Past PDG Awardees
Interested in joining a professional association and/or a mentoring program? Apply for a grant to cover your flight expenses, lodging and/or registration fee! Learn more about GWISE’s PDG program and apply here.
2023/2024 Grant Recipients:
- Frontiers of Human Performance – Avery Kratzer, Rehabilitation Sciences
Thanks to support from GWISE, I was able to travel to Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming for the inaugural Frontiers of Human Performance Meeting in July. Given the small size of the conference and format that prioritized extensive interaction, I was able to discuss at length new emerging data trends in my field– such as means for building large open source datasets, new applications of machine learning, and important factors for researching female health and performance. I was also able to get feedback on a preliminary study design for my dissertation work, which has already sparked some new ideas for the direction of my research. Lastly, spending the week with faculty and other trainees at the forefront of my discipline, both in the conference hall and mini adventures in the Grand Tetons, I set a foundation for new friendships / collaborations and walked away feeling genuinely excited about the state of biomechanics research.
- Calorimetry Workshop – Jessica Martin, Anthropology
I am honored to have received a GWISE PDG, which funded my participation in the 2024 University of Colorado Nutrition Obesity Research Center (UC-NORC) Calorimetry Workshop. This multidisciplinary event brought together students, trainees, and experienced investigators from academic and non-academic fields to engage in work related to the technical aspects of direct and indirect calorimetry. The workshop featured numerous valuable sessions focused on metabolic carts, room calorimetry, and animal calorimetry systems. Key topics included comparisons of various gas analyzers, the application of equations to measure energy expenditure and substrate oxidation, strategies for validating and calibrating equipment, and considerations for designing room calorimeters. Attending this workshop was incredibly beneficial for me, as I plan to use calorimetry to investigate how gut microbiota adapts to high- and low- digestible nutrients in wild vervet monkey populations in the future. Additionally, the UC-NORC Calorimetry Workshop provided invaluable networking opportunities with anthropologists, physiologists, geneticists, and biomedical researchers. This experience has been instrumental in shaping my dissertation research questions, opening doors to potential mentorships, and broadening my understanding of both academic and non-academic career paths post-PhD. I am deeply grateful for the generous support of GWISE, without which this opportunity would not have been possible. Thank you!
- Introduction to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) – Anna Smith, Molecular and Translational Medicine
Attending the online course ‘Introduction to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)’ was a great experience, made possible by the invaluable support of the Professional Development Grant from Boston University GWISE. As a PhD student at Boston University School of Medicine, I am seeking avenues to augment my skill set and enhance my job prospects within the biotechnology sector. This course proved very beneficial. It provided an introduction into the intricate framework of current GMP standards, regulations, and practices specific to biotech. The knowledge and insights I gained will be instrumental in shaping my professional trajectory. In a job market where the demand for GMP expertise is pronounced, the proficiency I acquired significantly bolsters my credentials for future career opportunities within the biotech industry. Beyond its immediate impact on my academic and professional pursuits, this course has instilled a deeper appreciation for GMP compliance. It has equipped me with a robust understanding of industry best practices and the confidence to navigate the dynamic biotech landscape.
I would like to thank Boston University GWISE for their support! I am reminded of the significance of investing in continuous learning and professional development. This experience has expanded my knowledge and reaffirmed interest in a career in biotechnology.
- Maria Mitchell Association Solar Eclipse Outreach Event – Caeley Pittman, Astronomy
I was awarded the GWISE PDG to fund my trip to the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma to act as the resident astronomer at their total solar eclipse event on April 8, 2024. I applied for the grant because I wanted to use my expertise and resources as an astronomer to perform science outreach during the total solar eclipse, which gathered significant public attention. I reached out to the Choctaw Nation because I did not see any existing eclipse events planned there, and it would be higher-impact to organize an event in a region that did not have established plans.
I called the office of the Choctaw Nation and was connected to their Director of Public Relations. He then connected me with the Cultural Research Associate who was in the process of organizing and publicizing an eclipse event (it had not yet been publicized online). They were enthusiastic about having an astronomer participate, so I started my part of the organizing. I reached out to the chair of my undergraduate physics department, who allowed me to borrow 4 solar telescopes, solar binoculars, and solar glasses to bring to Oklahoma. I practiced using the 4 different telescopes by showing the Sun to kids in my family’s neighborhood, and I learned to record video through one of the telescopes.
I also spoke with a reporter who was covering the event from the Tulsa CBS station. I coordinated with her to plan a video interview during the event and obtain a video of the eclipse through my telescope. Through this event, I would have reached 125+ attendees, many of whom were children, as well as the viewers of the news coverage. However, due to car trouble that was out of my control, I was unable to make it to the actual event. Instead, I taught Auto Zone employees about the science of the eclipse as we fixed my car in a parking lot 30 minutes away from the event. However, planning this event strengthened my networking and organizational skills and gives me the confidence to attempt this type of outreach again in the future.
- AWIS Mentoring Circle – Melissa Inge, Biology
The GWISE professional development grant gave me an opportunity to participate in the AWIS mentoring circle without having to worry about an extra expense. The mentoring circle program matched me up with two mentors and several other mentees, which I have the pleasure of meeting with monthly for several hours. During these meetings we work on various topics of career development but also just discuss general life updates and provide support for one another. This circle of support has been helpful as I finish up my PhD and start to look toward transitioning to a career in the biotech industry. The guidance offered by my mentors and fellow mentees has been instrumental, offering insights into effective job search strategies and help refining my interview pitch. Moreover, they serve as a trusted sounding board, fostering an environment where I feel comfortable sharing my aspirations and challenges. I’m grateful for this opportunity to make connections I hope to last a lifetime and look forward to continuing to grow in my relationship with these women as the year progresses.
- Professor Irizarry’s Data Science for the Life Sciences Course – Alexandra Chasse, MCBB
The Decipher Life Sciences course explored how to harness the power of coding to decipher complex biological data. We learned how to utilize programming to perform data visualization, machine learning, modeling, and RNA-seq analysis, unlocking insights into the intricate workings of biological systems. Through coding, we harnessed libraries like Matplotlib and Plotly in Python, as well as ggplot2 in RStudio to create a myriad of visual representations. Scatter plots elucidated gene expression trends, heatmaps showcased genomic variations, and box plots depicted protein interactions. Leveraging code, we not only visualized data for exploration but also automated the generation of publication quality figures, enhancing efficiency in analysis and communication.
Using R’s caret package facilitated the deployment of a diverse array of machine learning algorithms. Techniques such as classification and regression empowered us to predict disease outcomes and identify biomarkers from gene expression data. We translated biological hypotheses into intricate mathematical models. Through iterative refinement and integration with experimental data, we validated predictions, bolstering our understanding of complex biological systems. By combining modeling and machine learning approaches, we transcended the limitations of traditional statistical analysis, uncovering complex relationships between gene expression patterns and tissue types. This integrated approach not only enhanced our predictive capabilities but also deepened our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying tissue-specific gene expression. As a result, we were able to develop robust computational frameworks for predicting tissue types from RNA-seq data, paving the way for applications in personalized medicine, disease diagnosis, and drug discovery.
- Women in Data Science (WiDS) Cambridge Conference – Zeynep Kahraman, ECE
I attended the Women in Data Science (WiDS) 2024 conference at Microsoft New England Research and Development (NERD) Center. Having been in a male-dominated field, specifically engineering, for most of my career, I was amazed by the presence of all those successful women at the conference. As a final-year PhD student considering transitioning from academia to industry, this event provided me with a valuable opportunity to listen to diverse professional narratives and learn about various projects within the sector.
The panel discussions of this one-day event focused on societal issues in our modern world such as conflict zones, sustainability and the democratization of artificial intelligence. The promises and potential perils of data science on the already suffering communities were discussed, prompting me to question my capability to impact people’s lives.
During the lunch break, I participated in the speed-networking activity, as I find it challenging to socialize in a crowd. The rapid-fire questions posed by the organizers facilitated easy mingling and meaningful conversations. I made new connections and learned about people from diverse backgrounds, such as law, who ended up being a data scientist.
In summary, as I am currently in the job search process, this event enhanced my networking skills and provided opportunities to engage with recruiters from the sponsors, while it has also created question marks about how I can leverage my abilities.
- Society for the Study of Reproduction – Sarah Dohadwala, Microbiology
The GWISE professional development grant enabled me to join a professional society, The Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR). SSR’s members work in areas covering many facets of reproduction biology and women’s health, including immunology, reproductive technologies, and the basic biology of reproduction. In addition, the work of members spans through bench science, translational research, and clinical practice. Membership enables me to attend informational events, publish in the society journal, apply for certain grants, and network with colleagues in the reproductive health field. SSR in particular hosts an annual meeting, a podcast series, an online job board, hosts field specific coursework, and supports grants for early career scientists. In addition, SSR enables access to Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) resources. SSR has over 400 trainee members, who organize a career consult center, grant workshops, and an informal facebook group. I am excited to join a dynamic community of peers through SSR. Learning from colleagues through talks and informal networking is a very valuable experience for students, and I am thankful to GWISE for this grant!
- AAPT inclusive Astronomy Education – Bryanne McDonough, Astronomy
I attended the Inclusive Astronomy Education Workshop at the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) 2024 winter meeting in New Orleans. This half-day workshop by Big Astronomy covered a range of topics in inclusive education topics, with an emphasis on accessible activities for Blind or low-vision users. The workshop facilitators encouraged the use of a “growth mindset” and growth speech when working with learners. Growth speech teaches students that their skills are not fixed and that they have the capacity for learning and growth. When learners give incorrect answers, educators can redirect them by asking “What if you considered X instead?” rather than telling a student they are wrong.
Much of the workshop was focused specifically on educational demonstrations with options for accessibility. We discussed how astronomers use language, for example, “representational color image” being preferred to “false color” to describe how astronomers assign colors to wavelengths in images. For Blind or low-vision learners, images can be represented with 3D prints or thermoforms. The workshop facilitators showed examples of thermaforms where each wavelength was represented separately as a different texture, and then stacked as one “image.”
The workshop encouraged participants to teach that astronomy is for everyone. This can be done by discussing how large teams of people work together to make astronomy happen, including many people who are not scientists.
Overall, the workshop was a great experience where I was introduced to several new-to-me astronomy demonstrations with possible accommodations.
- MRS Fall Exhibit – Meliha Deniz, Mechanical Engineering
GWISE supported me in attending the MRS Fall Meeting and Exhibit. This meeting helped me connect with well-known researchers in my field. I also saw some of the unpublished work in the labs that I follow closely and asked questions about their research. I had the chance to connect with researchers from the groups I plan to apply to as a Ph.D. student, which gave me insights into the inner dynamics and the research environment. I learned the types of questions I might expect in my master’s thesis defense, as most talks were closely related to my thesis project. Several projects inspired me to read more on a specific topic. This curiosity helped me develop a new sensor project in my lab a week after the conference. I had an idea about this project, but the manufacturing method I planned to use was difficult to develop, and a professor who presented their work on a similar technology talked about several limiting factors that I had never considered. The new method I learned from the conference made manufacturing faster, cheaper,
and more reliable. I want to thank GWISE for giving me this opportunity. The relationships and knowledge I developed during this conference are significant and precious.
- Cell-Free Systems Conference – Jingyao, Biomedical Engineering
Thanks to the invaluable support of the professional development grant, I had the privilege of attending the SBE Cell-Free System conference, an enriching experience that greatly contributed to my professional growth. This conference was a melting pot of academic luminaries and industry experts, offering a unique blend of perspectives. Engaging with academic researchers provided profound insights into the forefront of the cell-free field, illuminating the challenges they tackle and the innovative solutions they seek. These conversations broadened my understanding of the academic landscape, shedding light on the pivotal issues driving research. Conversely, interacting with industry professionals was eye-opening. Witnessing how academic research transcends boundaries to influence biomanufacturing, diagnostics, therapeutics, and beyond was truly inspiring. The diverse perspectives from both academia and industry not only deepened my comprehension of their respective roles but also aided in delineating my post-graduate aspirations. This exposure has been instrumental in charting the trajectory I wish to pursue in my career. Moreover, the informal networking sessions such as the social hours and lunch time, facilitated invaluable connections with fellow students and professionals. Expanding my social circle in the field will definitely be a valuable asset in my upcoming job search as I approach graduation. Overall, the conference, supported by the grant, served as a catalyst for my professional development. It not only broadened my understanding of the field but also provided clarity on potential career paths while fostering a network of connections that will undoubtedly benefit my future endeavors. Thanks again for the great opportunity!