Careers Beyond Academia

Innovation & Entrepreneurship Workshop: Choosing an Accelerator
2023-11-29 11:45 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Webinar
Learn what to consider when choosing an accelerator or incubator in this virtual session.
Register to attend.
This workshop is part of a virtual series presented in partnership with the Center for Regional Economic Advancement, a division of the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation. The series welcomes faculty, post-docs, graduate, and undergraduate students to explore the potential of launching a business grounded in their research and vision. Entrepreneurs are not required to attend every workshop, but the series is designed to explore the entrepreneurial journey from ideation to operation.

Pursuing Careers in Business Development, Corporate Research and Sales
2023-11-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
From The Versatile PhD Pathways Series:
Business development and research roles inside companies draw from a range of skills, knowledge and domain expertise. They are also significantly populated by PhDs and post-graduates around the world and can offer terrific career mobility. Dr. Ray Price has worked across many roles and brings fresh insight into what these jobs entail, how you might land one.
Presenter Bio: Ray is a pharma/biotech business development executive responsible for increasing sales and managing collaborative R&D agreements for Neuroservices Alliance by leading the commercial team. He has an MBA from INSEAD (2009), and has work experience in Japan, the US, and France. He also has a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Vanderbilt University and extensive R&D experience. Finally, Ray is the founder and owner of a (profitable!) small business that performs solutions services (medical writing and editing) for non-native English speakers, with global clients in more than 10 countries.
Register to attend.
The Versatile PhD’s PhD Pathways Series provides and “outside the academy” perspective on career preparation and job opportunities across a range of skills, trends and industries.

Careers Beyond Academia: Small group discussion
2023-11-14 14:30 - 15:30 | Zoom
Does your career plan need a tune-up? Join us online to find out how we can help you get the most out of Careers Beyond Academia. If you are interested in exploring your options and want to meet colleagues who are considering careers outside of a traditional tenure-track role, sign up for a small group session. Bring your questions, share your career aspirations and trepidations, receive guidance on how to get started on your career search, and specific advice on how to approach your advisor or make a career decision. We’ll exchange tips, tricks, and tools to efficiently explore your options, build your skills and take action to prepare for your future. Feel free to pop in anytime during this hour that suits your schedule. ALL DISCIPLINES WELCOME!
Facilitated by executive director of Careers Beyond Academia in the Graduate School, Susi Varvayanis.

Innovation & Entrepreneurship Workshop: Attracting Investment
2023-11-08 11:45 - 13:00 | Webinar
Learn how to attract investors in this virtual session.
Register to attend.
This workshop is part of a virtual series presented in partnership with the Center for Regional Economic Advancement, a division of the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation. The series welcomes faculty, post-docs, graduate, and undergraduate students to explore the potential of launching a business grounded in their research and vision. Entrepreneurs are not required to attend every workshop, but the series is designed to explore the entrepreneurial journey from ideation to operation.
Upcoming workshops include:

Choosing an Accelerator or Incubator – Wednesday, November 29 at 11:45 a.m. ET

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Virtual Research Career, Education and Training Fair
2023-11-08 11:30 - 16:30 | Webinar
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will be hosting a virtual Research Career, Education and Training Fair on Wednesday, November 8, from 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM CDT on the CareerEco platform. Registration is FREE through THIS LINK.
This event is geared towards students, trainees and professionals in biomedical research, clinical research and research information technology looking for a career that makes a difference.
Participants will learn from faculty members, researchers, employees, and students about cutting-edge research, available career and training opportunities, and benefits at St. Jude. There will be opportunities to interact one-on-one with recruiters and apply for job positions. The full agenda and schedule are available on the EVENT WEBPAGE.For questions please contact manali.ghosh@stjude.org.
St. Jude, located in Memphis, Tennessee, is a top-ranked pediatric cancer hospital and a world-renowned basic science research institute with around 170 faculty members in the basic and translational research areas. Through the creation of collaborative consortia and investment in leading-edge technologies, St. Jude tackles the most complex challenges in science and medicine.

Women in Science Now: How to Use Science to Overcome the Remaining Hurdles to Equity Public Book Talk
2023-11-06 15:30 - 17:00 | Alice Statler Auditorium, Statler Hall
Speaker: Lisa M.P. Munoz, ‘00, author and science writer
Date: November 6, 2023
Time: 3:30-5:00 pm (dessert reception to immediately follow)
Location: Alice Statler Auditorium, Statler Hall
Registration: Register via Qualtrics.
Join us for a book talk with Cornell alumna Lisa M.P. Munoz, science writer and author of “Women in Science Now: Stories and Strategies for Achieving Equity.” During this talk, Lisa will pair stories of scientists with data to explore the obstacles facing women in science at virtually every step along their career paths. She will offer an examination of this persistent gender gap, and offer new perspectives on how to make science more equitable and inclusive for all.
About Our Speaker
Lisa M. P. Munoz is the author of “Women in Science Now: Stories and Strategies for Achieving Equity.” (Columbia University Press, 2023). She is a science writer and the founder and president of SciComm Services, a science communications consulting firm. A former journalist and press officer, she has more than twenty years of experience crafting science content for scientists and the public alike. Munoz holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Engineering at Cornell University (Lisa M. Pinsker, ’00, Science of Earth Systems with a specialty in science writing).
Sponsoring Partners
Graduate School Office of Inclusion and Student Engagement, Graduate School Future Faculty and Academic Careers program, Diversity Programs in Engineering, Provost Office of Faculty Development and Diversity, an Engaged Curriculum Grant from the David M. Einhorn Center for Community Engagement, and a grant from the President’s Council of Cornell Women.

Microbiome Data Analysis Workshop
2023-11-06 10:00 - 12:00 | Corson-Mudd Hall A409, 215 Tower Rd, Ithaca, NY, 14850, United States
The workshop will cover microbiome metadata management, F.A.I.R (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data standards, and workflow standardization tools offered by the National Microbiome Data Collaborative (NMDC). Please bring a laptop if you would like to participate. Register to attend
Led by Daniel Sprockette, PhD. Learn more at: https://nmdc-edge.org

Eclectic Convergence Cornell Entrepreneurship Summit
2023-11-03 08:45 - 17:00 | Verizon Executive Education Center at Cornell Tech, 2 West Loop Road, New York, NY, 10044, United States
Full day conference at Cornell Tech featuring an eclectic mix of speakers and their personal stories and
perspectives on building their iconic enterprises. This event is a fantastic way to rub shoulders with professionals in the field and get input on projects and ideas.
For more details, visit the Eclectic Convergence 2023 website.
Sponsorship for PhD students and Postdocs to attend is available through Careers Beyond Academia. Email gradcareers@cornell.edu to request sponsorship.

Corteva-Cornell Networking Program Info Session
2023-10-30 16:00 - 17:00 | Webinar
Do you have an interest in industry or growing your network? The Corteva-Cornell Networking Program (CCNP) is a virtual networking program between Corteva Agriscience employees and graduate students to provide you with the opportunity to learn more about industry careers.
Join the informational session on Monday, October 30th from 4pm to 5pm virtually to hear Corteva representative, Ronda Hamm, PhD ’08 (Entomology) discuss her time at Corteva and answer your questions about careers in industry. Participants will also discuss the CCNP’s programming for 2023-24, which includes the opportunity to participate in 1-on-1 mentorship pairings with Corteva scientists and a possible in-person visit to Corteva HQ in Indianapolis in summer 2024!
Register for the informational session. Zoom link will be provided after registration.

Careers for PhDs: Nonprofits
2023-10-27 15:00 - 16:15 | Zoom, NY, United States
Beyond academia, few employers align better with the interests and values of PhDs than nonprofit organizations, where advanced research skills, ability in project management, and a commitment to general welfare are all in demand. But what is it really like to work for a nonprofit? Three PhD alums will share their professional journeys, daily working lives, and advice for those considering a career in the sector.
The panelists:

Andreas Kuehn, Senior Fellow, Observer Research Foundation America(PhD, Information Science and Technology, 2016)
Rikki Sargent McLaren, Director of Research & Experimentation, WorkMoney (PhD, Social Psychology, 2021)
Raed Sharif, Senior Regional Programme Manager, The SecDev Foundation (PhD, Information Science and Technology, 2013)

REGISTER

Private Contributions for the Public Good: The Role of Philanthropy in Science
2023-10-24 15:00 - 16:15 | Lecture Hall 5 Veterinary Education Center, 606 Tower Road, Ithaca, NY, 14850, United States
Lecture by Stephen Quake, Ph.D. (Andrew D. White Professor-at-Large at Cornell; Chan Zuckerberg Initiative) followed by panel discussion.
Dr. Stephen Quake is a scientist, inventor and entrepreneur whose research is at the nexus of biology, physics and technology development. Dr. Quake has received numerous awards for his work and has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, The National Academy of Medicine, and the National Academy of Inventors.
Dr. Quake was the co-president of the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub from 2016-2022 and currently serves as the Head of Science at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, roles in which he helps make strategic decisions about funding scientific initiatives.
This special seminar takes you behind the scenes of such organizations and decisions through a talk by Dr. Quake followed by a panel discussion including additional experts with experience at other funding entities.
Dr. Quake visits Cornell as an A.D. White Professor-at-Large from October 23-27, 2023.

Integrating Degree Completion and Market Preparation
2023-10-24 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom, NY, United States
You do not have to put off market preparation to finish your degree. Strategically chosen professional development activities will improve the quality of your dissertation and help you complete your work on time. With proper synergy, you can start preparing for the market early – even in the first years of your degree.
Christopher L. Pallas earned his PhD from the London School of Economics and is a Professor of Political Science at Kennesaw State University, near Atlanta (US). He has been creating professional development trainings for doctoral students for more than 10 years. In this webinar, he will draw on insights from his book, Doctoral Student Skills: Using Your Comparative Advantage to Succeed in Grad School and Prepare for the Job Market (Routledge, 2023).
This free event is hosted by Versatile PhD.
Register to attend

Rafael Luna, Novartis Institutes of BioMedical Research
2023-10-23 14:00 - 16:00 | NY
Science, entrepreneurship, higher education administration, strategy and mentoring all in one career? Dr. Luna will briefly introduce the Novartis Institute of BioMedical Research (NIBR) and its role in contributing towards biomedical education, research, and innovation. He will further discuss his career journey and give insights on how to most effectively share your research narrative. We will end with a fireside chat that will give participants a chance to ask questions and discuss graduate school, research, careers, etc.
Organized by Subash Bhandari and Ashley Cardenas, moderators, In partnership with the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Diversity Programs in Engineering, and the Department of Food Science. Hosted by Careers Beyond Academia.
About the speaker
Rafael Luna is Head of Biomedical Education & Innovation at Novartis Institutes of BioMedical Research (NIBR). He currently serves on the Advisory Council for the National Postdoctoral Association and leads several initiatives to advance biomedical research, promote career mentoring and bring together academic and industry partners to achieve these objectives. He authored the book “The Art of Scientific Storytelling” that helps readers rethink and rephrase how to share research orally and in written form so that others will read and cite your work. Copies of his book will be given away to early attendees, and to those who ask excellent questions at the talk so you too can follow his step-by-step formula to tell your research story to the public as well as scientific peers.
Register now
Lunch registration for a small group to meet with the speaker, specially for DPE and Food Science grad students, extra slots available open to all (11:30-1:30 in M24 Stocking Hall)
Event registration open to everyone! (2-4pm) Held in Stocking Hall 148.
The first 15 attendees and 5 great questions will receive a copy of his book “The Art of Scientific Storytelling“!
About the organizers
Organizers Subash Bhandari and Ashley Cardenas will be moderating the questions. They serve as the professional development team for the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) at Cornell. They made use of the Careers Beyond Academia Create Your Own Activity to fund their idea.
Host and partners
In partnership with the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Diversity Programs in Engineering, and the Department of Food Science. Hosted by Careers Beyond Academia.
Follow BMES
Twitter/X: CUbmes
Email: cornellbmes@cornell.edu
About Careers Beyond Academia
Based in Cornell Graduate School’s Office of Career and Professional Development, Careers Beyond Academia coaches research doctoral/masters students and postdocs in all disciplines to increase awareness of the myriad of careers in industry, non-profits, startups and government where your skills are needed. We help you engage with people in your targeted industry to gain understanding of the workplace to rule in or rule out certain sectors and maximize fit. We also help you develop skills and experiences to set yourself apart from other candidates and reframe the skills you have into the language of the employer (or funder). We do this through interactive workshops (e.g. improving your research communication, networking and advocacy skills), career panels and referrals to alumni or professionals in your field, and small group and individual consultations to tailor opportunities to your interests. Hop on when you’re ready to test-drive your next career step after Cornell! Tell us more about your needs by filling out this very brief intake survey.

What Can You Be with a PhD?
2023-10-22 08:00 - 17:00, 2023-10-21 08:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Session, NY, United States
What Can You Be With a PhD? is the longest-running and largest biomedical career symposium in the US, and this year’s event will take place exclusively online on October 21st and 22nd. Historically, every major academic research institution in the New York City metro area has been a co-sponsor, with considerable support from local and regional corporate sponsors. It is a fantastic way to network early with individuals in the industries you wish to explore, learn more about the day-to-day work, gain skills relevant to your job search, and see the breadth of options where your PhD skills are desperately needed in and beyond academia. It is open to all fields, all graduate students and postdocs.
“What Can You Be” is a uniquely large and wide-reaching PhD career exploration event. Graduate students and postdocs across the New York region have the opportunity to attend a range of panel discussions over two days covering careers inside and outside of academia. In addition, you can attend specific hands-on workshops on CV/resume writing, networking, conflict resolution and other leadership skills. Career sessions are spread out over the two-day conference to allow you to attend the events relevant to your career goals or avenues you would just like to explore.
Please visit the 2023 agenda to see the amazing line-up of industries, professions, and workshops lined up!
Career Panels
Consulting Careers
Careers in Science Policy
Careers in Non-Profits and Foundations
Government Careers
Public Health Careers
Careers in Disciplinary Societies
Non-Research Industry Careers
Research Careers In Industry
Careers in Bioinformatics and Genomics
Careers in Patent Law and Tech Transfer
Careers in Technology and Business Development
Careers in Finance & Equity Research
Medical Science Liaison Careers
Careers in Sales and Field Application Specialties Careers in Marketing
Careers in Data Science, Analytics & Visualization
Careers in Science Outreach and Informal Education
Careers in Publications
Careers in Medical Communications
Academia; Non-Profit & Government
Academic Careers Beyond the Tenure Track
Careers in K-12 Education
Careers in STEM Undergraduate Education
Choosing a Traditional or Non-Traditional Postdoc
Faculty Positions in Academia
Cornell is a sponsoring institution; this means you will only pay a nominal fee of $10 (which has dramatically increased attendance rates). Please use this link to register: https://whova.com/portal/registration/wcybw_202306/ and enter “cornell_2023” for the discount code that gives you the reduced admission fee of $10 using your cornell.edu email.
Workshop Topics
A Strong CV Is Not Enough: What You Don’t Know Might Hurt You
Can I Stay, Or Should I Go?: A Visa Workshop
Career Satisfaction
Confidence Coaching for PhDs
Getting Your First Job: How To Become “Business-Ready”
Grant Writing Workshop
Humble PhD and Postdoc: Overcoming Career Challenges
Interview on Zoom: Perfecting the Small Screen
Negotiations Workshop
NRSA Fellowships
Professional Development on a PhD’s Schedule
Resume Workshop

Public Communication of Science panel
2023-10-20 16:30 - 18:30 | Warren Hall 101
To kick off the weekend workshop COMM5660, there is a panel of professionals who communicate science with various publics, in many forms.
Join a panel of speakers to be inspired about how as a graduate student or postdoc you could take advantage of opportunities to engage in communication of your research, science in general, and best of all, share your passion with public audiences! Q&A and informal discussion will follow.
Learn about the wide range of opportunities for incorporating public engagement and science communication in your professional activities. Speakers will share how they got into science communication, reasons why they continue to do so, opportunities and challenges integrating communication activities as a doctoral student or postdoc. The panelists will also share specific skill to work on that are useful elsewhere, and goals they have for future science communication activities. There will be opportunities to ask questions of the panelists and informal discussion will follow.
This public panel session kicks off the COMM5660 weekend 1 credit workshop led by Bruce Lewenstein, Professor of Science Communication and Cornell Ombuds.
Panelists

Steve Strogatz, Winokur Distinguished Professor of Public Understanding of Science and Mathematics
Lisa Kaltenegger, Associate Professor of Astronomy and Director, Carl Sagan Institute
Michelle Kortenaar from the Sciencenter
Facundo Torres, PhD student in microbiology, science rapper
About COMM 5660
Starting with an in-person public panel discussion on Opportunities for Public Communication of Science, this weekend workshop trains researchers in the sciences (including natural sciences, engineering, experimental social sciences, etc.) to communicate effectively with nonscientists such as policy makers, political stakeholders, the media, and the general public. The public panel discussion on Opportunities in Science Communication kicks off the COMM 5660 course and is held Friday 4:30-6:30pm. This session is open to the public.
Learn about the range of opportunities for public engagement and ways to integrate public engagement with your other professional activities. The speakers will share how they got into science communication, reasons why they continue to do so, opportunities and challenges of integrating communication activities with other professional activities, specific skills to work on that are useful elsewhere, and goals they have for future science communication activities. There will be opportunities to ask questions of the panelists and informal discussion will follow.
All events will take place in Warren Hall 101
4:30pm Friday Opportunities for Public Communication of Science panel discussion, followed by
6:00(ish) pm Informal discussion
If you’ve enrolled in COMM 5660:
9-5 Saturday COMM 5660 continues with writing science for the public, developing and writing your own stories, a presentation on Integrating communication with your graduate research, discussion of pictures and video, and learning about the science communication system
9-5 Sunday COMM 5660 continues with re-writing press releases/blog posts following critique, developing and delivering media messages with guest speaker from Cornell Media Relations, being interviewed, science policy
Accessibility Requests
We strive to make our events accessible to all community members. Individuals who would like to request accessibility accommodations should contact gradcareers@cornell.edu. We ask that requests be made at least one week in advance to help ensure they can be met.
Starting with a public panel discussion on Opportunities for Public Communication of Science, this weekend workshop trains researchers in the sciences (including natural sciences, engineering, experimental social sciences, etc.) to communicate effectively with nonscientists such as policy makers, political stakeholders, the media, and the general public. Training activities may include role-play, mini lectures, reading/discussion, hands-on writing blog posts and other outreach materials, real-time practice being interviewed for the media, and discussion with invited speakers. Several guest speakers will be featured throughout the weekend. The below public panel discussion on Opportunities in Science Communication kicks off the COMM 5660 course and is held Friday 4:30-6:30pm. The weekend workshop runs 9-5pm Saturday and Sunday. Lunch is on your own. Must attend all three sessions for credit.
Learning Objectives:
After participating in this workshop, students will be able to:
Discuss science communication opportunities, both within traditional scientific careers and as standalone careers
Begin identifying characteristics of potential audiences for science communication
Write drafts of short texts (such as blog posts, tweets, and similar items) for non-scientific audiences
Begin planning for media interviews
Discuss social, ethical, and scholarly issues associated with science communication
Credit:
To get credit for the class you must attend all sessions. Enroll now via class roster. If past the add/drop deadline, please email Susi Varvayanis (sv27@cornell.edu) with your Cornell netID.
Testimonial:
“One of the most engaging Careers Beyond Academia/BEST experiences for me was a science communication workshop that I attended taught by Bruce Lewenstein. This was an excellent crash course on science communication and forced me to think through how the public receives and perceives scientific news and how I could best communicate my own work to the public without over complicating it.”-Felicity Emerson, Biomedical and Biological Sciences
Supported by Cornell’s Department of Communication and Careers Beyond Academia in the Graduate School.

BD Technology Leadership Development Program Info Session
2023-10-19 17:00 - 18:00, 2023-10-12 19:00 - 20:00 | Webinar
BD’s Technology Leadership Development Program (TLDP), a premiere R&D rotational program for PhDs in the STEM fields is hiring! Attend one of the virtual info sessions to learn more about the role, and to get inside tips on the application process.
Info dates:

October 12, 7PM ET
October 19, 5PM ET

RSVP for Info Sessions at BD | Event Registration (yello.co) search ‘TLDP’ on the left side
Apply at jobs.bd.com (Job ID R-474326)
Application closes October 26th at 11:59 PM PST for the 2023 fall cycle

Food Hackathon
2023-10-18 19:30 - 21:00 | Stocking Hall
There are only limited spots still available to participate in this October’s Food Hackathon. Join the more than 90 Cornell students already registered who will be tackling a variety of food innovation challenges and competing for cash prizes generously provided by our event sponsors.
No team? No problem. Kinda nervous? No worries, most students are. We’re here to support you every step of the way. It’s fun, memorable, and you’ll meet new people, make new friends, and increase your confidence.
For more information, including the weekend schedule and registration link, see https://foodhackathon.splashthat.com/.
See how synergistic thinking can drive innovative solutions. Pitch an idea or join a team Wednesday and Thursday October 18&19, then participate in the Hackathon Friday evening October 20 starting at 5pm, continuing Saturday and Sunday October 21-22, all in Stocking Hall.
A hackathon acts as a catalyst to spur innovation, collaboration, and discovery through a highly facilitated event that enables teams to design and prototype solutions. Over the course of a weekend, approximately 150 Cornell undergraduate and graduate students from diverse disciplinary backgrounds will develop a broad range of ideas and skills as they address challenges in the hackathon’s focal areas in food innovation and sustainability.
We help you find a team, come up with an idea, and support you with mentorship, workshops, food, swag, and more.
About the food hackathon
Food systems, safety, upcycling, waste reduction, nutrition, CPG. The world population is expected to exceed 9 billion by the middle of this century. Nearly a billion people around the world still suffer from hunger and poor nutrition. Major changes to food production, processing, and distribution systems are needed to ensure people everywhere have access to safe, sufficient, affordable, and nutritious food.
The transformation of global food systems will rely on the combined expertise, vision, experience, and commitment of researchers, educators, entrepreneurs, and consumers as well as industry practitioners working collectively to catalyze new ideas, drive innovation, and motivate change. Skills and knowledge from food scientists, nutritionists, engineers, social scientists, manufacturers, and more are needed to foster solution-oriented scientific discoveries to advance our transformative goals.
With the resources and mentors we gathered, it’s your opportunity to explore the impact you can make in food innovation and sustainability. It’s time to take your ideas from concept to reality. Workshops, speakers, sponsors, mentors, networking, cash prizes, and more!
150 students + 50 mentors + $10,000 in cash prizes = 1 life changing weekend Join us for ~36 hours to cook up your food innovation! From a previous Hackathon student participant:
“A HACKATHON IS RUNNING A MARATHON AND THEN A MENTOR COMES ALONG AND GIVES YOU A BICYCLE”
The schedule
October 18 – Wednesday
7:30 – 9:00PM Team Formation Session I (in-person)
Attend if you are interested in pitching an idea or challenge and discussing it to recruit prospective teammates. Those without an idea who prefer in-person discussion with potential teammates should attend. Slack and the Google Sheet are used to facilitate meeting other hackathon participants.
You will have 90 seconds to pitch an idea, after which participants can approach the person(s) whose idea they’re interested in.
October 19 – Thursday
6:00 – 7:30PM Team Formation Session II (via Zoom)
Those who were not able to attend Wednesday’s session should attend this one. If you are interested in pitching an idea or challenge, you will have 90 seconds to do so. Those without an idea or team should join this session to meet with other participants to form a team. You may continue to use Slack and the Google Sheet to facilitate meeting other hackathon participants. Jump into breakout rooms of your choice based on which idea or challenge you’re interested in.
October 20 – Friday
5:00 PM Welcome & Kick-Off
Rajni Aneja MS ’85 MBA, Managing Director, CIFS-IPP, Food Science
Hackathon introduction with Ami Stuart ’10, MS ’23 – Director-Hackathons, Entrepreneurship at Cornell
6:00 PM Dinner
Teams bond over the dinner hour
7:15 PM Fast Start Workshop
Teams participate in this interactive workshop. We run through a series of sprint exercises for teams to complete. This design-driven workshop sets teams up to successfully dive into solution development and effective teamwork over the weekend.
October 21 – Saturday
9:00 AM Breakfast, Hacking Starts, Team Registration Due
Pick up your swag! Breakfast is available to participants, mentors, sponsors, and invited guests
Student teams work in reserved spaces in Stocking Hall, Atrium, and surrounding classrooms
Each team must complete this form by 9am
10:00 AM Mentor Training
Mentors join this training session to review guidelines, process, and expectations.
Delivering feedback: There are countless ways to make a point. But being a logic bully is going to shut down the receiver. We need empathy to realize the other person doesn’t know what you know, believe what you believe, or want what you want. When we make a point, we establish our power in one way or another, but we probably don’t change very much. If all you do is make a point, you’ve handed them a story about yourself. When you make a change, you’ve helped them embrace a new story about themselves.
10:30 AM – 12:30 PMTeam Updates & Mentoring
One member of every team reports to an audience of mentors their teams: Progress, Needs, and Goals. This session creates efficiency in the mentorship process. After the updates, mentors visit teams to provide 1-on-1 guidance.
12:30 PM Lunch
Available to participants, mentors, sponsors, and invited guests.
2:00 – 2:30 PM Mentor Training
Mentors join this training session to review guidelines, process, and expectations.
2:30 – 4:30 PM Team Updates & Mentoring
One Member of every team reports to an audience of mentors their teams: Progress, Needs, and Goals. This session creates efficiency in the mentorship process. After the updates, mentors visit teams to provide 1-on-1 guidance.
4:30 – 6:00 PM Networking Break
Grab a drink, mix and mingle with students, sponsors, faculty, and mentors.
6:30 PM Dinner
Available to participants, mentors, sponsors, and invited guests
6:45 – 7:15 PM Pitch Workshop
Grab dinner and join this 20 minute session for best practices to narrate your solution, create your slides, and prepare a compelling four minute demo.
October 22 – Sunday
9:00 AM Breakfast & Team Submissions
Teams MUST complete their final project submission by 9am. One submission per team.
9:30 – 11:30 AM Team Demos
Teams are sorted into one of four rooms to pitch live to a panel of judges. Pitches are 4 minutes, followed by 4 minutes of Q&A. Judges are assigned to each room.
11:30 AM Lunch & Retrospective
Participants, mentors, sponsors, and judges – grab lunch and join us for the interactive retrospective.
12:15 – 2:30 PM Finalist Demos
The highest scoring teams from the morning, present again during this final round
2:45 PM Conclusion
Winners announced and prizes awarded

P&G Information Session
2023-10-18 17:00 - 18:30 | Online
If you are interested in a career of applied research beyond academia and are within 24 months of completing your doctoral program or post-doc appointment at Cornell, please keep reading.
P&G is hiring qualified doctoral and postdoctoral scientists for a variety of challenging Research & Development positions (including Ph.D. internships) in Cincinnati, Ohio. R&D professionals at P&G work with advanced technology to create products that improve the lives of the world’s consumers. P&G brands are trusted in millions of living rooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and bathrooms—and have been recommended for generations. Over the course of more than 180 years, P&G brands and innovation have challenged convention, solved consumer tensions, and helped shape culture.
Register for the Oct 18 info session
If you are interested in learning more about R&D scientists and career opportunities within P&G, sign up for a virtual info session with Q&A on Wed 10/18 from 5:00-6:30 pm with P&G Doctoral Recruiters. Additionally, you will learn the steps and tips on how to apply to the P&G job postings and increase your chances of success.
Open positions at P&G
P&G is looking to hire talent for their R&D team, so browse the open positions for PhDs and find a role that fits your educational background and skillset. If you’re excited about using integrative thinking to take on tough business problems and ready to flex your critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, a P&G R&D career could be the perfect fit for you. Below are a few examples of the current postings for PhDs.
Life Sciences, Regulatory, Environmental Science, Biology, Bio Science & Engineering

R&D Microbiologist – PhD, Biotechnology Scientist or Engineer – PhD, and Biosciences – Senior Scientist
Environmental Sustainability Leader and Life Cycle Expert – PhD
Global Safety Surveillance and Analysis Product Vigilance Manager – PhD / PharmD
Scientist (Ph.D.), Human Safety Toxicologist, Global Grooming

Physical Sciences and Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, Mechanical Engineering

Analytical & Measurement Science – PhD, Chemists, Material Scientists or Chemical Engineers
Liquid Detergents Product Design Scientist – PhD, Chemists, Material Scientists or Chemical Engineers
Chemical Engineer with Experience in Polymers – PhD Chemical Engineers
Experimental & Computational Polymer Chemist – PhD Chemists, Material Scientists or Chemical Engineers

Data Science, Machine Learning, Statistics, Computational Chem/Bio, Chemometrics, Bioinformatics, Modeling

PhD Data Scientist (Machine Learning and Operations Research)
Data Scientist (PHD Degree) Internship, Senior Data Scientist – Model Risk, and Data Scientist
Bayesian Statistician (Mason, OH)

View more open positions.

STEM PhD Virtual Networking Session
2023-10-17 17:00 - 19:00 | Webinar
If you are a Ph.D. candidate looking for a great way to connect with employers, you are invited to participate in the STEM Ph.D. Virtual Networking Fair, hosted by Cornell Engineering Career Center and Careers Beyond Academia.
Register in Handshake.

A Career in Genomics Sciences
2023-10-16 14:30 - 15:45 | Stocking Hall 146 (the PepsiCo Auditorium)
Cornell PhD (microbiology) alumna Dr. Karen Nelson is the Chief Scientific Officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific and previously served as President of the J. Craig Venter Institute. She is the 2023 Dale Bauman lecture invited speaker.
“A Career in the Genomics Sciences” speaker:
Karen Nelson, Ph.D.
Chief Scientific Officer
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Frederick, MD
October 16 at 2:30 pm in the main PepsiCo Auditorium of Stocking Hall
Abstract:
The human microbiome refers to all the microorganisms that live in and on the human body. It is now estimated that about 57% of the cells in the human body are microbial cells and that 99% of the genes present in the human body are microbial genes. These microbial species and their associated genetic information have a significant impact on human health and disease. A prior team led by Dr. Nelson at the J. Craig Venter Institute published the first human metagenomics study in 2006 which went on to be the foundation for several large scale domestic and global sponsored research projects on the human microbiome. In parallel, many startups formed to investigate the potential of these species, as well as collaborations between pharma, biotech and academia. Today, the human microbiome remains a vast treasure trove of information that we are still trying to understand. In her presentation, Dr. Nelson will review how her work at Cornell in the Animal Sciences Department gave her the critical foundation for a successful career in the non-for-profit sciences and in Industry.
Agenda
Welcome (Xingen Lei)
Introduction of the Bauman Lecture (W. Ron Butler)
Introduction of the Lecturer (Angela Poole)
Lecture (Karen Nelson): “A Career in the Genomics Sciences”
Presentation of the Lecture Plaque to Dr. Nelson (D. E. Bauman)
Questions and Discussion (Syed H. Rizvi)
Remarks by Dr. Bauman
Adjourn
About the speaker
Dr. Karen Nelson is the Chief Scientific Officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific. Prior to that she was the President of the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), where she held several positions of increasing responsibility over the years, including Director of JCVI’s Rockville Campus, and Director of Human Microbiology and Metagenomics in the Department of Human Genomic Medicine at the JCVI. Dr. Nelson received her undergraduate degree from the University of the West Indies, and her Ph.D. from Cornell University. She has authored or co-authored over 230 peer reviewed publications, edited three books, and is currently Editor-in-Chief of the journal Microbial Ecology. She has served on the Editorial Boards of PNAS Nexus, BMC Genomics, GigaScience, and the Central European Journal of Biology. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, an Honorary Professor at the University of the West Indies and a Helmholtz International Fellow. Dr. Nelson is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). Dr. Nelson has led several genomic and metagenomic efforts, including the first human metagenomics study that was published in 2006, and studies of the ecology of the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals. In her current role she oversees the R&D operations of Thermo Fisher.
About the Dale. E. Bauman Lecture at Cornell
The Dale E. Bauman Lecture was created by the Faculty of the Department of Animal Science at Cornell University in 2017 to recognize the remarkable career accomplishments and outstanding contributions of Professor Emeritus Dale E. Bauman to animal biology, food science, and nutritional biochemistry. Initial endowment has been funded from gifts of individual faculty members to inaugurate this exciting lecture series.
Dr. Dale E. Bauman is Liberty Hyde Bailey Professor Emeritus at Cornell University. Raised on a Michigan dairy farm, he received his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Michigan State University and the University of Illinois. Bauman’s research focus has included lactation biology, regulation of metabolism and nutrient partitioning, production of animal-derived functional foods and environmental impact of animal production.
Recently named as one of the “World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds”, he has coauthored more than 800 scientific articles. Bauman has received awards from several scientific and professional societies as well as the USDA Distinguished Service Award and the Alexander Von Humboldt Award for Agriculture Research. Elected to the National Academy of Sciences, Bauman has been member of several USDA Advisory Committees and served as President of American Society for Nutrition and Chairman of the National Academy of Sciences Board on Agriculture & Natural Resources.
The Bauman Lecture is sponsored by
Department of Animal Science, Department of Food Science, Division of Nutritional Sciences
Your generous donations will be invaluable to promote and sustain the Dale E. Bauman Lecture as an annual event at Cornell University. Donations should be forwarded to: The Dale E. Bauman Lecture, Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Morrison Hall, Room 149, Ithaca, New York 14853. If you have any questions about the program please contact Dr. X. G. Lei (e-mail xl20@cornell.edu or phone 607-254-4703).

Share research and ideas with Syngenta
2023-10-11 15:30 - 17:30 | 102 Mann Library, 237 Mann Drive, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States
Calling a select group of doctoral students and postdocs doing research related to the mission of Syngenta loosely in several focus areas. This opportunity is designed to source ideas from many different disciplines, from plant, soil, and animal sciences, to nutrition, chemistry, microbiology, or engineering fields. Especial interest has been expressed by the Syngenta team to discuss:
Research focus areas of interest
Production environments and cropping systems in addition to dairy – specifically: grain corn, soybean, wheat, cover crops, oil seed crops; international large scale systems; and to a lesser extent silage, vegetables, and international smallholders
Soil health – specifically: regenerative solutions, tillage systems, bionutrient processing and cycling, benchmarking/assessment/interpretation, cover crops
Nitrogen management – specifically N and soil health, digital technologies, efficiency and precision
Dairy value chain – specifically methane, feed quality and efficiency–especially with the Syngenta product Enogen; and to a lesser extent manure processing
Meet the team from Syngenta:
Matt Wallenstein – Chief Soil Scientist
Jordon Wade – Soil Health Assessment Group Leader
Clint Truman – Soil Health and Sustainability Science Group Leader
Abbey Wick – Soil Health Academy Group Leader
Jason Neff – Soil and Climate Innovation Principal Scientist
Pete Eure – R&D Regional Head (Eastern US)
Larissa Smith, BS’98, MS’06– R&D Scientist
Chris Cook – Head of Business Development and Stewardship (Global Seeds)
Reb Daly – Science Strategy and Operations Lead
Structure of the session
Specifically, the session will start with a corporate overview and brief introductions by the Syngenta team, followed by flash talks by student/postdoc participants, and deep-dive discussions into the potential research overlap of projects to meet mutually sought after objectives. Participants will also learn about the career trajectories of the Syngenta team members.
Date and location
3:30-5:30 pm in Mann 102 on Wednesday October 11, 2023 (just off the Mann Library lobby)
Facilitator and host
Discussion facilitated by Susi Varvayanis, Executive Director of the Graduate School’s Careers Beyond Academia
Visit hosted by CALS Office of Research and Innovation
How to apply
This is a high-touch intensive participation event for a select group of doctoral and postdoctoral researchers who have an interest in Syngenta’s mission and research overlap. If you hope to be involved in the discussion, please email Susi Varvayanis at <sv27@cornell.edu> ASAP with your expression of interest, motivation and any questions you might have. The week prior to the event, a meeting will be convened for participants to practice flash talks, with tips and feedback. This is a limited opportunity, so please respond sooner than later!

Science Journal Editors Give Advice!
2023-10-10 14:00 - 15:30 | Webinar
Are you getting ready to publish your research? Wondering how to maximize your chances of getting your paper accepted? Learn from the experts on publishing your work in journals. What are some common author mistakes? Where do you send a paper next if one is rejected? Join us to find out and bring your questions with you.
This year panelists include:

Dr. Lisa Fortier, DVM, PhD, DACVS: Editor-in-Chief of Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Journal of Veterinary Research, and James Law Professor of Large Animal Surgery in Clinical Sciences at the College of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Emmanuel Giannelis, PhD: Professor of Materials Science and Engineering and Director of Engineering Innovations on Medicine Initiative
Dr. Andrea Lodi, PhD: Co-Editor for Mathematical Programming, an Area Editor for INFORMS Journal on Computing, Editor in several other prestigious journals, and Andrew H. and Ann R. Tisch Professor at the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute at Cornell Tech and the Technion
Dr. Joseph Safdieh, MD FAAN: Editor in Chief of Neurology Today, Gertrude Feil Associate Dean of Curricular Affairs, Vice Chair of Education, and Professor of Neurology at Weill Cornell Medical College

While the anticipated audience is graduate students in the sciences from across Cornell, interested faculty, clinicians, staff, professional students, and undergraduates are also welcome!
Event details and Zoom link

Cornell Engineering Luncheon: Commercialization Resources
2023-10-06 12:00 - 13:00 | 116 Upson Hall, 124 Hoy Rd., Ithaca, NY, 14853
Connect with other Cornell Engineering researchers and learn about the entrepreneurship resources available to you at this exclusive lunchtime event. Hosted by the Cornell Engineering Entrepreneurs in Residence program, this luncheon will feature networking and information about mentorship, funding opportunities, legal guidance, and entrepreneurship programs available to Cornell engineers.
This event is open to Cornell PhDs and postdocs in the College of Engineering only. Lunch will be served.
Register: https://bit.ly/3qFa7AN

Innovation & Entrepreneurship Workshop: Protecting Your IP
2023-10-04 11:45 - 13:00 | Webinar
Learn how to protect your intellectual property in this virtual session.
Register to attend.
This workshop is part of a virtual series presented in partnership with the Center for Regional Economic Advancement, a division of the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation. The series welcomes faculty, post-docs, graduate, and undergraduate students to explore the potential of launching a business grounded in their research and vision. Entrepreneurs are not required to attend every workshop, but the series is designed to explore the entrepreneurial journey from ideation to operation.
Upcoming workshops include:

Attracting Investment – Wednesday, November 8 at 11:45 a.m. ET
Choosing an Accelerator or Incubator – Wednesday, November 29 at 11:45 a.m. ET

Should I Do a Postdoc?
2023-10-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Are you a graduate student wondering if you might want to seek a postdoctoral position on the way to the next stage of your career? Come hear an interactive presentation and engage in breakout discussion and question and answer by general field of study. Topics discussed will include: reasons to do a postdoctoral position, types of postdocs, how to apply and get funded.
Register to attend.
Presented by Graduate School Career and Professional Development staff and aimed at Ph.D. students and postdoctoral scholars.
Presenters: Christine Holmes, Director of Postdoctoral Studies; Colleen McLinn, Associate Dean for Professional Development, and Susi Varvayanis, Executive Director of Careers Beyond Academia

Merck Preclinical Development visit to Cornell
2023-10-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Biotechnology Building, G01, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States
Join scientists from Preclinical Development at Merck for a session where you will learn how a variety of disciplines are involved in bringing pharmaceuticals from discovery, through development, and to the clinic. You’ll hear from Merck scientists about their career paths and how you might leverage your training for exciting positions in pharmaceutical development. The session will include a round table/Q&A session with Merck scientists (including Cornell alumni), and you’ll learn how to stay up to date about openings in Preclinical Development. Broadly, this session will be of interest to trainees in a variety of fields of biological sciences, chemistry, and/or data science who would like to learn more about careers in the pharmaceutical industry.
The Merck recruiting team has made a web page for the visit, where you can register for the event, add your information to receive email updates about job vacancies and hiring events, and upload your resume, if you wish.
Held 10am-1pm in G01 Biotech. Lunch will be provided. Hosted by Careers Beyond Academia in the Graduate School in collaboration with Merck.
Speakers
Jeanine Ballard, MS is a Sr. Principal Scientist in the department of Drug Metabolism at Merck Research Labs, specializing in the areas of preclinical ADME and translational PK-PD.  She received B.S. and M.S. degrees in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the State University of New York at Buffalo.  She joined Merck in 2004 as a Staff Chemist, and over the next 9 years provided ADME support for small molecule discovery programs in the areas of Neuroscience and Infectious Disease.  In 2012, her role expanded to include modeling and simulation for translational pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and now covers indications spanning all therapeutic areas and modalities.  She is also actively involved in the development of platforms to improve data capture and integration to facilitate efficient identification of quality preclinical candidates in discovery programs, as well as mentoring more junior scientists in the areas of ADME and modeling and simulation.
Kristen A. Roosa, PhD’15 is an Associate Principal Scientist in the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology group, part of the Nonclinical Drug Safety division, at Merck. She conducts animal studies to assess potential risks of new pharmaceuticals to human fertility, embryo-fetal and postnatal development and serves as a subject matter expert for teams developing strategies for nonclinical safety assessment programs. She completed her PhD in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences program at Cornell in 2015, started her career in academia at a primarily undergraduate institution, and then made the move to industry in 2021.
Peter Zhiping Zhang, PhD’21 is a senior specialist/scientist in data science in Drug Metabolism at Merck, working on data-driven modeling, data auto-capturing and validation, machine learning and AI in drug R&D. He received his Ph.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Cornell in 2021, and worked at GSK and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, before joining Merck in 2021.
Daniel JS McArdle, MS, MSM is a senior specialist in project planning and SEND in NDS Operations at Merck. He provides detailed technical and operational control over project management and administrative process within Nonclinical Drug Safety (NDS). He is leading a nearly $100 million-dollar project planning, development, and execution of integrated lab modernization effort across the entire Merck Research Labs (MRL) landscape. He is currently submitting his final project for his DHSc at A.T. Still University of Health Sciences. Prior to joining Merck in 2019, he started at GSK in 2016 in diagnostic and clinical microbiology.

Leadership Workshop: Media Relations & Student Life
2023-09-29 13:00 - 14:00 | Webinar
In this workshop, there will be discussion on best practices when engaging with external, independent media outlets. The session will include an overview of the current media landscape and some tips on how to best craft and deliver your message.
Register to attend.

CTL IP Series: Understanding the Technology Transfer Process
2023-09-27 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
The Center for Technology Licensing Intellectual Property (IP) series features guest speakers who will provide an overview of the different types for IP, updates on the latest changes in the IP landscape, and impact on strategies for protecting Cornell IP.
For the first IP Series of the season, the Center for Technology Licensing team will present the technology transfer process at Cornell and will outline:

The groups at CTL (Ithaca and Weill Cornell in NYC) and the services offered to the research community
University Technology Transfer – Bayh-Dole Act
Patent Law Primer
Marketing and Evaluating Your Invention

Presenters:

Lisa Placanica, Sr. Managing Director, CTL@WCM
Bill Pegg, Director, Intellectual Property
Phil Owh, Director, Licensing & Business Development – Life Sciences
Martin Teschl, Director, Licensing & Business Development – Physical Sciences
Lynda Inséqué, Assistant Director, Technology Initiatives & Outreach

Register to attend.
