this WEEK in HST

NEW MIT REPORTING PROCESS FOR RESEARCH - REMOTE WORK - CONFERENCES IN INDIA

Effective this month, any employee (includes RA/TA/IG) who will be working for MIT in India – including remote work, conferences, and research – will need to notify VPF at least 30 days in advance of travel by completing this pre-travel form.

More details about this new reporting process can be found at this website.

HELP SPREAD THE WORD - HST!

Are you traveling for any of the following reasons?

• Conference/workshop
• Giving a talk
• Visiting your alma mater

Can you help promote HST by talking to prospective students?

Contact Laurie Ward (laurie [at] mit.edu (l)aurie [at] mit.edu (aurie[at]mit[dot]edu)) for talking points and promotional materials to distribute.
A link to an HST Programs Slide to include in your presentations can be found here.

HST.590 BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING SEMINAR SERIES - FALL 2024 SCHEDULE

Fall 2024 Topic: Biomedical Ethics and Responsible Conduct of Research                                           

October 17
The Pulse of Ethical Machine Learning in Healthcare
Marzyeh Ghassemi, PhD; Associate Professor, MIT
Case Study: Authorship and Publication
Julie Greenberg, HST MEMP PhD; senior lecturer, MIT

October 24
Ethics in Publication: Does Science Self Correct?
Ivan Oransky, MD; Retraction Watch 
Case Study: Mt. Sinai Living Brain Project  
Max Cotler, HST MEMP PhD; Chief Operating Officer,  GelMEDIX, Inc.                                                             

November 7
Ethics and the Opioid Crisis
Andrew Kolodny, MD; Senior Scientist, Brandeis University 
Ethical Challenges in Healthcare Ventures
Emily Lindemer, HST MEMP PhD; Executive Director of Data, Morgan Health

November 21
Conflicts of Interest and Influence in Medicine
Alex Rich, PhD and Paul Thacker, Investigative Journalist

NEUROTECH COURSE'S 2025 ANNUAL VIRTUAL WORKSHOP - APPLY NOW!

Learning How to Translate and Commercialize Neurotechnology

Supported by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Bakken Medical Devices Center

www.neurotechcourse.org

This comprehensive educational training course offers best practices for successfully navigating the translation and commercialization pathways for neural devices. Program faculty provide expert instruction on topics ranging from understanding the user perspective to non-clinical and clinical studies to entrepreneurship. The course is designed for individuals with a diverse range of experiences and backgrounds including scientists, engineers, clinicians, entrepreneurs, and supporters of neurotechnology translation.

This course features:

• Online video lecture series and certificate of completion
• January 16 & 17, 2025: Annual virtual workshop in which participants work in small groups with select program faculty to conduct interactive case-study exercises (Limited Seats Available. Apply here by Nov. 1, 2024)
• June, 2025: Annual in-person workshop. Call for applications for the in-person workshop will open in the spring of 2025.
• No fees to participate

Don't wait, start translating today!

NEW TECHETHICS COLLOQUIUMS

As part of its new Program on the Ethics of Emerging Technologies, the Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Ethics is launching the TechEthics Colloquium, to be held on selected Tuesdays, 12.30-1.45 (over a catered lunch) throughout both semesters, in the Safra Center Seminar room (124 Mt. Auburn, Suite 520N). We are now building a mailing list specifically for this colloquium. To let us know that you wish to be on this list, please enter your contact details and dietary requirements through this link.

We are aiming to assemble a group of people interested in the ethics of emerging technologies who are willing to attend reasonably regularly to create a bit of a sense of community around these issues. The primary goal of this colloquium is to discuss academic work around normative issues about technology, work of interest to people with a philosophical background, but the orientation is interdisciplinary. Artificial Intelligence is of special interest for this colloquium, but other technologies too may enter the discussions. The focus is to a large extent on bringing in younger scholars from outside the Boston area, but we will also include local scholars as presenters. The colloquium is co-sponsored by the Safra Center, Embedded EthiCS@Harvard, and the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, and co-convened by Mathias Risse and Jeff Behrends. 

Please note: A paper (work in progress by the speaker) will be pre-circulated, and all participants are expected to read it in advance. Since only those on our mailing list will have access to the paper, please follow the link above to provide your contact info if you'd like to participate.

The program for this first year is as follows:

October 22 - Rachel Adams (Research ICT Africa)

November 5 - Kathleen Creel (Northeastern)

November 19 - Sina Fazelpour (Northeastern)

February 18 - David Danks (UCSD)

March 4 - Will Fleisher (Georgetown)

April 1- Diana Acosta Navas (Loyola Chicago)

April 15 - Duncan Purves (University of Florida)

April 22 - Linda Eggert (Oxford)

MIT BOOTCAMPS ON INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

MIT Bootcamps are immersive educational experiences focused on innovation and entrepreneurship. They are collaborating with the NIH/NIDA to put on a program focused on substance use disorder (SUD), called SUD Ventures.

There is an opportunity for students, and others, to be participants of the program. Additionally, there are a number of webinars coming up regarding this topic.

If you’d like to learn more, please contact MIT Bootcamps director Hanna Adeyema at hadeyema [at] mit.edu (hadeyema[at]mit[dot]edu) to discuss potential collaborations.

MIT COMMUNITY WELLNESS CLASSES AND RESOURCES

MIT Health Community Wellness serves all members of the MIT community, regardless of insurance coverage.

Our programs and resources give you the health and wellness tools you need to thrive at MIT.

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 wellness programs that fit your needs.

View all Community Wellness classes here.

MIT WRITING AND COMMUNICATION CENTER (WCC) FALL WORKSHOP SERIES

The Writing and Communication Center offers free one-on-one professional advice from communication specialists 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.

WCC Individual Consultations
During these consultations, you can work on your written or oral projects with WCC instructors who can guide you at all stages of your communication process.

WCC has prepared a series of workshops on style, literature review writing, and other topics. You can register for our offerings through this link.

WCC WORKSHOPS ON COMMUNICATION

Sharpen Your Communication! Join the Writing and Communication Center’s Fall Workshop Series!

The Writing and Communication Center is offering a series of communication workshops in October-November.

WriteWise: Effective Research and Writing Strategies, Wednesdays, Oct 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23^rd, 5-6:30pm, E17-136

Designing Effective and Inclusive Presentation Slides, Thursday, October 3^rd, 3:30-5pm, 24-121 

Storytelling Strategies Workshop Series, Thursdays, 3:30-5pm, Oct 10 & 24; Nov 7 & 21, 24-121

Crafting an Effective Statement of Purpose, Tuesday, Oct 15th, 4-5:30pm, 56-169

Writing Your Thesis Proposal in the Humanities and Social Sciences, Tuesday, Oct 29^th, 4-5:30pm, 56-169
Writing About YOU, Wednesday, Oct 30th, 5-6:30pm, E17-136

Crafting a Compelling Abstract, Tuesday, Nov 12^th, 4-5:30pm, 56-169

For more information or to register, please visit WCC website at https://cmsw.mit.edu/wcc-workshops/.

For more information or to register for these programs, check the WCC website.

UPCOMING EVENTS FROM THE TEACHING + LEARNING LAB (TLL)

Our Mission
The Teaching + Learning Lab (TLL) partners with MIT educators, staff, and administrators to create a reflective educational environment where students are academically challenged, actively engaged, and personally supported.

Find information on upcoming TLL programs, speakers, workshops, etc. here.

Upcoming Grad Teaching Tracks
Grad Teaching Development Tracks are sets of short, interactive workshops intended for graduate students interested in improving their teaching skills while teaching at MIT or applying for faculty positions in the future.

Find more information on the Teaching Tracks here.

For 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.

MIT - NANO SUMMIT

Celebrating the Impact of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology! 

The Nano Summit is MIT.nano's flagship conference, showcasing groundbreaking advancements in nanoscience and nanotechnology. The conference is ideal for researchers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, and students interested in the latest developments in cutting-edge research, emerging technologies, and real-world applications.

This year, the Nano Summit will delve into the transformative impact of nanoscience in microscopy, materials science, AI and machine learning, human health, and other topics, as well as take a close look at the ecosystem for deep-tech transfer and startups in the Northeast.

We’re thrilled to have Sangeeta Bhatia, John J. and Dorothy Wilson Professor of Health Sciences and Technology and of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science as chair of the “nanomedicine for all” session!

Interested individuals can register here.

The full agenda is here: https://mitnano.mit.edu/events/nano-summit-2024

HSI LUNCH SEMINAR SERIES - SCALE UP HEALTH

The Scale Up Health Series explores the concept of "scaling in healthcare", bringing together industry operators who have successfully scaled healthcare solutions with strategic and financial investors to discuss the challenges and opportunities in healthcare scaling.

Scale Up Health Part 1: Exiting Startup - Fuel Up
Explores challenges and strategies for transitioning from startup to growth stage.

• Monday November 4, 2024
• 11:30am - 1pm
• E62-350

RSVP at Sloan Groups *Open to All*
Lunch will be provided in person.

Join Zoom Meeting
If manually joining the meeting:
Meeting ID: 926 8616 4245
Passcode: 15777

Moderators:
Rebecca L. Schechter, MBA '96, Formerly at Nuance/Microsoft, Healthcare executive and CEO
Eric Berger, MBA '11, Partner, Bain & Company

Speakers:
Deepthi Bathina, Founder and CEO, RhythmX AI
Ellen Herlacher, MBA '13, Partner, LRVHealth 
Vijay J. Patel, MBA '12, Managing Partner, CVS Health Ventures

Future Sessions:
Tuesday February 11, 2025
Part 2 -  Scaling: Ramp Up
Discuss key factors and best practices for successful scaling in healthcare.

Tuesday April 29, 2025
Part 3 - Exiting and Transforming: Level Up
Examine strategies for exiting or transforming scaled healthcare enterprises.

HARVARD SEAS SEMINAR SERIES EVENTS

These events are hosted by Shriya Srinivasan (BIONICs Lab) and will feature prominent speakers in the fields of Bioengineering and Robotics. Shriya is an Assistant Professor of Bioengineering at Harvard and an HST MEMP PhD graduate.

Topics in Bioengineering Seminar Series

Speaker: Robert Gaunt, Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Pittsburgh

• Thursday, October 17, 2024
• 2pm
• Science and Engineering Complex (SEC), 4.307/4.308

“Neuroprostheses to restore hand and bladder function after spinal cord injury”

Following spinal cord injury (SCI), individuals consistently rank improved hand and bladder function among their highest rehabilitation priorities. My lab focuses on addressing these critical needs by developing implantable neuroprostheses. First, I will discuss one of the most visible consequences of high-level SCI; the loss of upper-limb function. Our team uses implantable microelectrode arrays in the human motor cortex to enable complex, voluntary control of robotic arms. However, in an intact motor system, somatosensory feedback is essential to regulate movement and enable controlled interactions with the environment. To restore this lost somatosensory feedback, we use intracortical microstimulation in the somatosensory cortex, creating a bidirectional brain-computer interface that restores both motor control and tactile sensations. I will describe the nature of these stimulation-evoked percepts, their stability over time, their impact on task performance, and how new biomimetic stimulation strategies enhance the complexity and naturalness of the perceived sensations as well as replicate properties of real-world objects. Second, I will discuss one of the least visible consequences of spinal cord injury; the loss of voluntary bladder function. Using a combination of spinal cord stimulation, direct bladder stimulation, and computational modeling, we have demonstrated the ability to modulate bladder and urethral function in both anesthetized and awake animals. Furthermore, our modeling work has identified specific anatomical targets that hold promise for future human trials, providing a potential pathway to restore bladder function in individuals with SCI.

Event link: https://events.seas.harvard.edu/event/neuroprostheses-to-restore-hand-and-bladder-function-after-spinal-cord-injury

Robotics Seminar Series

Speaker: Max Catalan, Head of Neural Prosthetic Research at the Bionics Institute in Melbourne, Australia, and the Founder of the Center for Bionics and Pain Research (@CBPR.se) in Gothenburg, Sweden.

• Friday, November 1, 2024
• 4:30pm
• Science and Engineering Complex (SEC), LL2.221

“Highly integrated bionic limbs and neurorehabilitation of pain”

Prof. Ortiz Catalan will lecture on novel but clinically viable technologies to restore quality of life to patients with limb loss. Using direct skeletal attachment via osseointegration, neuromuscular interfaces, and machine learning, his work resulted in the first artificial arm integrated directly into the patient’s bone, nerves, and muscles. In addition to direct skeletal attachment, this technology provides the unique opportunity to chronically record and stimulate the neuromuscular system in freely behaving humans, thus allowing to investigate complex limb motions and somatosensory perception. Prof. Ortiz Catalan will also discuss how motor decoding technology in combination with virtual reality can be used to treat Phantom Limb Pain, along with a novel theoretical framework for the condition and its treatment.

Event link: https://events.seas.harvard.edu/event/highly-integrated-bionic-limbs-and-neurorehabilitation-of-pain

MISINFORMATION AND HOW WE FIGHT IT

Why We Accept Misinformation and How to Fight It

• Monday, October 21, 2024
• 4-5pm
• 10-250

Rumors, misinformation, and conspiracies pollute the political landscape. They engender polarized thinking, division, and hate. But if we can’t agree on what’s true and what isn’t, how can we communicate with one another about important, complex issues we disagree about? In this talk, MIT Professor Adam Berinsky will examine: why unsubstantiated political rumors and misinformation exist and persist long after they’re refuted; how our identities play into this and shape our perceptions; who is most likely to skip the “mis” in misinformation; and practical skills for arriving at common ground. Sponsored by the Provost, Chancellor, and ICEO, the event will be followed by optional small group discussions for those who pre-register.

MIT BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT SEMINAR

Kayvan R. Keshari PhD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
"Leveraging flux to facilitate metabolic imaging and engineering"

• Tuesday, October 15, 2024
• 4pm
• 56-154

Hosted by Alan Jasanoff

Transformation has been shown to have a dramatic impact on the metabolic state of the cell. Recent reports have demonstrated that specific alterations in oncogenes and signaling pathways results in increases in pathway flux as well as diversion of substrates. Moreover, there is an argument that changes in metabolism can directly affect cell fate and thus promote oncogenesis or neurodegeneration. Interrogation of key metabolic pathways in relevant systems has been hindered though by a lack of technologies capable of monitoring metabolism non-invasively in multicellular systems to humans. Recent work has applied quantum approaches to overcome the sensitivity limitations of nuclear magnetic resonance. Through hyperpolarization of NMR active spins in metabolic substrates, one can transiently overcome the limited sensitivity of NMR and MRI for detecting biochemical processes, revealing real time biochemical transformations. This talk will focus on the use of this approach, in conjunction with isotope tracing, to mechanistically interrogate biochemical flux through multiple pathways in living systems and then build on this
approach to engineer metabolic flux in mammalian systems.

MIT BIOTECH GROUP SYMPOSIUM

The MIT Biotech Group (MBG) is thrilled to announce our first annual Merck-MBG Biologics, Vaccines, and Process Development Symposium, which is happening on October 16th (10:15am - 5pm) at the MIT Student Center (W20-202)!

In partnership with Merck, this Symposium will highlight the latest innovations in biologics, vaccines, and process development. Key events include a poster session and rapid-fire talks by emerging MIT scientists, a research showcase and career panel by Merck scientists, and a keynote lecture by Dr. Brandon DeKosky, a leading expert in immune engineering and antibody discovery. The full agenda is linked here!

This is a great opportunity to connect with industry and academia experts and engage with cutting-edge topics in the field. Registration is free for all MIT community members and includes complimentary lunch and refreshments.

Secure your spot today by registering here: https://forms.gle/MNHpHRCXz4evtByAA!

MIT BIOTECH GROUP BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR SERIES

MIT Biotech Group is hosting a seminar for our Business Development Seminar Series on Thursday, October 24^th from 6-7 pm in 1-242! 

Join us for an educational seminar on clinical product development and regulation, led by Amanda McEwen, SVP of Clinical Development at Salubris Biotherapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Maryland and Massachusetts. Amanda has 15+ years of experience in clinical research across various therapeutic areas in both large and small molecules, including overseeing the FDA approval of 2 therapeutics for Parkinson’s and Primary Hyperoxaluria. Come hear her unique insights on regulatory expertise in biotech!

Please RSVP at https://forms.gle/LU9bwfKT3T8RqMDA8 

Free dinner will be provided!

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: SERC CONFERENCE ON THE ETHICS OF TECHNOLOGY

The MIT Schwarzman College of Computing, Social and Ethical Responsibilities in Computing (SERC), in collaboration with Harvard and Northeastern, will be running an ethics of technology conference here at MIT on February 1-2, 2025. Our keynote speakers will be Seth Lazar, Professor of Philosophy at the Australian National University, and author of the upcoming book: Connected by Code: How AI Structures, and Governs, the Ways We Relate, and Cathy O'Neil, CEO of ORCAA, an algorithmic auditing company, is a member of the Public Interest Tech Lab at the Harvard Kennedy School, as well as the author of Weapons of Math Destruction: how big data increases inequality and threatens democracy. 

Note: this is not just for MIT! It’s open to the public.

We currently have a call for abstracts out (here: https://philevents.org/event/show/126054), so if anybody has work in the area, please consider submitting an extended abstract!

TeχnēCON is a collaboration between the Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing at MIT, the Ethics Institute at Northeastern University, and the Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Ethics and Embedded EthiCS @ Harvard University. Its major aims are to bring together researchers and educators working in the ethics of technology and computing, especially those who live in the Greater Boston area, and to foster original research on these important topics. 

This is mainly for graduate students, post docs, industry professionals, faculty, but it is an open call

 Potential topics for submissions include, but are not limited to: 

• The ethics of artificial intelligence and/or machine learning
• Ethical implications of data privacy and security
• Ethical implications of social media and online platforms
• Bias and fairness in algorithmic decision-making
• The ethics of autonomous systems and robotics
• Digital divide and technology accessibility
• Social research on the impacts of technologies 
• Interdisciplinary research in responsible computing and responsible technology development 
• Scholarship on educational initiatives in responsible computing and STEM ethics, such as courses, modules, workshops, or masterclasses 
• Pedagogical reports of success stories, challenges, and strategies for teaching ethics to students in technology-focused concentrations 

To submit an abstract (of no more than 750 words), please complete this form.

 Important Dates:

• Abstract Submission Deadline: November 1, 2024, 12:00am
• Conference Dates: February 1-2, 2025

 Submission Process:

Please submit your abstract through this form.

For any questions or inquiries, please contact Dr. Kevin Mills, kevmills [at] mit.edu (kevmills[at]mit[dot]edu).

We look forward to your contributions to this important dialogue on ethics in technology!

REGISTER NOW FOR THE NIH BRAIN NEUROAI WORKSHOP

You are invited to register for the upcoming BRAIN NeuroAI Workshop on November 12-13, 2024, to be held virtually and in-person at the NIH Campus in Bethesda, Maryland. The BRAIN NeuroAI Workshop will bring together researchers across career levels and diverse fields to explore how the BRAIN Initiative’s data, tools, and technologies can reciprocally advance emerging theories and technologies at the intersection of neuroscience and artificial intelligence. Discovering fundamental principles of intelligence in biological and artificial systems will require new approaches, models, metrics, and ethical frameworks for comparing, evaluating, and developing theories and technologies about brains, brain-like computing, and future applications for advancing brain health. Workshop discussions will inform the NIH BRAIN Initiative about the directions and needs of current and future NeuroAI research and related approaches, including neuromorphic engineering, embodied cognition, and physical intelligence.

In-person space is limited, so we encourage you to register soon! Virtual attendees will have access to all sessions including a moderated Q&A during panel discussions. The agenda includes four scientific panel sessions, a funders panel moderated by Terry Sejnowski including representatives from NIH, NSF, DOE, and private foundations (Day 1), and the BRAIN NeuroAI Early-Career Scholars Poster Session (Day 2; in-person only).

See the workshop website for up-to-date information including Agenda, Speakers, Organizers, and Logistics. Please send any questions to BRAINNeuroAIWorkshop [at] ninds.nih.gov (subject: NeuroAI%20Workshop%20Question) (BRAINNeuroAIWorkshop[at]ninds[dot]nih[dot]gov).

AIMBE PUBLIC POLICY INSTITUTE FOR RISING LEADERS

AIMBE is bringing back its highly acclaimed Public Policy Training Institute for Rising Leaders on October 21-22, 2024, in Washington, DC - conveniently timed for easy travel to BMES in Baltimore. This workshop informs undergraduate and graduate students and post docs about the policy landscape that surrounds the scientific enterprise. Top government officials, industry representatives, and senior leaders at the FDA and NIH will lead small-group discussions.  

Registration is extremely limited, so sign your up early. 

More information is available online at www.aimbe.org/institute. 

INNOVATORS IN THERAPEUTICS SPEAKER SERIES

Please join us on October 8^th at 12 pm ET for the Innovators in Therapeutics Speaker Series, a virtual event designed for students and trainees eager to learn about the challenges and successes of bringing novel drugs and devices to market. Our distinguished guest is Dr. Mathai Mammen, CEO at FogPharma, and former Johnson & Johnson Executive VP of Pharmaceuticals, R&D.

Dr. Mammen will share insights from his career journey in pharma and biotech, including drug discovery and development, as well as team and company-building. Students and trainees are encouraged to bring questions and engage directly with the speaker! Register here.

About the Speaker: Mathai Mammen is a world-renowned innovator in drug discovery, development, and team- and company-building responsible for creating 13 transformational medicines from discovery through commercial launch and more than 25 other potential medicines that have achieved clinical proof-of-concept, many of these practice-changing. Mathai is the Chief Executive Officer of Cambridge-based FogPharma, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company advancing a new category of peptide therapeutics for people affected by cancer and other severe diseases. Mathai holds an M.D. from the Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (HST) and a PhD in chemistry from Harvard University.

SCREENING OF SONO LINO AT MIT MUSEUM

Sono Lino
Feature documentary by Jacob Patrick, USA, 2023, 75 minutes. Country of filming: France, Italy, US Language: English, Italian

• Saturday October 26, 2024
• 6–8pm

Lino Tagliapietra began his journey with glassblowing at the age of 11 as a factory worker in Murano, Italy. Now at 88, he prepares for his final hot shop session while grappling with age, identity, and the struggle of watching his protégés continue his legacy as his famed career comes to a close.

A Q&A with filmmaker Jacob Patrick will follow the screening. The screening will be introduced by MIT Professor of Computer Science Erik Demaine and MIT Instructor and Artistic Director of the Glass Lab Peter Houk. Co-presented by the MIT Glass Lab

$15 General Admission, $5 for MIT ID Holders

Here is a link to the Museum's ticketing page.

FALL 2024 MIT BIOINFORMATICS SEMINAR SERIES

The Bioinformatics Seminar is co-sponsored by the Department of Mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Theory of Computation group at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL). The seminar series focuses on highlighting areas of research in the field of computational biology. This year, we are hoping to highlight three topics: (1) evolution and computational approaches to modeling and understanding it, (2) generative AI for biology/biomedicine, and (3) algorithms for computational biology/genomics.

Seminar Series Link: https://math.mit.edu/compbiosem/

Hosted by Dr. Bonnie Berger
For more information please contact: Anna Sappington (asapp [at] mit.edu (asapp[at]mit[dot]edu))

UPCOMING INSTITUTE COMMUNITY & EQUITY OFFICE (ICEO) EVENTS

A calendar of upcoming events is available here.

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.

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.

Find out about Brainmap here. Sign up here for our mailing list, in order to receive notices about our upcoming seminars.

ICEO GRANTS

The ICEO offers up to $2,500 in funding twice a year for events and programs that promote a sense of belonging, enable achievement, and expand our campus composition—key pillars of the MIT Strategic Action Plan and MIT Values. Applications for the Fall Cycle open October 15; apply by November 1. Learn more here.

NUCLEATE ACTIVATOR PROGRAM 2024-2025

Nucleate is a free, trainee-led 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that runs an annual activator to facilitate the formation of new life science ventures across human health (Bio) and environmental applications (Eco). Check out our stories in STAT, Endpoints, and the Boston Business Journal. 

Our application for this year's Activator program is open until October 15!

I would love to connect and learn more about the work in your lab, share Nucleate’s mission, and explore how we might help you commercialize your research. If you are interested in joining the Activator program but do not have technology you would like to commercialize, there are also opportunities to apply as a business, clinical, or scientific contributor. Check out the application here: apply.nucleate.org.

Since 2019, Nucleate has built strong capabilities for supporting biotech founders out of academia, resulting in the creation of over 200 jobs and the raising of $370M in funding to develop technologies like protein sequencing (Glyphic), drug design (Manifold Bio), and microbial fertilizer (Ivu Biologics). Some specific benefits of the Activator:

- Supports the earliest stage: No need to have incorporated.

- No equity. No fees: Our program is completely free. 

- Facilitates team formation with business, scientific, and clinical contributors without enforced co-founder relationships.

- Intensive workshops: Our curriculum is packed with practical insights to help you build your life sciences startup in just six months.

- Expert feedback + mentoring: Receive one-on-one guidance from industry leaders across biotech, pharma, VC, and more.

- Investor connections: Meet investors ready to fuel your vision.

- Funding/resources opportunities: Gain access to millions in grants, SAFE funding, lab space, and other resources to propel your venture forward.

MIT SCIENCE POLICY REVIEW IS RECRUITING AUTHORS/EDITORS!

The MIT Science Policy Review (MIT SPR) is a researcher-run, peer-reviewed academic journal that publishes science policy reviews annually (see our latest volume here). Our goal is to impartially review policies that address current issues and bridge the gap between scientists, policymakers, and the general public. 

We are recruiting authors and associate editors for our 6^th volume! If you’re interested in publishing on emerging tech and policy, or want to learn more about the editorial process, please APPLY HERE (more detailed information can be found on the application)!  

The application deadline is Sunday, October 20, 2024.

STEM OUTREACH OPPORTUNITY - STEM SCHOLARS @ RAGON

Passing along information about a new STEM tutoring and mentorship program at the Ragon Institute! The STEM Scholars program serves high school students in Cambridge, in collaboration with the Cambridge Housing Authority. Mentors will be paired individually with a student for weekly tutoring and mentorship sessions through the fall and early winter (October - late January). The first session is scheduled for October 16th. If you’re interested in learning more, please sign up at this link!

SEEKING A COMPUTATIONALLY INCLINED PhD STUDENT FOR A PROJECT

Join our cutting-edge research team led by Dr. Victor Nauffal, a cardiac electrophysiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital and a member of the Cardiovascular Disease Initiative at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. We are looking for a dedicated PhD student with a solid background in machine learning to contribute to our project aimed at predicting cardiac fibrosis using electrocardiograms (ECGs). You will receive mentorship from both a cardiovascular specialist and a senior machine learning engineer within the Machine Learning for Health (ML4H) Initiative at the Broad Institute. Building on our pioneering work with cardiac MRI data, you will assist in developing and validating an AI model, Fibrosis-AI, which will serve as a digital biomarker for cardiac fibrosis. This project provides the unique opportunity to work with a dataset of 40,000 paired cardiac MRIs and ECGs as well as scholarly productivity in the form of scientific presentations and publications. If you are excited about leveraging machine learning to enhance early detection and intervention strategies for heart disease, we encourage you to apply. Compensation commensurate with a machine learning researcher will be provided for your valuable contributions to this research project. We are looking for someone to start as soon as possible.

To learn more about our group, please visit: https://www.broadinstitute.org/ml4h

To express your interest in this research project and to learn more about this opportunity, please email Dr. Victor Nauffal at vnauffal [at] broadinstitute.org (vnauffal[at]broadinstitute[dot]org)

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2025 ST. JUDE NATIONAL GRADUATE STUDENT SYMPOSIUM

We are seeking nominations for students to be considered for the 23rd annual St. Jude Children's Research Hospital National Graduate Student Symposium (NGSS). The NGSS is an exceptional academic and professional development opportunity for PhD students and will be held March 25-28, 2025, on the St. Jude campus.

The NGSS is an all-expenses-paid symposium to which top PhD students from around the country are invited to participate. To be eligible, students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, with estimated graduation between April 2025 and July 2026. Preference will be given to students whose work is relevant to ongoing research at St. Jude.

The NGSS is not advertised. Students may apply only if they are nominated by faculty. To nominate students, please visit stjude.org/ngss and complete a simple form. You may nominate multiple students, but nominations must be received by October 16^th, 2024. We would appreciate it if you could forward this information to your Graduate Program Directors or other faculty members who may wish to nominate outstanding students. Nomination of exceptional under-represented minority students is encouraged.

Invitations to apply will be sent to students in late October. 

Questions should be directed to postdoc [at] stjude.org (postdoc[at]stjude[dot]org).

CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WITH THE LGSA

The Latinx Graduate Student Association (LGSA) is an MIT-wide student group that seeks support MIT Latinx graduate students in their personal, academic, and professional endeavors and well-being by curating events and opportunities for its members. We would like to invite you to join us we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 - October 15 to encompass the Independence Days of many countries in Latin America. We hope that you'll be able to join us at one of our many upcoming events! 

Interested in Joining the LGSA?
LGSA is welcoming of all students who identify as Latinx/Hispanic or are interested in learning about and supporting Latinx/Hispanic students. Our members hold a diverse range of identities, from international students to first-generation Americans and beyond. If you are interested in becoming a member of the LGSA and hearing about all our events and initiatives sooner, you can request to join our mailing list here. You can also contact us at lgsa-exec [at] mit.edu (lgsa-exec[at]mit[dot]edu).

EXCITING MINDHANDHEART COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES

Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Mini Grants
Looking to spread some kindness at MIT? MindHandHeart's RAK Mini Grants are now open for applications! Whether it’s for your coworkers, lab group, or house, you can receive up to $250 for your small kindness project—any time of the year! Apply today, and let’s make our community a little brighter.

REGISTER TO VOTE WEBSITE

MIT partners with TurboVote — a non-profit website that seeks to increase voter turnout by helping its users register to vote, find polling places, and research election issues — to help students, faculty, and staff register to vote in local, state, and national elections, by mail or in person, whether they reside in Massachusetts or another state. 

It takes five minutes or less to register, and you can use it to request an absentee ballot and/or subscribe to reminders about registration and voting deadlines and locations in relevant elections. 

KOCH INSTITUTE IMAGE AWARDS COMPETITION OPENS

The 2025 Image Awards Competition is now OPEN.

Submissions should be sent along with accompanying information from(s) to kigalleries [at] mit.edu (kigalleries[at]mit[dot]edu)  - the deadline for submission is Friday, October 18th, 2024.  

All MIT students, faculty, and staff are invited to participate, and each contributor may submit up to five high-resolution images taken as part of their original MIT research. 

Winning images will appear in the 2025 Image Awards exhibition, opening in March 2025 with lightning talks given by the image creators.

 Details are available at https://ki.mit.edu/image-awards.

TOASTMASTERS CLUBS OF MIT

Do you know anyone looking to improve communication skills: speaking and listening? Visit a Toastmasters Club. The members of Toastmasters Clubs of MIT are happy to help students practice.

"Toastmasters is a fantastic way to improve your presentation skills! I personally learned a great deal from the MIT club and highly recommend it." -- Gwen Acton, MIT PhD

Clubs are currently meeting online and in person! 

Toastmasters @ MIT, Friday at 12 noon to 1 PM, via Zoom

Tuesday Evening Toastmasters, 6:30 to 8:00 PM

Humor & Drama Toastmasters, 1st Saturday of the month 10 AM to noon

GRADUATE COMMUNITY FELLOWS POSITIONS

Grad students, interested in improving graduate life & community at MIT while earning a partial stipend? Apply to become a Graduate Community Fellow!

When would I start? Start dates are flexible and based on the Fellow and the hiring organization. If you’re looking for a job starting this semester, over IAP, or next semester, these openings may be a great fit for you!

What would I do? Graduate Community Fellows work on projects and assignments that enhance the graduate community at MIT in targeted, impactful ways. Each Fellow reports to a staff member in the OGE or a partner organization. See specifics below.

What are the requirements? Must meet minimal eligibility requirements and agree to the terms of appointment. Appointment periods for Fellow positions vary. All positions serve 10 hours per week, and receive compensation of $700 per month.

International students with full-time RA/TA appointments should note that there are eligibility restrictions.

Available positions are listed at the current Fellow positions page.

Some current positions are listed below; find more info on each position at the current Fellow positions page.

How do I apply? Once you’ve reviewed position details, download the application to apply. Applications for all positions are reviewed on a rolling basis. We hope to hear from you!

Questions? Contact Jessica Landry, jlandry [at] mit.edu (jlandry[at]mit[dot]edu).

MITAC OPPORTUNITIES

Welcome! The MIT Activities Committee offers discounted tickets to the MIT community for local arts and culture, sporting events, and family activities.

Visit MITAC​ ~ Your Ticket to Fun for movies, museums, sports, theatre, music, family, seasonal & special events since 1984!

• Online Website: https://mitac.mit.edu/
• On campus: The MITAC Stata Center ticket office is open Tues-Fri 12-4pm.

Feel free to stop by and visit!  

We look forward to seeing everyone!

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

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.

Some financial literacy resources:

OGE website’s Financial Wellbeing section: https://oge.mit.edu/finances-employment/financial-wellbeing/

OGE website’s fellowships section: https://oge.mit.edu/finances/fellowships/ including Fellowships Tips: https://oge.mit.edu/finances/fellowships/fellowship-tips/

Please reach out to the OGE at grad-ed [at] mit.edu (grad-ed[at]mit[dot]edu) with questions about our workshops or our financial literacy resources.

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 SPOUSES & PARTNERS CONNECT AND MIT LANGUAGE CONVERSATION EXCHANGE

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

MIT Spouses & Partners Connect - open to significant others of MIT students, postdocs, and staff

KERBEROS and ID CARDS for SPOUSES & PARTNERS
MIT students and employees may sponsor a guest Kerberos account for their spouse or partner to establish their digital identity in MIT's systems. Once registered, the spouse or partner may activate their digital MIT ID and obtain a physical card if needed. 

Get started at https://ist.mit.edu/id. Please read the instructions carefully as there are different processes for those who live in an MIT residence and for those who live off campus.

For more information about where you can use your MIT ID card, see this page.

EVENTS FOR NEWCOMERS
The best way to stay up to date on all of our events and activities is to subscribe to our email newsletter!

Private Consult with MS&PC Staff
Facilitated by Program Manager, Jennifer Recklet Tassi, this private appointment via Zoom or in-person is a time to ask questions, voice concerns, and reimagine your life here in Boston. We can spend the time talking about whatever is on your mind - from job search and career development to navigating a new city to figuring out how to make your experience in Boston productive and meaningful.

Appointments will be available at various times during the week.

Book a 30-minute private Zoom or in-person appointment here: https://mspc.youcanbook.me/

BEST WAYS TO LEARN ABOUT OUR EVENTS

• Subscribe to our email updates: http://spouses.mit.edu/join/subscribe
• Join the MITFamilies Slack Space: bit.ly/mitfamiliesslack
• 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

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 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

Subscribe to our newsletter: https://lce.mit.edu/subscribe

• Stay informed about upcoming small group meetings & events

GET IN TOUCH WITH THE LCE

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

Follow us on Facebook @MITLCE

Visit our calendar

POSTDOC POSITION OPENING IN CAPASSO LAB - HARVARD SEAS

The Capasso group at Harvard SEAS has an opening for postdoctoral position related to biophotonics+metasurface/biosensing research. The postdoc will make contributions towards building a metalens optical system to image bacteria, including integration with small-pixel sensors, potentially an easy-to-use manual focus system, an integrated light source, and an image capture and transfer system.The candidate will join the group of Prof. Federico Capasso and collaborate with a team at the Harvard Medical School, led by Prof. Johan Paulsson, focused on bacterial detection identification (ID) and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST), leveraging on this optical system, including interfacing with a microfluidic system.

In addition to the basic instrument, the postdoc will develop more advanced metalens imaging modalities for bacteria, with the purpose of making the AST not only faster and more robust, but also potentially achieving some basic level of species ID. This will include the development of a compact form of quantitative phase microscopy by encoding polarization-dependent optical functions onto a single metasurface to perform full-Stokes image polarimetry.

Proficiency in laboratory optics and photonics with particular emphasis on imaging systems such as microscopy is preferred. Previous experience in nanophotonics and clean room fabrication would be beneficial but is not strictly required. History of work in polarization and optical polarimetry desirable. Interviews are currently on-going for this position: https://academicpositions.harvard.edu/postings/14008

THE UCSF SANDLER FELLOWS PROGRAM

Nominations are being solicited for appointment as a UCSF Sandler Fellow. UCSF Sandler Fellows are independent group leaders who receive an annual financial award to cover their salary and the costs of their research program. Fellows are encouraged to apply for an NIH Director’s Early Independence Award (DP5). The UCSF Sandler Fellow award is nonrenewable, for a term of five years. See http://fellows.ucsf.edu/ for additional details about the program.

A candidate must be nominated by a mentor/advisor who is able to comment in some depth on the accomplishments and future potential of the candidate. A nomination letter, accompanied by the nominee’s curriculum vitae, should be sent to the address below by 1/10/25. Selected applications will then be chosen to submit two additional letters of recommendation and a brief research plan. All letters should include specific comments about how the candidate’s proposed research program has the potential for high impact in the chosen field and is distinct from existing work in the advisor’s lab, and why the candidate is ready to start an independent lab. Nominees working in any area of modern biomedical sciences will be considered. Although the UCSF Sandler Fellows Program is eager to consider nominations of all exceptional individuals, we are particularly interested in attracting a broad, diverse spectrum of scientists to our campus.

The deadline for nominations is January 10th, 2025.

Nominations should be sent by email to:

Dr. Alan Frankel
Chair, UCSF Sandler Fellows Steering Committee
University of California, San Francisco

Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
600 16th Street
San Francisco CA 94158-2280

Email: frankel [at] cgl.ucsf.edu (frankel[at]cgl[dot]ucsf[dot]edu)

NIH HEAL PAIN COHORT PROGRAM: NOW RECRUITING POST-DOCTORAL TRAINEES

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is excited to announce the launch of a new post-doctoral training program called the HEAL Initiative Partnerships to Advance INterdisciplinary (PAIN) Training Program in Clinical Pain Research. The HEAL PAIN Cohort Program, via the T90/R90 mechanism, provides interdisciplinary training to postdoctoral scholars pursuing careers in pain and addiction research. By integrating a broad range of scientific disciplines and fostering a collaborative research environment, the program equips trainees with the skills needed to advance pain science, develop innovative treatments, and translate research findings into clinical practice. This program will emphasize mentorship, career development, and hands-on research experience. The program will help ensure postdoctoral trainees are well-prepared to contribute to the HEAL Initiative's mission of improving pain management.

The Positively Uniting Researchers of Pain to Opine, Synthesize, and Engage (PURPOSE) network will help facilitate a national cohort experience among the postdoctoral trainees at the funded T90/R90 centers, as well as organize an annual meeting that all trainees will be required to attend. Learn more and join the PURPOSE network at https://painresearchers.com/.

For more information and to apply, please reach out to the center(s) of interest directly below. If you are interested in multiple centers, you may email PainCohortPrograms [at] painresearchers.com (PainCohortPrograms[at]painresearchers[dot]com) and your information will be forwarded to all centers.

The University of Utah Program to Provide Pain Research Knowledge (UP3RK) mission is to impart the science knowledge, skills, and core competencies needed by post-graduate, interdisciplinary Scholars to address the nation’s scientific needs in clinical pain research. UP3RK trains Scholars through mentorship, interdisciplinary research skill development and concentrated training in our four focus areas (nonpharmacologic pain treatments, effective interventions for pain and substance use disorders; implementation science, research within vulnerable, diverse, and underserved populations). We train UP3RK Scholars within an innovative, multi-level mentor model to prepare clinical pain investigators for successful, independent, research careers.

Contact PI: Dr. Julie Fritz, julie.fritz [at] hsc.utah.edu (julie[dot]fritz[at]hsc[dot]utah[dot]edu)

The MGB IMPACT (Interdisciplinary Mentorship Program Advising Clinical Trainees) Program in Clinical Pain Research is based in Boston. The program offers training to postdoctoral fellows, with the long-term goal of expanding the number, diversity, and collaborative network of clinical pain researchers, advancing our understanding of pain and our ability to effectively manage pain without opioid medications. MGB IMPACT focuses on team science, providing interdisciplinary mentorship and training in clinical pain research by bringing together a diverse group of mentors from an array of backgrounds, including Psychology, Neurology, Neuroscience, Psychiatry, Women's Health, Epidemiology and others. MGB IMPACT operates collaboratively with other T90/R90 programs around the country to promote innovative solutions for pain management and improve patient care by providing high-quality training to future leaders in clinical pain research.

Contact PI: Dr. Robert Edwards, rredwards [at] partners.org (rredwards[at]partners[dot]org)

The Stanford PAIN cohort is dedicated to interdisciplinary research training in maternal and childhood pain and bioinformatics. We will train participants from across the national cohort in pediatric and maternal health and pain, equipping a new generation of clinical pain researchers to apply a lifespan lens to identify primary and secondary prevention strategies to address the pain epidemic. Core faculty research leaders will help match trainees to mentors within the Stanford PAIN cohort content areas of: (1) bioinformatics, (2) pain across the lifespan, specifically child and maternal pain, (3) nonpharmacological (behavioral) interventions for pain, (4) prevention of the transition from acute to chronic pain and (5) advancing health equity in the field of pain.

Contact PI: Dr. Laura Simons, lesimons [at] stanford.edu (lesimons[at]stanford[dot]edu)

The University of Michigan Pain T90/R90 program is looking for postdoctoral scholars interested in a career in pain science. We have a broad range of mentors that can help guide scholars in nearly any type of clinical or translational pain science. A focus of this program will be the career development of the scholars, who generally will be expected to write a NIH career development award (K award) during this postdoc.

Contact PI: Dr. Daniel Clauw, dclauw [at] med.umich.edu (dclauw[at]med[dot]umich[dot]edu)

The University of Florida Partnerships Across Interdisciplinary Networks: Training through Engineering, Epidemiology & Addiction Medicine or UF PAIN TEAM is located in Gainesville, North Central Florida. The program offers postdoctoral training to fellows interested in pursuing clinical pain research within collaborative interdisciplinary teams across the UF Pain Research & Intervention Center of Excellence (PRICE). During the first year of the program, fellows will identify and partner with other fellow(s) in the program and along with mentors will develop a team science project extending their individual research projects. Our long-term goal is to increase the number of pain researchers able to perform complex team science research, advancing our understanding of pain and therapeutic options. Our mentors span interdisciplinary backgrounds including Neuroscience, Engineering, Psychology, Epidemiology, Addiction Medicine, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy, Anesthesiology, and others. The UF PAIN TEAM will also work collaboratively with other T90/R90 programs around the country to increase our future clinical pain workforce and their ability to work within large interdisciplinary teams.

Contact PI: Dr. Yenisel Cruz-Almeida, cryeni [at] ufl.edu (cryeni[at]ufl[dot]edu)

At Washington University in St. Louis we have developed a new postdoctoral training program: the Promoting Excellence through Pain and Addiction Research Enhancement (PREPARE) T90/R90 Training Program. A defining feature of the PREPARE Program will be an emphasis on social determinants of health (SDOH) as they relate to chronic pain and substance use disorders clinical research. SDOH define the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age, and the inequities in power, money, and resources that are often responsible for disparities in pain and substance use outcomes across the U.S. Our overall goal is to develop outstanding independent investigators capable of sustaining productive clinical research careers addressing the biopsychosocial (emphasis on social) mechanisms underlying chronic pain and substance use disorder development, and/or designing clinical interventions to relieve pain and ameliorate substance use.

Contact PI: Dr. Burel Goodin, burel [at] wustl.edu (burel[at]wustl[dot]edu)

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES IN COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY AND PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY

The mission of the Gillani Lab in Computational Pediatric Cancer Research (https://gillanilab.dana-farber.org/) is to advance pediatric, adolescent, and young adult cancer care using cutting-edge computational biology approaches. We strive to contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the germline genetics and tumor genomics of pediatric cancer, with a focus on pediatric solid tumors, to inform novel approaches to the management of pediatric cancer. We value great science that matters to patients, caring about each other as people and colleagues, and fostering an environment of mutual respect and collaboration. We are always looking for motivated and dedicated scientists at all levels of training to join us in our mission! Reach out to Riaz Gillani, MD (Principal Investigator) at riaz_gillani [at] dfci.harvard.edu (riaz_gillani[at]dfci[dot]harvard[dot]edu) to learn more.

ST. JUDE POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS

For students graduating before April 2025 who may be interested in postdoctoral fellowships at St. Jude, they may review stjude.org/postdoc and our open positions: https://talent.stjude.org/postdoc/jobs. 

POST DOCTORAL FELLOW IN DEEP LEARNING FOR MICROBIOME SPATIAL OMICS

The Gerber Lab (http://gerber.bwh.harvard.edu) is a multidisciplinary group at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School that develops novel computational models and high-throughput experimental systems to understand the role of the microbiota in human diseases, and applies these findings to develop new diagnostic tests and therapies. A long-standing and continuing focus of the lab is on incorporating principled probabilistic models into machine learning methods. The director of the lab, Dr. Georg Gerber, MD, PhD, MPH, uses his unique expertise, combining deep learning method development, medical microbiology, and human pathology, to leverage cutting-edge technologies to tackle scientifically and clinically important problems.

We are looking for an exceptional researcher who will play a major role in new initiatives in the lab to develop novel deep learning (DL) approaches to further understanding of the spatial organization of the microbiome--the trillions of microbes living on and within us---and its interactions with mammalian cells. The successful candidate will be highly motivated and creative, taking a lead role in developing new deep learning-based methods, analyzing data, and interpreting results. Although experience analyzing data from biological systems is required, microbiome specific knowledge is not.

Qualifications:

• PhD in Computer Science, Computational Biology, or other highly quantitative discipline.
• Outstanding publication track record.
• Strong mathematical background and skills.
• Experience developing DL methods.
• Experience analyzing data from biological systems, including sequencing data.
• Solid programming skills in Python, including PyTorch.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills, and ability to work on multidisciplinary teams.

Environment:  the Gerber Lab is located in the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Division of Computational Pathology (http://comp-path.bwh.harvard.edu) at Harvard Medical School (HMS). With a recent grant from the Massachusetts Life Science center, the Division has built the Lab for AI/Deep Learning for the Microbiome, which has a state-of-the-art GPU cluster for model development, training and deployment.

To apply: email a single PDF including cover letter, CV, brief research statement and a list of at least three references to Dr. Georg Gerber (ggerber [at] bwh.harvard.edu (ggerber[at]bwh[dot]harvard[dot]edu)).

POSTDOCTORAL OPPORTUNITY - RAKESH JAIN LAB - MGH STEELE LABORATORIES

TUMOR MICROENVIRONMENT, VASCULAR BIOLOGY, MATRIX BIOLOGY, IMMUNOLOGY, MOLECULAR & CELLULAR BIOLOGY, METABOLISM, INTRAVITAL MICROSCOPY and BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

The JAIN LAB  IN THE STEELE LABORATORIES OF TUMOR BIOLOGY at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School invites applications for Postdoctoral Research Fellow positions. Multiple positions are available in tumor microenvironment, vascular biology, matrix biology, immunology, molecular/cellular biology, metabolism, intravital microscopy and biomedical engineering. Ideal candidates should have a strong academic background, peer-reviewed publications, strong English language proficiency and writing skills. Candidates with a strong background in single-cell- sequencing, bioinformatics, Python, and R statistical computing are also encouraged to apply.

The Steele Labs have a diverse faculty and offer a lively and supportive environment in which to perform cutting-edge interdisciplinary research. Our research goals are (i) to understand how the abnormal tumor microenvironment confers resistance to various cancer treatments (e.g., molecular therapeutics, nanotherapeutics, radiation and immunotherapy), (ii) to develop and test new strategies to overcome this resistance, and (iii) to translate these strategies from bench to bedside through multi-disciplinary clinical trials. This tight integration between bench and bedside and application of engineering/physical science principles to oncology is a hallmark of our research.

Responsibilities: We seek creative thinkers who take risks in defining and addressing important problems, and who use quantitative molecular, genetic, cellular, and computational approaches in their work. Research fellows are encouraged to apply for post- doctoral fellowships and to write their own transition grants to launch their independent research careers following their training period. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience with additional funding for conferences and training seminars.

Requirements: A PhD or MD/PhD is required. To apply, please send your CV, a career statement, a summary of your most significant research accomplishments (300 words) and the contact information of three references to: Steele Labs Recruiting jobs [at] steele.mgh.harvard.edu (jobs[at]steele[dot]mgh[dot]harvard[dot]edu).

POSTDOC OPPORTUNITY AT ISHA JAIN LAB AT UCSF/GLADSTONE - WORKING ON OXYGEN/VITAMIN METABOLISM

The Jain Lab at UCSF/Gladstone is looking for motivated, hard-working and curious applicants. At a high level, we study how organisms interact with their environments – how “what we breathe” and “what we eat” affects our metabolism and disease progression. More specifically, we are focused on oxygen and vitamin/cofactor metabolism. We recently discovered that chronic hypoxia (equivalent to living in the mountains of Peru or Nepal) can serve as a therapy for mitochondrial disease. This approach is currently in clinical trials. This work has inspired a broader set of research directions ranging from fundamental biochemistry to animal physiology.

The questions we ask:

1. How do cells and organisms sense oxygen or vitamin levels? Are there novel oxygen sensors and vitamin sensors to be found?
2. How does the body adapt to variations in oxygen levels? Or vitamin levels?
3. When the supply and demand of oxygen or vitamins becomes mismatched, how does this contribute to disease?
4. Can we “turn the oxygen and vitamin dials” into creative new therapies?
5. What is the most practical form of turning these concepts into translatable therapies?

The approach we take: CRISPR screens, metabolomics, classical biochemistry/molecular biology, animal physiology and beyond.

Post-docs will be encouraged to lead independent projects resulting in high impact publications, present at conferences and prepare for long-term careers in academia or industry.

Please email Isha.Jain [at] gladstone.ucsf.edu (Isha[dot]Jain[at]gladstone[dot]ucsf[dot]edu) for more info or to apply. Isha is a graduate of the MEMP PhD program.

POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR OPPORTUNITY - VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY - DIVISION OF PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY

Virginia Commonwealth University's Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is expanding its research lab to encompass basic science, clinical research, translational science, and device development. Our lab is dedicated to investigating skin biology, skin conditions such as keloids and hypertrophic scars, burn physiology, and the regeneration of skin and soft tissues.

We are currently seeking a highly motivated and skilled postdoctoral scholar to join our dynamic team. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in supporting ongoing research initiatives in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery. This position will primarily involve laboratory work geared towards advancing these goals, including the utilization of cellular models, sequencing patient and animal samples, and analyzing therapeutic compounds. Additionally, the role will entail conducting small and large animal experiments under appropriate guidance to further basic science and therapeutic developments, with the ultimate objective of translating bench research into clinical applications. Experience in biomedical engineering and/or medical device design is preferred.

For additional details and to submit an application please use this link: https://www.jobs.virginia.gov/jobs/postdoctoral-scholar-department-of-surgery-division-of-plastic-reconstructive-surgery-richmond-virginia-united-states

PASCALL SYSTEMS JOB OPENING

Pascall Systems, a medical device startup by a group of MIT alumni is recruiting interns/part-time positions from PhD candidates with backgrounds in signal processing, machine learning, etc. interested in an industry research stint at an MIT/Harvard medical spin-off/startup.

If you are interested, please read details of the position here https://www.pascallsystems.com/post/we-re-hiring-algorithm-engineer-intern-part-time-full-time and reach out to the CEO directly who was an MIT BCS alum (Tuan Le Mau, PhD, t_lemau [at] mit.edu (t_lemau[at]mit[dot]edu) or tuan [at] pascallsystems.com (tuan[at]pascallsystems[dot]com))

RESEARCH INTERN POSITION - PARADIGM BIOCAPITAL

Research Intern, Paradigm BioCapital
Full-time, in-person; New York, NY

Paradigm BioCapital is a $2.2B AUM biotechnology-focused hedge fund based in New York, NY. We believe that the most appealing investments in biotechnology deliver transformative benefits to patients and redefine the treatment paradigm for physicians. Our investment strategy focuses on identifying such opportunities at the earliest proof of concept where the balance of reward and risk is most attractive. 

Position
Based in our NYC office, this internship is an intensive 10-12 week opportunity to learn and participate in a fast-paced and engaging investing environment. The intern will collaborate with the research team in evaluating potential investments through fundamental analysis of unmet medical need, clinical validation, and company outlook. 

Qualifications

• MD (preferred), PhD in life sciences, or MBA candidate from a top-tier university
  • If MBA, then undergraduate degree in biological sciences or post-graduate work in the biotechnology industry
• High integrity
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Passion for learning and humility in academic pursuits
• Detail-oriented with an eye for inconsistent findings

How to Apply

Please submit the following in PDF format to Vinayak Nikam at vinayak [at] paradigmbiocapital.com:

• Cover letter
  • Discuss any previous experience with biomedical research or the biotechnology industry
  • Highlight any therapeutic areas or technologies of interest.
  • Describe an experience when you worked in a small team of 3-5 people.
• Resume

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

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

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."

GRIFFIN GSAS HARVARD BIOTECH EVENTS

Interested in staying up to date and being the first to hear about our events?? 

Sign up to our mailing list here

Get more information on the club here at our website 

Follow us on social media!

Twitter: @thebiotechclub

Facebook: GSAS Harvard Biotech Club

CAPD FACULTY JOB SEARCH GUIDE

CAPD has launched the Faculty Job Search Guide! This completes our online PhD career support program (Kerberos login required), which brings together industry and academic job search resources and examples for easy access. The whole set of resources, the Faculty Job Search Guide, the PhD Career Document Library, and our PhD Resumes for Industry Jobs, is there whenever our students are ready. You can also find links on the CAPD PhD page.

MCKINSEY AND COMPANY RECRUITING NEWS

Starting in January, we will begin recruiting for those interested in our full-time Associate role who graduate between December 2024 – Summer 2025. Advanced Professional Degree (APD) candidates are postdocs or working toward the following degrees: PhD, MD (including medical interns, residents and fellows), JD, PharmD, Nursing, and non-MBA Masters. Non-MBA Master candidates must have at least four years in between the completion of their undergraduate degree and graduate degree to be qualified as having an APD.

Over 80% of our consultants have advanced degrees in fields outside of business, and as our firm continues to grow and evolve, we are looking for more people like you – experts in their fields – to join our community. We hope you will consider starting your journey with us, so you can be at your best at McKinsey!

Make sure to bookmark our website ahead of the new year.

As always, feel free to reach out to our APD_Recruiting_Team [at] McKinsey.com (APD recruiting team) with questions!

What’s on the horizon…
We will be hosting virtual sessions each month. These sessions will help you learn about the world of consulting, how your degree will be valuable, what life is like at McKinsey, and how we help our clients solve the most complex problems.

We can’t forget to mention Insight & Diversity Connect! Planning is underway for these two flagship programs. Find information on our website.

Connecting on campus Our recruiting team or consultants may be visiting a campus near you. Whether virtually or in-person, we are excited to learn more about YOU and what makes you interested in McKinsey!

Fill out our Connect with APD form!

This will give you access to all things APD recruiting in the coming months.
Make sure you’re on our list.

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

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.

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.

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