NEWS
2024 PREP/IMSD Symposium
The 2024 PREP/IMSD Symposium, “Making Our Mark: Celebrating Diversity in Scientific Success” took place on May 10th and 11th. This student-led biomedical research conference provided postbaccalaureate and PhD students from Northwestern University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Notre Dame, the University of Chicago, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and Rush University Medical Center with the chance to connect, present their research, and attend a variety of talks. The weekend featured a keynote speech from Dr. Maria C. Carrillo, panels on career opportunities and graduate school preparation, and workshops on identifying individual strengths and effectively communicating with PIs. Additionally, student researchers displayed their findings through oral presentations, lightning talks, and poster exhibitions. Attendees praised the symposium, with one IMSD student stating that “it was fantastic to exchange ideas and learn about the scientific endeavors of others in my community.” Listeners noted the strength of the speakers and the empowering nature of their messages. Thank you to those who aided in planning the event and all attendees for the excellent weekend!
SACNAS Chapter of the Year Award
Congratulations to the UChicago SACNAS chapter for receiving the national SACNAS Chapter of the Year award, in recognition of the chapter’s outstanding achievements in advancing diversity and inclusion in STEM. UChicago SACNAS President and IMSD student, Juan Manual (Manny) Vazquez, along with other UChicago SACNISTAs attended the SACNAS national conference in Honolulu, HI in Fall 2019 to receive the award. “This award validates all the hard work and long hours that the University of Chicago SACNAS has put in to raising our community and strengthening all kinds of diversity in all fields of STEM,” said Chapter President Manny Vazquez. “We receive this award, not just for ourselves, but on behalf of past leaders who paved the way for us; on behalf of our support networks, who helped us get here; and on behalf of future SACNASistas, who will continue to empower everyone to be at home in STEM. With this recognition, we hope to inspire every child and young adult to overcome their doubts and achieve greatness; and to encourage other generations to continue their support so that we can help them get there.”
Congratulations to Manny and all participating SACNAS members on this honor and achievement!
PREP/IMSD Midwest Regional Symposium 2019
The 2019 Midwest Regional PREP & IMSD Symposium was held May 10-11, 2019 and was hosted by the University of Chicago and Northwestern University PREP and IMSD Programs at the Big Ten Conference Center. The 85 participants from 7 Midwestern institutions included 29 PREP Scholars, 38 graduate students, 7 guest speakers and panelists, and 11 PREP/IMSD program directors. The theme of the 2019 Symposium was “From Here to There: My Science, Our Community, Our Stories” and was organized by a student-led committee of PREP Scholars and IMSD graduate students from the University of Chicago and Northwestern University, and included scientific research sessions, professional development, and networking opportunities. The Symposium was designed to highlight the stories and journeys of individuals form underrepresented groups pursuing scientific careers, and how students and professionals alike overcame adversity to be where they are today. Click here for full article: 2019 Midwest Regional Symposium recap
Funding for the Symposium was provided by The University of Chicago BSD Office of Diversity & Inclusion, the National Institutes of Health, and the PREP and IMSD training programs at University of Chicago and Northwestern University.
Students engaging with each others’ research during a poster presentation session
GRIT Leadership featured in Nature Article
A recent article was published in Nature, “Why graduate students should get involved in advocacy“, which features University of Chicago GRIT and IMSD graduate students. The article describes how the students formed the Graduate Recruitment Initiative Team (GRIT), and the successes they have achieved through GRIT. Congrats on all your accomplishments GRIT!