Letter from the Dean

From the Senior Associate Dean

Dear colleagues and friends,

2021-2022 has been an academic year of rebuilding… literally! Not only has the BRET Office shifted in leadership and organizational structure, but our office space in Light Hall 340 embarked on a long overdue refresh. It is amazing what a new coat of paint, new carpeting, new furniture, and redesigned office and cubicle spaces can do. It is with great enthusiasm that in this new space, with new personnel and several promotions, we embark on new projects and the new year together.

Last academic year started with the launch of a new Interdisciplinary Graduate Program curriculum and the Simple Beginnings Lab Coat Ceremony that returned via hybrid format. The new curriculum and the new IGP Curriculum Director, Dr. Madhvi Venkatesh, provided a lot of excitement in August, which was sustained throughout the year.

The start of 2022 welcomed the new Director of Trainee Wellbeing, Dr. RC Stabile, and in the short time he has been here, our trainees have painted, hiked, and attended plays and sporting events. Later in this report, we will describe the exciting new pilot program, funded by the NIH though the Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) training program, that Dr. Stabile has developed and will lead in the upcoming year.

Along with the office’s renovation, operations and events received restructuring as well. With 17 years of experience in the BRET Office, Lindsay Meyers was the premiere choice to become the inaugural Director of BRET Operations, Dr. Kim Petrie, PhD, took the reins as director of the ASPIRE Program after 16 years, and Kate Stuart added the role of Director of Strategic Affairs and Events while remaining Associate Director of the BRET Office of Career Development ASPIRE Program after 10 years. Dr. Jan Varadarajan was appointed the first Assistant Director of Postdoc Affairs and is passionate about providing support for international trainees. The Outcomes, Training Grant, and Finance teams also expanded, and our very own Karen Perry and the Poster Printing Service became its own CORE Facility, apart from the BRET Office.

A new highlight for me is having designated time at the monthly School of Medicine Executive Faculty meetings to share the accomplishments of our trainees and describe the efforts of all BRET teams to enhance their training experiences. As one might imagine, I never run out of things to talk about. We are thankful to have this year behind us and we cannot wait to see what comes next. Thank you for your continued partnership with us as we reflect on a productive and exciting year.

Cheers,

Kathy Gould

Kathy Gould, PhD Senior Associate Dean, BRET