ASGSA is excited to present this year’s Alumni Panel Discussion, bringing together graduates from diverse backgrounds to share their professional journeys and insights with current students. This event will feature a panel of five distinguished alumni who have returned to campus to engage in a candid discussion and interactive Q&A session. Attendees will have the opportunity to gain valuable insights into career strategies, overcoming challenges, and leveraging graduate school experiences to pursue their desired career paths. Of note, two alumni who were international students during their tenure at Cornell will offer specialized guidance on navigating the transition into the workforce as a foreigner. This event is open to both undergraduate and graduate students, offering a unique opportunity to learn from the real-world experiences of successful professionals and to ask questions directly related to their own academic and career aspirations. Join us for an enriching evening of networking, learning, and inspiration.

Date and Location: Thursday, Mar-28 at 3:30-5 pm in Frank Morrison Hall room 146

The panelists include:

• Erika Ganda, PhD – Assistant Professor of Food Animal Microbiomes at Penn State University
• YingFei (Fiona) Fang, MS – Industrial Operations (IO) Associate at Sanofi Pasteur
• Sara Place, PhD – Associate Professor of Feedlot Systems at Colorado State University (previously at Elanco)
• Jessica Rothman, PhD – Professor in Anthropology at Hunter CUNY
• David Wilson, PhD – Principal at DB Wilson LLC

Moderated by Susi Varvayanis, Executive Director of Careers Beyond Academia in the Graduate School Office of Career and Professional Development

About the Animal Science Graduate Student Association

The Animal Science Graduate Student Association (ASGSA) serves as a unifying force within the animal science graduate student community, facilitating connections between students and faculty. With a focus on three core principles – Professional Development, Community Outreach, and Sustainability – ASGSA is committed to enhancing the educational experience and broader impact of its members. Through Professional Development initiatives, ASGSA offers seminars, workshops, and discussions to supplement graduate coursework, fostering leadership skills and collaborative learning opportunities. Community Outreach efforts encompass community service projects such as Expanding Your Horizons (EYH) aimed at strengthening relationships between members and the wider community. ASGSA’s dedication to Sustainability involves promoting environmental stewardship and advocating for sustainable practices aligned with Cornell’s “Sustainable Campus” initiatives. Through these pillars, ASGSA strives to empower its members to make meaningful contributions to both their academic field and society at large.

This event is supported through “Create Your Own Activity” funding support for professional development from Careers Beyond Academia in concert with the organizers: Justine Galliou and Keith Oh and the Animal Science Graduate Student Association