BRET 360º 2023 by Vanderbilt ASPIRE

2023

Biomedical Research Education and Training (BRET) is the office of the Senior Associate Dean and provides support for biomedical graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and the faculty who train them. We serve as a nexus for collaboration across campus and engage with the national discussion around best practices in graduate education. Kathy Gould, PhD Senior Associate Dean, BRET

• Trainee recruitment and diversity initiatives • 1st-year graduate programs • Postdoctoral appointments • International trainee support • Institutional training grants • Trainee outcomes • Program evaluation • Responsible Conduct of Research training • Trainee career and professional development • Wellness and community building • Trainee finance and student travel

Operations

Lindsay Meyers, MDiv Director, BRET Operations

Kali Horman Senior Administrative Assistant

IGP

Interdisciplinary Graduate Program

The Interdisciplinary Graduate Program (IGP) in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences is a leading integrative biomedical graduate program, designed to foster diverse creative and analytical thinkers, geared to tackle the quickly evolving world of research and technology. As a union between 11 participating programs, the IGP provides a strong foundation for biomedical dissertation work. Since 1992, graduate students at Vanderbilt have received a comprehensive educational foundation for a successful career in biomedical research through the IGP. As biomedical research moves forward in the 21st century, the lines between traditional scientific disciplines are almost gone. Accomplished researchers must possess more than an in-depth knowledge of one specific field – they need a broad understanding of principles and techniques from disciplines across the biomedical sciences.

The Interdisciplinary Graduate Program provides students with a supportive and highly collaborative environment for pursuing advanced studies in biomedical sciences. As a result, our students gain a broad perspective on their research and develop a deep understanding of the complex issues facing the field today. Students have the flexibility to explore their research interests from the offerings of the 11 participating departments and programs prior to choosing a laboratory for their dissertation research. Students rotate in four laboratories in their first year; at the end of that first year, students will join a department or program and become students in that department or program.

QCB Quantitative and Chemical Biology (QCB) is a transinstitutional first-year graduate program designed for students who wish to pursue a doctoral degree with a research focus at the interfaces between physical, chemical, and biological sciences. Students entering QCB typically have earned undergraduate degrees in chemistry, physics, computer science, engineering, or mathematics. Previous coursework in biology and biomedical science is not required for entry into the QCB program, although QCB also admits students with undergraduate degrees in biological sciences who wish to develop their quantitative skills. A unique aspect of the QCB Program is that students have the flexibility to explore their research interests from

Quantitative & Chemical Biology Program

the offerings of the thirteen participating departments and programs prior to choosing a laboratory for their dissertation research. The curriculum prepares students for research careers in any area of biomedical research. Many students choose to work in interdisciplinary fields such as chemical biology, structural biology, imaging sciences, molecular and cellular biophysics, or systems biology. Applicants typically have undergraduate degrees in quantitative fields such as physics, computer science, engineering, mathematics, and chemistry.

Who BRET serves: PhD Students in Biomedical Sciences 8% UR 16% int’l

F 2023

Direct Admission

Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)

F 2023

Interdisciplinary Graduate Program (IGP)

Quantitative Chemical Biology Program (QCB)

F 2023

Biomedical Informatics (PhD/MS) Biostatistics (PhD/MS) 90 Epidemiology F 2023 Hearing & Speech Sciences Health Policy & Health Services Research

*Basic Sciences depts

Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD)

*Biochemistry Biological Sciences (A&S) Cancer Biology *Cell & Developmental Biology Chemical and Physical Biology 526 Human Genetics F 2023 Microbe-Host Interactions Molecular Pathology and Immunology *Molecular Physiology and Biophysics Neuroscience *Pharmacology

Barbara Fingleton, PhD Director, IGP

Carolyn Berry Assistant Director, Academic & Educational Support Stephanie Richards, PhD Assistant Director of Recruiting

Vito Quaranta, PhD Executive Director, QCB Angel Gaither Program Manager Madhvi Venkatesh, DPhil Curriculum Director, IGP

Ray Blind, PhD Director, QCB

Simple Beginnings Ceremony The annual Simple Beginnings PhD Lab Coat Ceremony commemorates the advent of the new class of doctoral students at Vanderbilt University. Doctoral students, who are beginning training programs within the School of Medicine, receive a lab coat and wellwishes as they begin their studies. The ceremony is made possible by the generous support from individual alumni, faculty, and other supporters’ donations. Donors often give coats in honor of previous recipients.

Above, Senior Associate Dean Kathy Gould welcomes families and friends to the coating ceremony in Langford Auditorium. Right, guests and new doctoral students celebrate at the reception following the ceremony.

Below, Dean of Basic Sciences John Kuriyan welcomes a new doctoral student. Right, Senior Associate Dean Kathy Gould dons a coat for a new student.

Right and next right, freshly coated trainees received an individual headshot to celebrate the occasion. Below, the 2023 new doctoral class is pictured after the completion of the Simple Beginnings ceremony.

Above, Director of Graduate Studies Kim Unertl (center) poses with the new graduate students in Biomedical Informatics. Left, Vice Chair of Education with the Department of Biostatistics Cindy Chen (center) poses for a group photo with the new graduate students.

Vanderbilt University’s CBMS Training Program Receives Funding for Innovative Lab Safety Initiative The Cellular, Biochemical, and Molecular Sciences (CBMS) Training Program at Vanderbilt University has received a grant supplement to T32GM137793 in response to “NOT-GM-22-010: Laboratory Safety.” This funding will support an exciting new initiative aimed at enhancing laboratory safety practices and cultivating a safety mindset among graduate students and lab leaders. The CBMS training grant is under the leadership of Drs. Katherine Friedman, Todd Graham, and James Patton in the Department of Biological Sciences. “We are excited about the new lab safety pilot program,” said Kathy Gould, PhD, Senior Associate Dean for Biomedical Research Education and Training (BRET). She added, “It will bridge the gap between standard lab safety training and the incorporation of best practices in students’ laboratory approaches. The initiative will contribute to a safer research environment and aligns with our commitment to provide cutting-edge training experiences for our students.” The lab safety pilot program, which features an educational module titled “Developing a Lab Research Safety Mindset,” will be led by Dr. Madhvi Venkatesh, DPhil, Curriculum Director for the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, and Robin Trundy, MS, RBP, CBSP, Vanderbilt University’s Associate Director of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) and Institutional Biological Safety Officer. Ms. Trundy, a seasoned biosafety professional with over 25 years of experience, will provide strategic direction for the initiative. Working closely with Ms. Trundy, Dr. Venkatesh will integrate the safety module into existing graduate curricula and offer pedagogical support to facilitate student engagement. The module will equip students with a strong foundation in risk assessment as it applies to lab research activities. Through a combination of didactic lectures, interactive activities, case studies, and peer discussions, students will learn to effectively use lab safety orientation checklists, apply risk assessment principles,

identify improper safety practices, and incorporate risk assessment into their research activity plans. The module will span four weeks and culminate in students sharing how they will integrate a safety mindset into their own research projects. “We believe that by emphasizing risk assessment and a safety mindset, this module will prepare students to work safely with various researchrelated hazards throughout their graduate education and beyond,” said Dr. Madhvi Venkatesh. “We are committed to instilling a culture of safety that promotes students’ use of optimal safety practices and encourages other lab members to do the same.”

Madhvi Venkatesh, DPhil Curriculum Director, IGP

In addition to the lab safety module, the grant supplement will also support a safety resource fair aimed at supporting frontline lab leadership Robin Trundy, MS, RBP, CBSP in implementing the best safety practices, Associate Director of documents, and equipment within their Environmental Health and Safety laboratories. This coordinated approach targets multiple levels, ensuring that individual research laboratories foster a culture of safety that aligns with the training received by students. “I am looking forward to coordinating the lab safety resource fair that will provide frontline lab leaders with a much-needed opportunity to engage directly with numerous Vanderbilt units that support safety in lab operations as well as EHS. Building resource networks between those who manage lab operations and safety-related support units will elevate the lab research safety culture, and that is the long-term goal,” said Ms. Robin Trundy. The CBMS Training Program is grateful for the support received from various training grant directors, including Joey Barnett (Pharmacology), Digna Velez Edwards (IMSD), and Walter Chazin (Molecular Biophysics), who provided letters of support for this grant application.

Human Capital Management

Ted Gilbert Assistant Dean, Finance & Administration

Stacey Johnson Associate Director, Finance & Administration

Megan Chapman Administrative Officer

Dana Doss Senior Budget Analyst

Jean Miller Budget Analyst

Karen Eardley Budget Analyst

The BRET Human Capital Management (HCM) Team services students in the following programs: • Biochemistry • Biomedical Informatics • Biostatistics • Cancer Biology • Cell and Developmental Biology • Chemical and Physical Biology • Epidemiology • Health Policy and Health Services Research • Hearing and Speech Sciences • Human Genetics • Interdisciplinary Graduate Program • Microbe-Host Interactions • Molecular Pathology & Immunology • Molecular Physiology & Biophysics • Neuroscience • Pharmacology • Quantitative & Chemical Biology Program The BRET HCM Team enters the tuition, insurance, and fee (TIF) awards three times a year for over 650 students. Each HCM team member is responsible for specific programs: • Dana Doss – Biochemistry, Chemical and Physical Biology, Human Genetics, Neuroscience • Jean Miller – Pharmacology, Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Cancer Biology, Cell & Developmental Biology, IGP/QCB • Karen Eardley – Hearing & Speech, Health Policy and Health Services Research, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Biomedical Informatics, Microbe-Host Interactions, and Molecular Pathology & Immunology. • Megan Chapman – All students on BRET-managed training grants

Training Grant Support The BRET Office supports the development of Training Grants (Ts), Fellowships (Fs), Dissertation awards (R36), and Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Transition Awards (F99/K00). The BRET Training Grant team currently manages 20 T32s, one T15, two R25s, and three DOE grant, totaling 26 training programs. The team also manages 20 F31 fellowships.

What is the purpose of a Training Grant?

Paula Hemphill Senior Grant Manager

What does a Training Grant provide?

NIH institutional training grants support specified areas of biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research. Training grants are designed to ensure that a diverse and highly trained workforce is available to assume leadership roles to advance the nation’s biomedical and clinical research agenda. Funding is awarded to an eligible institution to develop or enhance research training opportunities for individuals selected by the institution.

Stipend, tuition and other support for graduate students and postdocs

Kandi Granberry Grant Manager

Training Grant Network

Leslie Osing Grant Manager

Rakeem Daniels Grant Manager

Timeline of Activities

The BRET Office oversees fellowship submissions for the following graduate programs: Biostatistics • Biomedical Informatics • Cancer Biology • Chemical & Physical Biology • Epidemiology • Health Policy • Hearing & Speech Sciences • Human Genetics • Microbe-Host Interactions •Molecular Pathology & Immunology

Pre-Award Responsibilities

Post-Award Responsibilities

Review Funding Opportunities (FOA)

Award/Account Setup

Interpret Sponsor Guidelines Understand Federal Policy and Impacts on our Grants Budget Development

Monitoring/Reconciling Expenses Closeout

Coordinate Proposal Process

Managing Modifications

Obtain Internal Permissions

Stipend & Tuition Payments

Review Applications Submit Proposals Act on JIT and Revision Requests Review Awards Monitor Compliance NCE, Modifications, Supplements

Forecasting / Burn Rate Monitoring Financial Compliance Monitoring Annual (RPPR & FFR) xTrain & XTRACT Development

Outcomes Research The mission of the BRET Office of Outcomes Research is to generate insights about the effectiveness of biomedical research training programs and the impact our alumni have in the world. We use rigorous survey design, data collection, and analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of PhD and postdoctoral training programs and track alumni career outcomes, with the ultimate goal of developing and nurturing future leaders in biomedical research.

Abigail Brown, PhD Director, Outcomes Research

Kim Petrie, PhD Assistant Dean for Biomedical Career Development

Outcomes Team Efforts Published

Jan Varadarajan, PhD Project Manager, Office of Outcomes Research

Biomedical sciences PhDs pursue a wide range of careers inside and outside academia. However, there is little data regarding how career interests of PhD students relate to the decision to pursue postdoctoral training or to their eventual career outcomes. The Outcomes team presents the career goals and outcomes of 1,452 biomedical sciences PhDs who graduated from Vanderbilt University from 1997-2021. They analyzed how career goals at doctoral defense related to first position after PhD, first non-training position, and job 10 years later. They also examined trends in postdoc training over time and how postdoc duration varied based on career goal at defense and job 10 years later. Finally, the team characterized movement of alumni between career areas

and examined the proportion of alumni in postdoctoral positions at four timepoints up to ten years after graduation. They found that most alumni pursued postdoctoral training regardless of career goal at graduation, declining numbers of alumni pursued postdoctoral training, and the duration of postdoc training varies predictably with career goal and career outcome. The career area of the first nontraining position was a good indicator of the job that alumni held 10 years after graduation. The findings emphasize that a wide range of career development opportunities and career mentoring is needed during graduate and postdoctoral training to prepare trainees for futures in research and research-related professions.

Lindsay Meyers, MDiv Director, BRET Operations

Nick Ward, PhD Program Manager, Office of Outcomes Research

Comparison of Biomedical Sciences PhD Students’ Career Goal at Matriculation and Defense to their First Position after Graduation

Sankey diagram showing the career goal of biomedical sciences PhD students at matriculation (left nodes), at defense (middle nodes) and their first position after graduation (right nodes), which was a postdoc for 67% of the students. The number of students with a goal in each career area is indicated in the corresponding nodes. The links between the left and the middle nodes show how many students maintained or changed their original career goal. The links from the middle to the right nodes represent the movement of alumni from each career goal area to their first position after PhD completion. The thickness of each link is proportional to the number of students represented in the link and the colors of the links correspond to the color of the respective career category of the earlier node. Students with defense dates between June 1, 2022, and July 1, 2023, and completed the exit survey were included in this analysis (n=55). 53% of all students changed their goals between matriculation and defense, and 60% of them changed to a different career area in their first position after PhD compared to their goal at defense. Abbreviations: Ac Research - Academic Research; Fp Research - For-profit Research; G/Np Research - Government or Nonprofit Research; AMO - Administrative, Managerial, or Operational; Und/s - Undecided or Unspecified.

International Trainee Support Above, Dr. Varadarajan presents at the virtual GCC Conference and, right, serves on a panel at the VIRAL symposium.

Angel Gaither Program Manager, International Support

Jan Varadarajan, PhD Assistant Director of International Trainees and Postdoctoral Support

Aaron Howard Program Manager, Postdoctoral Support

Dr. Jan Varadarajan, PhD, serves as the Assistant Director of International Trainee Support, and Angel Gaither serves as the Program Manager. Both focus on providing resources and assistance to international graduate students and postdoctoral trainees. On-campus efforts to support the international trainee population has included participation in International Education Week by hosting Heritage Social and Cultural Games. Further collaboration with VU’s International Scholar Support Services resulted in workshops on visa policies and procedures for VU faculty having international postdocs and for international graduate students and postdocs. Dr. Varadarajan also provides an international trainee onboarding document for those new to Vanderbilt. Nationally, Dr. Varadarajan participates in the Graduate Career Consortium Community of Practice for International Trainees.

Postdoctoral Support The BRET Office assists School of Medicine postdoctoral fellows during their biomedical training at Vanderbilt University (VU) and Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC). Dr. Jan Varadarajan serves as the Assistant Director of Postdoctoral Support and Aaron Howard is the Program Coordinator of Postdoctoral Support. Dr. Varadarajan has met with 102 new postdocs individually over the last year to help with their onboarding and orientation to career development and other resources offered and available through the BRET office. Dr. Varadarajan has also conducted career exploration and advising with several postdoctoral trainees in partnership with the ASPIRE team. Dr. Varadarajan also attended 2023 National Postdoctoral Association conference in Philadelphia, PA in 2023.

Above, Dr. Varadarajan attended the National Postdoctoral Association in Philadelphia, PA.

Current Active School of Medicine Postdoctoral Trainees by Country

Current Postdoctoral Trainees by Citizenship & Gender

Current Postdoctoral Trainees by Appointment Type

July 2023

ASPIRE Path in Molecular Medicine The ASPIRE Program in Molecular Medicine is a unique training program available to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in the biomedical sciences allowing for integration of thesis work with important clinical, disease-based areas. The program offers flexibility for each participant to pursue a training pathway that allows for optimal integration of thesis/postdoctoral work with important clinical, disease-based areas. Trainees participate in relevant didactic and experiential courses, and seminars, under the supervision of a clinical and a basic science mentor. Utilizing this innovative, personalized approach, the APMM aims to train a new generation of PhD biomedical researchers with the skills necessary for understanding and developing breakthroughs in clinical research fields. Upon completion of the two year term, APMM trainee alumni comment that the coursework, seminars, and Bench-to-Bedside seminars helped to increase their overall understanding of human biology and disease by exposing them to a wider range of material outside of their specific graduate program and dissertation research. Furthermore, learning from different types of professionals (e.g. basic scientists, clinicians, patients), as well as presenting work to APMM peers, teaches trainees to better communicate with different audiences and bridge the gap between basic and clinical science. Below, the current cohort of APMM trainees is pictured at the recent summer retreat.

Left, program director Mark deCaestecker introduces the keynote speaker at the APMM Summer Retreat. Below, an APMM graduate student shares about their research.

Mark de Caestecker, MD, PhD Program Director

Abigail Brown, PhD Program Co-Director

Matt Luther, MD Program Co-Director

Above, Dr. Nancy Carasco was featured as the keynote speaker of the 2023 APMM Summer Retreat. Right, APMM participants and mentors network at a reception. Below, program director Mark de Caestecker presents an award at the APMM Summer Retreat. Chris Wilson, PhD Program Assistant Director

Mary Gray Lindstrom Program Manager

Trainee Well-being RC Stabile

RC Stabile, EdD, the Associate Director of Trainee Well-being, is responsible for the care management of graduate students and postdocs served by BRET, including: • assisting the community to connect to care paths based on the individual’s situation. • coordinating community development events for BRET trainees and VSSA summer participants. Additionally, Stabile also received funding to enhance wellness and resiliency training by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. The award, a one-year supplement to the Initiative for Maximizing Student Development T32 grant, supported the development and implementation of a pilot trainee program that provided individuals with the knowledge and skills to improve wellbeing and resiliency in the training environment. Above, trainees participate in the Wellness Explored module, an opportunity provided by the NIGMS T32 supplement.

Above, trainees participate in a Paint ‘n Sip event. Right and far right, trainees participate in a team-building, “escape” game.

Left, trainees attend the theatrical performance of “Six” at TPAC.

Above, trainees participate in the Wellness Explored module, an opportunity provided by the NIGMS T32 supplement.

Chalkley Critical Need Fund: Caring for Trainees during the Unexpected In recognition of Roger Chalkley, retired senior associate dean for biomedical research education and training, Dr. Tom Daniel, a former Vanderbilt professor, biotechnology R&D leader, and venture investor, has established the Dr. Roger Chalkley Critical Need Fund to support biomedical graduate students who encounter unanticipated financial challenges.

Kathy Gould, PhD Senior Associate Dean

Chalkley joined Vanderbilt in 1986 as a faculty member focused on the study of gene regulation. At the time of Chalkley’s arrival at Vanderbilt, research at the school was not graduate student centric, relying heavily on postdocs instead, and there was a high graduate student attrition rate. In response to this need, Chalkley—along with John Perkins, then dean of the UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences— conceived of an umbrella-type Ph.D. program in the biomedical sciences that would allow all basic sciences departments to jointly recruit students and to teach a shared curriculum during students’ first year. Most importantly, such a program would help guarantee that the students’ tuition would be covered. Thus, in 1992, Vanderbilt’s Interdisciplinary Graduate Program became one of the first such programs in the nation.

RC Stabile, Ed.D. Associate Director, Trainee Well-being

The fund supports, but is not limited to: • Travel funds for family emergencies • Unexpected major car repairs • Unexpected healthcare costs not covered by health insurance. • Temporary housing assistance in the event of a natural disaster.

Today, between the IGP, IMSD, and the Quantitative and Chemical Biology program, which was established in the mid 2000s to serve students coming into the biomedical sciences from a physical science or math background, Vanderbilt welcomes upward of 80 students each year—with a lower than five percent attrition rate. These programs have improved the caliber of recruited students, which in turn improve the caliber of recruited faculty. They also helped diversify the student body; over 20 percent of each incoming class comes from underrepresented backgrounds. “I am so very pleased that this fund has been established to honor Roger’s legacy,” Kathy Gould, senior associate dean of biomedical research education and training said. “It recognizes that unpredictable events with accompanying financial consequences can be terribly distressing for graduate students. I am thrilled that from now on BRET graduate students will have the assurance of financial assistance during such difficult times.” Associate Director of Trainee Well-being RC Stabile, EdD, along with the support of the BRET Office, executes the logistics and support of the Fund. Students can apply online using a form accessible via the BRET website. All BRET graduate students are eligible.

Vanderbilt Summer Science Academy The Vanderbilt Summer Science Academy (VSSA) gives college students earning a four-year degree the opportunity to participate in research at an academic medical center. There are two major tracks within the VSSA: the Basic Science Programs for undergraduates interested in careers in research, and the Undergraduate Clinical Research Internship Program for undergraduates who wish to pursue a career in medicine. Participants in Basic Research Programs complete a research project under the leadership of a research mentor. Participants in Clinical Research Programs also directly observe clinical patient care while spending time with resident and attending physicians. Participation in any one of the Summer Science Academy programs is a valuable learning experience that enhances a student’s skills and makes them more competitive for acceptance to frontline graduate or medical school programs.

Angel Gaither Program Manager, VSSA

Stephanie Richards, PhD Director, VSSA

Aaron Howard Program Manager, VSSA and Research Interns RC Stabile, Ed.D. Associate Director, Trainee Well-being

Students participating in VSSA hailed from the following undergraduate institutions: Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University Baylor University Berea College Boston University Brandeis University Butler University California State University Central State University Colorado College Cornell University Dillard University Duke University Duquesne University Elizabethtown College Emory University Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Harvard University Howard University Hunter College Lawrence College Lipscomb University Miles College Middle Tennessee State University New York University North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University North Carolina State University Northwestern University Oakwood University Pepperdine University Philander Smith College Rollins College Scripps College Spelman College Stony Brook University SUNY Binghamgton University Tennessee State University Tulane University University of Alabama Birmingham University of Alabama Tuscaloosa University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff University of Central Arkansas University of Georgia University of Maryland Baltimore County University of Richmond University of South Florida University of the South: Sewanee University of Vermont University of Virginia Vanderbilt University Western Kentucky University Yale University

91 Students

Program Managers Graduate Program Managers coordinate student affairs for each of the departments and programs under the BRET umbrella. Students rely on these managers to help with everything from course registration to dissertation defense. Their roles are essential to ensuring the success of each student as well as the faculty who work with the students. Each have navigated this year with the changing hybrid schedules of COVID as well as the dynamics of in-person and virtual events.

Lorie Franklin • Cancer Biology • Cell & Developmental Biology

Melissa Krasnove • Epidemiology • Health Policy & Health Services Research

Chazlie Miller • Biostatistics

Carl Fritscher • Hearing & Speech Sciences

Patty Mueller • Chemical & Physical Biology • Biochemistry

Rischelle Jenkins • Biomedical Informatics

Liz Roelofsz • Molecular Pathology & Immunology • Microbe-Host Interactions

Roz Johnson • Neuroscience • Human Genetics

Bobbi Stidham • Pharmacology • Molecular Physiology & Biophysics

Mary Gray Lindstrom VITA Program Manager

Vanderbilt Integrated Training Alliance The annual VITA Scholars Symposium brings biomedical PhD students to Vanderbilt to present their research, learn about the Vanderbilt community and resources, obtain training in scientific communication from the Alan Alda Center, and establish a durable, personal mentoring relationship with a Vanderbilt faculty member. Last year on March 31, the virtual workshop provided a preview of the unique opportunities afforded by Vanderbilt biomedical sciences postdoctoral training and the high value it brings for students as they progress to the next stages in their scientific careers.

Trainee Travel Aaron Howard Program Manager, Trainee Travel

BRET graduate students and postdoctoral trainees have everything they need to travel easily and safely through the administrative resources of BRET Trainee Travel, coordinated by Aaron Howard. Whether a trainee travels to a national or international conference or professional development opportunity, Aaron has all resources and policies available for the unique traveler and will even help trainees complete the booking online.

Travel Highlights This Year: 243 travel booking appointments with Aaron Howard 278 expense reports completed on behalf of trainee travel 162 procurement requests fulfilled

VERTICES-PREP Program The Vanderbilt Experimental Research Training Inclusion Community Engagement Skills (VERTICES) program is designed to provide research training for individuals from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical science following graduation. In addition to having an individual research project, our program is unique in that it focuses on and nurtures a spirit of volunteerism. Scholars expand their vision, shape their passions and serve as the change agent needed for the current society that undervalues, misinterprets, or

Kafond Wilder, PhD Program Manager

dismisses scientific knowledge and problem solving. VERTICES provides an intellectually, socially and culturally rewarding experience to engage scholars at multiple levels throughout a 12 month training program. We leverage Vanderbilt University’s training expertise to cultivate academic knowledge and research skills and provide an integrated training program that supports resilience by fostering connections among program participants and their research mentors, peers, and respective communities.

Basic Sciences Researchers Show their Artistic Talents at Winter Showcase By Alexandra Scammell From beautiful original compositions to witty comedy, the Office of Biomedical Research Education and Training gave students, postdocs, staff, and faculty the opportunity to step into the spotlight during its fourth annual winter showcase on Dec. 15 at the Blair School of Music. “These are brilliant students [and community members] with immense talent that they use to take care of themselves as a way to funnel stress and pressure,” said RC Stabile, associate director of trainee well-being at BRET. “It is beautiful.” The performance featured 14 people comprising graduate students, postdocs, and faculty who took to the stage with their diverse, outside-the-lab talents. Two graduate students—biochemistry graduate student Yelena Perelova and Interdisciplinary Graduate Program student Louis Otero—hosted the showcase, introducing the artists and seamlessly guiding the audience from performance to performance. Performing on stage was not the only way for Basic Sciences community members to partake in the showcase. The production also included an art exhibit, including watercolors and paintings by students and faculty. The talent and art show were organized by Stabile and a committee of Basic Sciences students. The student committee made sure the acts were “mission-aligned and value-aligned,” said Stabile. “The students really do everything. I just try to help guide [them] and provide structure,” he said. “They’ve been awesome.” This year, the committee partnered with Shade Tree Clinic—a free health clinic for people in Middle Tennessee— to have a food, clothing, book, and toy drive at the show. This talent show and art exhibit are end-of-the-year staples that members of the Basic Sciences community look forward to each year. Stabile said that he hopes the art and talent showcase will continue for years to come. Not only that, he said, but “we are hoping it will grow.”

BRET Painting Fun

In March 2023, the BRET Office had fun during the season of Holi by painting four canvases that are now displayed in the front lobby of the BRET Suite.

2022-2023 Annual Report

BRET Office of Career Development ASPIRE Program

Trainee Professional Development Employer Relations and Workforce Development

Career Exploration and Decision-Making

Alumni Relations, Outcomes, and Development

Campus Partnerships and Faculty Outreach

National Career Development Research and Best Practices

the

ASPIRE Team

Kathy Gould, PhD Senior Associate Dean, Biomedical Research Education and Training Louise B. McGavock Chair Professor, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology kathy.gould@vanderbilt.edu

Kim Petrie, PhD Assistant Dean for Biomedical Career Development Associate Professor of Medical Education and Administration kim.petrie@vanderbilt.edu

Ashley Brady, PhD Assistant Dean for Biomedical Career Engagement and Strategic Partnerships Associate Professor of Medical Education and Administration ashley.brady@vanderbilt.edu

Kate Stuart Associate Director BRET Office of Career Development ASPIRE Program Director, Strategic Affairs and Events kate.stuart@vanderbilt.edu

Angela Zito, M.Ed. Assistant Director BRET Office of Career Development ASPIRE Program angela.zito@vanderbilt.edu

Mary Gray Lindstrom Program Manager BRET Office of Career Development ASPIRE Program mary.g.lindstrom@vanderbilt.edu

About Us

The Biomedical Research Education and Training (BRET) Office of Career Development provides career and professional development enrichment activities for Vanderbilt University School of Medicine graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. The office was recognized in 2013 for its commitment to career development for biomedical sciences PhD students and postdocs through a BEST award, a $1.2 million, 5-year grant from the NIH Common Fund. The ASPIRE Program subsequently was awarded three Burroughs Wellcome grants for a business module, a data science module, and a life design module. Dr. Kathy Gould oversees Biomedical Research Education and Training, Dr. Kim Petrie is Assistant Dean of Biomedical Career Development, Dr. Ashley Brady is Assistant Dean of Biomedical Career Engagement and Strategic Partnerships, Kate Stuart is Associate Director, and Angela Zito is Assistant Director. Mary Gray Lindstrom lends event and logistical support as Program Manager. Dr. Gould also oversees evaluation efforts and research training, including diversity initiatives. Dr. Abigail Brown conducts outcomes evaluation and research with the project efforts of Lindsay Meyers, Dr. Janani Varadarajan and Dr. Nick Ward. ASPIRE Program • Office of Career Development • Biomedical Research Education and Training 340 Light Hall • 2215 Garland Avenue • Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0301 bret.career.development@vanderbilt.edu • 615-875-8981

Trainees We Serve

732

The ASPIRE Program serves PhD students and postdoctoral fellows in the biomedical sciences. Although our events are open to the Vanderbilt community, ASPIRE activities and individual advising are tailored for BRET PhD graduate students and postdocs.

Postdoctoral Departments served

Graduate Students

Allergy, Pulmonary, & Critical Care Anesthesiology Biochemistry Biomedical Informatics Biostatistics US Citizens/ Cardiovascular Medicine Permanent Residents Cell and Developmental Biology Clinical Pharmacology Dermatology Diabetes, Endocrinology, & Metabolism Postdoctoral Epidemiology Fellows Gastroenterology Genetic Medicine Health Policy & Health Services Research Hearing & Speech Sciences US Citizens/ Hematology/Oncology Permanent Residents Infectious Disease Molecular Physiology & Biophysics Nephrology Neurological Surgery Neurology Obstetrics & Gynecology Opthalmology & Visual Sciences Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation Otolaryngology PhD Programs served Pathology, Microbiology, & Immunology Pediatric Cardiology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Infectious Disease, & Nephrology Biochemistry Pharmacology Biological Sciences Psychiatry Biomedical Informatics Radiology & Radiological Sciences Biostatistics Rheumatology & Immunology Cancer Biology Surgery Cell & Developmental Biology Surgical Sciences Chemical & Physical Biology Epidemiology Health Policy & Health Services Research Hearing & Speech Sciences Human Genetics Interdisciplinary Graduate Program Microbe-Host Interactions Molecular Pathology & Immunology Molecular Physiology & Biophysics Neuroscience Pharmacology Quantitative & Chemical Biology Program

87%

385

1,117 Total

48%

Trainees participate in a concurrent session during the 2023 ASPIRE Career Symposium.

Career Exploration and Decision-Making Providing opportunities to explore careers is paramount to the ASPIRE program. Many of the foundational activities of the office are aimed at instilling confidence and facilitating career decision-making.

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You Never Know Who You Will Meet! A Graduate Student’s Perspective of the 2023 ASPIRE Career Symposium By Cherie Scurrah, Graduate Student Each year, the ASPIRE Program hosts a day-long career exploration event, and this year’s theme was “A Kaleidoscope of Biomedical Science Careers.” I am a third year PhD student (almost 4th year, thank you very much), and I am ready to start exploring career options. I am passionate about science communication, and I want to find careers where I can do just that! I also want to get some advice from Vanderbilt PhD alumni about finding my dream job. Here, I will take you through my day at the 2023 ASPIRE Annual Career Symposium! At the top of the morning, I grabbed my piping hot, catered coffee and listened to the “Beyond R&D in Industry” panel. Jeff Bylund, PhD, a technology advisor for 10x Genomics, enjoys consulting clients on their imaging and omics projects. In terms of searching for the perfect job, he advises to “Think about your skills and interests and look beyond just those ‘at the bench’ positions.” He kept his mind open and landed a job he never expected! Stacey Mont, PhD, who works as the Associate Director for Business Development Competitive Intelligence at Bristol Myers Squibb, said that she took a very different path than she originally thought when she was a graduate student working on cancer biology. Mont had an optimistic view about finding a career, “It can happen. Keep that drive, and keep that passion.” Her advice really resonated with me, because sometimes it is hard to envision life beyond my graduate work. At lunch time, I listened to Keynote speaker Dr. Gauri Nair, who was the Vice President of Innovation at Mass Bio until this past summer. She spoke about her career journey intertwined with her life story. After receiving her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in India, she moved to the US to pursue her PhD. After graduation, she worked at the Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research Inc., where she drove external innovation by developing research partnerships and strategic collaborations with key partners in the academic innovation ecosystem. She frankly explained that this position was not right for her, which made her change her career trajectory: “When it’s not right, don’t be afraid to make a change.” As a woman and an immigrant, Gauri is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion in her work. At her role at Mass Bio, she aimed to create a diverse team to connect scientific innovators with industries to serve underrepresented medical populations. After her keynote speech, I sat down with Gauri to talk about how she chose her work environment while satisfying her values. She tells me that it is entirely possible to feel impactful and fulfilled in an industry job and that if I can “be scrappy, be creative, and be open to adventure,” I will find the right place for me. I wrapped up my time at the symposium in Networking Huddles, which are small group discussions with alumni and employers working in a variety of career fields. I participated in several different huddles, each lasting 15-20 minutes, and talked with science communicators. I learned about career options in consulting, science writing, education programming, and more. Of every event at the career symposium, networking huddles were my favorite. It was a great opportunity to get a personal glimpse into an expert’s day-to-day life at their job, and for potential employers get a chance to know who you are too! As a bonus, I got the inside scoop about some awesome science writing conferences (CommSciCon and National Association of Science Writers Conference), an online science communication slack channel (SciCommers), and even a potential internship opportunity! The symposium left me optimistic and excited about the future! All the speakers I met were friendly and excited to talk with me about their careers. It was uplifting to see so many Vanderbilt alumni building their careers post-graduation. My advice? No matter what stage of training you are in, plan to attend the ASPIRE Career Symposium next year. I promise you will learn about new opportunities and make professional connections. You never know who you may meet!

Turning the Kaleidoscope of Careers at the 2023 ASPIRE Symposium By ASPIRE Staff The 2023 BRET Annual Career Symposium with this year’s theme, “A Kaleidoscope of Biomedical Science Careers,” was held on June 2nd at Vanderbilt University’s Student Life Center. The symposium, sponsored by the BRET Office of Career Development ASPIRE Program and training grants in biomedical and biological sciences, brought together over 200 biomedical science PhD graduate students and postdoctoral trainees. The BRET Annual Career Symposium has a rich history, having been held since 2006. Each year, the symposium covers different topics and invites diverse speakers to engage with biomedical science graduate students and postdocs, providing them with valuable insights and guidance for their career paths. This year’s symposium again featured an impressive lineup of 11 speakers who shared their personal and professional experiences. The keynote speaker, Gauri Nair, PhD, Vice-President of Innovation at MassBio, delivered a keynote titled, “What a Long Strange Trip It’s Been.” Nair took the audience on a journey through her own career trajectory, starting from her upbringing in a small suburb outside Mumbai, India, to her current position as a leader in the biotech industry. Nair emphasized the significance of relationships, networks, and mentors, and how they played a vital role in shaping her career.

Top, alumnus Desmond Campbell, PhD, speaks with students before the Networking Huddles. Above, Stacey Mont, PhD, and left, Jeff Bylund, PhD, present as panelists on the Beyond R&D in Industry panel. Below, alumnus Matthew Varga, PhD, chats with trainees during Networking Huddles.

The symposium provided an excellent platform for attendees to gain valuable insights into various biomedical science career paths. From academia to industry to government, the diverse range of topics covered during the event offered a comprehensive view of the opportunities available post-PhD. Attendees had opportunities to engage with speakers, ask questions, and network with fellow students and postdocs, fostering connections that may prove beneficial down the road. Another opportunity provided by this year’s symposium was the popular alumni connection session, Networking Huddles. These small-group networking sessions with structured rotations allowed PhD students and postdoctoral fellows to sit down with alumni and employers for 15-20 minutes at a time providing meaningful personal interactions. The ASPIRE Annual Career Symposium continues to be a significant milestone in the professional development of graduate students and postdocs, contributing to the growth and success of the Vanderbilt biomedical science trainee community. Top left, attendees participate in a Fireside Chat. Top right, panelists Wyatt McDonnell, PhD, and Kristi Thiel, PhD, share a laugh during the Entrepreneur 101 session. Above right, Amanda Antons, PhD, and Laura Terry, PhD, discuss their roles as a patent attorney and management consultant, respectively. Right, Aaron Wexler, PhD, discusses his first role in science communication. Below, left, TK Feaster, PhD, elaborates on his role at the FDA. Bottom right, moderator and graduate student Sirena Tran leads the Beyond R&D in Industry concurrent session with Jeff Bylund, PhD, Stacey Mont, PhD, and Aaron Wexler, PhD.

California ASPIRING By Sam Lisy, Graduate Student In May 2023, a select group of PhD and postdoctoral trainees packed their bags and headed to the birthplace of biotechnology. The ASPIRE Program’s 4th installment of ASPIRE on the Road took twelve trainees to San Francisco, California, for a jam-packed 48 hours that included six different site visits and an alumni happy hour. This competitive opportunity started with a dual-purpose visit to scientific advocacy agency, Biocom. Dr. Gregory Theyel, director of the Biomedical Manufacturing Network, led this fruitful session by introducing a career in scientific advocacy while also prepping the trainees with the history and geography of the biotech industry in the Bay Area. Once armed with the lay of the land, the group toured Vir Biotechnology, led by Dr. Chad Garner and his team, through the lab spaces, short talks, and a candid panel in which trainees had the opportunity to ask questions of their own. The next day started bright and early with a tour of JLABS, a Johnson and Johnson incubator for start-ups. The trainees learned about a space, support network, and community that fosters ideas into products, and eventually self-sustaining companies. In a nice

contrast, the trainees then toured a satellite campus of a bigger company, AstraZeneca. The site visit was led by Vanderbilt alumna, Dr. Renee Iacona. Along with a building tour, the trainees heard from Dr. Nina Shah, the Site Head, and partook in a Q&A panel that included scientists from divisions spanning engineering device development, to translational medicine, to classic R&D, and more. The trainees then visited the first-ever biotech company, Genentech. Led by Vanderbilt alumna, Dr. Katie Hutchinson, the trainees learned the history of Genentech and heard from a panel of scientists, including many Vanderbilt alumni who are currently employed there. The session continued with a tour of the lab space, more talks from scientists, and a walk through of the massive campus along the scenic Oyster Point Bay. The happy hour assembled former trainees spanning many years and careers. With alumni hailing from start-ups, biotech, pharma, consulting, and more, the current trainees enjoyed learning first-hand about a large variety of careers. This

Attendee and postdoc, Alejandro Madrigal-Carrillo, PhD, reunites with former lab mate, Biochemistry alumnus Tyson Rietz, PhD, at Vir Biotechnology, Inc.

networking “hour” over drinks and appetizers was so lively that it extended long past the allotted time until the restaurant started locking its doors! On the last morning, the trainees snuck in a final site visit with Calico Life Sciences to learn about the R&D of aging science, as led by the Principal Program Manager, Jake Foley, and once more had the opportunity to speak with a panel of scientists. At last, the trainees left San Francisco with an expanded network and a clearer image of what a career in the Bay Area and beyond may look like. Participants of the program had a lot to say about the event. “As a postdoctoral researcher in drug discovery by x-ray crystallography, the ASPIRE on the Road to San Francisco was an eye-opening adventure,” current postdoctoral fellow, Alejandro Madrigal-Carrillo, PhD, explained. “This one-of-a-kind trip made me realize the vastness and intricacies of the biotech ecosystem there, how everything relies on high quality team effort and support of one another, how they work, think, and collaborate. I had the opportunity not only to network, but also to have a glimpse into the lives of the scientists working at key industries.”

Previous page, Senior Associate Dean Kathy Gould stands with the ASPIRE on the Road San Francisco attendees while at Vir Biotechnology, Inc. Top, JLabs provided an extensive tour of their California facility. Above, the trainee group visits the rooftop of BioCom. Left, the group poses at Vir Biotechnology, Inc.

Assistant Dean for Biomedical Career Development Kim Petrie, PhD, stands with attendees of the Inside the Beltway Look: Federal STEM Policy in Washington DC trip.

Becoming Citizen Scientists: a Trip to Explore Science Policy and Technology By Mandy Truelock, Graduate Student In October 2022, a group of Vanderbilt PhD graduate students and postdoctoral fellows (all pictured above) had the unique experience to travel to DC to dive headfirst into two intensive days of science policy immersion. With such a wide range of career options available to PhD students, exploring the career landscape of opportunities is essential to understanding one’s interest and potential job fit. The trip – sponsored by the Vanderbilt University Office of Federal Relations, BRET, and the Graduate School – allowed trainees to immerse themselves in the field while hearing firsthand about what a career in this field entails. The first day of the workshop kicked off with an introduction to science policy and technology by Toby Smith, Vice President for Science Policy & Global Affairs, Association of American Universities. The presentation by Dr. Smith highlighted the history of science policy and technology and provided a solid foundation for the rest of the workshop. Sheila Murphy, Vice President of Advocacy Programs and Initiatives, Research!America, joined after lunch to explain the federal budget process and federal R&D budgets. This enlightening session provided the group of early career scientists insight into the ins and outs of how grant funding is determined. This led to a roleplaying case study, “Mock FY 2023 Labor-HHS-Education

Appropriations Conference Committee” which allowed attendees to see the real struggles of an appropriations committee. The case study was a success and most practice groups were able to prevent a government shut down! Ben Gold, PhD, postdoctoral fellow in the Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering, said, “It was a great opportunity to learn a lot about the policymaking and budgeting processes, and to meet Vanderbilt alumni doing science policy work in DC. I enjoyed hearing about different career paths and perspectives on science policy, connecting with others interested in the field, and learning about how and when policy decisions are made.” From jobs on Capitol Hill to a role as the interim Director of the NIH, the group learned about a wide range of careers in science policy, including those that branch into industry. “I most appreciated the low-risk, high-reward opportunity to learn more about the different facets of science policy within and outside of Washington, D.C,” remarked Jennifer Shuman, a 5th year PhD student in the MicrobeHost Interactions program. “We heard from dozens of professionals with a wide range of job titles and career goals. The networking opportunities were plentiful and fruitful. I couldn’t recommend the trip enough for anyone interested in science policy or adjacent career paths.”

The second day consisted of several panels focused on the variety of science policy fellowships, such as the AAAS Fellowship and science policy careers within the executive branch. A reoccurring theme among the speakers was encouragement to consider careers that used science policy and advocacy to amplify the message of science and the importance of research. Shalonda Ingram, PhD, a Pharmacology postdoctoral fellow noted, “Before the trip, I understood that I had experiences that would allow me to benefit from this trip and learn if policy would be an ideal career change in the future. While on this trip, I learned about the various careers I could engage in that involve policy that would also allow me to use my scientific experiences. I met many people interested in helping me identify particular jobs and advance toward a career in policy.” Beyond providing an excellent exploration of science policy careers, this trip was unique because it highlighted the importance of the role of citizen scientists. Even if an attendee left the workshop not wanting to pursue a career in science policy, they did leave with an understanding of what we can do as PhD scientists to influence policy in a positive way, and how science policy affects the everyday researcher.

Top, postdoctoral alumna Dr. Tara Schwetz shares her experience as Acting Principal Deputy Director of the NIH. Above, trainees participate in a roleplaying case study of an appropriations committee. Left, Sheila Murphy with Research!America demystifies the federal budget-making process.

Crafting the Next Step: ASPIRE’s Career Architect Program By ASPIRE Staff The BRET Office of Career Development ASPIRE Program aims to equip PhD student and postdoctoral scientists for the next professional step. For this particular initiative, ASPIRE wanted to encourage trainees to adopt the mindset of an architect, designing a career plan (or three!) for their professional journey. Thanks to a generous grant from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, the Career Architect ASPIRE module was born. “Having participated in the Stanford Life Design Studio Training, I knew that I wanted to incorporate life design principles and ‘Designing Your Life’ into our programing,” said the ASPIRE Program Assistant Director Angela Zito, Burroughs Wellcome Fund grant recipient and co-instructor. “Receiving the Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Guidance for Trainees award provided the support to help put this initiative in place.” The Career Architect program leveraged the principles from the book “Designing Your Life” by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans and the Gallup Clifton Strengths Assessment. Through this individualized combination, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows gained insights into their values, work preferences, and personal strengths, which will serve as a launching pad for shaping their career paths.

The program’s structure combined in-person meetings with self-paced readings and activities that were monitored through Brightspace, Vanderbilt’s e-learning platform. Trainees engaged in a series of once-a-month two-hour sessions for six months with additional mandatory attendance at the 2023 ASPIRE Annual Career Symposium, ensuring continuous support and follow-up throughout the program. Many voiced in post-module feedback that the symposium reinforced the idea that there are many paths post-PhD and that trainees can find success and fulfillment in more than one trajectory. The intentional nature of making choices and pursuing interests was both repeated in the book as well as the symposium which participants noted made the module have a “full circle” moment. Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who participated in the course positively evaluated the sessions, many reiterating the value of the “Designing Your Life” book as well as the collaborative efforts of the instructors. Other partners in the Career Architect initiative included co-instructor Kate Stuart, Director of Strategic Affairs and Events, BRET, and Associate Director of the Office of Career Development ASPIRE Program. Kate is a certified Gallup StrengthsFinder Coach and presented the life

design material through the StrengthsFinder lens. Further mentorship and support was provided by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, matching Ms. Zito with Dr. Jill S. Huerta, Assistant Dean and Director, The Reynolds Center for Graduate Life and Learning, Graduate Program Director, UNCCharlotte Graduate School. Dr. Huerta’s experience in graduate student programming design helped to build the program from the ground up. “The BRET Office is proud to provide this type of career planning opportunity for our current trainees because it is both unique and timely to their needs,” said Kathy Gould, PhD, Senior Associate Dean of the BRET Office. “I am proudt that the ASPIRE team members continue to design such innovative programs.” With the initial offering of Career Architect having wrapped up this past July, the ASPIRE Program is looking forward to recruiting the next cohort of trainees to participate in the fall 2023 program.

Previous page and at left, graduate students and postdocs participate in a group brainstorming activity and participate in a group discussion during the Career Architect module.

Trainee Professional Development Skill-building, networking, negotiating, and managing a professional image are important aspects of a trainee’s professional development. Our workshops, seminars, modules, and informal cafés help equip trainees for the next step in their career path. Left, faculty member Chris Wright, D.Phil, discusses delivering a great poster presentation.

41 6

Distinct Professional Development Programs

ASPIRE Modules

Individual Advising The ASPIRE Team -- Kim Petrie, Ashley Brady, Kate Stuart, and Angela Zito -- meet with graduate students and postdoctoral fellows regularly to discuss career exploration efforts and professional development topics. Each appointment is approximately one hour and is either in person or virtual.

304

Individual Advising Appointments 211 PhD Students 77 Postdocs 16 Alumni

Inaugural Faculty Job Search Workshop ASPIRE held its first workshop on Preparing for a Faculty Job Search in August 2022 for focused postdocs and late-stage grad students in the biomedical and life sciences who were interested in faculty careers. The workshop featured interactive sessions and panel discussions with current faculty on topics ranging from exploring faculty roles to interviewing for faculty jobs. Day 1 covered faculty roles at different types of institutions, the academic job search process, planning an independent research career, how search committees work, effective research job talks and chalk talks, and interviewing. The next day included negotiating a job offer and writing a teaching philosophy and a diversity statement. Top, Kathy Gould, PhD, speaks about salary negotiation. Left, Ransford Pinto, PhD, discusses writing a diversity statement.

ASPIRE Job Search Series Session

ASPIRE Cafe for Postdoctoral Fellows Sessions

Biomedical Scientist’s Toolkit Session

Left, Writing a Better Cover Letter kicks off at a Job Search Series session. Below, Ashley Brady, PhD, discusses Negotiation.

National Career Development Research and Best Practices Career and professional development best practices and trends are constantly evolving. To continue to provide outstanding services and remain at the forefront of graduate and postdoctoral career development, we cultivate partnerships and participate in professional organizations to share our work.

External Partners Local and national partners in graduate level career development organizations:

The Graduate Career Consortium Burroughs Wellcome Fund Life Science Tennessee

Above, the 2023 annual Graduate Career Consortium (GCC) conference brought together universities from all over the world to discuss career and professional development in Indianapolis, IN, where Angela Zito presented a poster. Left, Kate Stuart presents a lightning talk at the virtual GCC Southeast Regional conference which was hosted virtually by Vanderbilt University.

Above, Ashley Brady, PhD, attended the 2023 annual ORPHEUS Conference in Leuven, Belgium.

Professional Development Activities for ASPIRE Staff • Selected to participate in the Burroughs Wellcome Fund Project Development and Evaluation Workshop • 2023 Graduate Career Consortium Annual Meeting

National Leadership

• 2023 Graduate Career Consortium Regional Meeting

• Served on an External Review Board, IUPUI Indianapolis, IN

• 2023 ORPHEUS Conference

• GCC Southeast Regional Conference Planning Team • Invited Reviewer, pd|hub professional development hub • Conference Planner, Leadership Alliance Annual Career Development Conference, invited talk at University of Chicago

Right, Madhvi Venkatesh, D.Phil, and Kim Petrie, PhD, present at the 2022 AAMC GREAT Meeting in Chicago, IL, on the IGP Curriculum revamp.

• Mid-South Innovation Summit

• 2022 AAMC GREAT Group Annual Conference • RedCap Day 2023

Employer Relations and Workforce Development ASPIRE partnerships with companies and organizations lead to exciting exploratory visits, internships, and externships for our trainees. Employer Relations and Workforce Development also include: • Meetings with potential and current employers • Hosting employer information sessions • Speaking at conferences and giving invited talks • Serving on committees to represent Vanderbilt biomedical trainees Annika Faucon, PhD, Scientific Project and Program Manager (alum) and Elizabeth Ann Stringer, PhD, Chief Science Officer (alum) are working with intern Justin Critchlow at Nashville Biosciences. Photo provided by Justin Critchlow.

ASPIRE Internship Program Since the ASPIRE Program began in Fall 2015, 196 trainees (138 graduate students, 58 postdocs) have completed internships with 43 partner companies and non-profit hosts.

Employer Partner Meetings

59 27 17

Trainees Participating in Internships

2022-2023 Internship Hosts 6th Floor Insights Belmont University BioCentury, Inc. CSNK2A1 Foundation DADA2 Foundation Decode Health

Digital Medicine Society Health Research Alliance (HRA) Nashville Biosciences Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance VI4, PMI, VUMC VI4 ArtLab, PMI, VUMC

The Scientist Mentoring and Diversity Program The Scientist Mentoring and Diversity Program (SMDP) is a national, highly competitive, year-long career development program aimed to increase the diversity within companies in medical technology, biotechnology, and consumer healthcare. Selected scholars are paired with an industry mentor and they attend a career development workshop in conjunction with the BIO International Convention or the MedTech Conference, depending on which SMDP area they apply to in their application. This year, graduate student, Logan Northcutt, organized an SMDP Informational Session sponsored by the Initiative

2023 Vanderbilt SMDP Scholars: 7

for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) and the ASPIRE Program. Ms. Dustielyn Savage, Program Director, spoke to students about the program ahead of the spring application deadline. In addition, VanderbiltSMDP alumni, Don Davis Jr., PhD, and Bianca Flores, PhD, were hosted virtually to talk about their experience in the program and how they navigated their career paths post training. The information session was well attended and the newest SMDP class boasts seven Vanderbilt graduate students, the largest number in one cohort to date. These newly selected students attended the BIO Convention over the summer and will continue to receive support and mentorship from industry leaders throughout the year.

Advancing

Science & Entrepreneurship: Catherine Leasure, PhD, Awarded the Second ASPIRE to Innovate Postdoctoral Fellowship

By Ashley Brady, PhD Catherine Leasure, PhD, has been awarded the prestigious ASPIRE to Innovate Postdoctoral Fellowship. In her new role, which began on July 1, 2023, she will focus on forming a start-up company based on technology developed at Vanderbilt University by Gregor Neuert, PhD, Associate Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, that can model the pharmacodynamic profile of drugs. The ASPIRE to Innovate Postdoctoral Fellowship is a collaborative initiative of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences, the BRET Office of Career Development’s ASPIRE Program, and Vanderbilt’s Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization (CTTC) that seeks to bridge the gap between academic excellence and entrepreneurial pursuits. Dr. Leasure will be supported in her efforts for up to two years and receive extensive mentorship, supplemental training, and participate in a variety of networking opportunities. The selection of Leasure makes her the second fellow to receive this prestigious fellowship, following Karrie Dudek, PhD, in 2021. “We are thrilled to bring Leasure on this summer as our second ASPIRE to Innovate Postdoctoral Fellow and are excited to watch her learn what it takes to be a founder while also advancing entrepreneurial activities in the School of Medicine Basic Sciences. We have no doubt that she will be successful and will make great strides towards mapping out a commercialization pathway for Dr. Neuert’s technology,” said Kathy Gould, PhD, Senior Associate Dean for Biomedical Research Education and Training. This past spring, Leasure completed her PhD training in Microbe Host Interactions at Vanderbilt University studying

heme homeostasis in Staphylococcus aureus and host stress sensing in Bacillus anthracis. While gaining experience in research and scientific methodology, she has remained passionate about applying these skills to projects at the intersection of science and business and is excited about the opportunity to grow her business acumen and strategize how to turn an idea into a company. “It’s an honor to have been selected for this fellowship and to have the opportunity to translate basic science into real-world solutions. I am excited to have been given this protected time as a postdoc to develop myself as a businesswoman while working to build a viable company,” shared Leasure. During her time as a graduate student at Vanderbilt, Leasure took advantage of opportunities to expand her understanding of business and entrepreneurship, such as the ASPIRE Program’s module, Management and Business Principles for Scientists where she worked in a team to consult with a Vanderbilt core facility to solve a real business challenge. She acquired hands-on experience in the pharmaceutical industry through completing a three-month internship in the Microbial Sciences division at AstraZeneca in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Leasure also served in multiple leadership roles, including President of the Graduate Student Association in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology. Leasure has already hit the ground running, working alongside staff at Vanderbilt’s CTTC to learn about intellectual property rights, licensing and market research. She also is spending time with Neuert and his research team gaining familiarity with the technology. This fall Leasure will participate in the Wond’ry’s Ideator program where she

will take the technology through an initial evaluation process, performing customer discovery and market evaluation. Upon completion of the Ideator curriculum, she will have the opportunity to pitch the idea to a panel of judges for potential microgrant funding, which would then qualify her for application to the National Science Foundation’s I-CORPS program. Leasure hopes to follow in Dudek’s footsteps and gain acceptance into this prestigious program, which provides additional entrepreneurial training and a $50K non-dilutive grant to help support further commercialization of the technology. Final deliverables for ASPIRE to Innovate Postdoctoral Fellows include creating a market research and customer discovery presentation, developing a business plan and financial model, building a pitch deck for speaking to investors and delivering it at various business pitch competitions, and submitting applications for a Launch Tennessee microgrant and a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the NIH to secure future funding.

Catherine Leasure, PhD

2023 ASPIRE to Innovate Postdoctoral Scholar Dudek and Ethan Lippmann, PhD, Associate Professor, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, recently co-founded Eupalinos, a medical device company whose novel hydrogel technology promotes the rapid growth of large blood vessels that form robust vascular networks capable of restoring blood flow to ischemic tissues.

According to Dudek, “the ASPIRE to Innovate Postdoctoral Fellowship has been an incredible experience and opened more doors than I could have ever thought possible, changing my career trajectory overall. Through this program, I have been given the support and resources to start with a technology that was little more than a concept at the time and begin to build a company around it. Becoming integrated into the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, and developing the Vanderbilt connections within it, has also helped us gain the necessary traction to propel us forward. I am excited for Catherine to have a similar opportunity and can’t wait to see her be successful.” Dudek and Lippmann are currently in the process of applying for an SBIR grant and hope to be able to continue advancing the company beyond the fellowship period after having benefitted from a two-year runway to get the company off the ground. “We all know that starting a company is a high-risk endeavor. We are incredibly excited to be able to facilitate taking a harder look at some of the great ideas and technologies being generated at Vanderbilt University. Regardless of whether a viable company is ultimately formed, this is a win-win situation, both for the biomedical postdoctoral fellow who gets superb entrepreneurial training and the Vanderbilt research community who benefit from dedicated effort evaluating a potentially commercially-viable new technology,” said Gould. “We are grateful to Dean John Kuriyan, PhD, of the School of Medicine Basic Sciences for his support in continuing this exciting initiative, as well as the CTTC, the Wond’ry and Drs. Neuert and Lippmann for their contributions to training and mentoring of the fellows in the program.”

Karrie Dudek, PhD 2021 ASPIRE to Innovate Postdoctoral Scholar

Campus Partnerships and Faculty Outreach The BRET Office of Career Development strives to maintain partnerships with departments and programs across campus. We partner by providing presentations on a variety of professional and academic development topics and serving on university committees. Ashley Brady, PhD, serves at the VPA Symposium Resource Fair in Fall 2022.

Storing Funding Success: ASPIRE Grant Repository The ASPIRE team maintains a repository of funded grant applications written by Vanderbilt graduate students. Access is restricted to Vanderbilt graduate students who are currently writing a grant application. Currently the repository contains example F31 NIH NRSA, AHA, and NSF GRFP grant applications. The ASPIRE Grant Repository is expanding to assist faculty who are writing NIH Diversity Supplement applications. Faculty members with a funded NIH diversity supplement are encouraged to share their applications as an example for future Vanderbilt faculty applicants.

Trainees accessed repository since Fall 2021 65

NSF GRFP examples

Diversity Supplements

F31s

American Heart Assoc

ASPIRE Campus Advisory Roles The ASPIRE Team serve in a variety of capacities to advise and partner with campus organizations, committees, and initiatives: • Dean’s Advisory Council for Mental Health and Wellness • Graduate Development Network • Basic Sciences Board of Visitors Workforce Development Working Group • Vestigo Editorial Board • VU Science Policy Student Group Faculty Advisor • Vanderbilt University Advanced Degree Consulting Club Staff Advisor • Professional Development Course, “Becoming a Scientist,” IGP Curriculum Review Committee • IMSD Training Program Planning Committee for Grant Pacing Workshop Series • Life Science Tennessee Academic Alliance

Campus Partners

Tom Utley, PhD, and Mike Villalobos, PhD, both from the Vanderbilt CTTC, facilitate a Technology Commercialization Job Simulation with trainees.

Vanderbilt School of Medicine Basic Sciences Dean’s Office Vanderbilt University Medical Center Vanderbilt Graduate School Vanderbilt Career Center Vanderbilt Center for Teaching Vanderbilt Center for Tech Transfer & Commercialization Training Grants in the Biomedical & Biological Sciences Vanderbilt Development & Alumni Relations Vanderbilt Graduate Development Network Vanderbilt Graduate Leadership Institute Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, & Inflammation (VI4) Vanderbilt International Student & Scholar Services Vanderbilt Graduate Program in Chemistry Vanderbilt Managerial Studies Program Vanderbilt Medical Scientist Training Program Vanderbilt Office of Federal Relations Vanderbilt Office of Public Affairs Vanderbilt Office of Postdoctoral Affairs Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association Vanderbilt Process & Solution Implementations Vanderbilt Research Cores & Shared Resources Vanderbilt School of Engineering Vanderbilt University Advanced Degree Consulting Club Vanderbilt Science Policy Group Vanderbilt University Counseling Center The Vanderbilt Collaborative for STEM Education & Outreach (CSEO) Vanderbilt Writing Studio The Wond’ry

Alumni Relations, Outcomes, and Development The Office of Career Development continues to engage with biomedical PhD and postdoctoral trainees even after they complete their training. Alumni volunteer their time at career exploration and professional development events, host interns, facilitate site visits at their workplace, and provide mentorship to current trainees. Our alumni network helps us better understand career outcomes, informs our career programming, and shapes our advice to current trainees.

1,842

Alumni Tracked in Outcomes Database (graduates from 1995-2023)

1,998 1,113

LinkedIn Group Members

Vanderbilt University Biomedical Research Graduate and Postdoctoral Trainees & Alumni

PhD Student Exit Surveys Administered to Date (2007-present)

2023 Outcomes Outlook

Where Our Biomedical PhD Graduates Worked July 2022-June 2023 Defense Dates

Location of first position of biomedical PhD alumni who defended between July 2022 and June 2023. Alumni of our programs accepted postdoctoral fellowships and employment opportunities throughout the country and around the world. Size of the circle represents the number of graduates employed in that location (n=61)

2023 Outcomes Outlook Employment Sectors and Roles of Biomedical PhD Graduates July 2022-June 2023 Defense Dates

Employment Type

Employment Sector

AMO: Administrative or Managerial or Operational Biomedical PhD Graduates (July 2022 – June 2023 defense dates)

Employment Role and Sector

55 students

**Other roles include: • Administration (1) • Business development, consulting & strategic alliances (1) • Clinical research management or Clinical development (2)

• Sales & marketing (1) • Science or medical writing & communication (2) • Teaching faculty or staff (2)

Other roles (denoted with **) include medical affairs, science or medical writing and communication, teaching faculty or staff, and continuing further education.

Data about first position after graduation is collected from our predoctoral exit survey.

Trainees and their BOV mentors dine together during the Fall 2022 Board of Visitors meeting.

Board of Visitors Members Partner with Current Trainees for Mentorship and Engagement This fall, eleven current PhD graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in the biomedical sciences were selected through a competitive application process to be part of the newly launched Vanderbilt ASPIRE-Basic Sciences Board of Visitors Mentoring Program. Trainees were matched with a mentor from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences Board of Visitors (BOV) based upon common academic and professional interests and experiences. On November 11, the mentees had the opportunity to meet their mentors in person for the first time over lunch on campus during the fall BOV meeting. The goal of the ASPIRE-Basic Sciences Board of Visitors Mentoring Program is twofold: • Trainee-centered: to broaden access of our biomedical sciences graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to mentors beyond those of faculty and peers to expand their knowledge of potential career paths and to help build their professional network.

• Alumni/Advisor-centered: to increase engagement of our alumni and advisors with our trainee population and give them the opportunity to share their knowledge and experiences to support the next generation of scientists. The BOV members serve as advisors to the Dean’s office to support and foster the achievement of excellence in all aspects of research, teaching and career development for the students, postdocs and faculty members of Basics Sciences. Selected trainees met with their mentors at least twice this past year to seek advice and support on a variety of topics which may include exploring careers paths of interest and pathways to get there, discussing networking strategies, setting professional goals, and connecting with others to establish a broad professional network. This year’s program ran from September 2022 -May 2023, but many mentor-mentee pairs have indicated that they intend to stay in touch beyond the formal conclusion of the 2022-23 program.

Mentor: “This was a delightful opportunity.” Mentee:“I think the program is excellent. This is such a unique and special opportunity, and I am so grateful that ASPIRE facilitated this interaction for us.”