GSBS Writing Studio Workshops

Date, Time

Topic

Speaker(s)

Location

05/28/25, 4-5pm

Graduation Readiness
GSBS STUDENTS!  Are you nearing the end of your MS or PhD degree training?  Do you need information on when you should be preparing your thesis or dissertation, how to do this, and the steps involved in getting the green light to graduation? 

If so, then please join as Dr. Tracy Toliver-Kinsky presents on all things related to this and we discuss your GRADUATION READINESS! 

Versatile Careers for PhDs: Industry Scientist

Join us for an inspiring session featuring Mr. Martin Kramer, Scientist III at Sanofi. Mr. Kramer will share his journey from academia to a rewarding career as an industry scientist, discuss the essential skills for success in this role, and provide actionable advice for those looking to transition into the industry.

Leveraging AI in Scientific Writing: Tools, Ethics, and Best Practices

Versatile Careers for PhDs: Medical Communication

Curious about Medical Communication as a career and how PhDs can excel in this unique career path? Join us for an inspiring session with Dr. KarryAnne Belanger, Freelance Medical Writer and a proud UTMB GSBS alumnus. Dr. Belanger will share her journey from PhD to Medical Communication, discuss the skills needed to thrive in the field, and provide actionable advice for those looking to transition into this exciting role.

03/18/25, noon-12:30pm

BioRender: Grant Figures Worthy of Funding

In this session you will:
• Master top design strategies for creating grant figures that capture attention
• Explore techniques to make your figures stand out in competitive funding applications
• Learn how to ensure clarity and visual impact in every figure
• Discover advanced BioRender features that enhance your scientific presentations

View session recording.

BioRender:Prepare Posters in Minutes

During this 30‑minute session you will:
• Learn how to craft a professional poster in BioRender quickly and easily
• Discover essential design tools to create visually compelling layouts
• Seamlessly integrate your data and research into polished poster designs
• Gain tips for maintaining a consistent and eye‐catching design language

View session recording.

Versatile Careers for PhDs: Medical Science Liaison 

Curious about the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) role and how PhDs can excel in this unique career path? Join us for an inspiring session with Dr. Dennis Sholler, Senior MSL and a proud UTMB GSBS alumnus. Dr. Sholler will share his journey from PhD to MSL, discuss the skills needed to thrive in the field, and provide actionable advice for those looking to transition into this exciting role.

Introduction to NIH F-series Fellowship Proposals

Join the Office of Strategic Research Development as they guide you through the various F-series grant options. This session will cover the purpose and eligibility criteria for each grant, provide insights into crafting a competitive application, and offer resources to support your submission process.

Presentation Slides: F-grant and Trainee Funding Opportunities

Graduation Readiness
GSBS STUDENTS!  Are you nearing the end of your MS or PhD degree training?  Do you need information on when you should be preparing your thesis or dissertation, how to do this, and the steps involved in getting the green light to graduation? 

If so, then please join as Dr. Janice Endsley, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, presents on all things related to this and we discuss your GRADUATION READINESS! 

Versatile Careers for PhDs: Business, Sales, & Consulting

Join us for an insightful session withDr. Valerie Reynolds, consultant at Scientific Resources Southwest and an active Bio-Houston community member. With experience spanning research, administration, and now business consulting, Dr. Reynolds—PhD alumna of the University of Houston and mother of six—shares valuable insights on career transitions and work/life balance in science.

Meet and Greet with the Director of  the Writing Studio

Graduation Readiness
GSBS STUDENTS!  Are you nearing the end of your MS or PhD degree training?  Do you need information on when you should be preparing your thesis or dissertation, how to do this, and the steps involved in getting the green light to graduation? 

If so, then please join us for our August GSBS Writing Studio workshop as Dr. Janice Endsley, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, presents on all things related to this and we discuss your GRADUATION READINESS!  Note: we will also be discussing the brand new GSBS dissertation template! 

Dr. Janice Endsley
&
Dr. Liz Hileman

MD Anderson Cancer Center Grant Spotlight Series:  K99/R00 Grants

The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) has invited all UTMB trainees and faculty to attend their Research Education & Training “Grant Spotlight Series” focusing on K99/R00 grants.

This VIRTUAL session will feature 3 panelists discussing the K99/R00 mechanism and best practices for success.  The panelists are two K99/R00 recipients currently in the R00 phase of their awards plus one panelist who is a reviewer of K mechanisms.  

Versatile Career Options for PhDs:  Freelance Medical Communications

Join us as we meet with Dr. Rebecca Bigelow who owns her own medical communications company!  We will discuss how you can utilize your own PhD to get started in the medical communications field and the types of work you would be doing.  Additionally, we'll explore various subjects concerning the establishment and creation of your own company such as website setup, promotional strategies, S corporation classification, limited liability company (LLC) creation, management of payroll taxes, and much more!

Slides from Dr. Bigelow's presentation:  Freelance Med Comm Presentation 11-8-23

Versatile Career Options for PhDs Seminar Series:  Leadership Roles at the NIH (Program Officer, Scientific Review Officer, and Chief)

Join us as we meet with Dr. Latarsha Carithers who serves as the Training, Mentored Research, and Diversity Section Chief within the Scientific Review Branch of the NIGMS at the NIH!   She oversees the review of a wide range of grant mechanisms, including institutional training grants (T32/T34), career development awards (K99), and education projects (R25).

How to Write a Scientific Manuscript
Join us at our next Writing Studio workshop as we discuss the fundamentals for writing an academic paper.  We will cover why scientific communication in this form is so important, and step-by-step best practices used to start writing and get published!  

Zoom recording of 10-11-23 Workshop; PASSCODE: v01.5tpx

NSF GRFP Applicants!! 

Please attend this workshop to get registered and trained on the internal UTMB InfoEd system so you can submit your grant!

Versatile Career Options for PhDs Seminar Series:  Science Policy

Join us as we meet with Dr. Sandeep Dayal, Chief for Science Policy at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) at the NIH! Dr. Dayal received his Ph.D. from UT-Health Houston / MD Anderson Cancer Center GSBS in 2004.  He then did a postdoc at the NIH before becoming involved with Science Policy at the NIH.  Come ready to hear and ask questions about his journey from PhD-trained scientist to Science Policy leader!  

Slides from Dr. Dayal's Presentation:   Dr. Sandeep Dayal's Slides on Science Policy

National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
Join us as we explore the NSF GRFP!  We will explain what it is, whether you are eligible, and how to apply. 
PLEASE NOTE: The only eligible GSBS students for the NSF GRFP will be first year MS or PhD students and PREP students!

Zoom Recording for 9-6-23 Workshop;  PASSCODE: SQz8h@=K 

Graduation Readiness
Are you nearing the end of your MS or PhD degree training?  Do you need information on when you should be preparing your thesis or dissertation, how to do this, and the steps involved in getting the green light to graduation? 

If so, then please join us for our August GSBS Writing Studio workshop as Dr. Janice Endsley, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, presents on all things related to this and we discuss your GRADUATION READINESS!  Note: we will also be discussing the brand new GSBS dissertation template!  

Open Hours for CV/Resume Help
Come and use this time to work on your CV or resume and as needed, ask for help.  You can sit quietly and work, or directly ask any questions.  Dr. Hileman will be available during these open hours on this date.
NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.  

Open Hours for CV/Resume Help
Come and use this time to work on your CV or resume and as needed, ask for help.  You can sit quietly and work, or directly ask any questions.  Drs. Hileman and Toliver-Kinsky will be available during these open hours on this date.
NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.  

Versatile Career Options for PhDs:  Scientific & Medical Communications
The GSBS Writing Studio is proud to present this new workshop series on the many versatile career options for PhDs in the biomedical sciences.  Join us to hear how these speakers transitioned from their doctorate training and academia setting to where they are today in the scientific / research development & medical communications arenas. 

Dr. Geetha Achanta started off as an international graduate student at the UTHealth-Houston/MD Anderson Cancer Center GSBS.  She can speak to the various issues faced by international students and postdocs and describe her path to success today at MJH Life Sciences.

Dr. Elizabeth Hileman was a graduate student as well at the UTHealth-Houston/MD Anderson Cancer Center GSBS. She skipped doing any postdoc at all and went straight into technology commercialization, research development, and strategic alliance management.  She can speak to her differing path to success today at UTMB.

Open discussion and questions are encouraged!

NOTE:  This session was NOT be recorded.  Handout provided can be found here:  6-23-23 Versatile Career Options for PhDs: Scientific & Medical Communications Handout

CVs vs Resumes: Which One to Use & What to Include
Join us for this month's Writing Studio workshop as we discuss the difference between a CV and a resume.  We will cover what you should and should not include in each document, and when to use one vs the other. 

NOTE:  Predocs will now be required annually to turn in a CV to the GSBS, so this workshop will help you with this process.  We will also be offering open hour workshops this summer for help when preparing your CV or resume.
Zoom Recording; Passcode:  Ct&$Zp8v 

Ready to Graduate?  A Discussion on Your Timeline and Dissertation
GSBS Predoc Students - Are you nearing the end of your degree training?  Do you need information on when you should be preparing your dissertation, how to do this, and all steps involved in getting the green light to graduation?  Join us as Dr. Janice Endsley, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, presents on all things related to this and let's get you READY TO GRADUATE!!
NOTE: The audio from the recording of this presentation in Levin Hall was very poor.  However, please see this pre-recorded version Dr. Endsley has provided:  Dr. Endsley's slides and commentary for the "Ready to Graduate?" presentation 

Dissecting the NIH Fellowship Grant: A Step-by-Step Discussion
Are you preparing your F30/31/32 application and not sure how to start or what to write in certain sections?  Join us as we go through each section of the F Grant application and discuss what you should include, how your narrative should match your mentor/sponsor's statement(s), and best practices for success in your submission.
Zoom Recording;  Passcode: &6&z.ihi

Intellectual Property (IP) Protection & Commercialization
Join us as we hear from our UTMB technology transfer office about the importance of protecting your IP and ways to commercialize your scientific discoveries.  Anyone interested in hearing about disclosing new inventions, filing patents, and the licensing process here at UTMB is welcome to attend.  

Per the Office of Technology Transfer, we are not posting the Zoom recording.  However, the slides from the presentation can be found here:   OTT Presentation on 3-23-23

McLaughlin Fellowship Overview and Review Panel Discussion 
Predocs and Postdocs!  If you are working in the infection and/or immunity areas and are interested in the internal UTMB McLaughlin Fellowship, then join us at this workshop! We will be giving an overview of the application process and all steps needed to apply. We will also have a panel of former recipients, reviewers, and McLaughlin Committee faculty ready to discuss tips and tricks to submit a successful application.  Applications will be due in May, so NOW is the time to get started and get insight on this whole process!
Zoom Recording;  Passcode: R0R02=f$

NIH Fellowship "F" Grant Review Panel Discussion
Join us as we hold a discussion with our expert panel on the top tips for successful F grant submissions, common pitfalls to avoid, and how an F grant can enhance your career opportunities. Come prepared with questions and gain amazing insight on this entire process!
Zoom Recording;  Passcode: 2J$X%u^c

Promoting Scholarship for PostDocs: Using Research Experts as your Promotional Platform
ATTENTION POSTDOCS!  Do you know about Research Experts?  Do you want to learn how this platform can benefit you?  Please join us to learn all about this truly valuable resource available to you as a postdoc trainee here at UTMB and hear about how this can help with your own career development.  
Meeting Recording Link (Jump to the 11:00 mark to get to the start of the presentation)

Biosketches
Join us as we discuss the importance of Biosketches! We will cover everything from what they are and why you need one, to how to start writing your own.
Zoom Recording;  Passcode: +c8gymq8

UTMB Research Administration: People, Processes, & Preparing Budgets
Join us as the GSBS Writing Studio hosts invited speakers Dr. Nancy Devino, Ms. Erika LeGros, and Ms. Christy Taylor-Bray from Research Administration to explain why it is so important for trainees to know/understand the UTMB processes for submitting grants.  We will also go over step-by-step instructions on how to do NIH Fellowship and other budgets!
Zoom Recording;  Passcode: 11GmK$?*

NIH Fellowship Grant Applications and How to Apply
Are you wondering how to get started with writing an NIH Fellowship (F30/F31/F32) grant? Are you wondering about eligibility, when to start, who to talk to, and how to get your application submitted? The GSBS Writing Studio is here for you! Join us as we explain the differences in the funding mechanisms, eligibility, share tips to get this process going, and guide you on a smooth writing journey!
Zoom Recording;  Passcode: w^^8Bt*X