URBEST 2017 Retreat Recap

News Article by Emma Grygotis, Ph.D. Candidate in Pharmacology

As scientists-in-training, we’re comfortable with the notion that answering one question is liable to bring up three new ones. Uncertainty is an essential component of the scientific process, one that most scientists happily embrace, but it’s far harder to accept the reality of uncertainty when it comes to our lives and careers. Except we don’t typically call it “uncertainty.” Instead, we’re far more likely to use the term “anxiety."

Hub or Network for Deaf & hard-of-hearing scientists? An outsider’s perspective

News Article by Sarah Latchney, Ph.D., Stem Cell and Toxicology Researcher at the University of Rochester Medical Center

Although vastly different, the goal of both training models is to meet the unique needs of D/HH scientists, and – through their own approaches – both have demonstrated success in recent years. In acknowledging the strengths and challenges of the two training models, continuing the dialogue may provide fresh ideas and viewpoints for URMC and RIT. Sarah Latchney, URMC postdoc, and Hui-Yi Chu, Fate Therapeutics Scientist, discuss the outsider's perspective.

Newly Minted Ph.D. Enters Industry

News Article by Chris Farrar, Ph.D., Research Scientist I at Vertex Pharmaceuticals

I was fortunate enough to be offered a scientist position in industry before I finished my Ph.D. Looking back on my experiences in graduate school, I think that a major reason that I was able to take advantage of the career opportunities presented to me was because of the preparation that I received as a member of the URBEST program.

Know When to Change Directions

Career Story by Candice Harder, PhD, Associate Study Director of Genetic Engineering Technologies at The Jackson Laboratory

I was a postdoc at The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) for only about 18 months. Into the second year of my training, I decided I did not want to stay in academia and become a principal investigator.  I immediately began to consider the next move in my career.  In addition to its research department, the JAX sells mice for use in scientific research.  Because my husband Jeff was still working as a postdoc, I started reviewing job postings at JAX.    

Invest in Your Interests

Career Story by Jeffrey Harder, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow at The Jackson Laboratory

In 2006, I made a big career change.  I left a great job, where I helped run a small business, to become a graduate student in biomedical research.  In truth, the job had been a detour.  After undergrad I was to be a research assistant in a biology lab.  The summer before I started in the lab, I wrote custom software for a friend’s business.  By summer’s end, I went all-in with the business. The job wasn’t for me and five years later I needed a career change.  After this unusual start, I have really enjoyed my career in biomedical research.  However, working outside of academia I learned a couple things about my work life that are important to my happiness and career development.