Please enter your votes for chairs of the NextGen Association for Postdocs and Graduate Students.
Voting ends Monday, November 11, 2024 at 11:59 PM. You can vote for up to three (3) candidates.
As a reminder: The two highest-ranking candidates will be offered the co-chair positions; the remaining candidates will be offered vice-chair positions. Each position is to be held for a one-year term.
Vote here: broad.io/NextGenBallot2024
Candidates
Yossef Baidi
Hello my fellow trainees,
My name is Yossef Baidi and I am a fourth-year graduate student working in the Beroukhim Lab as part of the Cancer Program at the Broad Institute. Over the past two years I’ve had the pleasure of serving as one of the chairs of the NextGen Association and if re-elected I want to continue working to help the trainee community here! This past year I helped restart the Facing Forward series, where we bring in leading scientists to talk to trainees at the Broad. We had great discussions with our speakers David Altshuler and Stuart Schreiber. so I’m working now to bring more exciting speakers to meet with trainees next year. In addition, throughout the year NextGen has hosted socials to allow for more interaction within the trainee community, such as the pizza social hour on Tuesdays which have been very popular!
In addition to bringing more speakers for Facing Forward, for the next year I want to give more opportunities for trainees to learn about different career paths in biotech. I want to organize career panels with former trainees at the Broad, who are working in different careers such as academia, industry, VC, IP law, etc. This would be a great opportunity to hear how as a trainee you could prepare yourself for one of these careers and also network with alumni. Also I’m working with the committee to organize a Trainee Retreat for next year. My goal is that the retreat will bring the trainee community together for a day of discussions and seminars.
These past two years have been such a great time getting to connect with more of the trainee community here! If re-elected, I look forward to working with you all to improve the trainee experience here.
Ricardo Harripaul
The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard is a uniquely vibrant, collaborative, and diverse research institution. The cutting-edge science and opportunity to make the world a better place through scientific advancement has attracted and motivated many of the brightest individuals through its doors. The importance of maintaining and improving such a unique enterprise cannot be understated in an ever-changing and adapting world. I am running as a NextGen Association co-chair to improve the policies and experience of graduate students and postdocs at the Broad Institute. I want to maintain the tradition of excellence while expanding our career opportunities, training resources and improving diversity, networking and inclusion. I completed my Ph.D. at the University of Toronto and moved to the Broad during the pandemic lockdown three years ago. During my Ph.D., I served on several committees to improve computing knowledge through steering committees and developing educational workshops.
I have been at the Broad Institute for 3 yrs as a postdoctoral fellow at the Stanley Center and Medical and Population Genetics programs. During that time, I have served on the Belonging@Broad Steering Committee, the LatinX@Broad Steering Committee, Harvard Black Postdoc Association and NextGen Association. I spearheaded the LatinX Speaker Series which has the goal of promoting young researchers and trainees to a larger audience while enhancing diversity in genomics research and allowing greater networking. Through the Broad, I have taught middle school students science classes in lower income areas of Boston. Some examples of initiatives I am involved with are the Salsa Classes and Off-site Salsa social events, Next Gen Prom, and René Salazar Speaker Series – now in its third year. My experience has come from organizing and planning multi-year series and large events which is a testament to the robustness of my commitments and activities. I am currently on the trainee postdoc retreat organizing committee and have developed mentorship programs for underserved communities reaching several countries. In the last year, I have been expanding our current programs and creating new initiatives but focused more on developing and mentoring other members of the Broad to take on leadership roles while creating more collaboration between different groups. Local leadership is important but the Broad Institute functions in a larger scientific community. I am currently representing the Broad Institute and Massachusetts General Hospital on the American Society of Human Genetics Public Education and Awareness committee to improve genetics awareness and education to the general public. I strive to meet your needs as trainees and will encourage more engagement through town halls and feedback in different formats, encouraging better work life balance, networking and career development opportunities.
My future plans are for more outreach activities with the Broad in underserved and diverse communities that would otherwise not have access to large scale research institutions and more professional development opportunities. I would also like to promote more integration and networking between the different research agencies in the area. I plan on integrating more with Shades and having more cross disciplinary and cross affinity group activities. With my leadership experience at different levels of academia, industry, and international research communities, I am qualified to serve as a chair in the NextGen Association. I hope I can serve as your representative.
Alex Llamas
Hola, Broad Institute community! I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to run for the NextGen Association leadership position and be part of the ongoing journey to enhance our training environment. It’s been an incredible experience at the Broad so far, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the academic and social events organized by the NextGen association.
My vision for NextGen involves (1) creating programs that empower trainees to tackle industry and academic challenges head-on (i.e., career coaching), (2) fostering a sense of community where academic trainees can collaborate, socialize, and maintain their passion for science, and (3) promoting economic sustainability by organizing seminars that educate individuals on seizing opportunities in Massachusetts, such as affordable housing, investment strategies, opening bank accounts, savings, and 401k plans.
As a postdoctoral scholar, I’ve previously helped organize seminars (e.g., the Rene Salazar Speaker Series, LatinX), professional development courses (e.g., storytelling course, industry), and networking events (e.g., Broad salsa class, LatinX, and Broad Prom as NextGen advisor). I’m committed to building on the strong foundation laid by our past chairs and continuing to organize social and career development events.
The Broad Institute is a beacon of collaboration and diversity. I’m running for Co-Chair of the NextGen Association to preserve and fortify this unique environment. Your trust is deeply appreciated, and together, we can make the Broad Institute an even better place for all of us!
Antonino Napoleone
Ciao trainees!
My name is Antonino, a graduate student in the GPP at the Broad Institute. I am incredibly excited to run for the NextGen Association Chair and bring my experiences and enthusiasm to foster a strong, supportive community for all of us—postdocs, graduate students, and beyond.
Throughout my academic journey, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to trainee associations across Europe, from Italy to the Netherlands, Sweden, and Austria. Being involved in these diverse communities has given me a wealth of experience in building initiatives that enhance collaboration, support, and growth.
My passion lies in problem-solving, strategic thinking, and developing ideas that create meaningful impacts for the people around me. I genuinely enjoy connecting with people, approaching both challenges and successes with an open mind and a true interest in listening. I believe in the power of community, where meaningful conversations and shared experiences drive positive change. I aim to bring positive energy and enthusiasm to every group I join, promoting an environment where everyone’s voice and ideas are valued.
As an international trainee, I deeply empathize with the unique challenges that many of us face when adapting to a new country and a new job environment. I am committed to being on the front lines in supporting our community and building connections that make all of Broad’s opportunities accessible. I strongly believe that encouraging a collaborative and inclusive environment is key to overcoming challenges, and I will bring this spirit and mindset of pragmaticism, unity, and collective problem-solving to NextGen.
If elected as chair, I aim to build on the success of past initiatives while expanding resources and opportunities that align with our community’s unique needs and goals.
I envision a NextGen that strengthens career resources, fosters interdisciplinary networking, and provides outlets for managing the challenges we all face as trainees. I’m committed to creating a collaborative space where everyone can thrive and feel supported in their personal and professional journeys.
Thank you for considering me as a candidate to serve our NextGen community—together, we can make the coming year our best yet!
Petra Palenikova
Hi all! My name is Petra Palenikova and I am a third year postdoc at the Stanley Center and NNF Center for Genomic Mechanisms of Disease. Broad is an exciting place to work with almost unlimited resources, but it also comes with its challenges and pressure to perform well. I am running for the post of NextGen co-chair as I truly believe that the NextGen Association for Postdocs and Graduate Students plays an important role in building a positive work environment and community by fostering connections and friendships between all trainees. I joined NextGen two years ago, and it has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve on this committee, having an opportunity to contribute to the planning of social and career development events. I would like to continue to do this work and listen to the needs of our diverse community, from pointing new Broadies to useful resources for settling in, to planning career development events that help in deciding about moving to the next career stage in academia or industry. I would like to continue advocating for the needs of international postdocs and I am excited about helping with events that bring closer postdoc communities from Broad and other institutes in Kendall Square. I would be honored by the opportunity to represent you as a co-chair on NextGen in the upcoming year. I am always happy to meet and get to know other postdocs so don’t hesitate to reach out.
Kayla Socarras
I am a postdoctoral fellow at the Broad, running for the Co-chair position on the Next Generation Committee. Since joining the Broad in January 2023, I have been part of the Medical Population and Genetics platform and the Translational Genomics Group. In this short time, I’ve been part of the NextGen committee, where I have had the opportunity to witness the collaborative and innovative spirit of our environment, discovering numerous opportunities for trainees to explore beyond their fields and engage with the broader scientific community. I’ve also seen the strides made to enhance inclusivity and address the needs of our trainee community.
Beyond my work at the Broad as a postdoc or a member of the NextGen Association, I am a part of several groups, both within and outside of the institute. Within the Broad, I am a member of LatinX, here I facilitate different events, including fiber-related events meant to share an important art with the broader Broadie community and foster an environment of connectivity. Outside of the Broad, I am a mentor for American Women in Science and part of the programming board for the Black Microbiologist Association, the latter of which I run a seminar series to educate and provide tips on different soft skills to the greater community.
Prior to my time at the Broad, I earned my doctorate at Drexel University College of Medicine, where I identified gaps in training opportunities and inclusivity efforts for trainees. As vice president of organizations like the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Student Association and Biomedical Science Graduate Students for Diversity, I fostered a safe, inclusive, and collaborative environment for graduate students, particularly during the pandemic. My involvement with professional organizations, including the Black Microbiologist Association and the Eastern Pennsylvania Branch of the American Society of Microbiology, allowed me to focus on improving science communication and community outreach in the greater Philadelphia area. Through these roles, I organized workshops, panels, and presentations, developing media that effectively communicates scientific concepts to diverse audiences, from children to seniors.
Even though I am no longer a graduate student, I remain committed to connecting with our surrounding community, supporting fellow trainees, and fostering collaboration. My role in NextGen meetings, workshop planning, events (Trainee Prom 2023, Broad Trainee Retreat 2025, etc) organization, and community engagement have provided valuable insights into how the NextGen Committee operates within the Broad. As a nominee for co-chair, I aim to strengthen our sense of community and further NextGen’s mission of enhancing diversity, inclusion, and support for trainees.
Thank you for considering my candidacy. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to our vibrant community at the Broad.
NextGen Association 