NICHD Office of Education Welcomes Veronica Harker and Katherine Lamb
We are pleased to introduce our two new Office of Education program coordinators: Veronica Harker and Katherine Lamb. They join us with a wealth of experience, and we’re excited to welcome them into the NICHD Family!
Veronica Harker
Veronica Harker is an Anglo-Indian American who grew up in a British colonial town in South India. She was raised in a large, close-knit family and attended boarding school at a British convent run by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny, where she and several of her sisters spent nine months of each year. As a young adult, Veronica studied secretarial sciences, but found greater satisfaction and joy in teaching preparatory for first grade students, mostly non-English speaking four- and five-year-olds. She also enjoyed teaching English as a second language to Iranian women whose husbands were on agricultural assignment in India.
Veronica was the first member of her family to immigrate to the US and paved the way for her parents and six siblings and their extended families to join her. Her life in America has expanded over a 38-year career in a healthcare organization, where she started as a housekeeper and worked her way to corporate headquarters.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Veronica authored an autobiography, and was delighted to have it published in April of 2021.
Veronica has always been a caregiver at heart and continually seeks to help and support those in need. As a breast cancer and a COVID-19 survivor, she hopes to find comfort and fulfillment in the knowledge that she is contributing, in some small way, by working for an organization which pursues, as their topmost priority, the health and well-being of people from all walks of life.
Katherine Lamb
Katherine Lamb joins the NICHD Office of Education bringing her management and administration experience from commercial, government and non-profit organizations. Most recently, Katherine served as the Deputy Director for the White House Internship Program and Volunteer Management office, bolstering her enthusiasm for professional development and public service.
Bringing her training-focus mindset to the NIH, Katherine hopes to cultivate an environment that best serves the trainee’s academic and professional experience. She looks forward to creating opportunities to promote career development and provide guidance to fellows and students, helping them navigate future opportunities.
Katherine received her bachelor’s degree in art history from Florida State University and master’s degree in arts management from George Mason University.
Congrats to the 2021 Virtual Postbac Poster Day Winners!
Congratulations to the following NICHD postbacs (and their mentors) for scoring among the top 20% of NIH postbacs in the 2021 Virtual Postbac Poster Day competition on April 27–29, 2021:
- Allison Goldstein (Dr. Brant Weinstein)
- Bakary Samasa (Dr. Brant Weinstein)
- Daniel Tetreault (Dr. Gisela Storz)
- Eliana Ramirez (Dr. Jack Yanovski)
- Fountane Chan (Dr. Judith Kassis)
- Kevin Choi (Dr. Anirban Banerjee)
- Kyla Roland (Dr. Henry Levin)
- Megan Ezeude (Dr. Brant Weinstein )
- Neha Akella (Dr. Andres Buonanno)
- Nickolas Chu (Dr. Harold Burgess)
- Reeya Patel (Dr. Stephen Gilman)
To score posters, teams composed of graduate students, postdocs, and NIH scientific staff reviewed poster content, poster appearance, and student presentation for all postbac participants. A total of 65 NICHD postbacs participated in the day!
Mentor of the Year Awards: Accepting Nominations Now!
Do you have an outstanding mentor?
The time has come for you to nominate your fellow or PI for the 2021 NICHD Mentor of the Year Awards . This is your chance to recognize an individual in the Division of Intramural Research (DIR) or Division of Intramural Population Health Research (DIPHR) whose mentoring has made a difference in your life at the NIH!
Below is the link to obtain information about the NICHD’s two annual intramural Mentor of the Year Awards, one for a fellow and one for an investigator . Please submit your nomination form and a 500-word (maximum) narrative electronically to Dr. Erin Walsh (erin.walsh@nih.gov).
The submission deadline is Friday, June 25, 2021.
Please contact the Office of Education if you have any questions about the nomination instructions or selection process. Information available at: Mentor of the Year Awards
2021 Virtual Graduate & Professional School Fair—Open for Registration
The 2021 Virtual Graduate & Professional School Fair : This year the fair is scheduled for July 19–22, with live workshops on the 19th and online exhibitor sessions on the 20th , 21st , and 22nd . More than 270 institutions have registered to participate!
SAVE THE DATE! Public Speaking Workshop: Giving Scientific Talks
Monday, July 12, 1:30 – 3 PM
Led by Public Speaking Coach Scott Morgan
“Speaking about Science” is a highly interactive workshop led by public speaking coach Scott Morgan. The core of this workshop is a nine-step preparation process that ensures a clear and engaging talk for a variety of audiences. Learn strategies for improving your delivery of lab talks or giving presentations at big meetings.
Topics include: presenting data, identifying theme and focus, creating effective visual aids, and beginning and ending a talk. Participants in this program can also schedule an individual one-hour coaching session prior to a scheduled presentation.
Trainees at all levels, including our 2021 summer interns, are encouraged to attend!
To register for this workshop, please email Ms. Katherine Lamb (katherine.lamb@nih.gov).
SAVE THE DATE! Informational Session for Future PRAT Applicants
Wednesday, July 14, 1–3 PM (Virtual)
Led by Dr. Erin Walsh
The NIGMS Postdoctoral Research Associate (PRAT) Program supports postdoctoral fellowships within the NIH Intramural Research Program. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States with no more than two years of postdoctoral experience at NIH by the time of appointment to the PRAT program. The deadline is October 4 . More information about the program can be found at http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Training/Pages/PRAT.aspx.
Postdoc applicants must apply with the NIH Fi2 funding mechanism, and all applications must be submitted via grants.gov.
If you are planning to apply, the Office of Education is offering this session to discuss in detail how to prepare for the application submission, and more importantly, provide you with some valuable documents.
Please email Ms. Veronica Harker (veronica.harker@nih.gov) if you plan to attend.
SAVE THE DATE! Virtual Summer Presentation Week
August 3–5, 2021
If you are a summer intern, Summer Research Presentation Week is your time to share the research and creative projects you have been conducting at the NIH with the broader NIH community and your family and friends! At t he same time, you will develop your communication and networking skills.
Registration will open Tuesday, June 8th and close Wednesday, July 7th . Please visit the OITE Virtual Summer Presentation Week website for more information.
SAVE THE DATE! Job Interviewing Workshop
Monday, August 9, 1–2:30 PM
Led by Public Speaking Coach Scott Morgan
If you are actively looking for a job this year, we strongly recommend you attend this informative and dynamic workshop. During this session you will learn tips for perfecting the broad interviewing skills needed to secure scientific positions (job talks, chalk talks, and the interview itself) and increasing your comfort level and confidence. You will have the opportunity to analyze expected questions, themes, and dilemmas through interactive exercises and peer review.
Participants can also schedule an individual one-hour coaching session with Scott prior to a scheduled job interview. To register for this workshop, please email Ms. Katherine Lamb (katherine.lamb@nih.gov).