Volume 22, Number 34

HST Community Notices

HST GRADUATION CELEBRATION

Please join us for the HST Graduation Celebration!
All members of the community are invited to celebrate with our graduating students.

  • Wednesday, May 26, 2021
  • 5-7pm ET

The HST graduation event will include the release of a graduation video and a synchronous virtual celebration.

Links to the graduation video and zoom reception will be posted at the HST Graduation website the week of graduation.

We look forward seeing you there.

ARUP CHAKRABORTY AND PAULA HAMMOND NAMED INSTITUTE PROFESSORS

The two chemical engineers, including an HST faculty member and the founding director of IMES, are awarded MIT’s highest faculty honor.

Two distinguished MIT chemical engineers, Arup K. Chakraborty and Paula Hammond, have been named Institute Professors, the highest honor bestowed upon MIT faculty members.

Hammond, who chairs MIT’s Department of Chemical Engineering, is renowned for her work in developing novel polymers and nanomaterials, while Chakraborty, who is an HST faculty member and the founding director of MIT’s Institute for Medical Engineering and Science (IMES), is a pioneer in applying computational techniques to challenges in the field of immunology, including vaccine development. IMES is HST's home at MIT.

“At MIT, the distinction of Institute Professor designates the best of the best — and that is exactly how I would describe Paula Hammond and Arup Chakraborty,” says MIT President L. Rafael Reif.

Read the full article at MIT News.

Congratulations to both recipients!

SHOW YOUR HST COMMUNITY SPIRIT

Show off your HST spirit!

Use one of these virtual community Zoom backgrounds.
Share your HST enthusiasm with #HST2021

THE MITCOIN PROJECT

MITCoin is a charity project run by MIT MindHandHeart. It is our mission to empower charitable causes by rewarding good deeds performed around MIT's campus.

How Does it Work?

You're given 1,000 MITCoins to give away to acknowledge others' good deeds. You only have to sign in to create an account.

If someone does a good deed for you, like helping you with a problem set, or baking you a plate of cookies... send them a few MITCoins!

At the end of the semester, all of the MITCoins you've received will be converted to dollars that you donate to the charity of your choice.

Sign-In to Get Started

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION: WAYS TO ENGAGE

Watch this three-part series from Boston University, Antiracism as Health Policy: Race, COVID-19, and Policy Reform

Each week the TWiHST newsletter includes an item (reading, video, podcast, etc.) about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in STEM, academia, research, or medicine. Members of the community are encouraged to submit suggestions here. An archive of previous TWiHST DEI: Ways to Engage posts can be found here.

MIT & HARVARD COVID-19 RESOURCES

Find a full list here: https://hst.mit.edu/covid-19-resources

Course & Academic Resources

TWO NEW MEDICAL DEVICE & DIAGNOSTIC DEVELOPMENT SUMMER COURSES

Explore device and diagnostic development with Harvard Catalyst, Harvard University’s Clinical and Translational Science Center.

TRANSforming Care with Emerging, Novel Devices (TRANSCEND)
An online course including five virtual live sessions running June 3-July 1.

Do you have a class II and class III medical device that you’re trying to get to market? TRANSCEND provides participants with medical device innovators who offer expert insight and guidance into risk management and regulatory considerations. The course culminates in a pitch competition that gives participants an opportunity to earn services, expert consultation, and educational offerings valued at over $15,000.

APPLY by Friday, May 21, 2021.

Fee:

  • Free for Harvard-affiliated schools and institutions
  • CTSA member: $1,275 (Note: this is a 25% discount off the standard fee.)
  • Non-CTSA member: $1,700

Understanding Medical Device and Diagnostic Development Processes and Contemporary Realities: Lessons Learned from COVID-19
A five-session, virtual webinar series running May 26-June 23.
Participants can register for as many or few sessions as they want.

Each session includes brief talks by innovators, followed by facilitated discussion and time for questions from the audience. Topics addressed range from the identification of clinical need for devices and diagnostics to implementation and post-market surveillance in a changing regulatory environment. 

REGISTER for any or all five sessions by Monday, May 24, 2021.

Fee:

  • Free for Harvard-affiliated schools and institutions
  • CTSA member: $94.00 per session OR $338 for all five sessions (Note: this is a 25% discount off the standard fee.)
  • Non-CTSA member: $125.00 per session OR $450 for all five sessions

TWO BIOETHICS SUMMER PROGRAMS AT YALE UNIVERSITY

Foundations of Bioethics (4-Day Program)

“This is a program like none other… Truly incredible!”

  • June 29 – July 2, 2021

Limited Space Available - via Zoom
$500 students, $600 young professionals, $900 advanced professionals.

Overview of ethical theory, common bioethics arguments, ethics of medicine, research, health policy, public health, and law.

Visit: https://tinyurl.com/yhm47jd2 or contact us: bioethics [at] Yale.edu (bioethics[at]Yale[dot]edu)

Summer Institute in Bioethics (4-Week Intensive)

“The diversity of participants and the engaging faculty made this experience truly unforgettable.”

  • June 28 - July 30, 2021 (4 weeks of programming over 5 calendar weeks)

$1,600 Undergraduates, $1,700 Graduate Students, $1,800 Young Professionals, $2,100 Professionals

Now in its 16th year, the program is known for its engaging faculty, enthusiastic alumni network, & participants from all over the globe. During COVID-19, the program is virtual. Topics will include climate change, racial equity, ethics of migrant workers’ care, end-of-life, COVID-19 (including its impact on indigenous communities), neuroethics, ethics of dementia, global ethics, policy analysis, ethics of technology, clinical ethics, pediatric ethics, ethics & law, ethics of caring for patients with disabilities, animal ethics, ethics & psychiatry, neuroethics, and more.

Applications encouraged by May 21; rolling admissions will continue through late spring.

Visit: https://bioethics.yale.edu/summer or contact us: bioethics [at] Yale.edu (bioethics[at]Yale[dot]edu)

GRADUATE WORKSHOPS IN TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP

The Graduate Program in Engineering Leadership Program is pleased to announce our Graduate Certificate in Technical Leadership Workshop Series for Spring 2021. These workshops will run virtually and here is a link to descriptions for each.

We invite you to register and attend our series, which count toward satisfying requirements toward our certificate. The workshops will be held from 5:30-7:30pm.

*If you are interested in registering for one or all of our workshops, please email Lisa Stagnone (lstag [at] mit.edu (lstag[at]mit[dot]edu))

  • Workshop 3: Taking Charge of New Roles: Strategies for Your First 90 Days - Led by David Niño and Albert Atkins on Tuesday, May 11

HENRY STEWART TALKS (HSTALKS) RESOURCE

The HSTalks Biomedical & Life Sciences Collection is an online multimedia resource containing nearly 3,000 specially commissioned lectures by world leading scientists. MIT has full access to this resource.

Program directors, faculty, teaching staff, researchers, post- docs, and students use the collection in many ways including in blended, distance and flipped classroom education.

Browse the collection here.

MIT COMMUNITY WELLNESS VIRTUAL CLASSES AND RESOURCES

This year, the MIT community is adapting to new ways of taking care of ourselves and others. If you’d like to connect with your community, stay active, sleep better, relieve stress, and more, Community Wellness at MIT Medical can help you find virtual wellness programs that fit your needs.

View all classes here.

Don’t see what you are looking for? Email wellness [at] med.mit.edu (wellness[at]med[dot]mit[dot]edu) with any questions about wellness programs at MIT.

Don't forget: MIT Medical's COVID-19 hotline can be reached at 617-253-4865, and the 24-hour general helpline is 617-253-1311.

MIT WRITING AND COMMUNICATION CENTER (WCC)

The Writing and Communication Center offers free one-on-one professional advice from communication experts with advanced degrees and publishing experience. The WCC can help you further develop your oral communication skills and learn about all types of academic and professional writing. You can learn more about the WCC consultations at http://cmsw.mit.edu/writing-and-communication-center and register with the online scheduler to make appointments through https://mit.mywconline.com. Please note that the WCC hours are offered Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm, and fill up fast.

Some faculty already require their students to consult with the WCC’s communication experts on their papers, technical reports, and presentations — doing so is a good way not only to improve the quality of their students’ work but also to help students grow as academic writers and communicators. 

The WCC has decades of experience preparing thousands of undergraduate and graduate students, as well as postdoctoral scholars and faculty, for positions in research, academia, and industry. We provide expertise in scientific and engineering writing as well as humanities and social science writing across various genres, including journal articles, scientific posters, dissertations, oral presentations, and slide design.

UPCOMING EVENTS FROM THE TEACHING + LEARNING LAB (TLL)

Information about upcoming workshops for graduate students and postdocs can be found here.

Teaching Development Fellowship Applications Open
The Teaching + Learning Lab is now accepting applications for the 2021-2022 cohort of Teaching Development Fellows
You can find more information and instructions to apply here.  Applications close on Monday, May 24, 2021.

As a Fellow, you will join an interdisciplinary network of your peers dedicated to teaching and learning. You will receive training and mentorship in teaching from TLL and will design and lead independent, department-based workshops and events (in-person or remote) aimed at improving grad student teaching skills.

The Fellowship requires a time commitment of 8 to 10 hours per month, and Fellows will receive a $200/month stipend supplement for 10 months (September-June) for their contributions to the program. Fellows are appointed for one year-long term.

Reciprocity in leadership & learning: negotiating impactful partnerships
MIT Open Learning will host their next xTalk on Wednesday, May 12 at 1-2 pm ET. Join Dr. Bruno Verdini for a discussion with Prof. Shigeru Miyagawa about the pedagogical steps, materials, and activities that are providing concrete opportunities for students at MIT to develop their self-awareness and moral principles. Learn more here and follow this Zoom link to join live.

If you have any questions about programs and resources available to graduate students through the TLL, contact Ben Hansberry, Assistant Director for Graduate Student Teaching (bhansber [at] mit.edu (bhansber[at]mit[dot]edu))

Subscribe here to the TLL Newsletter.

HARVARD CATALYST COURSES AND EVENTS

Harvard Catalyst works with Harvard University’s schools and affiliate academic healthcare centers to build and grow an environment focused on team science – where discoveries are rapidly and efficiently translated to improve human health. We catalyze research across all clinical and translational domains by providing investigators with opportunities such as pilot funding, free resources such as biostatistics consultations, training and mentoring programs, and numerous courses. To facilitate communication, collaboration, and data collection, our informatics team develops a range of open-source tools available to the community within Harvard University and beyond.

Information on courses and training through Harvard Catalyst can be found here.
A calendar of Harvard Catalyst events can be found here.
Subscribe to the Harvard Catalyst Newsletter here.

HARVARD INNOVATION LABS CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Information about the Harvard i-lab and it's upcoming events and activities can be found here.

Conferences, Lectures & Seminars

MLK SCHOLAR VIRTUAL LUNCHEON WITH BENJAMIN MCDONALD

"Designing reactive and responsive organochemical systems"

“Space is big. You just won’t believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is.“
          –Douglas Adams, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Endless permutations of structural and spatial arrangements of a few elements - predominantly carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen – make up the vastness of organochemical space.

This infinite space can be defined by size and structure, by origin, or by property and function, as catalytic, structural, signaling, or information storage entities. Along these bases, chemists continually seek to understand systems of organic molecules and the interactions therein to develop a greater knowledge base and, subsequently, propel technological advances that span medicine to material science. Nature’s organochemical systems have remained a steadfast confluence of inspiration, building blocks, and functional benchmarks.

From this perspective, MLK Scholar Benjamin McDonald will share how nature’s organochemical systems have inspired his work, in the development of new catalytic systems for small molecule synthesis, and in the design of polymers for chemical-warfare agent responsive surfaces. Finally, we will look forwards and consider the construction of nature’s structural materials as inspiration towards new organic materials.

We are committed to making this dialogue accessible for all MIT community members. Please reach out to rornitz [at] mit.edu (rornitz[at]mit[dot]edu) with accessibility requests. 

Learn more about the MIT MLK Visiting Professors and Scholars Program

RADCLIFFE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY (RIAS) EVENT

Vaccine Equity and Efficacy in the United States and the World

  • Tuesday, May 11, 2021
  • 4pm (ET)

As efforts to distribute COVID-19 vaccines intensify throughout the United States and across the globe, how can we ensure that equity and access are prioritized? This panel seeks to address the challenges and opportunities of equitable public health strategies around COVID-19 vaccine distribution.

Introduction: 

  • Immaculata De Vivo, Professor in the Department of Epidemiology, Harvard Medical School, and Codirector of the Science Program, Harvard Radcliffe Institute

Moderator:

  • K. Viswanath, Lee Kum Kee Professor of Health Communication in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and McGraw/Patterson Center for Population Sciences at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Panelists:

  • Noa Dagan, Research Fellow in Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School
  • Richard Goldsby, Thomas B. Walton Jr. Memorial Professor of Biology Emeritus, Amherst College
  • Kate O'Brien, Director, Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals, World Health Organization

You can register for this event by visiting www.radcliffe.harvard.edu/event/2021-vaccine-equity-efficacy-virtual.

This event is free. All are welcome to attend.

The Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University is one of the world's leading centers for interdisciplinary exploration. We bring students, scholars, artists, and practitioners together to pursue curiosity-driven research, expand human understanding, and grapple with questions that demand insight from across disciplines.

MIT STARTUP EXCHANGE - MIT STEX25 SHOWCASE

Join MIT Startup Exchange for this year's MIT STEX25 Showcase

  • Tuesday, May 18, 2021
  • 11am ET

This event is for ILP members and the MIT community. You can confirm your company's ILP membership here.

Learn more, See the agenda and Register now

The STEX25 Showcase features some of the most promising and industry-ready startups from across MIT. These startups are all part of STEX25, an accelerator run by MIT Startup Exchange, an integrated program of MIT Corporate Relations. This is a must-attend event for executives at industry-leading corporations, especially those who work in innovation, emerging technology, corporate venture capital, and/or corporate development & strategy. The format is fast paced, exposing attendees to a broad cross selection of technologies and use cases applicable to many different companies and industries globally. These will include AI, IIoT, advanced manufacturing, fintech, energy and life science and advanced materials, highlighting the increased focus on sustainability, supply chains and security, to address and solve some of the pressing problems of today and tomorrow in collaboration with industry.

Presenting startups include:

  • Endor: First do-it-yourself predictive behavioral analytics platform
  • Hosta Labs: Merging intelligence and infrastructure
  • Immunai: Reprogram Immunity
  • Jeeva Wireless: Automating consumable product replenishment with real-time data
  • JETCOOL: Cooling for today’s high power electronics
  • Meter: Intuitive inspection equipment for engineers and manufacturers
  • OpenSpace: Your jobsite, fully captured. Just tap record and go
  • Sourcemap: Technology to achieve 100% traceable, transparent supply chains
  • Volta Labs: Biological automation as agile and scalable as digital electronics
  • AND members of our new STEX25 cohort!

Instructions to join webinars:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about how to join the webinar. You can then join the webinar through the Zoom application on your computer or phone, within your Internet browser*, or by dialing in*. If you need further assistance on joining the day of the webinar, please consult the Zoom support instructions to join a webinar.

*These options to connect offer fewer features with less forms of engagement. We recommend installing the Zoom application on your device for the best webinar experience.

SCIENCE & POETRY PROJECT - CAMBRIDGE ARTS COUNCIL

Grant-funded public art installation aims to counter systemic racism in the arts and sciences.

The Poetry of Science, a public art installation funded by the Cambridge Arts Council, has officially launched with the intention to increase the representation of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian and Pacific Islander, and people of color (POC) experiences in the fields of poetry, photography, and the sciences.

Selected poets and local scientists will be paired to collaboratively create a poem based on the research, motivations, and history of the scientists. The culmination of the project will result in a display of poetry alongside portraits of the scientists as public art in the summer of 2021.

The Poetry of Science aims to counter the negative associations about POC that result from systemic racism by creating new and positive associations between POC, the arts, the sciences, how nature is perceived, and what it means to generate knowledge.

The Poetry of Science will culminate in:

  • A public art display featuring original photographic portraits of each scientist alongside their associated poem
  • A dedicated issue of Spry Literary Journal
  • Participation in the Boston Book Festival Summer Lit Crawl
  • Biographical profiles of poets and scientists on our website and social media channels

The project is led and directed by Joshua Sariñana, PhD, a neuroscientist and fine art photographer based in Cambridge. The project manager, Linsey Jayne, MFA, is a Boston poet and co-founder of the literary journal, Spry.

The project will be displayed in select areas of Cambridge, MA starting in late spring/early summer of 2021.

For more information about The Poetry of Science, including submission guidelines, visit www.poetryofscience.org.

Here is some recent media coverage:

HACK THE HOSPITAL 5G TRANSATLANTIC LAB - OPEN CALL

We've just opened the application call to participate in Hack The Hospital

This lab happening on May 21-23 will explore the potential of 5G and XR technologies being applied to pediatric healthcare and to foster new connections between Barcelona and Boston hubs. International teams will develop innovative projects that can improve the hospital experience of long term pediatric patients at the Boston Children's Hospital and the Sant Joan de Déu children hospital (Barcelona). 2 winner projects will be tested and implemented in both hospitals and will be presenting at the MWC Barcelona 2021.

Challenges: Education, mental health, socialization, family experience and entertainment within the hospital environment

Space is limited. Apply as soon as possible.

RESTARTING TRAVEL SAFELY: UPCOMING ISTM VIRTUAL TRAVEL MEDICINE CONFERENCE

How to prepare our patients to restart travel safely: consider the ISTM Virtual Travel Medicine Conference in May!

The International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM) is holding its 17th Biennial Conference (CISTM17) May 19-22, 2021, the largest international gathering of travel medicine specialists and practitioners who collaborate and learn about the latest developments in the field. SARS-CoV-2 has imposed great challenges but added fresh perspectives to travel medicine.

The CISTM17 Theme is The Changing Face of Travel Medicine: Anticipating its Global Impact. Updated Scientific Program details, organizing committee, agenda and more information are available on our website.

For more information or questions, contact Lin H. Chen (lchen [at] mah.harvard.edu (lchen[at]mah[dot]harvard[dot]edu)), MD, FACP, FASTMH, FISTM, President, International Society of Travel Medicine, Director, Travel Medicine Center, Mount Auburn Hospital, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Lecturer, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

UPCOMING INSTITUTE COMMUNITY & EQUITY OFFICE (ICEO) EVENTS

A calendar of upcoming events is available here.

BIOLOGY DIVERSITY COMMUNITY (BDC) SEMINAR SERIES - UPCOMING SEMINAR CALENDAR

Topics in Racial Justice at MIT
MIT Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA)

  • Wednesday, May 12, 2021
  • Time: TBD

Anti-racism and Technology Design
Katlyn Turner, Research Scientist, MIT Media Lab

  • Wednesday, May 26, 2021
  • Time: TBD

For information on future seminars, dates, guest speakers, and topics, our spring semester calendar can be found here, so set aside the dates!  Every member of the MIT community is welcome.

To stay up to date on current BDC events, follow us on InstagramTwitter, or send us questions to bdcgroup [at] mit.edu (bdcgroup[at]mit[dot]edu).

NORTH AMERICAN IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY (EMBS) STUDENT CONFERENCE

The upcoming *VIRTUAL* North American IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS) Student Conference will be in June 2021! The theme of the conference is "Diversity of Perspective & People" and it is being organized by a group of graduate students from MIT, Harvard, and Penn State (including a number of HST colleagues!). The goal is to emphasize equally themes of interdisciplinary conversation, broader social impacts, diversity, equity & inclusion, mental health and wellness, and scientific communication along with cutting edge research and cool science.

Check out the website if you're interested.

To get involved, you may:

  • Apply as an attendee (Registration deadline: Saturday, May 15, 2021 @ 11:59pm PDT) There is no registration cost to attend.

MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT GROUP BOSTON - EVENTS

The Medical Development Group Boston (MDG Boston) is a community of individuals professionally committed to the Medical Device and other Medical Technology Industry segments united by the belief that innovation and advances in technology lead to substantial improvements in health care.

MDG's Mission is to contribute to the continuing development of medical devices and other medical technologies by enhancing the professional development of its members, fostering and supporting entrepreneurial thinking, serving as a forum for exploration of new business opportunities, and promoting best practices in enterprise management.

MDG pursues this mission through the organization of educational programs and forums: the facilitation of cross-disciplinary dialogue and collaboration; the creation of venues for networking and information sharing for current and aspiring professionals, clinicians, and entrepreneurs; and the development of alliances with complementary organizations.

We would love for you to attend and spread the word in your community!

For more information on our upcoming events, visit our website.

MEDTECH BOSTON INFORMATION SOURCE & CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Boston has long been known as a medical mecca of scientific discovery. Boston’s healthcare professionals and administrators are adopting practices from other high-risk and service industries. The ‘big data’ movement is thriving, fundamentally changing our healthcare delivery systems. Digital health investments are higher than ever before. Medical hackathons and un-conferences are now an every-weekend occurrence. And both redesign and innovation promise to change medicine as we know it. It’s all happening right here, right now. But the problem is that many of us don’t know it. Despite Boston’s innovative energy and a solid medical infrastructure, many medical providers and health care entrepreneurs remain in the dark about the opportunities, events and work happening in and around the city of Boston – and across the country. That’s where we come in.

At Medtech Boston, we highlight exciting medical innovation work in and around the city of Boston. We aim to start a discussion about the most exciting and controversial new healthcare offerings, igniting a new reputation for Boston as a city with first-class medical research and patient care, but also as a city full of passionate people who use new technology to think big thoughts about medicine’s most pressing problems.

More organizational information and event postings from Medtech Boston is available here.

MIT GLOBAL HEALTH AND MEDICAL HUMANITIES INITIATIVE (GHMHI) UPCOMING EVENTS

The goal of the Global Health and Medical Humanities Initiative (GHMHI) is to provide MIT students the training to analyze critically the determinants of health and roles of medicine in society from historical and cross-cultural perspectives.

Global Health programs in medical schools, schools of public health, and universities and colleges across the U.S. emphasize how biomedical training, research, and practice, as well as interdisciplinary collaborations beyond the health sciences, are necessary to improve the determinants of health—whether social, political, economic, or biological.

Medical Humanities is a subfield of medicine that draws on the humanities, arts, and social sciences to analyze medical education and clinical practice.

Find more information and a calendar of upcoming events at http://ghmhi.mit.edu/.

BRAINMAP SEMINARS

Future topics will be similar to the previous Brainmap season, with some talks on Optogenetics, MR-PET, BOLD physiology, ultra-high field MRI, multimodal integration, contrast agents, and many more exciting topics! Unless otherwise noted, seminars (webinars) are held on Wednesdays at noon.

Brainmap website: https://www.martinos.org/education/brainmap/

To sign up for the mailing list, please go to: https://mail.nmr.mgh.harvard.edu/mailman/listinfo/brainmap

Student Opportunities

PILOT MIT SANDBOX LONG-HAUL COVID & LYME ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM

Lyme disease is the fastest growing vector-borne infectious disease in the U.S. Given the growing prevalence, current unreliable diagnostic tests, and manifestation of chronic symptoms in many patients, there is a significant need for development of novel methods and technologies to tackle the disease on multiple fronts. Long-haul Covid presents a similar need, on a global scale, with many people suffering from a range of chronic and autoimmune diseases caused by the infection.

MIT Sandbox is piloting an exciting, new summer opportunity for both MIT undergraduate and graduate students. 

The MIT Sandbox Long-Haul Covid & Lyme Entrepreneurship Program encourages and supports student-led entrepreneurial solutions to problems associated with long-haul infectious diseases with a primary focus on Covid and Lyme disease.

Program Highlights – View full details on website

  • 10-week program from June to August
  • Support for full-time or part-time engagement
  • Provides stipend plus funding for prototype develop
  • Includes mentorship from entrepreneurs and infectious disease experts
  • Open to MIT undergraduate and graduate students
  • Potential for continued fall support in MIT Sandbox

Apply here – Deadline Friday, May 14, 2021 (note application requires Google login)

MIT EARTH DATA CHALLENGE WITH 10K IN PRIZES

Join us to tackle climate change by making Earth data more accessible and compete for $10k in prizes: RSVP here

Kickoff meeting will be on Monday, May 17th and the event will run from June 1 - mid-September.

Earth data is hard to access; it comes in the size of terabytes, has gaps, is owned by private companies, or simply doesn't exist yet. The 2021 MIT Earth Data Challenge calls for your creative solutions to make Earth data more accessible. Be paired with expert mentors and create an AI benchmark, data visualization, jupyter notebook, or other data tools over the summer.

We encourage all members of the MIT community to RSVP and learn more here

Earthy greetings, 

The MIT Earth Intelligence Engine Team - Björn Lütjens, Aruna Sankaranarayanan, Prof. Dava Newman, Chris Hill, and more.

GRAD STUDENT EXPERIENCE GRANTS - APPLICATION NOW OPEN

The Graduate Student Experience Grant Program by the Office of Graduate Education is open to applications again!
The deadline for this cycle of grants has been extended to May 21st, with applicants finding out the following month about their status.
Anyone can apply for a grant to improve the grad student experience!

SUMMER VENTURE FELLOW INTERNSHIP - AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY - PAID

Position Description: This is a fully remote summer position

Save lives. Fulfill yours.

At the American Cancer Society, we're leading the fight for a world without cancer. Our employees and 1.5 million volunteers are raising the bar every single day. We actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds including communities of color, the LGBTQ community, veterans, and people with disabilities. The greater the diversity of our people, the better we can serve our communities. The people who work at the American Cancer Society focus their diverse talents on our lifesaving mission. It is a calling. And the people who answer it are fulfilled.

BrightEdge is the American Cancer Society’s donor-funded philanthropic impact fund operating at the intersection of impact, investment, and innovation.  To accelerate ACS’s bold goal of reducing cancer mortality 40% by 2035, BrightEdge propels groundbreaking patient-centric solutions by investing in the most innovative startup companies developing novel technology-based cancer solutions to advance science, reduce disparities, and promote healthcare sustainability.

The BrightEdge team uses a double bottom-line approach by evaluating both mission-driven social impact and financial returns on investments to help fuel the Society’s life-saving programs in research, access, and health equity.

The position is responsible for analyzing current and potential enterprise formation of ACS’s extramural research grants portfolio and programs. Over $5B has been invested in cancer research since the Society’s founding and the annual $400MM investment in research grants-in-effect is an integral part of the Society’s mission.  This position will assess the Extramural Science portfolio of past grant recipients, intellectual property filings, publications, and industry disclosures for startup formation and growth. This information will be used for ACS grantee engagement, C-Suite communications, and future BrightEdge investment decisions.  Clear presentation of findings is critical. This position is required to communicate effectively with various stakeholders including organizational leadership and various internal communication channels.

Find more information here.

TEACHING ASSISTANT PART-TIME

Esme Learning has partnered with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology School of Architecture and Planning to offer the Health Ventures course, a new, digitally-delivered program designed to provide participants with a comprehensive roadmap of how to structure a successful health venture, navigate the business process, complexities and possible solutions involved when designing, evaluating and launching and a health venture product or service. The six-week course prepares learners for the intricacies of building a new venture in a highly competitive and regulated market.

The Teaching Assistant team is responsible for facilitating understanding of the content for courses developed by leading universities. Learners are spread across the globe and have strong corporate and academic backgrounds. The purpose of this role is to deliver content and assess students in the course in order to provide them with a world-class learning experience.

As a TA, you will facilitate discussion on the online environment in class-wide and small group chat rooms. You will be responsible for creating a world-class learning experience for participants by grading and providing feedback on their submissions. This is a remote, part-time role with the approximate time requirement of 10 - 15 hours per week spread over the entire week, for a total of 7 weeks. Most of the work may be done at the time of your choosing, and there may be some fixed weekly team calls and deadlines. Note that the time requirement and remuneration are based on the number of participants the tutor directly supervises.

Requirements

  • Graduate or postgraduate qualification in a related field of expertise
  • Practical/corporate experience in a related start-up or corporate role
  • Exceptional facilitation skills and interpersonal skills
  • A passion for education and learning

To apply, send a resumé and cover letter to careers [at] esmelearning.com (careers[at]esmelearning[dot]com). Be sure to include “MIT Teaching Assistant - Health Ventures” in the SUBJECT field. No phone calls or recruiters, please.

Find more information here.

2021 JAMES DYSON AWARD: NOW OPEN FOR ENTRIES

The James Dyson Award is an international design award that celebrates, encourages and inspires the next generation of design engineers. It's open to current and recent design engineering students, and is run by the James Dyson Foundation, James Dyson’s charitable trust, as part of its mission to get young people excited about design engineering.

The James Dyson Award is your chance to make a name for yourself as an inventor. As well as winning a significant cash prize, you could generate media exposure to kick-start your career, earn the esteem of your peers – and perhaps gain the confidence to launch your own business. Entering is simple.

We’re looking for designers who think differently, to create products that work better. Engineers who follow an iterative design process. The judges – and James Dyson especially – are drawn to designs that employ clever yet simple engineering principles. If yours is a sustainable design, that’s even better. As well as proving your project’s technical viability, we'd also love to see that it’s commercially viable, too – so include any research you've done into manufacturing.

Find out more about the James Dyson Award, here
Application deadline: Wednesday, June 30, 2021

FLIPPING FAILURE - PEER SUPPORT COMMUNITY RESOURCE

Flipping Failure is a collection of video stories told by MIT students about their path towards resilience when faced with challenge at MIT.

The goal of this community initiative is to provide visibility to stories of academic challenge and resilience so that we can begin shifting the conversation around struggle from something to be ashamed of to something that is human. Struggling is not only part of the human experience, but it is often the result of tackling difficult challenges and learning experiences. We hope that watching peers talk about their challenges and hearing about the productive and healthy strategies they used to cope will help other students discover their own path towards resilience and self-acceptance.

Thanks to Our Partners:
Community Wellness, FAIL!, MindHandHeart, MITell, Office of Graduate Education GradSupport, Student Support Services (S3)

If you are interested in learning more about Flipping Failure or would like to contribute your story, please contact flippingfailure [at] mit.edu (flippingfailure[at]mit[dot]edu).
The content on this site was assembled and is maintained by MIT’s Teaching and Learning Lab.

iREFS WEEKLY OFFICE HOURS (CONFIDENTIAL CONFLICT MANAGEMENT SESSIONS)

What is iREFS?
MIT iREFS is a student group that offers confidential peer-to-peer support to fellow graduate students. 

What do we do?
Our mission is to ensure graduate student wellness, especially in times of uncertainty, stress, and conflict. We provide confidential, peer-to-peer conflict support and coaching. We also provide informed referrals to MIT resources and offices. Further, we organize conflict management workshops for the MIT graduate student community on active listening and difficult conversations.

Hope you are staying safe and healthy! We are happy to share that MIT iREFS will be holding weekly office hours (confidential conflict management sessions). 

During these office hours, an iREFS will be available on a zoom call. Please feel free to join the call if you are looking to talk to a fellow grad student regarding an issue that is a cause of concern/stress for you. We are here to provide a listening ear, inform you about key student resources that you could benefit from, and help brainstorm ways to come out of such challenging situations.

All sessions are confidential and no calls are recorded. As an alternative, you can always email us at irefs-contact [at] mit.edu (irefs-contact[at]mit[dot]edu) or sign up with our Google Form to schedule a meeting at a time that is convenient for you.

Subscribe to our Mailing List:
You can subscribe to our mailing list to receive updates about our events!

Want to follow iREFS on social media?
– Join our Facebook group today!
– Follow us on Instagram

MIT INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT NETWORK MAILING LIST

The International Support Network has setup a mailing list to build community and provide support to the international students at MIT. All MIT community members are welcome to join!

The International Support Network is a peer support network for international students and scholars as well as allies. We have been actively monitoring proposed policy changes that relate to remote appointments, housing, international travel as well as visa status for international students. After our July open letter​, we have been following up with ISO on related issues. Given the rapidly changing current situation, we acknowledge the heightened concern among the international community at MIT. With that in mind, we created our mailing list​ where we share information about policy updates (both MIT and federal), provide support, and hold future town halls to hear out community members.​

Sign up for the mailing list to hear about those updates and other resources!

Stay safe and take care everyone!​

Feel free to direct any questions to: international-support-admin [at] mit.edu (international-support-admin[at]mit[dot]edu)

ASK MIT. GET ANSWERS.

ask.mit.edu is intended for MIT students to ask questions about student support at MIT. Ask your question here and a member of Student Support and Wellbeing team will get back to you within one business day.

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!

OFFICE OF GRADUATE EDUCATION - FELLOWSHIP WORKSHOPS & FINANCIAL LITERACY RESOURCES

The OGE will be hosting an Introduction to Cryptocurrency workshop on May 4th, from 11:30-12:30. Cryptocurrencies are digital currencies not backed by real assets or tangible securities. They are traded between consenting parties with no broker and tracked on digital ledgers. This informal discussion will cover how one invests, what the associated risks are, and offer other resources for further learning. RSVP here. A Zoom link will be sent to all those that RSVP before the event.

Fellowship Newsletter
Our Fellowship Newsletter is a monthly/bimonthly occurrence that includes upcoming opportunities and events, tips on applying to fellowships, announcements, and generally an avenue for us to relay fellowship related information. 

Interested in receiving the newsletter? Please sign up for our mailing list by clicking here. Future Graduate Fellowship Bulletins will be sent right to your email inbox

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
Newly updated Financial Literacy section to our website found here. Also, we’ve added a new Financial Concerns section that includes information on identity theft, food insecurity and transitioning out of school (great for graduation season) found here.

If there are further questions about fellowships, the OGE Fellowship section can be found here, especially the Fellowships Tips content here.  

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 & ICEO NEWSLETTERS

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.

Sign up for the ICEO 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

EVENT CALENDAR

Our Event Calendar is available here.

FEATURED APRIL EVENTS

ON-GOING OFFERINGS

  • Weekly Wednesday Meetings
    3pm
    • Our weekly meetings are organized by MIT Spouses & Partners Connect staff and volunteers for the spouses and partners of MIT students, scholars, staff, and faculty. Each meeting revolves around a specific topic or activity. We invite speakers from campus, the community or our group to share their expertise.

      Just as when we were meeting in person, babies and children are welcome at our meetings. It's okay to come a little late to our meetings, and you can always mute or turn off your video if your children are having a noisy day.

      The Zoom link - Meeting ID: 585 674 692
      Please email spousesandpartners [at] mit.edu (spousesandpartners[at]mit[dot]edu) for the password.
  • English Conversation Group
    Monday link - https://mit.zoom.us/j/99465408581  at 5pm
    Friday link  - https://mit.zoom.us/j/93976237967  at 10am
    • If you would like to feel more comfortable conversing in English and work on your fluency via cultural dialogues about life in the US, customs, and current events, then this is for you! Meet other MS&PC members, exchange ideas, and have fun in a friendly environment! All levels of English are welcome. Please contact ecgatmit [at] gmail.com (ecgatmit[at]gmail[dot]com) for more information or for the password to attend the meeting.  Open to members of the MIT community, which includes enrolled students, staff, visiting scientists and scholars, faculty, their spouses and partners.
  • Self Growth Journeys
    Mondays at 3pm and Thursdays at 4pm
    • Has working from home decreased your efficiency? Have you lost touch with your goals? Or would you simply like to become a better version of yourself? Then join us we will look at different ways to encourage self-growth through award-winning books, TedTalks, and research:

      We meet up online twice a week where each e-meet will revolve around a new idea or book.

      Pre-registration is required as there is a limited number of participants for each e-meet. This way everyone will have the opportunity to express their opinions and insights about the subjects.

      The leaders of the group are MS&PC members tale891 [at] gmail.com (Tal Eyal) and annasondergaard [at] hotmail.com (Anna Soendergaard Muehlbach). It is a peer group - not professionally led.

      Watch for upcoming dates on our events calendar
  • Zumba
    Fridays at 5pm
    • We invite you to spend Friday evenings dancing with us. Meet Elif Yarar Sayın and join our virtual Zumba party!

      Please register here - bit.ly/zumbawithelif

BEST WAYS TO LEARN ABOUT OUR EVENTS

Subscribe to our weekly email updates: spouses.mit.edu/join/subscribe

Join our private Facebook Group

Follow us on Instagram @mspconnect

Visit our events calendar at spouses.mit.edu/event-calendar

MIT LANGUAGE CONVERSATION EXCHANGE

Open to all members of the MIT community

We connect people across MIT for conversation, cultural exchange, and friendship.

How to find a conversation partner at MIT so you can practice a language you are learning or want to improve with a native speaker.

  • Visit our website: http://lce.mit.edu
  • Search and contact native speakers of languages you want to practice for one-on-one conversation held at your convenience
    Watch this video to learn how our website works
  • Join our new Slack Space: https://bit.ly/lce-slack
  • Join or create channels for the languages you are interested in
  • Practice your writing skills while meeting other people at MIT who share your language interests
  • Participate in our virtual events: https://bit.ly/LCECAFE
  • Conversation cafes held on Zoom
  • Breakout rooms with small groups of people for language exchange
    Held on the 2nd Friday and 4th Tuesday of the month at 2pm, Register in advance

Get in touch with the LCE

Email us at lce [at] mit.edu (lce[at]mit[dot]edu)

Follow us on Facebook @MITLCE

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.

Professional Opportunities

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP IN DIGITAL PHENOTYPING OF PSYCHOLOGICAL STATES (MGH)

The Depression Clinical Research Program (DCRP) at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Harvard Medical School is seeking a creative and computationally skilled postdoctoral fellow to develop next generation digital phenotyping methods that dynamically map psychological states such as depression, stress and perceived happiness, and cognitive function.  The fellow will work at the intersection of basic and translational digital phenotyping methods that seek to identify states of health and illness in older adults and how mind/body and mindfulness therapies may modify behavioral phenotypes. 

The successful candidate will have outstanding programming skills and a doctoral degree in psychology, neuroscience, electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, computer science, applied math, or related field. Prior research experience in digital phenotyping is not required. Candidates with a strong background in machine learning, Python, and R statistical computing are encouraged to apply. Creativity, initiative, proven ability to publish, teamwork, self-direction, and excellent oral and written communication skills are key.

The fellow will have the opportunity to benefit from ongoing NIH funded clinical trials of behavioral interventions that, in addition to validated clinical measurements, receive multiple digital data streams.  These include passive and active smartphone sensing through the high throughput Beiwe platform developed by Dr. Jukka-Pekka Onnela’s laboratory at the Harvard School of Public Health, which is a collaborating group on this research.  Other data streams will include custom designed App software delivering psychotherapy and monitoring usage, and wearable devices.  The fellow will receive mentorship from the PI and other DCRP investigators toward the goal of publication of first-authored manuscripts early in the fellowship.  It is expected that this will enable the fellow to apply for independent NIH funding during the fellowship, building on the Principal Investigator’s and DCRP’s successful track record.

The position is full-time for 2 years (with funding extensible for an additional 2 years based on productivity and interest) with benefits. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, and additional funding for conferences and training seminars. The Massachusetts General Hospital is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and underrepresented minorities in science are encouraged to apply.  Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, the contact information of two references, and a cover letter describing their research background, interests, and professional goals by email to Dr. Felipe Jain (felipe.jain [at] mgh.harvard.edu).

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW IN MEDICAL IMAGE ANALYSIS AND MACHINE LEARNING

Open position: The Department of Radiology at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School invite applicants for a full-time position at the postdoctoral research fellow level.

Topic: The funded project involves developing and using medical image analysis and deep learning algorithms to quantify normal brain development and to detect early signs of abnormalities in brain magnetic resonance images (MRIs).

Candidate qualifications: The successful candidate will be in the final year of PhD or have a PhD degree in the Data Science, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science/Engineering, Applied Maths, Computational Neuroscience, or related fields. Experience in machine learning and medical image analysis is preferred.

Timeframe: The starting date can be as early as June 1st, 2021. The position will be open until filled. The period is 2 years given satisfactory progress evaluated at the end of the first year. Continuous stay beyond 2 years is possible based on performance and funding, and we will encourage and help the fellow to apply for his/her own funding for further career development.

Team: The new member will be working closely with

  • P. Ellen Grant, MD, Professor of Radiology at Harvard Medical School, specializing in neuroradiology, neuroscience, and pediatric neurodevelopmental, Founding Director of the Fetal-Neonatal Neuroimaging Developmental Science Center (FNNDSC, https://www.fnndsc.org) that has ~10 faculty, ~10 postdoc fellows, and ~20 research scientists or assistants,  and
  • Yangming Ou, PhD, Assistant Professor of Radiology working on medical image analysis and machine learning, faculty member of FNNDSC, and Director of affiliated Image, Informatics, and Intelligence (I3) Lab (https://projects.iq.harvard.edu/i3-lab).

Members of the team (postdoc fellows, PhD students, and research assistants) work on MRI analysis and machine learning for abnormality detection, early screening of disorders, outcome prediction, treatment evaluation, and neuroimaging biomarkers for typical and atypical brain development in children and beyond.

To apply: Please send your CV to Dr. Yangming Ou at yangming.ou [at] childrens.harvard.edu (yangming[dot]ou[at]childrens[dot]harvard[dot]edu).

Disclaimer: Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School is an equal employer. Applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law. Under-represented groups in STEM are especially encouraged to apply.

MGH NAHRENDORF LAB RESEARCH TECHNICIAN POSITION AVAILABLE

The Nahrendorf Lab (Mouse Imaging Program) of the Center for Systems Biology (CSB), at the Massachusetts General Hospital, is looking for a research technician to conduct small animal imaging using state of the art imaging equipment. The Center has a unique small animal imaging facility that includes a PET-CT, 2 MRI’s (4.7T and 7T), optical tomography, and several confocal and multiphoton microscopic imaging systems. The position provides the successful candidate with an opportunity to get exposure to current molecular and physiological imaging research and would for instance be suited for someone interested in relevant research prior to medical or graduate school. The position would be full time, starting immediately, and would require at minimum a two year commitment. At least a Bachelors level degree is preferred, but we would also consider advanced undergraduate level applicants. We are interested in finding a team player who is motivated, independent, and dedicated to producing quality work. Prior experience in imaging is not required, but computer skills and the ability to organize and learn quickly are critical.

If you are interested in this position, please send a copy of your CV and resume to Serena Sullivan (Sullivan.Serena [at] mgh.harvard.edu (Sullivan[dot]Serena[at]mgh[dot]harvard[dot]edu)).

PROJECT PRANA SEEKING CEO

Medical device startup spinning out of MIT/HMS seeking CEO.
Project Prana is seeking a CEO to propel the team to its next stage of growth (Part-time okay)

A sample of what you’ll do:

  • Customer discovery and product positioning: The underlying technology has a few potential use cases that required further refinement. You will lead conversations with our potential customers to discover the best fit and position the product accordingly
  • Fundraising: You will lead efforts to fundraise to help finance Prana’s near-term tasks (e.g. clinical trials) and long-term growth
  • Team management: You will be the quarterback to ensure your teammates’ workstreams are progressing appropriately. Workstreams include but are not limited to clinical trials, manufacturing, and university startup competitions
  • Legal entity management: Project Prana is currently set up as a 501c3 nonprofit, and is exploring the option of converting the entity to a c-corp

About Us:
Project Prana is a 501c3 nonprofit working on bringing a new ventilator multiplexing technology to global markets in need. The team has developed and is ready to deploy the Individualized System for Augmenting Ventilator Efficacy (iSAVE). The iSAVE can expand the ventilation capacity of hospitals by multiplexing a single ventilator to provide personalized support to at least two patients. The iSAVE enables independent control of volume and pressure for each patient and incorporates safety measures to accommodate sudden patient deterioration and cross contamination.

Learn more about the rigorous testing standards and technical specifications of the iSAVE.

We have partnered with Indventr to manufacture the product, applied for an FDA EUA and are engaging in clinical trials in various sites. We are partnering with hospitals, startups, and healthcare systems around the world where low-cost or new ventilators are not viable.

If interested, please reach out directly to pranaforcovid [at] gmail.com (pranaforcovid[at]gmail[dot]com).

POST DOCTORAL FELLOW: KIDNEY STEM CELL BIOLOGY, MICROPHYSICOLOGICAL SYSTEMS AND  REGENERATION      

Description:
Opportunity to work at interface of biomedical engineering and kidney stem cell biology and pathophysiology. The work includes development of approaches to regeneration,  injury mitigation and repair. The lab has pioneered development of kidney organoids from human stem cells and applied the technology to measurement of physiological function of epithelial cells as well as models of genetic and non-genetic diseases of kidney and lung. There are many collaborative projects with other biomedical engineering and biophysicist laboratories.  

Responsibilties:
We seek creative individuals, with backgrounds that can vary, who are interested in using basic techniques of stem cell biology, biochemistry, biophysics and engineering to tackle important problems in kidney disease. Knowledge of physiological system approaches are desirable but not mandatory. Should have good writing skills.

Requirements: 
A PhD or MD/PhD or MD and US citizenship or permanent residency. Please email CV, a brief cover letter describing your experience and long term goals

To apply please contact Joseph Bonventre MD PhD at jbonventre [at] bwh.harvard.edu (jbonventre[at]bwh[dot]harvard[dot]edu)

EMBARK - GLADSTONE'S PRESIDENTIAL POSTDOCTORAL PROGRAM

Embark, the Gladstone Institutes Presidential Postdoctoral Program, aims to increase the representation of underrepresented minoritized groups within the sciences and at Gladstone. This program was launched in 2020 as part of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

People are the most important part of our organization and are at the center of everything we do. At Gladstone, we know it takes a diverse group of empowered individuals to effectively use science to overcome disease.

We believe that when we bring together people with diverse approaches and ideas to tackle scientific challenges in creative ways, we create tremendous opportunities for discovering new treatments and cures for disease.

Eligibility

  • Must have completed degree requirements for a PhD or MD/PhD prior to the start of the program.
  • Be a part of a group that has been traditionally underrepresented in the sciences, as defined by the NIH, or have demonstrated support for underrepresented groups through their teaching, service, and research.
  • Be a United States citizen or a permanent resident.

Program Details

  • Scientific Research and Environment
    Gladstone provides a dynamic and collaborative research environment, with emphasis on rigorous scientific training, personalized attention and mentoring, supplemented by close interactions with our colleagues at nearby universities, such as UC San Francisco, UC Berkeley, and Stanford.
  • Career and Professional Development
    Gladstone’s postdoctoral program is built to prepare you for a transition into an independent career, providing training in technical, professional, and leadership skills. Through courses offered at Gladstone, you’ll be able to expand your skills in data science, leadership and management, scientific and grant writing, and communication, in addition to receiving individual career counseling and guidance. Gladstone also hosts a number of events and programs for trainees to explore career opportunities in academics, industry, or nonprofits. Learn more about Gladstone’s postdoc program.
  • Community Building
    Gladstone is home to many community groups that provide opportunities for leadership, collaboration, mentorship, and science education outreach to the local community.

    The Gladstone Postdoc Advisory Committee (GPAC) aims to provide support that maximizes the professional and scientific development of postdocs at Gladstone.

    Outside of the postdoc committee, Gladstone has a number of community groups that connect individuals across labs and teams. Examples include the LGBTQ+ community group, the Women’s Initiative, and Elevated Voices, our community group dedicated to creating an inclusive culture in which people of color are empowered to contribute, learn, and lead.
  • Mentoring
    Mentoring is a central part of Gladstone’s mission and essential to our culture. You’ll receive personalized mentorship and will be able to develop your own skills as a mentor. In addition to Gladstone’s mentoring programs, participants in the Embark program will be able to join monthly social, professional, and career development activities with the UCSF IRACDA (Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award program. All postdocs also have access to personalized career advising sessions with Gladstone’s Postdoc Office.

    You can also grow your skills as a mentor by signing up to be a PUMAS mentor. Gladstone’s PUMAS (Promoting Underrepresented Minorities Advancing in the Sciences) summer internship program aims to provide historically underrepresented community college students with lab experience before they transfer to a 4-year institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. As an Embark participant, you can sign up to mentor a PUMAS intern in your lab over the summer and expand your skills as a scientific and professional mentor.
  • Salary and Benefits
    Participants will receive a postdoctoral salary based on years of experience, Gladstone’s full benefits package, and a stipend of $10,000 per year for the period of the program.

Find more information on the program, application procedure and the selection process here.

INSIGHT FELLOWS PROGRAM

We’re now accepting applications from graduating students for our winter session.

*While Fellows can attend the program from anywhere, they will still interview for roles in their chosen program location. All eligibility criteria still applies. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

INSIGHT FELLOWS

What is Insight?

The Insight Fellows Program is a seven-week professional training fellowship for graduating students and working professionals looking to transition to thriving careers as data scientists, engineers, and other cutting-edge professionals. Insight takes a unique approach, working closely with partner companies to match Fellows with the hiring teams that represent the best fit for their skills and experience. 

Gain a Network

Since 2012, Insight has helped over 3,000 Fellows transition to thriving careers in a variety of data and tech fields. By joining the Fellowship, you’re also joining an extensive community of industry leaders, and gaining connections to thousands of data and tech professionals from hundreds of companies. This is an investment in your future that pays dividends for years to come.

Getting Hired

88% of Insight Fellows accept a job offer in their chosen field within 6 months of finishing the Fellows Program, and the median time to hire is 8 weeks.

Starting Salary

The average starting base salary for Insight Fellows across all our locations is $126,000. Average bonus is $12,000, and almost all Fellows receive either equity or stock grants. The average stock grant for publicly-traded companies is $26,000 per year.

Hiring Companies

Insight alumni are now working at Facebook, LinkedIn, The New York Times, Apple, Airbnb, Netflix, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, CVS Health, 23andMe, Bloomberg, NBC, Bosch, American Express, Microsoft, and 700+ other top companies.

Post-Program Experience 

Beyond the seven week program, Insight Fellows get access to a structured, highly-personalized post-program experience. This personalized post-program experience that we’re introducing as of Summer 2020, helps Insight Fellows get jobs 40% faster and earn $10,000-15,000/year more than the results quoted above. Learn more here.

Available Programs: Artificial Intelligence, Data Engineering, DevOps Engineering, Decentralized Consensus, Security, Data Science*, Health Data Science*,

*Please note that our programs are open to all degree levels, except our Data Science and Health programs, which have a PhD requirement.  

Locations:

Sessions will take place remotely, but Fellows will interview for jobs in the following cities:

San Francisco, New York, Boston, Seattle, Toronto, Los Angeles, Austin, Chicago, Denver, Portland, Washington DC

Want to learn more about Insight and our programs? Visit: https://www.insightfellows.com

Not ready to apply? Sign up for our notification list: https://notifiy.insightdatascience.com/notify

Questions? Email us at info [at] insightdatascience.com (info[at]insightdatascience[dot]com)

NIH FUNDED POSTDOC TRAINING FOR UNDERREPRESENTED AND MINORITY PHD STUDENTS

NIH Funded Postdoc Training in Informatics, Genomics, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Biomedical Data Science at Boston Children's Hospital

The Computational Health Informatics Program (CHIP) at Boston Children’s Hospital is now accepting applications for an NIH Funded Postdoc Training opportunity. The program has been committed to recruiting and retaining postdoctoral trainees who are URiM. We have maintained our commitment to diversity through prioritizing applications from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds.

LABSHARES NEWTON

We are excited to announce the launch of LabShares Newton, the first collaborative laboratory and biotech incubator in Newton, Massachusetts. LabShares provides a fully equipped laboratory, office space, and shared services to entrepreneurial biotechs without the hassle, lag time, and high upfront costs associated with building and managing their own labs. 

Through participation in the LabShares community, members receive a wide range of benefits and services. LabShares is conveniently located in a light-filled, modern office park near the Charles River -- just 15 minutes from Kendall Square with free parking, a gym, and a Fooda cafeteria.

LabShares is near capacity for its current space and has begun an expansion to double in size. We expect to open our newly renovated second floor in early 2019 and are accepting reservations now.

Check out the links below for more information. If you would like to schedule a tour contact Hannah Schram (jenna [at] labshares.com (hannah[at]labshares[dot]com), 857-222-5817).

LabShares Website

LabShares Upcoming Events

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AT THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH)

The National Institutes of Health’s Office of Clinical Research Training and Medical Education offers an extensive range of clinical research training opportunities to prepare the next generation of clinician-scientists. Brief descriptions of the programs are provided below. As world’s largest biomedical research agency, the NIH encourages future clinician-scientists and medical researchers to consider adding an NIH experience to their portfolio.

Graduate Medical Education
NIH currently sponsor 17 medical specialty or subspecialty programs which have been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). We also jointly sponsor clinical training programs with extramural training partners, to include Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland, and the National Capital Consortium. In addition, we sponsor numerous "one of kind" translational medicine fellowship training programs. https://cc.nih.gov/training/gme/programs1.html

Clinical Elective Programs
Short term—4 to 12 week—clinically oriented elective rotations for senior medical and dental students; unique mentored specialty/subspecialty clinical research rotations are also available for combined program students (i.e., MD/PhD, DO/PhD). https://cc.nih.gov/training/students/clinical_electives.html

Clinical and Translational Research Course for PhD Students
Two-week intensive introductory course to demonstrate the role of PhD scientists in clinical and translational research, provide an overview and examples of how basic science and clinical observations lead to translational research, and increase awareness and access to Ph.D. role models, research resources, and potential career opportunities at the NIH. https://cc.nih.gov/training/phdcourse/index.html

Postdoctoral Research Training Awards
Provides the opportunity for recent doctoral degree recipients to enhance their research skills in the resource-rich National Institutes of Health (NIH) environment, which consists of more than 1200 laboratories/research projects. https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/postdoc_irp

Graduate Partnerships Program
This program is designed to bring PhD graduate students to the NIH Intramural Research Program for dissertation research. https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/gpp

Core Curriculum in Clinical Research
Free courses offered include: Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (IPPCR); Principles of Clinical Pharmacology (PCP); and Ethical and Regulatory Aspects of Clinical Research. These courses are offered as distance learning courses. https://cc.nih.gov/training/training1.html

IIE EU - U.S.  EDUCATION COOPERATION FOR RESEARCHERS

For information on EU – U.S. cooperation in doctoral and postdoctoral education opportunities for U.S. researchers and organizations. Visit IIE online at www.iie.org. Please contact the programs directly for additional information or with any questions you may have.

A quote from a recent Fulbright U.S. student, "My advice to Fulbrighters of the future is that which was given to me. Go at it with an open mind; your experience will not be anything like you predicted and will mark you indelibly, but it will be great."

Career & Financial Guidance Programs

EARLY CAREER RESEARCHER SUMMIT

Registration is now open for Reaching the Peak: A Science & Technology Career Summit, Research!America’s summit for early career researchers, on June 30, 2021 from 11-6pm ET.

During this one-day virtual event, early career researchers will have the opportunity to explore an array of career paths, network with fellow researchers, participate in professional development workshops, and engage in meaningful discussions around issues critical to the success of the R&D ecosystem. 

Sample workshops and topics the Summit will explore: 

  • Resume and CV Development 
  • Effective Science Communication 
  • Science Policy and Advocacy
  • Fostering Successful Mentorships

Early career researchers in biomedical, public health, or other health-related disciplines are invited to attend, including graduate students in Master’s, PhD, MD, PharmD, or similar degree programs, recent graduates, Postdocs/Fellows, and early-career employees. 

At this time, we are currently at capacity for the Summit, but encourage you to join our waitlist. You will be notified via email if space becomes available.

Please enter your information through the registration site to be added to the waitlist. 

Sign up on the waitlist for the Summit!

As a special component of the Summit, applications are now being accepted to participate in Research!America's second annual Flash Talks Competition. In this competition, early career researchers will test their science communication skills by providing a short, 3-minute presentation of their biomedical or health-related research, including its significance and broader context to a general audience. Each Flash Talk will be evaluated by a panel of judges on how effectively and concisely the research was communicated.

The preliminary round of the competition will take place on June 30, 2021 during Research!America's Early Career Summit, with the final round occurring during the 2021 National Health Research Forum held September 13-15, 2021.

MIT ALUMNI ADVISORS HUB - ADVISING OPPORTUNITY FOR MIT STUDENTS

The MIT Alumni Advisors Hub is an online platform that students can use to ask for advice when they need it—from MIT alumni around the world. Students can get advice on their job and internship search, conduct a mock interview or informational interview, explore career paths and future entrepreneurial pursuits, and navigating life at MIT.

Sign up to gain access to a community of alumni who are eager to share their advice at https://alumniadvisors.mit.edu/.

Find an advisor today!

UPCOMING MIT CAREER FAIRS

To safeguard the health and well-being of our entire community, all recruiting activities, including career fairs, will adopt a virtual format. Information on this page will be updated regularly.

MIT has a diverse range of career fairs, only a few of which are run by Career Advising & Professional Development. Others are managed by student organizations or academic departments. MIT students are also welcome at some fairs hosted by companies, professional organizations, and other universities.

To get the most of your career fair experience, see our Tips for Career Fair Success. You can also view the CAPD events calendar for career fair workshops.

Find out more about career fairs at MIT.

MIT'S IGRAD FINANCIAL LITERACY & CAREER RESOURCES PORTAL

The OGE sponsors MIT's iGrad financial literacy portal, with resources to help with financial support.

The iGrad Financial Literacy platform (offered for free to the entire MIT community in collaboration with the MIT Federal Credit Union) is 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 oge.mit.edu/finances     

GRADUATE STUDENT CAREER EVENTS - WEBSITE & CALENDAR

For those who are looking for other resources, recordings of career related workshops and sessions for grad students available here: http://capd.mit.edu

The CAPD Event calendar can be found here. 

Sign up for the Graduate Student Career Advising mailing list here.

CAPD OFFERS THE VERSATILE PHD RESOURCE TOOL

MIT Career Advising & Professional Development (CAPD) is pleased to announce MIT’s subscription to The Versatile PhD, a web-based resource for PhDs considering careers beyond academia. Our subscription, generously supported by OGE, can be accessed by students and alumni via CAPD’s webpage and student CareerBridge accounts. Once students register, they can simply log in to the site directly (www.versatilephd.com)

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