PARTICIPATE IN MIT HSL SURVEY ABOUT SOCIAL DISTANCING
Are you currently practicing socially distancing? MIT researchers are interested in studying how the general population responds to isolation and are recruiting volunteers to complete online surveys.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Human Systems Lab is recruiting for online surveys to examine individual responses to social distancing/isolation related to the unique environment many of us find ourselves in because of COVID-19. The current distancing guidelines create a unique opportunity to examine responses to living/working in isolated and confined environments (ICE) in the general population, since most research in this area is performed on highly trained, small groups of individuals such as astronauts.
The survey results may help us better understand how to prepare humans for living in isolation, such as in missions to the International Space Station, working in remote environments like Antarctica, or even in a future space colony where a diverse set of people will be part of the community.
If you are at least 18 years old, fluent in English, and currently practicing social distancing you are eligible to participate. Eligible volunteers will be asked to complete daily online surveys (~15 min) while they are social distancing. Please use the link below for more information.
Link to surveys: http://hsl.mit.edu/covid19survey
VENTURE CAPITAL FELLOWSHIP FOR MIT STUDENTS
Alpha Edison, a Los Angeles, CA-based venture capital firm that invests in innovative technology-driven companies in the U.S. and abroad is launching the second year of a venture capital program for students (both undergraduate and graduate) at select campuses across the country. Our aim is to build and educate a community of students that will become the next generation of venture capital investors. We also hope to gain insights into the sorts of problems that students are trying to solve for today.
The second year of AE’s Campus Capital program will kick off in June 2020 and run through the 2020-2021 academic year.
AE will select up to 25 students from campuses across the country.
The Campus Capital Venture Fellows will be invited to (vurtually) attend a weekend of training in Los Angeles at AE’s headquarters, where they will learn about venture capital and how to identify strong investment opportunities. As part of this training, the Fellows and the AE team will craft an engagement plan for the academic year.
Once back on campus, the Fellows will then be equipped to attend campus and regional startup and tech events, and to report back on investment opportunities that align with AE’s investment theses.
Venture Fellows will be given a percentage of profits from any deal they bring in that AE invests in.
Campus Capital Venture Fellows will be considered part of the AE investment team and will be supported by the broader AE community via regular check-ins and meetings during the year.
We are accepting applications for the program until May 10.
More information, and the application, can be found at http://www.aecampuscapital.com
REAGENT SCHOLARSHIP 2020 FOR CYTOSKELETAL LAB
We are now accepting applications for our annual Reagent Scholarship, wherein we award one cytoskeletal researcher with tubulin and/or actin protein reagents for use in their project (up to $3,000 value). The application is open to any researcher, including students, postdocs, PIs, lab technicians, and staff scientists.
Applications will be reviewed for intellectual merit and broader impacts.
Deadline to apply: May 7, 2020
Winner announcement: May 14, 2020
Apply Here
MINDHANDHEART INNOVATION FUND ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
MindHandHeart is a coalition working to make MIT a more welcoming, inclusive, and healthy place.
Now accepting applications, the MindHandHeart Innovation Fund offers grants of up to $10,000 to students, faculty, and staff members. This year, we are looking to support projects that:
- Build community on campus
- Support mental and physical health
- Promote inclusion and respect
- Counter imposter syndrome
- Welcome new members of our community
- Encourage healthy sleep
- Bridge political differences
- Spread humor and joy
- Eliminate bullying
- Foster life skills
Beginning April 1, 2020, MindHandHeart is launching a virtual edition of the Innovation Fund in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis through April 30, 2020.
MIT GRADUATE STUDENT SHORT-TERM EMERGENCY HARDSHIP FUNDING 2019-2020
Graduate Student Short-Term Emergency Funding assists graduate students by providing financial support when they need help with unexpected and unavoidable emergency expenses. Typically, registered students apply for funds when they have exhausted all other resources. If Graduate Student Short-Term Emergency Fund disbursements are granted, they do not have to be repaid. Graduate Student Short-Term Emergency Fund disbursements may be subject to taxation based on withholding rates set by the IRS.
Student Eligibility: Be currently registered in an MIT PhD program or Master’s Program. Students on leave from MIT during Fall or Spring either semester are not eligible to receive the award.
Eligible expenses: Unanticipated or unusual expenses that may have a negative impact on the student's educational experience and well-being. These expenses most commonly include basic living necessities and travel expenses due to family emergencies.
Costs must have been incurred or become due while continuously enrolled during the current academic year. Each request will be considered individually and decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis at the sole discretion of OGE.
Expenses that are not eligible: Personal debt and other pre-existing voluntary obligations, tuition and program-related expenses, and other costs that may be covered by financial aid or loans.
Please fill out the Graduate Student Hardship Form if you are experiencing financial hardship related to COVID‑19 and we will do our best to support you during this difficult time.
MITAC OPPORTUNITIES - VIRTUAL TOURS, EVENTS, PERFORMANCES, ETC.
Welcome! The MIT Activities Committee offers discounted tickets to the MIT community for local arts and culture, sporting events, and family activities.
View our list of Virtual Tours and Performances
Due to current COVID-19 concerns, all tickets are available for purchase online only.
Members of the MIT community: subscribe here (at the bottom of the page) to our mailing list/newsletter to receive the latest updates delivered right to your inbox!
CURES WITHIN REACH FOR CANCER (CWR4C) - SUMMER INTERNSHIPS
Overview: Cures Within Reach for Cancer (CWR4C) is a nonprofit startup that is getting new and affordable
cancer treatments to patients faster by repurposing generic drugs. This is a great opportunity for students to
learn about the drug development process and get hands-on experience working at a cutting edge social impact
startup at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), biology, and medicine.
About Cures Within Reach for Cancer: More than 200 drugs FDA-approved for non-cancer indications and now
off-patent and inexpensive may also be effective for treating cancer. These repurposed generic drugs offer a
major opportunity to improve outcomes for cancer patients and reduce healthcare costs. Yet these therapies are
not being pursued due to a market failure for developing low-cost treatments. CWR4C harnesses AI and
machine learning to mine “big data” from scientific literature and real-world evidence in order to identify the
most promising drugs to repurpose for cancer. We are developing new funding models for clinical trials and
enabling widespread adoption of the treatments.
Details: You will work directly with members of the founding executive team ( www.cwr4c.org/team ).
Responsibilities may include one or more of the following:
- Literature review of preclinical and clinical data on repurposed drugs
- Conducting meta-analyses of scientific studies to aggregate clinical outcome measures
- Exploring strategies for patient engagement and the collection of patient-reported data
- Analysis of real-world data in electronic medical records
- Building machine learning models for text classification and evidence inference tasks
- Designing and building interactive web applications and data visualizations
- Researching social impact bonds or public policy changes to incentivize investment in clinical trials
- Preparing marketing and communications strategies and materials
Specific roles we are currently looking to fill are described in greater detail below. A commitment of 30-40
hours per week for 8-10 weeks is preferred. The team currently operates out of Boston and Portland, Maine; the
ability to meet near either location is preferred, and some remote work may be possible. This is an unpaid
nonprofit internship, so interested students should apply for funding through their school.
Qualifications: This is a highly cross-disciplinary effort that could be a good fit for students in diverse fields
such as: biology, medicine, global health, computer science, statistics, biomedical informatics, design, business,
healthcare economics, public policy, communications, or marketing. You should be passionate about expanding
treatment options for cancer patients, a hardworking self-starter with attention to detail, and effective at both
independent and collaborative work.
To Apply: First check out the CWR4C website (https://www.cwr4c.org/) and watch the 5-minute overview video
(http://bit.ly/cwr4c_video). Then send your resume and a short explanation of why you are interested in
working with CWR4C to Founder and CEO Laura Kleiman at laura [at] cureswithinreach.org (laura[at]cureswithinreach[dot]org) .
Internship Opportunities for Summer 2020:
Biologist: Help us develop our research and evidence platforms to enable synthesis and integration of relevant
information from scientific literature and various real-world data sources. The ideal candidate is pursuing a
major in biology or a related biological sciences field and has experience in research and in conducting
literature reviews. Specific knowledge of cancer biology-related concepts and of statistics is preferred.
Biomedical scientist: Review and implement statistical methods to rank drugs by combining clinical criteria
(such as survival outcomes) and non-clinical criteria (such as publication bias) from multiple studies. Students
should be familiar with meta-analyses and statistical approaches to calculate aggregate measures based on
systematic reviews of scientific literature. The ideal candidate has a background in statistics, epidemiology,
computer science, or biostatistics with the ability to analyze and interpret quantitative data using R or Python.
Qualitative analyst: Help us learn about off-label use of non-cancer generic drugs by cancer patients through
engaging patients. Design and implement surveys, interview guides, focus groups, and other qualitative
approaches to systematically capture and analyze patient experiences and outcomes. The ideal candidate has
experience designing qualitative and mixed methods research, submitting IRB protocols and securing informed
consent, conducting interviews, and performing analytic coding and data analyses.
Machine learning / data engineer: Help us build, test, and deploy NLP pipelines to extract features from
scientific literature to handle language-based tasks (named entity recognition, parsing, classification). You will
build infrastructure to manage extraction, transformation, and storage of data using AWS or other cloud-based
technologies. The ideal candidate is majoring in computer science or another quantitative field and has
experience implementing NLP techniques such as transformer-based models and machine learning frameworks.
UI / UX / front-end engineer: Conduct research on habits and digital interactions of target users to design
UI/UX strategies and build elegant web applications for our drug repurposing AI platform. Create digital assets
including design files, wireframes, and interactive mockups, and develop reusable HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
code. The ideal candidate is a computer science major proficient in one or more JS frameworks (React, Node,
Express, Vue), who enjoys creating data visualizations and is comfortable working across the technology stack.
Backend / full-stack engineer: Help architect and build our initial drug repurposing AI platform, including
development of server-side logic, data pipelines, and micro services to interact with machine learning models in
research and production settings. The ideal candidate is a computer science or engineering major proficient in
one or more languages (Java, Python, Go, Node), with knowledge of databases and experience setting up
production pipelines using AWS or other cloud technologies.
FLAGSHIP PIONEERING - SUMMER FELLOWSHIP
Flagship Pioneering conceives, resources, and builds life-changing bioscience companies that create breakthroughs in health and sustainability. We harness science and entrepreneurialism to envision alternative futures, beginning with seemingly unreasonable propositions and navigating to transformational outcomes through an iterative, evolutionary methodology. We call this process “pioneering”.
We believe pioneering is best done in teams, and that pioneering is a process that can be taught, learned, and replicated. We are looking for extraordinary scientists, engineers, physicians and entrepreneurs to learn this process and work alongside individuals within the Flagship Ecosystem who are defined by their passion, boldness, and creative optimism. We collaborate, encourage failure, trust one another, and celebrate successful solutions to hard problems. We respect diversity of opinion, because we value the freedom to explore hunches.
At Flagship Pioneering, company creation begins with investigating “What if?” and “If only…”. Flagship Pioneering Fellows work in teams, starting with “What if” or “If only” and a blank sheet of paper, relying not on literature but on their scientific instincts and creativity to generate novel scientific concepts that challenge dogma. Flagship Pioneering Fellows learn to variate, iterate, and shape these ideas into unreasonable yet compelling venture hypotheses.
Fellowship:
- 12 Week Full-Time Fellowship: June 1, 2020 – August 21, 2020
- Flagship Pioneering Fellows receive a stipend
- Flagship Pioneering Fellows work at the Flagship Pioneering offices in Kendall Square (55 Cambridge Parkway, Cambridge, MA, USA)
Key Benefits of the Flagship Pioneering Fellowship Include:
- Learn Flagship Pioneering’s system of generating and refining actionable pioneering hypotheses
- Exhibit and develop your creativity, adaptability, and ability to innovate
- Contribute to the creation of game-changing ideas & innovations that can be developed into the next breakthrough companies
- Work directly with highly experienced Flagship Pioneering team members—a group of widely recognized scientists, entrepreneurs, and executives
- Build relationships and expand your network with a diverse and highly successful group of peers
- Work alongside and learn from science and business leaders, leaders providing a unique platform for personal growth
- Explore opportunities to become a full-time member of the Flagship Pioneering team
Qualifications
- Deep scientific or business background aimed at life sciences
- Demonstrated entrepreneurial behaviors
- Academic excellence and self-starter mentality: confident, passionate, persuasive
- Creativity and the ability to solve complex scientific and business problems
- Previous Peace Corps, military, or public service experience considered
- Currently a graduate or post-graduate student (MBA, MS, PhD, MD, etc.) with a scientific background from a top university
- Preferably no more than 1-2 years away from full-time employment
Applications are open for summer 2020. Apply here.
OFFICE OF GRADUATE EDUCATION - FELLOWSHIP WORKSHOPS & FINANCIAL LITERACY RESOURCES
Financial Literacy and Fellowship Workshops
Applying to Graduate Fellowships (TBC)
Date 5/6/2020, 11:30 to 12:30 via Zoom
Scott Tirrell, Director of Graduate Fellowships, OGE
Why are fellowships great? What is the application process? What are the types of resources available? Tips on personal statements and research proposals. Just a great place to ask questions and prepare to apply for fellowships for the next school year!
Visit the OGE website (https://oge.mit.edu/finances/financial-literacy/workshops/) to find out about financial literacy and fellowship workshops.
iGrad
OGE also offers the free iGrad Financial Literacy platform (offered in collaboration with the MIT Federal Credit Union). Customized for MIT with videos, articles, games, job board, searchable scholarship database, and interactive modules on a wide range of topics, including emergency-funding, credit card management, identity protection, spending-smarts, etc. it is a great financial literacy tool for students and the MIT community in general. More information can be found at https://iGrad.com/schools/MIT.
OGE’s Website Financial Literacy and Fellowship section updates
A new Financial Literacy section has been added to the website - https://oge.mit.edu/finances/financial-literacy/
Check out the updated fellowships section at https://oge.mit.edu/finances/fellowships/ especially the Fellowships Tips content at https://oge.mit.edu/finances/fellowships/fellowship-tips/
MIT Credit Union Events
https://www.mitfcu.org/Financial-Retirement/Event-Calendar
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS OFFICE NEWSLETTER
Read current and past issues of the ISO Newsletter here. For non-students, you can also subscribe to receive published copies by email.
MIT GRAD DIVERSITY NEWSLETTER
The Office of Graduate Education (OGE)’s GradDiversity seeks to support the success of underrepresented and under-served graduate students at MIT. This takes place through a series of programs designed to strengthen recruitment, enhance community, and ignite development in academic, leadership, and professional skills.
Together with the Institute Community and Equity Office and our faculty, students, and staff from across the Institute, we are committed to fostering a more inclusive and caring climate that intellectually engages and values all members of our MIT community.
Sign up for the GradDiversity Newsletter here.
MIT GRADUATE ASSISTANCE INFORMATION NETWORK (GAIN)
MIT Graduate Assistance Information Network (GAIN) is a free 24/7 network of professionals who provide life management resources and referrals to help make life easier for MIT Graduate Students and families.
MIT GAIN services, which are available at no cost to you and your family, include:
- Legal consultation
- Financial consultation
- Child care resources and personalized research and referrals
- Elder care resources and personalized research and referrals
- Relocation guidance
- School/summer camp selection for children in grades K–12
- Nutrition counseling
- Career assessment
- Resources for other life concerns, such as moving services, home repair and cleaning services, pet care, fitness programs & trainers, and more.
Take advantage of these additional MIT Work-Life programs and resources:
Find more information here.
MIT SPOUSES & PARTNERS CONNECT
Open to all significant others of MIT students, postdocs, and staff who have relocated to the Boston area
Visit: http://spouses.mit.edu
Contact: spousesandpartners [at] mit.edu (spousesandpartners[at]mit[dot]edu)
Facebook @mitspousesandpartners
Instagram @mspconnect
PEER 2 PEER STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICE
Need Someone To Listen?
Whether you’re having a bad day or just want someone to talk to, Peer2Peer’s community of MIT students is here for you.
Log in and chat anonymously about whatever’s on your mind with someone who really understands.
peer2peer.mit.edu
COMMUNITY SERVICE WEEKLY BULLETIN
At the heart of the MIT mission statement is a call to serve the nation and the world—and this charge is embodied by the MIT Public Service Center. Every year, we send thousands of students into communities locally, across the nation, and around the globe to apply their skills and knowledge for the betterment of humankind. In the Institute's best traditions of hands-on experience, entrepreneurial spirit, and creative problem solving, these students donate their time, create new technologies, form communities and companies—and ultimately change lives everywhere they go.
As part of MIT's Division of Student Life, we provide a central point of communication and support for the outreach and humanitarian efforts of the MIT community. We engage students, alumni, staff, faculty, and others in life-changing initiatives and social entrepreneurship ventures that provide needed resources to individuals and communities.
Sign up for the weekly Community Service Bulletin of Events and Programs here.
News and upcoming events are posted on the homepage.