Student Perspectives

By Helena Mello

By: Samantha Avina

By Helena Mello Regardless of the career path stage, networking is an essential aspect of any professional life. As scientists, we have opportunities to connect in conferences, seminars and career events. We can strengthen these connections and expand our network with informational interviews; however, not everyone is familiar with this resource. With that in mind, the NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education (OITE) held the webinar “Informational Interviews – What? How?

By Samantha Avina When the idea of non-profit organizations come to mind it is most often associated with thoughts of fundraising and philanthropic work for the better of humanity. Although accompanied by these great attributes, non-profit work doesn’t automatically call attention of the lone Ph.D. candidate doing niche specific benchwork. So, how does the idea of the non-profit sector and their increasing need for Ph.D. holders go hand in hand? With that in mind, on November 6^th, iJobs hosted the non-profit panel event at the Rutgers Piscataway campus.

By Tomas Kasza The BioPharma Networking Group (BPNG) held a networking event between current and former graduate trainees in Piscataway, New Jersey on September 10, 2019. It was a great opportunity for current graduate student to get acquainted with industry professionals, industry careers and create networking bonds. The iJOBS blog caught up with several of the attendees to hear them tell their stories and experiences.

- Deepshikha Mishra  Ina Nikolaeva graduated from Rutgers University with a PhD in Cell Bio and Neuroscience, where she studied role of mtor pathway in brain injury and diseases for her thesis. Currently, she enjoys her role as an Associate Scientific Director at Healthcare Consultancy Group. She was a senior editor and lead blogger for the iJOBS blog and actively participated multiple programs organized by iJOBS.

By: Deepshikha Mishra Junior Editor: Shekerah Primus Senior Editor: Helena Mello Fatu Badiane Markey graduated from Rutgers University in 2018 with a PhD in Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Genetics. The focus of her thesis was to study the molecular interactions of a fusion protein in pediatric Ewing’s sarcoma, a type of cancer affecting the bones and surrounding tissue. Additionally, she was a lead blogger for the iJOBS blog and actively participated in the program as well.

By Brian Canter Scientists have recently felt pressure from partisan attacks on government science funding agencies. Yet many of these same agencies have received funding boosts in the past two years. The public is supportive of basic research, but sometimes questions the motivations and interests of scientists, due to a general disconnect between the two communities.

By Tomas Kasza Dr. Mai Soliman graduated from Montclair State University with a master’s degree in Molecular Biology in 2009 and from Rutgers School of Graduate Studies with a PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology in 2017. While completing her master’s and PhD degrees she sought out opportunities to teach high school and college students. After completion of her PhD degree she accepted a position at Northern Valley regional high school in Demarest, NJ, one of the top school districts in New Jersey.

by Helena Mello On November 30, the Eagleton Institute of Politics, along with iJOBS, hosted the Eagleton Science and Politics Workshop: Scientists in Politics. As introduced by Eagleton’s Director Ruth B. Mandel, PhD, this workshop is part of a series of events that aim to (1) encourage political engagement in the scientific community, and (2) explore how science, technology, and politics intersect. I had the opportunity to attend the workshop and will share some highlights of it with you.