Visiting CIMER: Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research

By Tracey Baas, PhD, URBEST Executive Director

Recently, I had the good fortune to work with Drs. Lynne Maquat and Jeff Hayes, who are the directors of the T32 NIH Training Grant in Cellular, Biochemical & Molecular Sciences. We were able to procure funding for a Supplement for Future Faculty Skills Training: Mentoring and Manuscript Writing. One of the things that the supplement allowed was to send two faculty members to University of Wisconsin-Madison to be trained at a Facilitator Workshop: Learn to Implement Mentor Training through Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER). The intent is that what was learned at the training will be shared in some format here at the University of Rochester. In the meantime, I’d like to offer some basics that you could peruse to provide some different viewpoints on the ideas of mentoring and being a mentee.

Mindfulness for Scientists

By Kathleen Miller-Rhodes, PhD Candidate in Neuroscience

Scientists are excellent storytellers: we can take data and connect them into a cohesive story. Storytelling is integral in communicating research to other scientists and the public, but what happens when storytelling boils over into our personal lives? Taking time to actively think about unhealthy habits and correcting them with new healthier habits is the first step towards improved mental health. Even if you find yourself spinning stories, maybe they will take on a new tone – one that supports you rather than tearing you down. 

Yes, You Can Do a Fellowship and Graduate

By Candace Wong, PhD Candidate in Toxicology

I wasn’t actively looking for a fellowship. I was a fifth year graduate student, working hard to figure out what I needed to do to wrap up my studies to defend. However, a wonderful opportunity presented itself as a fellowship and things ended up better than I could have imagined. Returning from the fellowship, I feel much more confident in many aspects – as a young toxicologist, as a future employee, and most importantly in myself and my abilities.

The Project Manager in Pharmaceutical Development: Jack of All Trades; Master of None

By James Clements, PhD, Director of Project Management at Athenex

Looking back on my graduate and postdoctoral training, and my current situation with Athenex, one would think I followed a relatively straight career path.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  It is fortuitous that I started my career in the field of T cell biology, and I now find myself heavily involved in the development of a cutting-edge T cell-based immunotherapy. But I have worn many different hats since completing my postdoctoral training – some of which fit better than others – and I am very grateful for all the opportunities and experiences I have been afforded in my career path to date.

I Think I Can Do Anything, Do You?

By Eden Fucci, MS, Vice President of Biologics at Torque Therapeutics

Maybe I can’t do anything, but from a young age I believed I could do almost anything if I set my mind to it.  Sounds great, right?  I could be an astronaut, an artist, a baseball player, or even the president, but this is also the crux of my biggest struggle, the paradox of choice.  I wanted to do everything and was afraid to choose anything out of fear of selecting the wrong career (just maybe not the ones listed above).  Life doesn’t wait for you.  Blink.  Here I am today.  Did I just go with the flow?  How did I end up where I am if I never chose anything?  Let me take you through a few key decisions that ultimately shaped my career path, and while I still may not know what I want to be when I grow up, I am ok with that.