NextGen Association 2025 Ballot

On November 7, 2025November 10, 2025 By nextgenassociationIn Uncategorized

Please enter your votes for chairs of the NextGen Association for Postdocs and Graduate Students.

Voting ends Friday, November 14, 2025 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.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions at traineeaffairs@broadinstitute.org.

🗳️ CAST YOUR BALLOT

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Yossef Baidi

Hi everyone.

My name is Yossef Baidi and I am a fifth-year graduate student working in the Beroukhim Lab within the Cancer Program at the Broad Institute. For the past three years I’ve had the pleasure of serving as one of the chairs of the NextGen Association and I’m running for re-election to continue working to help the trainee community here! Over the past year, I continued organizing the Facing Forward series by moderating a fascinating discussion with Bill Kaelin and I’m working now to confirm more exciting speakers to meet with trainees next year. In addition, I helped organize the Trainee Retreat which was a great way to bring trainees together and hear more about various career paths. Finally, from my work with the Harvard Biotech Club (HBC) I’ve organized collaborations between HBC and NextGen, with one of those events being a live podcast interview with Peter Kolchinsky, founder and Managing Partner at RA Capital, at the Broad (to check out this interview as well as other interviews check out our podcast website: https://www.thepulsepodcast.org/).

In addition to continuing the Facing Forward series and collaborations with other groups in Boston like HBC, I want to provide more opportunities for trainees to learn about different careers in biotech. For instance, I want to organize more career panels with former trainees at the Broad, who are working in different careers such as academia, industry, VC, IP law, etc. These events are great opportunities for us trainees to hear how we can prepare ourselves for one of these careers and allow us to network more with alumni. Also, I want to organize more events where trainees can socialize with one another. Currently we have the pizza social hours on Tuesdays to bring the trainee community together and I am working with the Office of Academic Affairs to plan other types of social events for trainees.

I’ve had a great time connecting with more of the trainee community at the Broad these past three years! If re-elected, I look forward to working with you all again to continue improving the trainee experience here!

Chris Etienne

As a PhD candidate at Harvard University and a member of the Broad Institute’s Cancer Program (CP), I’ve had the privilege of working at the intersection of groundbreaking science and a vibrant, collaborative community. Since joining the Broad, I’ve served as a co-chair for the African, African-American, and Afro-Caribbean (A4C) affinity group, and as a member of the CP Innovators in Cancer Seminar Series (ICSS) committee, where I helped organize social events and scientific talks designed to foster connection, dialogue, and inclusion across research programs. These experiences have deepened my appreciation for the Broad’s unique culture: one that thrives on curiosity, openness, and shared purpose.

I’ve also had the pleasure of being a member of the NextGen Association and have greatly benefited from the many events, networking opportunities, resources, and community initiatives it provides. From professional development panels to social gatherings, these programs have played a key role in helping me build connections across disciplines and navigate my training experience at the Broad. I’ve seen firsthand how impactful NextGen can be in supporting trainees and cultivating a strong sense of belonging.

I am running for NextGen Co-Chair because I’m passionate about strengthening and expanding that community further. As trainees, we are united by both our pursuit of scientific excellence and our shared need for mentorship, professional growth, and inclusion. If elected, I am committed to building on NextGen’s success by:

Creating more opportunities for interdisciplinary engagement across programs.
Expanding NextGen’s reach to engage with affiliated institutions such as Harvard, MGH, and MIT.
Continuing to organize inclusive, community-building events that connect trainees both socially and scientifically.

The Broad and NextGen have each provided me with an incredible environment to learn, grow, and connect. I would be honored to give back by helping to further strengthen and expand this network, ensuring that all trainees feel supported, valued, and inspired to thrive as part of the Broad community.

Ana Gonzalez Ramos

Hola Broad Community!

My name is Ana Gonzalez Ramos, a Wallenberg Postdoctoral Fellow in the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research here at the Broad Institute. Since joining in February 2023, I’ve been amazed by the science here, but even more by its vibrant and collaborative community. I also know that working and progressing in your career in such a high-performing environment comes with its own challenges. That’s why I believe NextGen is so crucial; it helps to build a supportive community of trainees and provides the resources we all need to thrive and ultimately succeed. My positive experience on the Trainee Retreat steering committee inspired me to run for chair and take a more active role in this work.

If elected, I will be a chair who continues to listen to the needs of our diverse community and turns feedback into action. My focus would be on: (1) Strengthening our community: As an international postdoc myself, I know it can be tough to find your footing. I’m passionate about helping new Broadies navigate the system and will also champion fun events like pizza socials that let us all connect and de-stress; (2) Expanding career development: I want to build on successful programs by creating new workshops and panels to help us navigate the next steps, whether in academia, industry, or another path. As organizer of the ‘Careers over Coffee’ seminars for Women@Broad, I’m excited to create more opportunities for everyone to learn from the journeys of leaders in our field.

I am confident in my ability to lead the NextGen Association. I currently serve on the Women@Broad steering committee and co-chaired the W@B 2025 Symposium. During my Ph.D., I represented my peers on the doctoral council and for a large EU consortium, giving me extensive experience in organizing events, managing budgets, and advocating for my fellow trainees.

I am eager to serve as your advocate and excited for what we can accomplish together!

Bryan Hsu

Hi all! My name is Bryan Hsu and I am a second year graduate student in the Sabeti lab. Over the past year, I’ve really been impressed by the Broad’s efforts to create an environment that fosters the active exchange of ideas among trainees in many disparate areas. Having seen how both traditional academic labs as well as industry operate, the Broad combines the best aspects of both worlds. These organized opportunities for learning and socializing are just one of the privileges we enjoy being a part of the Broad community. Nothing was ever accomplished without planning and preparation, and I’d like to be able to continue making these opportunities happen for the next generation of Broadies as a committee member! I’ve been a part of leadership in various organizations for years–academic clubs, affinity groups, musical ensembles, and even a pet rescue, and I know what it takes to ideate, plan and follow through.

As a NextGen committee member, I’ll prioritize educational and enjoyable events. As a grad student, I understand that your time is precious, and that’s why I aim to create events that will allow you to take a quick break from research and walk away having learned something new. From coffee chats to trainee retreat, I will always be putting your interests first when planning! I can’t promise anything, but I’ll try my best to include a tasty incentive, whenever possible. 🙂

Thank you for reading and I hope to meet you at a NextGen event soon!

Antonia Kowalewski

Hi fellow Broad trainees!

I’m Antonia Kowalewski, a third-year PhD student in the Getz Lab in the Cancer Program. I’ve been involved with NextGen since joining the Broad over a year ago and am now running to be a NextGen Association Chair to help make the Broad an even better place for trainees.

If elected, I’d continue supporting trainee favorites like the biweekly Afternoon (Pizza!) Social and the Trainee Retreat, while introducing new initiatives such as a talk series to practice conference presentations, alumni career chats to tap into the hidden job market, and an anonymous feedback system for reporting concerns.

While ideas are one thing, I also have the experience and connections to make them happen. As Co-President of the Harvard Griffin GSAS Science Policy Group and a program representative on the Harvard Griffin GSAS Graduate Student Council, I have experience planning large events and turning ideas into action. At the Broad, I volunteer at the Broad Discovery Center, am active in the Sustainability@Broad and Scicommers@Broad affinity groups, and am an application reader for the Broad Summer Scholars Program. I’m also passionate about fostering positive workplace environments, having co-founded the Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Alliance in my department at my undergraduate university. Finally, as an international student, I’m mindful of the challenges many of us face around visa uncertainty and funding access, and will continue to push for increased support for international trainees.

Thanks for considering my candidacy. I’d be honored to represent and advocate for all of you!

Petra Palenikova

Hi all! My name is Petra Palenikova and I am a fourth year postdoc at the Stanley Center and NNF Center for Genomic Mechanisms of Disease. Broad is an exciting place to work, 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 three 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.

Liz Yee

Hi everyone! My name is Liz Yee and I am a second-year post doc in the Bhattacharyya Lab part of the Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program. I am a born and raised Bostonian but after several years away for my PhD and the transient nature of student life I was looking for ways to make new connections in my home city. NextGen has helped me build an amazing community of fellow trainees where I have met some truly brilliant and kind people that I am lucky to call friends. From social hours to seminars on career development and workshops on how to write grants I have really gained a lot of skills from its programming. If elected, I would love to help NextGen continue to grow in professional development programming to help trainees prepare for their future careers and to also grow outreach initiatives with the Cambridge and Greater Boston area. I have served as Vice President and Outreach Chair for the Association for Women in Science (AWIS) during my time in graduate school at the University of Notre Dame. I worked with my fellow board members to champion and support women in science through our STEMentors program, organize community outreach events, panel discussions surrounding issues of women in STEM and more. It would be an honor to serve as a chair of this wonderful organization and help fellow Broadies!

Justin Yin

Hello everyone,

My name is Justin (Zhangyuan) Yin, and I’m a postdoc in the Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program and Klarman Cell Observatory. Over the past two years, I’ve appreciated how NextGen events like pizza social hours, cross-institute networking, and trainee retreat/prom helped me meet incredible colleagues/friends, find unexpected inspiration, and have lots of fun. These moments reminded me how valuable it is to feel supported and connected with each other. I want to help continue and expand that experience for everyone.

Since joining the Broad, I have been part of the Asian and Asian American Steering Committee, where we organized cultural celebrations such as Lunar New Year and Diwali, as well as bonding events like tea time and movie screenings. During graduate school, I helped plan departmental retreats, Halloween contests, Christmas celebrations, and co-organize the weekly institute colloquium and Professional Development Seminar Series. These experiences showed me how small, thoughtful actions/events, like sharing food, stories, or laughter, can make people feel welcome, energized, and part of a community.

My vision for NextGen is to help every trainee feel supported, making it easier to succeed (survive) and more enjoyable to navigate graduate and postdoc life. If elected, I will continue the valuable traditions already in place and actively listen to YOUR needs through town halls, surveys, or casual conversations. I would also advocate for:

Initiatives such as a Trainee Spotlight Seminar Series, where our amazing fellow trainees, rather than established faculty, can present their science to a broader audience for feedback, which can be a mock job talk, defense practice, or seminar presentation.
More opportunities for panel discussions and networking with former Broadies in diverse careers including biotech, investment, policy, consulting, or law.
Supporting trainee well-being and mental health by collaborating with BroadLife to create safe, open spaces to discuss stress and burnout during this challenging time.
Developing a Trainee Resource Hub, a central place where all trainees can quickly access event lists, workshop resources, funding opportunities, career information, and etc.

The Broad is home to incredible science, but its true strength lies in its people. I would be honored to help make it a place where every trainee can thrive, feel supported, and enjoy the journey. Thank you for considering my candidacy.

Hui Zhong

Hi fellow Broadies! My name is Hui Zhong. I am a second-year postdoc in Vamsi Mootha’s lab as part of the Metabolism program. Over the last year, I participated in and benefited from many supportive activities organized by NextGen. This experience has inspired me to contribute my own ideas and energy to our community.

My vision for NextGen centers on three key areas:

1. Strengthen Community cohesion. The Broad Institute is home to brilliant minds from all over the world. I plan to organize events to foster interaction and friendship, ensuring we build a strong and supportive network.

2. Career development in academia. Each year, the Broad invites excellent professors from across the world to give presentations about their work. It would be great if the trainees could have lunch or conversations with these professors and ask questions that are important for young and early career researchers.

3. Career development outside academia. Sessions focused on non-academic careers, such as in industry, offer great guidance and networking opportunities to trainees. Additionally, practical sessions on topics such as affordable housing and personal financial planning are good for the maintenance of high quality of life.

My internal and external experience has prepared me to deliver on these goals. I served on the 4th Broad Trainee Retreat committee starting last year, gaining firsthand insight into event planning here. Externally, I have helped organize large-scale events organized by the Harvard Medical School Chinese Scientists and Scholars Association, such as the Harvard Chinese Life Science Annual symposium, an annual BBQ event and Spring Festival celebration, each attracting over 200 participants. During my Ph.D., I helped my mentor organize academic seminars. My experience includes roles focused on the community well-being. For example, I served as a school mental health representative during my undergraduate studies and organized monthly broad games across institutions during my Ph.D. studies.

I am confident that my experience and dedicated vision will enable me to serve our community effectively as part of NextGen. I hope you can vote for me as your representative.

NextGen Association 2024 Ballot

On November 5, 2024November 5, 2024 By nextgenassociationIn Uncategorized

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.

Vote here: broad.io/NextGenBallot2024

Candidates

Yossef Baidi
Ricardo Harripaul
Alex Llamas
Antonino Napoleone
Petra Palenikova
Kayla Socarras

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.

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 2023 Ballot

On October 17, 2023October 17, 2023 By nextgenassociationIn Uncategorized

Please enter your votes for chair of the NextGen Association for Postdocs and Graduate Students. Voting ends Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 11:59 PM. You can vote for up to four (4) candidates.

👉 CAST YOUR BALLOT HERE: broad.io/NextGenBallot2023

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions at traineeaffairs@broadinstitute.org.

Candidates

Yossef Baidi
Matthew Brown
Choah Kim
Ricardo Harripaul
Thomas Hercher
Edgar Alejandro Llamas Mejia
Guilia Monti
Petra Palenikova
Maria Virginia Ruiz Cuevas
Srijit Seal
Kayla M. Socarras

Yossef Baidi

My fellow trainees,

My name is Yossef Baidi and I am a third-year graduate student working in the Beroukhim Lab as part of the Cancer Program at the Broad Institute. Over the past year I have had the pleasure of serving as one of the chairs of the NextGen Association and if re-elected I want to make this next year even better for the trainee community! In June, NextGen hosted the first Trainee Prom at the Broad and it was a huge success with many of the trainee community showing up to celebrate with each other in the theme of the Roaring 20s! Also, throughout the year we have hosted Trainee Alumni Social Mixers to allow current Broad trainees to network with trainee alumni and to hear more about the different career opportunities they have pursued.

While we have accomplished a lot this past year, there is still a lot more I want to do to foster community among Broad trainees and to provide more resources/opportunities for us trainees to prepare for our next steps after working here. With regards to building community, the NextGen Association is working on the Trainee Retreat for next year which we hope will be bring the trainee community together for a day of discussions and seminars. And we are planning to have more regular events throughout the year, such as a trivia social and working with a local animal rescue to have a dog petting/adoption event, to allow trainees to stay connected. In terms of professional development, we are continuing our Facing Forward speaker series, where we bring in leading scientists to talk to trainees about the challenges they have faced and how they have dealt with them. And we are excited to bring in a former Broadie who is currently an industry leader to speak at this series early next year!

This past year has been amazing getting to connect with more of the trainee community here! If re-elected I look forward to continue advocating for all trainees and improving the trainee experience here.

Matthew Brown

Hi all! My name is Matthew Brown and I am postdoc working in the Greka lab as part of the Kidney Disease Initiative. During my time so far at Broad, NextGen has provided fantastic academic, social, and professional opportunities, enriching my postdoc experience. I’m excited about the opportunity to serve trainees at the Broad through NextGen and continue supporting the organization’s outstanding initiatives and events to positively impact every trainee. I aim to listen and convey the needs of both postdocs and graduate students along with advocating for initiatives to ease the strain of the increasing cost-of-living. I have previously had the privilege to serve as a NextGen vice chair and hope to continue representing and supporting trainees at the Broad. Thank you for your consideration!

Choah Kim

Hello! I am a postdoc in the Greka Lab here at the Broad Institute. Through working at the Broad the past five years, I have met inspiring individuals and attended career events and scientific talks hosted by groups like the NextGen Association that have enriched my experience as a trainee. As your representative, I would like to continue to expand opportunities for social and scientific networking as well as career development events to support postdocs and graduate students in planning for their next career stages. I have previously served in program leadership positions to organize events, gain feedback from participants, and find ways to support those in our organization. I look forward to having the opportunity to use these experiences to serve you all as a NextGen chair.

Ricardo Harripaul

The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard is a uniquely vibrant, collaborative, and diverse research institution. The cutting-edge science and the 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. During my Ph.D., I served on several committees to improve computing knowledge through steering policies and developing educational workshops.

I have been at the Broad Institute for 2 yrs and three months as a postdoctoral fellow at the Stanley Center and Medical and Population Genetics. During that time, I have served on the Belonging@Broad Steering Committee, the LatinX Steering Committee. Harvard 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 the diversity in genomics research and allowing greater networking. Through the Broad, I have taught middle school students science classes through a grassroots initiative. 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 second 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 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. I am also an American Society of Human Genetics Scholar and Policy and Advocacy Fellow. I interact with a larger network including industry partners.

With my leadership experience at different levels of academia, industry, and international research communities, I am qualified to serve as a co-chair in the NextGen Association. I hope I can serve as your representative.

Thomas Hercher

As elected chair my goal will be to build on and expand the existing infrastructure at Broad to improve the postdoc level communication between labs. This will permit us to benefit from the Broads collaborative culture and community for the rest of our career’s.

By using the resources available to the NextGen association I believe we can identify ways to help both wet and dry lab scientists tackle the obstacles preventing us from forming connections that we will be able to draw on in the future.

I am French-German and currently a wet lab postdoc, starting my third year of research at the Broad. As an international I have a deep appreciation for the cultural diversity of our community. Although primarily based at the Broad I am regularly at MGH and hope we will be able to build on the cross-community integration already present in many Broad labs.

I was taught that it is our duty to improve our institute for the coming generations of postdocs, as past members of the NextGen organisation paved the road we are on currently. I hope you will trust me with your vote.

Edgar Alejandro Llamas Mejia

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!

Guilia Monti

Hello everyone! My name is Giulia Monti and I’m a postdoc in the Greka lab as part of the Kidney Disease Initiative. In less than a year since I joined the Broad, I’ve come to truly embrace the privilege of being part of such a vibrant and stimulating community. I had the pleasure to participate in several events organized by NextGen association, and I was really inspired by the passion and commitment of the people working for offering us trainees multiple opportunities for social engagement and career growth. This reminded me how much I love bringing people together and creating a positive vibe. During my PhD, I had the privilege of serving on the committee responsible for coordinating a scientific event focused on fostering networking and enhancing presentation skills among the graduate students. Now, I hope to continue to channel my dedication to connect fellow trainees here at the Broad by running as Co-Chair at NextGen, and I aim to support the long-lasting tradition of inclusivity and collaboration that characterizes the Broad community.

In my vision, NextGen is the perfect environment where all trainees can find support, opportunities for meeting new people and for professional development. If elected, I would like to assist NextGen in organizing more social gatherings, as well as initiatives that bolster professional development including cross-disciplinary networking meetings, skill-building workshops, and stress managing seminars. My goal is to be a proactive advocate for the Broad trainee community, actively amplifying their voices.

Thank you for your consideration!

Petra Palenikova

Hi all! My name is Petra Palenikova and I am a second 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 fostering connections and friendships between all trainees. I joined NextGen as one of the vice-chairs last year, 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. Being an international postdoc I would like to focus on helping build resources for the international community of postdocs, whether you plan to stay in the US long term or return to your home country afterwards. 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.

Maria Virginia Ruiz Cuevas

My name is Maria Virginia, but for short I like to be called MaVi (it is much shorter). I was proudly born in the Colombian countryside and recently became a postdoc Broadie in the proteomics platform which makes me feel even more proud. Although I have only been here for a short time and although knock on wood because I don’t want to jinx it, I can say that so far, so good and even beyond! I am especially impressed and grateful for all the support the Broad offers to postdocs and graduate students through academic affairs and the NextGen partnership. That’s why I want to become more closely involved in NextGen as co-chair, as I want to contribute in return. I have always been involved in student associations and volunteered in organizing events for the associations or communities at large, so I want to continue this path at the Broad. I love meeting new people, helping to organize social events and developing new ideas on how we can all make life more fulfilling and keep the Broad a great and healthy place to work. I am particularly interested in mental health, work-life balance and how to figure out what the next most important steps in a career might be, all of which I would like to advocate for. Having said all this, I would be honored and even prouder to be elected co-chair of the NextGen Association, therefore, I would be grateful for your consideration!

Srijit Seal

Hi! I am Srijit, a graduate student transitioning into a postdoc at the Imaging Platform at the Broad Institute. My journey in academia and organizations has been shaped by a commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive community. Drawing from my experiences as Trustee and President of the Graduate Student Body at Clare Hall, University of Cambridge (UK), and as a Student Council Representative at the Chemistry Department, University of Cambridge (UK), I bring valuable skills in organization, communication, and advocacy to advance the mission of the NextGen Association.

I would like to share my vision for our community:

Engaging Events: I am committed to organizing larger and more vibrant outdoor and online events, with your input guiding our choices. From pizza nights to music and games, we will create opportunities for everyone to connect and have fun.

Prioritizing Mental Health: Your well-being is our top priority. I will maintain close collaboration with BroadLife to make sure that your mental health is never compromised, with support readily available to you.

Celebrating Diversity: Our community’s strength lies in its diversity, and I will work diligently to ensure that everyone feels at home and that we embrace and celebrate our cultural traditions together.

Enhanced Support: I understand the challenges many of us face, and I am dedicated to popularizing the benefits offered by the Broad that cater to your specific needs, ensuring that you have the necessary resources you need.

Effective Communication: We will establish regular and transparent channels, ensuring that your suggestions and concerns always hold a central place in our discussions.

I am excited to collaborate with all of you to shape the future of the NextGen Association. If you have any questions, or suggestions, or simply wish to connect, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at seal@broadinstitute.org.

Kayla M. Socarras

I am a newer postdoctoral fellow at the Broad who is running for the Next Generation Committee Co-chair. My time at the Broad started in January 2023 within the Medical Population and Genetics platform and the Translational Genomics Group. In my short time, I have seen how collaborative and innovative environment within the Broad. I was happy to discover that there were opportunities for trainees to branch out from their respective fields and learn more about what science has to offer. I have also learned that here in the Broad great strides were taken to make our community more inclusive and have opportunities reflective of the wishes of the trainees.

Before I joined the Broad, I completed my doctorate at Drexel University College of Medicine and saw a gap in some of the training opportunities and inclusion work for trainees. While I was working on my doctorate, I spent time as vice president of student organizations like the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Student Association and Biomedical Science Graduate Students for Diversity, where I facilitated an inclusive, safe, and collaborative environment for all graduate students to grow in their core competencies during the height of the pandemic. I also, spent time as a student leader for professional organizations such as the Black Microbiologist Association and the Eastern Pennsylvania Branch of the American Society of Microbiology to improve science communication, community service, and outreach within the greater Philadelphia area. These leadership roles allowed me to ideate, build, and run activities like workshops, panels, and presentations as well as create media for the scientific community and the general public. It has helped especially in communicating about science and misinformation to people of all ages ranging from children to seniors.

Though I am no longer a graduate student at Drexel, I still believe in connecting with the surrounding community, supporting trainees, and collaborating with others to make things happen. In the few months that I have been at the Broad, I had the opportunity to take part in NextGen meetings and work with the committee to plan and host the Trainee Prom in June. In these experiences, I learned what NextGen was like and how it integrated within the Broad trainee community. As a member, I want to help the NextGen Association in fostering a greater sense of community at the Broad. As a co-chair nominee, I want NextGen to continue to meet its goals of increasing diversity and inclusion as well as supporting trainees where they need it the most.

👉 CAST YOUR BALLOT HERE: broad.io/NextGenBallot2023

NextGen Association 2022 Ballot

On October 26, 2022October 26, 2022 By nextgenassociationIn Uncategorized

Please enter your votes for chair of the NextGen Association for Postdocs and Graduate Students. Voting ends Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 11:59 PM. You can vote for up to three (3) candidates.

👉 CAST YOUR BALLOT HERE: http://broad.io/NextGenBallot2022

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions at traineeaffairs@broadinstitute.org.

Candidates

Yossef Baidi
Matthew Brown
Lisa Cervia
Alexandra Grote
Ricardo Harripaul
Sophia Liu and Andy Russell
Petra Palenikova

Yossef Baidi

My name is Yossef Baidi and I’m a Chemical Biology PhD student at Harvard currently rotating in the Shalek and Raghavan labs. Before graduate school I worked as an RA in the Neal Lab at the Broad and I was a planning committee member for Broadies Preparing for Advanced Degrees (BroadPAD). I worked with the Office of Academic Affairs to plan events for early career employees interested in applying for advanced degrees. For this role I would invite speakers and moderate discussions for events on topics such as “Thriving in Grad School.” Since I enjoyed working with the Broad community as an RA, I wanted to continue this involvement in grad school.

Over the past year I’ve been attending NextGen meetings, and I’ve really enjoyed getting to connect with the rest of the trainee community at the Broad. From getting to hear more about what other trainees work on to networking with former Broad trainees to hear about their current careers, I’ve gained a lot from attending NextGen events. Therefore, I want to increase my involvement in NextGen by running to be a chair. I’ve found the NextGen social events to be incredibly helpful to meet other trainees, so I would work to have more events organized so we can have more opportunities to interact with each other. I’ve also learned so much from the networking events with former Broad trainees, so I would want to expand those events so trainees could hear more about academic and non-academic career options. Additionally, I think Broad trainees are in an excellent position to participate in scientific outreach. So, I would work with NextGen to organize opportunities for trainees to mentor younger scientists and we could work more closely with the Broad’s current outreach programs.

I would like to be an advocate for all postdocs and graduate students at the Broad, so I would be honored if you picked me as a chair for the NextGen Association.

Matthew Brown

Hi all! My name is Matthew Brown and I am postdoc working in the Greka lab as part of the Kidney Disease Initiative. During my time so far at Broad, NextGen along with other Broad groups have provided fantastic academic, social, and professional opportunities, enriching my postdoc experience. I’m excited about the opportunity to serve trainees at the Broad through NextGen and continue support the organization’s outstanding initiatives and events to positively impact every trainee. If elected to NextGen, I aim to listen and convey the needs of both postdocs and graduate students along with advocating for initiatives to ease the strain of the increasing cost-of-living. I have previously had the privilege to represent my PhD program as part of the graduate student association and hope to continue representing and supporting trainees as one of the NextGen chairs. Thank you for your consideration!

Lisa Cervia

Hi fellow Broadies! I had the honor of serving as Co-Chair of the NextGen Association this year. I am a proud member of the Cancer Program at the Broad and am dedicated to connecting trainees (PhDs and Postdocs) through NextGen. We worked on planning a lot of exciting things this year including seasonal socials, the Facing Forward faculty lunches, professional development workshops and the Annual Trainee Retreat. We are working on new initiatives including providing resources to prepare for a variety of career paths, creating opportunities for teaching and mentoring, planning the next Trainee Retreat, and overall strengthening the trainee community. Since beginning my postdoc, I participated in many events hosted by NextGen. Among these great events and resources, the NextGen Retreat and the monthly meetings have stood out as experiences that have made me feel welcome at the Broad AND provided me with a variety of settings to meet other Broadies! In the current climate, community is especially important and I’d like to continue to work on ways to grow our community. I am always open to hearing your ideas and suggestions. I’d be honored to continue to serve as part of the NextGen council and to represent trainees. I look forward to meeting you and hearing new ideas and suggestions that you might have that I could help implement through NextGen!

Alexandra (Alex) Grote

My name is Alex and I am a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Bacterial Genomics group here at the Broad! During my three years at the Broad, I have attended many NextGen meetings and events and believe strongly in its mission to support graduate students and postdocs. Being a trainee is both an exciting and sometimes difficult experience and, as a chair of NextGen, I would pursue programs to provide as much support as possible to our diverse trainee community. If elected, I would be committed to serving as an advocate for the trainee community with the following goals in mind:
• Support trainee mental health
• Provide resources and support around fellowship applications
• Prepare trainees for their next career moves in industry or academia
• Foster a greater sense of community through fun social events.
NextGen has provided a supportive and encouraging environment in my time at the Broad and I would be honored to have a chance to serve as a chair of the NextGen Association and give back to our Broad Community.

Ricardo Harripaul

I have been at the Broad Institute for 13 months as a postdoctoral fellow at the Stanley Center and Medical and Population Genetics. During that time, I have served on the Belonging@Broad Steering Committee, the LatinX Steering Committee and attended NextGen Association meetings. Through the Broad, I have taught middle school students science classes through a grassroots initiative. I spearheaded the LatinX Speaker Series which has the goal of promoting young researchers and trainees to a larger audience while enhancing the diversity in genomics research and allowing greater networking. I strive to meet your needs as trainees and will encourage more engagement through town halls and feedback in different formats. I am also an American Society of Human Genetics Scholar and I interact with a larger network including industry partners.

Sophia Liu and Andy Russell

Hello, we are Andy and Sophia!

About Us
Andy is a post-doc, and Sophia is a graduate student in Fei Chen’s Lab at the Broad Institute. As co-chairs of the NextGen Association, we would be proud to work with Angela and Orysell and build upon the excellent work of past chairs to establish a highly-connected community that fosters academic collaboration, personal empowerment, and resilience. We value inclusion and prioritize building a community at the Broad that invites and fosters belonging.

Experience
Sophia and Andy have had several experiences planning large-scale events–independently and together. Before joining the Broad as a graduate student, Sophia was president of the MIT Undergraduate Association, where she coordinated campus-wide events, led initiatives to characterize campus space allotted to affinity groups, and advocated for increased resources to professional affinity groups. She also worked in Alex Shalek’s Lab as an undergraduate, where she was first exposed to the supportive community at the Broad. Before joining the Broad, Andy was president of his college student union during his undergraduate degree at Oxford University, where he advocated for increased representation of affinity groups at governing body meetings, amongst other campaigns to improve the overall quality of student experience. In addition, he organized many events as social secretary of his student union, soccer club president, and president of Cambridge University triathlon club during his Ph.D.

At the Broad, Sophia and Andy have worked together to plan events such as lab ski trips and summer outdoor parties and have also attended several NextGen events.

Goals
It is important that all trainees feel connected to the NextGen Association. We will increase engagement with: periodic social events, new occasional events, and a new Slack channel. We also recognize the important role of NextGen in supporting the professional goals of trainees at the Broad. From building templates for meetings between rotation students and potential labs to professional headshot events and CV reviews to seminars outlining the faculty and industry interview processes, we aim to build up Broadies’ confidence in and knowledge of various career paths.

We would be honored to serve as your representatives and advocates on NextGen.

Petra Palenikova

Hi all! My name is Petra Palenikova and I joined the Broad as a postdoc in the Lage lab in May this year. Our group is part of the Stanley Center so you might have seen me at the 8th floor of Ames Street building. Although my time at the Broad has been short so far, I got a chance to experience its diverse community and enjoyed meeting other trainees at NextGen events. I believe NextGen plays a vital role in fostering a supportive environment and community for all graduate students and postdocs at the Broad. This is why I am running for the NextGen Association Co-Chair, to continue the work of advocating for the needs of the trainee community and promoting both career development and social events. As an international postdoc I know that navigating all onboarding tasks and settling in Boston can be difficult and confusing. As a NextGen Co-Chair I would like to help develop resources for new trainees to make finding important contacts and the whole process easier. I have previous experience with advocating for student wellbeing and gender equality from a role of women’s officer and with organizing career events and a student conference from a role of education officer I held during my PhD studies. I would be happy to utilize these skills in NextGen Association to make a positive contribution towards your trainee experience at the Broad.

—

CAST YOUR BALLOT HERE: http://broad.io/NextGenBallot2022

Call for Nominations – 2022 NextGen Association Election

On September 7, 2022 By nextgenassociationIn Uncategorized

The NextGen Association for Postdocs and Graduate Students is a volunteer-driven organization and can’t run without the help of dedicated postdocs and graduate students like you!

The NextGen Association for Postdocs and Graduate Students is seeking nominations for co-chair positions to lead the Association. Nominations will be accepted until Friday, September 30. Both self-nominations and nominations of others are acceptable. The election will be held October 3-7 via an electronic ballot.

To nominate yourself or a colleague, please visit broad.io/NextGenNomination

Nominations will be collected until Friday, September 30, 2022.

If you’re interested in volunteering or would like to learn more about the association, join us at an upcoming meeting:

September 20, 12:00-1:00 p.m. in the Cascades Room

Association members work with the Office of Academic Affairs to brainstorm and plan professional development programs and social events for Broad’s community of academic trainees. In addition, chairs serve as representatives of the Broad trainee community with Broad administration and scientific leadership and the Greater Boston postdoc community.

What is expected of the chairs:

Convene meetings of the Board to plan events and activities
Serve as the face of the trainee community within Broad and external associations such as the Boston Postdoctoral Association
Coordinate with the Office of Academic Affairs on the oversight of ongoing programs

The benefits of participating:

Become actively involved in the community
Meet new people while helping other trainees
Make professional contacts and build your network
Promote a specific issue or cause you care about
Impact institutional policies
Explore career opportunities
Plan the events and programs you would want to attend
Develop negotiating and planning skills
Utilize professional skills creatively
Exercise leadership
Build self-confidence
Have fun!

More information about the NextGen Association:

NextGen Association Fact Sheet – broad.io/NextGenFactSheet
NextGen Association Bylaws – broad.io/NextGenBylaws

2021 NextGen Association Election Ballot

On November 2, 2021November 2, 2021 By nextgenassociationIn Uncategorized

Please enter your votes for the NextGen Association for Postdocs and Graduate Students. Voting ends Monday, November 8, 2021 at 11:59 PM. You can vote for up to two (2) candidates.

👉 CAST YOUR BALLOT HERE: https://forms.gle/eu42UpLfYjHRbH326

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions at traineeaffairs@broadinstitute.org.

Continue reading “2021 NextGen Association Election Ballot” →

BWH and Broad Institute Fellowship Opportunity: Sperling Family Fellowship in Precision Healthcare

On February 24, 2017January 22, 2018 By nextgenassociationIn Uncategorized

The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and Brigham and Women’s Hospital are pleased to announce a new fellowship opportunity. The Sperling Family Fellowship in Precision Healthcare will leverage the strengths of two world-renowned institutions— the superb clinical care, expert bioinformatics, and rich data sources of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and the basic science, computational, and genomics sophistication of the Broad Institute – to advance a translational research project with the potential to transform how we care for patients.

Continue reading “BWH and Broad Institute Fellowship Opportunity: Sperling Family Fellowship in Precision Healthcare” →

RCR Training: “Navigating Mentoring Relationships” January 9

On January 4, 2017January 22, 2018 By nextgenassociationIn Uncategorized

You are invited to the next session of Responsible Conduct of Research Training:

“Navigating Mentoring Relationships”
Date: Monday, January 9, 2017
Time: 3:00-4:00 PM
Location: Monadnock Room (2nd Floor, 415 Main Street)
Speakers: Bruce Birren, PhD and Rachel Gesserman

Light refreshments will be served.

Broad Institute’s Office for Sponsored Research RCR (Responsible Conduct of Research) training provides a curriculum covering major areas of research ethics and integrity. In addition to the CITI RCR module, it is mandatory for all postdoctoral scholars whose primary appointment is at the Broad and for principal investigators with fewer than five years experience as a PI or project leader.

Upcoming sessions include:

Conflict of Interest & Commitment – March 6, 2017, 3:00-4:30 PM
Data Sharing and Data Security – April 19, 2017, 3:00-4:30 PM

BPDA Career Fair, December 6

On December 1, 2016January 22, 2018 By nextgenassociationIn Uncategorized

All postdocs and grad students are invited the First Boston PDA Career Fair!

Continue reading “BPDA Career Fair, December 6” →

National Postdoc Appreciation Week, September 19-23, 2016

On September 14, 2016 By nextgenassociationIn Uncategorized

Thank you, Trainees!

The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard is proud to once again be participating in the annual National Postdoc Appreciation Week, September 19-23, 2016. The weeklong celebration was founded in 2010 by the National Postdoc Association to honor and recognize postdocs for their contributions to research and development in the United States.

This year, the Broad Institute Office of Academic Affairs and the NextGen Association for Postdocs and Grad Students has organized a series of events to say thank you to our dedicated community of trainees:

NextGen Association for Postdocs & Grad Students Open Meeting
Monday, September 19, from 12:00-1:00 PM, Zambezi Room (3^rd Floor, 75 Ames Street)
Have you ever wondered what the NextGen Association is or how you can get involved? Do you really wish Broad offered a particular program for trainees? Do you want to meet new people? Feel free to drop by, grab some lunch, and meet with your peers.

“Secrets to Job Hunting Success: Insights from a Recruiter”
Wednesday, September 21, from 6:00-7:00 PM – Monadnock Room (2^nd Floor, 415 Main Street)
Join the NextGen Association and the Boston PDA for a seminar on how to execute a successful job search with Erik Rocheford, scientific recruiter at Stratacuity. Networking reception to follow.

Postdoc/Grad Student Appreciation Social
Thursday, September 22, from 4:00-6:00 PM, Yellowstone Room (2^nd Floor, 75 Ames Street)
All Broad-affiliated postdocs and grad students are invited to a special social with members of Broad’s core faculty. Dinner and drinks will be served. Feel free to invite your PI (but they’re only invited as your guest!).

Broad Research Communication Lab CV and Cover Letter Writing Workshop
Friday, September 23, from 11:30-1:00 PM, Monadnock Room (2^nd Floor, 415 Main Street)
On the hunt for a job or just updating your CV? All Broadies are invited to a hands-on workshop hosted by the Broad Research Communication Lab in which you’ll learn strategies for crafting stand-out and well-tailored CVs and cover letters. Lunch will be provided and please bring your CV.

Postdoc/Grad Student Appreciation Breakfast
Monday, September 26, from 9:00-11:00 AM, Monadnock Room (2^nd Floor, 415 Main Street)
There will be hot breakfast (French toast, bacon, breakfast burritos, and coffee). Stop by when you have a chance to start your day!.

We want to thank you all for your hard work throughout the year to help Broad Institute succeed in its scientific mission!