Office
of Education, Training & International Services
Faculty Profile: Will Wang, Ph.D.
By: Paula Checchi, Ph D
The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) is growing! We are excited to welcome to our Institute and to GSBS, Graduate Faculty Mentor and Assistant Professor, Dr. Will (Yu Xin) Wang (Wang Yu Xin, 王宇馨), (he/him)! Though he's only been at Sanford Burnham Prebys for 6 months, Dr. Wang has already recruited his first doctoral student who will join his expanding lab group and the GSBS program this fall. In this interview, Dr. Wang took the time to tell us a little bit about himself, his research program, and what attracted him to Sanford Burnham Prebys.
Q: How long have you been at Sanford Burnham Prebys?
A: I’ve been here for six months now! It has been extremely exciting and we’re building new collaborations and research projects with other groups here. There is something unique about the research efforts and breadth of expertise at Sanford Burnham Prebys and all of the research institutions along the Mesa.
In this Issue
Faculty Profile: Will Wang, Ph.D.
Newly Launched Postdoc Resource
GSBS Alumni Profile: Ryon Graf, Ph D
Upcoming Workshops
Save the Dates
Postdoc & Graduate Student Counts
Q: Where are you originally from / where did you grow up?
A: I grew up in Xi’an, China where my parents taught at a local University. Xi’an is a historical capital of China and the beginning of the Silk Road There is a lot of history and culture in the city including the terracotta warriors. We then moved to Canada when I was in grade 5, and I spent my high school and university days in Canada I earned my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences and my doctorate in Cellular Molecular Medicine from the University of Ottawa. After completing my Ph.D., I did my postdoctoral training at Stanford University at the Baxter Laboratory for Stem Cell Biology.
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FY23 Q3
The OETIS Chronicle
Q: What are the major goals of your researchprogram?
A: My lab aims to decipher how the body rebuilds a functioning tissue after injury using machine learning to uncover the blueprint that cells follow. We want to know how cells communicate in order to carry out this construction project in a coordinated manner so we can target these instructions in chronic, debilitating neuromuscular disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA),andarthritis.
Q:Willyournewlabgrouphaveanyannual traditions,andifso,where?
A:We’reallfansofpuzzlesolvingsoanEscape Roomadventureisinournearfuture.
Q: What is a hobby or interest you have outside of science?
A: I’m a foodie, eating and cooking. From cultural cuisine to molecular gastronomy, I try it all. I find it such a great way to express one’s culture and creativity And there is nothing better than enjoying delicious foods with family and friends I’ve also been involved with a startup that is driving the future of agriculture by making in vitro cultured meat that is safe and ethical for consumption.
Newly Launched Postdoc Resource
By: Nicole Villa, M.A.
Early January of this year, after many months of work and collaboration with various Institute departments, The Office of Education, Training & International Services (OETIS) launched the first edition of the Postdoc Handbook & Resource Guide. The Institute recognizes the value and commitment of our postdocs and continues to strive to enhance the postdoctoral training experience. This handbook is designed to serve as a comprehensive guide for postdocs to utilize during their appointment at Sanford Burnham Prebys. It is a resource for our postdocs and their faculty mentors to stay up-to-date on programs and policies affecting or pertaining specifically to postdocs. OETIS aims to provide our trainees with the best training experience we can provide, through updating policies, benefits, and services that best meet their needs. The handbook can be accessed here.
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GSBS Alumni Profile: Ryon Graf, Ph.D.
By: Nicole Villa, M A
OETIS had the pleasure of hosting two career exploration workshops with our very own GSBS graduate student alumni, Dr. Ryon Graf. Dr. Graf graciously came to the Institute at the end of last year and spoke to our trainees about his career in clinical research at one of OETIS’s Careers & Coffee workshops. This career exploration exploration workshop series is designed to give trainees the opportunity to hear from professionals in various non-faculty career paths and discuss how they leveraged their education and training to transition into their positions. Dr. Graf gave such an amazing presentation that for the first time in the 7-year history of this series, trainees requested a follow-up session. Get to know more about our amazing GSBS alumni and his work in clinical research:
Q: What are your primary responsibilities as Director of Clinical Development?
A: I am responsible for turning standard of care clinical practice (real-world) data into insights that can be used to aid drug development and sometimes directly help patients. I am responsible for the strategies of how to do so, project planning, relationship management with key opinion leader physicians in the field and managing a team of data scientists.
Q: What do you find the most rewarding about your job/work? What do you find the most challenging?
A: Most rewarding: being able to work on things with immediate and tangible positive effects for cancer patients. Most challenging: the pace of industry in general. In academia, I was starved for data. In industry, we drown in data, and time becomes front and center as the most valuable resource.
Q: Describe your education and training which helped you get to this point in your career? How did you get your first job?
A: I’ve described this journey in a blog post! https://www.ryongraf.com/post/three-key-piecesof-career-advice
Q: What advice do you have for graduate students and postdocs interested in pursuing this career path?
A: Demonstrate that you can do rigorous science. Know what excites you. Learn and get opportunities to practice basic data science skills (coding): data wrangling, statistical inference, and data visualization. Also, read the aforementioned blog post!
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Upcoming Workshops
Fellowship Writing Workshop (for graduate students)
Date: Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Location: Zoom
Details: In this workshop, we will discuss why/when graduate students should apply for fellowships, where students can look to find fellowship opportunities, what the components of a fellowship application package are, and what resources are available at Sanford Burnham Prebys to help you through the process.
Assembling your Application Materials for an Academic Faculty Position
Date: Thursday, July 20, 2023
Location: Fishman Auditorium
Details: This fall, OETIS will offer a series of workshops that provide the information and resources you need for an academic faculty position. In this initial workshop, guidance and tips will be provided on the 4 major components of academic faculty packets: CV, cover letter, research and teaching statements.
Thesis Writing Workshop Series (for graduate students)
Dates: August 1, 15, 22, & 29
Location: Fishman Auditorium
Details: This multi-week workshop will cover program-specific content, common mistakes (and how to avoid them!), time-management strategies, and how to navigate inevitable roadblocks Participants will learn practical tools for cultivating a regular writing habit not just your thesis, but your future career that lies ahead.
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Science Art Competition
Have you taken some amazing images related to your research?
Share it with us through a new science communication component to the Annual Trainee Research Symposium – a science art competition! Images will be displayed on the 2023 Annual Trainee Research Symposium website as well as on the big screen during the Symposium; winners will be determined by popular vote. Submission details will be announced soon!
Save the Dates!
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THE OETIS CHRONICLE FY23 Q3
Postdoc & Graduate Student Counts
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POSTDOCS JANUARY 1 - MARCH 31, 2023 TOTAL POSTDOCS Postdoc Associate Postdoc Associate, Sr. Postdoc Fellow Postdoc Associate Postdoc Associate, Sr. Postdoc Fellow Postdoc Associate Postdoc Associate, Sr. Postdoc Fellow Hired Between January 1 - March 31, 2023 Termed Between January 1 - March 31, 2023 64 2 2 54 1 9 2 0 0 2 0 0 GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES JANUARY 1 - MARCH 31, 2023 TOTAL GRADUATE STUDENTS PhD Graduates 43 0 EXTERNAL GRADUATE STUDENT AFFILIATES JANUARY 1 - MARCH 31, 2023 TOTAL EXTERNAL GRADUATE STUDENTS Hired between Jan 1 - Mar 31, 2023 Ceased affiliation with SBP 13 4 1
Office of Education, Training & International Services
Diane Klotz, Ph.D. Director
Associate Dean, Administration & Professional Development
Megan Elyamani Program Coordinator, GSBS
Education & Training
Nisha Cavanaugh, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Career Development & Postdoctoral Programs
International Services
Mitchell Furumoto Manager, International Services
Leadership Support
Guy Salvesen, Ph.D.
Faculty Advisor, Graduate Education & Postdoctoral Training
Nicole Villa, M.A. Program Coordinator, OETIS
Angelica Rocha, Ph.D.
Assistant Director, Institutional Research & Academic Planning
Susie Bolor Senior International Advisor
Paula Checchi, Ph.D.
Program Manager, Recruitment, Outreach & Achievement
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THE OETIS CHRONICLE FY23 Q3
