SANFORD BURNHAM PREBYS
Fishman Fund Fellow
Kyungsoo Shin, Ph.D. Marassi lab 2020
FY22 Q3
Fishman Fund Career Development Awardees
José Nieto Torres, Ph.D. Hansen & Adams labs 2017
Koen Galenkamp, Ph.D. Commisso lab 2018
Jennifer Hope, Ph.D. Bradley lab 2019
Cynthia Lebeaupin, Ph.D. Kaufman lab 2021
Fishman Fund Awards Advance the Career and Professional Development of Future Scientific Leaders at Sanford Burnham Prebys by Nisha Cavanaugh, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Career Development & Postdoctoral Programs
Postdocs at Sanford Burnham Prebys have opportunities to apply for internal funding to further their career and research goals. The Fishman Fund Career Development Award and Fishman Fund Fellowship provide financial support to postdocs who effectively articulate their career ambitions and how the funds and the Institute’s postdoctoral training environment will help them reach those goals. Here, we interview a few postdocs to hear what it means to them to be a Fishman Fund Awardee and how it has impacted their overall career development. To learn more about the Fishman Fund Awards, visit https://sbpdiscovery.org/support-us/projects/fishman-fund.
What does it mean to you to be a Fishman Fund Career Development Awardee? Jennifer: I consider it a great honor to be a Fishman Fund Career Development Awardee and am in excellent company with my fellow awardees and applicants. To me, it is a reflection of the overall training experience as a postdoc here at Sanford Burnham Prebys, in that we have opportunities to perform excellent science and also take advantage of career advancement opportunities that are highly personalized experiences. Cynthia: Being a Fishman Fund Career Development Awardee is like being a Sanford Burnham Prebys ambassador for science and career development, and I aspire to exemplify the quality of postdoctoral training. This award continues to fuel my motivation to contribute to the fight against metabolic disease progression to cancer in humans by identifying novel proteostasis and metabolic signaling networks with potential for targeted therapies. cont. on pages 6&7
IN THIS ISSUE: Fishman Fund Awardees & Fellow (pg. 1,6,7) Funded CIRM Grant (pg. 2) Dr. Lydia Villa-Komaroff (pg. 3) GSBS Scientific Communication Course (pg. 4) Recruitment Day (pg. 4) International Updates (pg. 5) Trainee Accomplishments (pg. 5) Upcoming Events (pg. 8.9) Student & Postdoc Counts (pg. 10) OETIS Team (pg. 11)
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FY22 Q3
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion STEM Cells & STEM Education by Paula Checchi, Ph.D. Program Manager, Recruitment, Outreach & Achievement In January, "Stem Cells & STEM Education - a Summer Internship Program for California High School Students," (aka SPARK-SBP) a $509,000 grant from California Institute for Regenerative Medicine was formally awarded to Sanford Burnham Prebys. The grant proposal was co-written by Dr. Paula Checchi, (Program Manager for Recruitment, Outreach and Achievement, OETIS), Dr. Alessandra Sacco, (Professor and Vice Dean), and Dr. Evan Snyder, (Professor and Stem Cell Research Center Director) and establishes a collaboration between Sanford Burnham Prebys and the MESA Alliance, a statewide model for intersegmental regional collaboration in mathematics, engineering and science education for economically disadvantaged and underrepresented student populations. The five-year award will support paid internships for 57 students from these groups. Beginning in June 2022, SPARK-SBP will host California high schoolers selected from across San Diego and Imperial Valley, offering an invaluable opportunity to gain hands-on training in biomedical research. The SPARK-SBP program will be open to select applicants who represent the diversity of California's population. Once selected, SPARK students will spend six weeks learning about stem cells and regenerative medicine and will conduct a six-week mentored research internship under the guidance of a Sanford Burnham Prebys faculty member. At the end of their program, trainees will get to show off their hard work by presenting their research at the SPARK annual conference.
To learn more about SPARK, check out: the STEM Cellar, the official blog of CIRM CIRM's YouTube video featuring past SPARK recipients
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SANFORD BURNHAM PREBYS
FY22 Q3
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion A Molecular Biologist's View on Implicit Bias by Angelica Rocha, Ph.D.
DEI Council Lead; Assistant Director, Institutional Research & Academic Planning
An important question in higher education is why we have not made more progress in the representation of people from historically marginalized groups. This is in spite of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts being a priority at our organizations and pressure from the National Institutes of Health, and other funding sources, to make these efforts a priority. On February 7th, 2022, over 70 people from Sanford Burnham Prebys, and our close networks, attended Dr. Lydia Villa-Komaroff’s virtual seminar “A Molecular Biologist’s View of Implicit Bias.” Dr. Villa-Komaroff pointed to universally-held implicit biases as one reason for disparities in representation and offered recommendations on how to reduce the exclusion of people on the basis of factors not relevant to ones abilities, qualifications or performance (e.g., gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, disability, body type, etc). In addition to exclusionary factors, affinity bias for those we include based on shared interests, familiarity, and comfort level also contributes to disparities in representation. Dr. Villa-Komaroff cited research showing that diversity fuels innovation and scientific excellence. She encouraged participants to examine their biases and to view diversity as a strength of the Institute.
Dr. Villa-Komaroff’s seminar was followed by a small group discussion for faculty, attended by the GSBS Admissions Committee, entitled “Achieving Effective Mentoring, Recruitment, and Retention: A Conversation on Managing Universal Biases.” Dr. Villa-Komaroff encouraged faculty to consider trainees as capable of success despite appearance, dress, speech pattern or lack of “conventional” academic path; to provide safe spaces for trainees to discuss their identities and interests and to help them navigate and make sense of invalidating experiences. Dr. Villa-Komaroff warned against holding different standards for those from underrepresented groups or of taking a colorblind approach that ignores race, gender or other important social identities because Lydia Villa-Komaroff, Ph.D. this “denies the formative effect of these identities on trainees’ experiences in Molecular Biologist & Business Executive their programs and later careers.” Founder & President, Intersections Consulting Co-founder, SACNAS
To improve recruitment efforts at the Institute, Dr. Villa-Komaroff encouraged attendees to advertise job opportunities broadly, structure interviews to avoid biases, determine the weight and priority of criteria to entry prior to interviews, and to inspect job requirements and metrics for biases. Dr. Villa-Komaroff emphasized the importance of holding those who are on selection committees accountable during the application and selection processes; and of educating them to recognize and mitigate their own implicit biases. The seminar and small group discussion were sponsored by the DEI Council and hosted by Drs. Angelica Rocha (Diversity Officer, Sanford Burnham Prebys) and Paula Checchi (DEI Education and Training Committee); both from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
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SANFORD BURNHAM PREBYS
FY22 Q3
Graduate School Updates New Graduate School Course Designed to Train Effective Scientific Communicators by Nisha Cavanaugh, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Career Development & Postdoctoral Programs
To advance scientific understanding, scientists are expected to effectively communicate their latest research findings through manuscripts and grant proposals as well as at conferences, scientific meetings, and to the public. Often this scientific communication training is left to the responsibility of the lab, which can lead to some trainees receiving more training and guidance than others. In Fall 2021, graduate faculty mentors voted to include a Scientific Communication course in the required GSBS curriculum. Required for first-year graduate students, the course is designed to help graduate students develop their oral and written scientific communication skills through learning best practices, developing their skills through inclass activities and enhancing their critical thinking skills by evaluating their peers’ work. As one student described the importance of this course: “Scientific communication is the primary method that we use to convey our knowledge and work. Effective oral and written communication can inspire and increase scientific progress. Poor communication may hinder scientific progress or minimize the importance of our work.” Taught by Professors Alessandra Sacco, Hudson Freeze, and Dr. Nisha Cavanaugh, the course covered all of the following topics: · Abstract & Manuscript Writing · Poster Presentations · Oral Presentations · Oral Communication to a non-Scientific Audience · Fellowship Writing By the end of the course, the first-year graduate students assessed themselves and the course; they were more confident in their oral and written communication skills and more knowledgeable of the scientific communication areas covered by the course.
2022 GSBS Recruitment Day: Bringing Together Prospective Students From Across The Globe by Paula Checchi, Ph.D.
Program Manager, Recruitment, Outreach & Achievement
On February 11th, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) hosted their second, entirely virtual Recruitment Day. This year’s event was attended by 30 invited, GSBS applicants from around the world. Participants logged in from cities across the United States, Chile, Italy, Iran, India, and China to learn about our Graduate Program and its mission to conduct world-class, collaborative, biological research while educating the next generation of scientists to continue research to improve human health. Kicked off by an introduction from Dean Guy Salvesen, Ph.D. (founder of GSBS), attendees were treated to an overview of our innovative doctoral program followed by several Q&A sessions where participants engaged with GSBS Deans and the OETIS/GSBS Team to learn more about our curriculum, training opportunities, campus-wide DEI efforts and support for international students. Throughout the day-long program, attendees met with multiple members of our strong and supportive community, which involved dozens of current students, alumni and faculty logging in for virtual sessions. On behalf of all of us in the Graduate School, we can’t wait to introduce you to our incoming class who will start in Fall 2022!
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FY22 Q3
Immigration Updates White House Announces Initiatives for Attracting Global STEM Talent by Mitchell Furumoto, M.S.Ed
Manager, International Services
On January 21, 2022, The White House announced a number of promising changes regarding immigration for individuals in STEM fields, including expanding STEM eligible majors for the F-1 STEM Extension of Optional Practical Training (OPT) for international students who graduate from US institutions, clarification of criteria for eligibility for the O-1 (for individuals with extraordinary ability) immigration/visa classification, and clarification on how individuals with advanced degrees in STEM fields can petition for US Permanent Residence as individuals with exceptional ability under the national interest waiver. While these may not have a substantial impact, particularly in regard to our international student and scholar population at Sanford Burnham Prebys, it certainly is encouraging news! See the White House Fact Sheet on the STEM news: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefingroom/statements-releases/2022/01/21/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-actions-to-attract-stem-talentand-strengthen-our-economy-and-competitiveness/.
OETIS Recognizes Sanford Burnham Prebys Trainee Accomplishments Ceda Stamenkovic (Sacco lab) won a third place poster prize at the La Jolla Aging Meeting (LIAM). The title of his poster was "Mapping Cellular Senescence within Aging Skeletal Muscle". Stephen Sakuma (D'Angelo lab) won "Most Engaged Trainee" for the 2021 Cancer Center seminar series round tables sessions for "participating in the most round tables with consistent enthusiasm". Jordan Friedlein (Bagchi lab), Betsaida Bibo Verdugo (Salvesen lab), and Shanshan Yin, Ph.D. (Adams lab) were listed as Honorable Mentions for their insightful and engaging questions/conversations they contributed to the 2021 Cancer Center seminar series round table sessions. Stephen Sakuma (D'Angelo lab) has received a Tobacco Related Disease Research Program (TRDRP) graduate student fellowship.
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SANFORD BURNHAM PREBYS
FY22 Q3
Postdoctoral Training (cont.) Fishman Fund Awards Advance the Career and Professional Development of Future Scientific Leaders at Sanford Burnham Prebys (cont.) by Nisha Cavanaugh, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Career Development & Postdoctoral Programs
José: I feel tremendously honored to be a Fishman Fund Awardee, and I am very thankful for the kind support that I have received from the generous donors, to achieve my career goals. I truly feel that it has been a key element toward the development of my professional career. Koen: As a Fishman Fund Awardee, I feel supported by the Institute in my career plans, and I have the ability to invest in my future.
What does it mean to you to be one of only three Fishman Fund Fellows to date? Kyungsoo: It is a great honor to be one of the Fishman Fund Fellows to carry on the legacies of Drs. William and Lillian Fishman. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been allowed to be part of their legacy and carry on the torch, and I am excited to see how the following fellows succeed in their research careers. On that note, I am incredibly thankful to the donors, selection committee, and OETIS for making this fellowship possible and giving me this opportunity. Secondly, to be one of the first three fellows is a great motivator. It fills me with the need to work to represent the Fishman legacy and be a role model for students and postdocs alike. Thirdly, the history of Drs. William and Lilian Fishman demonstrate what is possible when we devote ourselves to following our curiosity, improving human health, and inspiring and nurturing the next generation of scientists. As a Fishman Fellow, I am committed to this ideal and follow their example to become a beacon for the next generation. I hope that as the number of fellows grows with time, we will pass on the legacy to the next generation and inspire them to follow the science.
How has the Career Development Award facilitated your pursuit of reaching your career and professional development goals? Jennifer: The Fishman Fund Career Development Award most significantly facilitated my ability to present as a main symposia speaker at the 2019 Cancer Immunotherapy Conference (CICON) in Paris, France. That meeting provided me with international networking opportunities and exposure I wouldn’t have had without this award. It has also provided me with support for attending virtual meetings during COVID which helped me remain up-to-date on the advances in the field despite the necessary limitations the COVID-19 pandemic had on in-person conference attendance. José: The Fishman Fund Career Development Award allowed me to attend International GRC Autophagy meetings in which I was able to establish a network of collaborators. These collaborations were crucial for me to put together a strong research proposal that was funded by NIA/NIH K99/R00 grant towards becoming an independent investigator. Koen: The award has helped me to become an expert in the field of pancreatic cancer, of which I had little knowledge before joining Sanford Burnham Prebys. I used the funds of the award to gain that knowledge by visiting national meetings and attending the ‘Workshop on Pancreatic Cancer’ hosted by the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Here, I had the opportunity to follow an in-depth days long workshop given by leaders in the field and meet future experts.
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FY22 Q3
Postdoctoral Training (cont.) Fishman Fund Awards Advance the Career and Professional Development of Future Scientific Leaders at Sanford Burnham Prebys (cont.) by Nisha Cavanaugh, Ph.D. Associate Director, Career Development & Postdoctoral Programs Cynthia: My career goal is to become a professor and principal investigator of a biology lab in academia. To establish a prominent academic presence, I aspire to fulfill responsibilities that include teaching, advising, service and research, in which I will present, publish and promote my findings. The Career Development Award has enabled me to look beyond national conferences to international opportunities. I will use my funds to attend a conference as a speaker and meet one-to-one with local PIs of the Scientific Network on Signal Transduction Pathways in France this September. For next year, I have my eyes set on a Keystone Conference in Canada, as well as technical training, teaching and writing workshops.
How has the Fellowship facilitated your pursuit of reaching your career and professional development goals? Kyungsoo: The fellowship has allowed me to attend national and international events, including the 2021 and 2022 Biophysical Society Annual Meetings and the 2022 Association for Research in vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting. I also used the fellowship to purchase Grammarly and Adobe subscriptions. Grammarly, a resource mentioned at one of the OETIS workshops, has been beneficial in improving my grammar and catching minor mistakes in my writing that I did not notice previously. Also, using the Fishman Fund Award to purchase a new computer and an Adobe subscription have made it significantly easier for me to communicate my research findings to the scientific community through high-quality figures in papers and presentations.
Why would you encourage other postdocs at Sanford Burnham Prebys to apply for the Fishman Fund Awards? Jennifer: I would strongly encourage all postdocs to apply because simply completing the application encourages you to conscientiously think about your future career plans, re-discover why you are passionate about science, and consider what steps you need to take to achieve your career goals. Cynthia: Applying for this award encourages postdocs to reflect on their previous years of training, clarify their career goals and outline the resources necessary to attain those goals. For postdocs who aspire to become a member of faculty in any scientific institution, they will have to continue to apply for funding to drive ambitious projects. The Fishman Fund Award is a highly competitive source of funding, which better positions candidates for grants and faculty position applications. It is also an honor to be recognized as a Fishman Fund Career Development Awardee. Koen: The Career Development Award is a great opportunity to thoroughly think about your future plans, how to get there, what is missing, and eventually put those career development ideas in your head on paper. With or without becoming an awardee, the process itself will be greatly beneficial to reach the goals you have in mind. Kyungsoo: I would encourage the postdocs to apply for this distinguished fellowship as it can help prepare us for our future careers. Even without the monetary component, the application process was immensely beneficial for me, as it forced me to think about the key factors that are important to me. I also became more aware of my strengths and weaknesses, and the application encouraged me to design a roadmap for self-improvement. The interview process allowed me to connect with faculty other than my supervisor and collaborators, which increased my advisory network. To be honest, meeting with them outside of the application to get feedback was critical in identifying areas where I was lacking.
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Upcoming Workshops & Events
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FY22 Q3
Upcoming Workshops & Events
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FY22 Q3
Postdoc & Student Counts
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FY22 Q3
Office of Education, Training, & International Services Diane Klotz, Ph.D.
Director Associate Dean, Administration & Professional Development
Megan Elyamani
Program Coordinator, OETIS
Education & Training Nisha Cavanaugh, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Career Development & Postdoctoral Programs
Angelica Rocha, Ph.D.
Assistant Director, Institutional Research & Academic Planning
International Services Mitchell Furumoto, M.S.Ed. Manager, International Services
Susie Bolor
Paula Checchi, Ph.D.
Senior International Advisor
Leadership Support Guy Salvesen, Ph.D.
Doug Battista
Program Manager, Recruitment, Outreach & Achievement
Faculty Advisor, Graduate Education & Postdoctoral Training
Chief Human Resources Officer Human Resources
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