, that Sanford Burnham Prebys trainees took a leading role in highlighting a vibrant community that is often treated as an “invisible minority” within the STEM workforce
Postdoc & Graduate Student Counts
President & CEO, David Brenner, M.D. kicked off the event with welcoming remarks, followed by various employees and trainees sharing their thoughts on the importance of this continued tradition and how it enhances Sanford Burnham Prebys for every member of our community Luca Caputo, Ph.D. is a postdoctoral associate in the lab of Lorenzo Puri, M.D. and co-founder of the Queer Science Society.
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Caputo expressed gratitude for the Institute’s inclusive environment Luiz Da Silva Andrilli, an external graduate student in the lab of José Luis Millán, Ph.D., also shared gratitude for the sense of community he has found while training here Finally, Alessandra (Lale) Cecchini, Ph D , a postdoctoral associate in the lab of Alessandra Sacco, Ph.D. and DEIB Council member reminded the audience of the robust representation of LGBTQ+ scientists throughout history, listing names like Alan Turing, Sally Ride, and Ben Barres. Cecchini concluded her remarks by adding, “While we have come a long way, we still have further to go I hope this and other diversity-related events on campus encourage you to feel safe and empowered to fully be yourself.”
By: Mitchell Furumoto
On June 6, 2024, OETIS welcomed back Tien-Li (“T L ”) Loke Walsh, principal of Loke Walsh Immigration Law, PC (https://lokewalsh.com/), for her annual Visa Category Options for Scientists and Researchers workshop. Loke Walsh provided up-to-date tips and information on how to qualify for the US permanent residence (green card) for scientists and researchers and how to navigate the process under the current conditions.
Loke Walsh also discussed nonimmigrant visa options, such as H-1B and O-1, which depends on a scientist's career goals to pursue an academic or industry position in the United States Loke Walsh also answered questions from participants including international postdocs and other researchers from our neighboring institutions on the Mesa.
By: Nisha Cavanaugh, Ph D
On May 13, OETIS hosted prospective postdocs at the second Institute-wide Virtual Open House designed to showcase our collaborative biomedical research and highlight the unique features of postdoctoral training at Sanford Burnham Prebys This one-day virtual event included presentations on postdoctoral funding opportunities unique to the Institute, our research programs and state-of-the-art facilities, as well as career and professional development programs for postdocs A collaborative crosscampus effort, presentations focused on key strengths of the Institute like the Cancer Center and CPCCG, and showcased groups that foster a thriving postdoc community: DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging), SBP-SN (SBP Science Network), and PTAG (Postdoctoral Training Advisory Group).
Attendees engaged in conversation with current postdocs to hear more about their training experience, and with former postdocs on how they leveraged their training to pursue academic or industry careers.
Twenty-six advanced graduate students and early career Ph D ’s attended the event New this year, a few junior faculty who started their labs within the last year met virtually with some of the prospective postdocs, and at least one attendee started a postdoc position at Sanford Burnham Prebys this summer
Prospective postdocs who want to learn more about the postdoctoral training experience and environment at Sanford Burnham Prebys can watch the recorded presentations: https://sbpdiscovery org/calendar/postd oc-recruitment-virtual-open-house
By: Angelica Rocha, Ph D
From May 8th-10th, the scenic coastline of Carlsbad, California set the stage for our Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) Annual Student Retreat at the Cassara Resort overlooking the iconic flower fields. This event brought together GSBS students and faculty for an inspiring and academically enriching experience
The retreat kicked off with a career development workshop led by Drs. Diane Klotz and Nisha Cavanaugh, focusing on personal decision-making styles and their impact on navigating the challenges of graduate education and future careers At the students’ request, a student-faculty component was introduced with Dr. Jianhua Zhao leading students through a problem-solving exercise that engaged students in lively discourse. A mainstay of the retreat, the Dean’s Q&A Lunch provided students with an opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns Offering a time to bond, students played games at the beach
The highlight of the retreat was the students sharing their biomedical research via oral and poster presentations. Students demonstrated deep inquiry and innovation, with Gabriele Guarnaccia earning the Coyote Paw for best poster and Tatiana Moreno earning the Howling Coyote for best oral presentation, both in recognition for their impressive work
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During the Retreat, Dr. Kevin Yip was presented with the Educator of the Year award for his dedication to GSBS students and to advancing the GSBS curriculum, including his contributions as a course director for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics and a member of the Curriculum Committee. Dr. Yip made GSBS history as the first faculty member to win this award twice!
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Tatiana Moreno, Utkarsha Paithane, and Skye Xu, the student organizers of this year’s Retreat, for creating a memorable event that garnered overwhelmingly positive feedback from students and faculty. We’re already looking forward to 2025!
By: Angelica Rocha, Ph D
On May 31, 2024, the Sanford Burnham Prebys Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) celebrated its inaugural Commencement ceremony since its inception in 2006 The graduates present Monica Gonzales, James Kent, Rachael McVicar, and Stephen Sakuma each stood at the front of Fishman auditorium where they were hooded by their respective Faculty Mentor or a Thesis Committee Member in a public recognition of their transition from graduate student to Doctor of Philosophy All 66 alumni, to date, were recognized for their rigorous scientific inquiry and academic achievements
The ceremony opened with David Brenner, M.D., President and CEO of Sanford Burnham Prebys, affirming the Institute’s commitment to nurturing a collaborative and innovative scientific community for all students. Alessandra Sacco, Ph D , Dean of the Graduate School, delivered the keynote address, encouraging graduates to persevere and trust in their abilities as they challenge scientific boundaries Stephen Sakuma, Ph D , ’24, spoke on behalf of the alumni, expressing gratitude for the educational opportunities afforded to them.
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For the hooding portion of the ceremony, Dr Diane Klotz, Chief Learning Officer, provided an explanation of the significance of the colors on the hood: deep blue for the Doctor of Philosophy degree, the gold chevron for the Science discipline, and the maroon lining for Sanford Burnham Prebys and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Closing remarks were delivered by Dr. Guy Salvesen who shared an inspirational quote from Edward Abbey emphasizing the rewarding, if sometimes winding, nature of the graduates’ journeys ahead
The event was covered by Sanford Burnham Prebys. Click here for quotes and more details. A big congratulations to our GSBS alumni we are very proud of you and excited for what is to come!
By: Lauren Mitchell, M S
The Institute held its third annual Rising Stars Symposium on May 2nd, a postdoctoral recruitment event which invited 12 graduate researchers from across the country to share their science with the Sanford Burnham Prebys community. The symposium was part of a three-day visit that includes individual meetings with faculty and professional development workshops geared toward thriving as a postdoc in an academic research environment
Nisha Cavanaugh, Ph.D., Associate Director of Career Development & Postdoctoral Programs, kicked off the professional development workshops with “Understanding & Articulating Your Unique Value as Emerging Leaders.” The session featured activities
designed to promote selfreflection of the Rising Stars’ inherent leadership strengths toward understanding the unique value they bring to teams and organizations.
Participants were left with new skills to effectively articulate how they approach research and team science.
Rising Stars were joined by students in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences for a faculty panel discussion on the
opportunities, challenges, and successes of postdoctoral training The discussion was moderated by Linda Bradley, Ph.D., Professor in the Cancer Metabolism & Microenvironment Program and Faculty Advisory for Postdoctoral Training. Bradley was joined by Caroline Kumsta, Ph.D., Anindya Bagchi, Ph.D., and Peter Adams, Ph.D.—Dr. Adams was named Mentor of the Year at the 21st Annual Biomedical Research Symposium in 2022, an award based on nominations from postdocs and graduate students
Dr. Zong Ming Chua successfully defended his Ph.D. thesis on June 12, 2024
Dr Chua conducted his thesis research “Investigating novel mechanisms of cellular senescence,” under the mentorship of Dr. Peter Adams.
In June, Dr Chiara Nicoletti, a postdoc in Lorenzo Puri’s lab, was one of three winners of a Young Investigator Award from the Jain Foundation. In Dr. Nicoletti’s own words: “ I am honored by the trust they show me with this award, considering it’s a Foundation of patients and their families I hope to be able to contribute to finding a cure for dysferlinopathy, a pressing need for the people whose lives are deeply impacted by this disease.”
In April, Zhouting Zhu, a graduate student in Tariq Rana’s lab, presented her latest work, “microRNAs role in innate immunosenescence during anti-PD1 immunotherapy” at the American Association for Cancer Research 2024 Annual Meeting here in San Diego!
Theophilis Tzaridis, M.D., a postdoc in Peter Adams’ lab, also presented two posters at the American Association for Cancer Research 2024 Annual Meeting, the first being “CD155 regulates cell growth and immune evasion in diffuse midline glioma” and the second being “ONC206 inhibits tumour growth and is a potential novel therapeutic strategy for refractory medulloblastoma ”
Patrick Hagan, a graduate student in Nick Cosford’s lab, had a busy quarter as in April, he presented his research at the Drug Discovery Chemistry Conference in San Diego In May, he then made his way to Arlington, Virginia where he gave a presentation about his research at the Academic Drug Discovery Colloquium hosted by the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
Have you or a fellow graduate student or postdoc at Sanford Burnham Prebys had a research or career achievement lately? Email OETIS at oetis@sbpdiscovery org to be featured in an upcoming issue of The Chronicle!
Diane Klotz, Ph.D. Chief Learning Officer Associate Dean, Administration & Professional Development
Education & Training
Nisha Cavanaugh, Ph.D. Associate Director, Career Development & Postdoctoral Programs
Nicole Villa, M.A. Program Coordinator, OETIS
International Services
Mitchell Furumoto Manager, International Services
Angelica Rocha, Ph.D. Associate Director, Institutional Research & Academic Planning
Megan Elyamani Program Coordinator, GSBS
Susie Bolor Senior International Advisor
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
Lauren Mitchell, M.S. Program Manager, DEIB
Leadership Support
Alessandra Sacco, Ph.D. Dean, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Linda Bradley, Ph.D. Faculty Advisor, Postdoctoral Training
