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.

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.

👉 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.  

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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 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.

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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.

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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. 

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

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

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” →

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

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

Continue reading “BPDA Career Fair, December 6” →

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.

Register: http://bpda-sept-recruit.eventbrite.com

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.

Register: broad.io/CV2016

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!

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!

Now’s your chance to get involved! The NextGen Association for Postdocs and Grad Students is seeking nominations for two co-chair positions and two vice-chair positions to lead the Association. Nominations will be accepted until Friday, September 16, 2016. Both self-nominations and nominations of others are acceptable. The election will be held during National Postdoc Appreciation Week, September 19-23, 2016.

To nominate yourself or a colleague, please email academicaffairs@broadinstitute.org.

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.

NextGen Association Fact Sheet

What is expected of the chairs:

• Convene meetings of the Board to plan events and activities
• Serve as the face of the trainee community at Broad
• 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
• Help other trainees
• Make professional contacts and build your network
• Promote a specific issue or cause
• 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!

If you’re interested in volunteering or would like to learn more attend an upcoming meetings:

• August 18, 2016, 12:00-1:00 p.m., Olympus Room (1st Floor, 415 Main Street)
• September 2, 2016, 12:00-1:00 p.m., Olympus Room (1st Floor, 415 Main Street)

Lunch will be served and no commitment necessary!