A Postbac Perspective

You might occasionally see NIH leadership in the news—like Anthony Fauci, MD, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, speaking with CNN during the COVID-19 pandemic or new NIH Director Monica Bertagnolli, MD, in an interview with The New York Times. Their media appearances help the public understand NIH’s mission and build more trust in what NIH does.

The NICHD 17^th Annual Meeting of Postdoctoral, Clinical, and Visiting Fellows, and Graduate Students and Postbacs took place virtually on September 29, 2022. Dr. Henry Levin, Senior Investigator in the Section on Eukaryotic Transposable Elements, opened the day with a big thank you to the NICHD Office of Education and retreat steering committee.

On August 24, the NICHD Office of Education offered a professional development workshop for fellows who are interested in academic careers. During the small-group discussion, held via Zoom, tenure-track investigators working in research- and teaching-intensive institutions shared their experiences in their positions. Enjoy a few words of wisdom on applying and interviewing for academic jobs from the three speakers.

As many postbacs prepare their professional school applications, the theme of diversity is at the forefront of countless essay prompts. In a rapidly evolving world, equity, diversity, and inclusion (or EDI) are important concepts that bolster professional and personal development. Everyone has a role within EDI, and while diversity can be a broad topic to tackle, applicants can unlock a diversity statement that works for them.

The NICHD Sixteenth Annual Meeting of Postdoctoral, Clinical, and Visiting Fellows , and Graduate Students and Postbacs took place virtually on May 25, 2021. Acting Scientific Director Dr. Mary Dasso* opened the day with a welcome to fellows, helpful information about training during the COVID-19 pandemic, successful outcomes from our intramural diversity initiatives, and a big congratulations to our many early career awardees!

The COVID-19 pandemic has made in-person gatherings prohibitive for the past few months, and, even with vaccines available, will continue to prevent people from gathering for at least several more months. Because of this, we should be prepared to talk about our science (presentations, interviews, meetings, etc.) in a virtual setting—something that Mr. Scott Morgan, science communication consultant and director of The Scott Morgan Group, knows a lot about.

I attended the annual NICHD Office of Education Grant Writing Workshop, led by Dr. Cedric Williams, on November 19 and 20, 2020. Dr. Williams is a professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia who has over 20 years of experience with grants via National Science Foundation, NIH, and Department of Defense study sections.

Dr. Bianchi was speaking to NICHD trainees directly. She asked you to think about how this experience has affected your life. How has it changed your goals and priorities? Write about it, she insisted. Take advantage of opportunities and make the most of it!

Dr. Bianchi’s inspirational words opened a day of engaging presentations by our diverse DIR and DIPHR investigators and trainees. Even through a virtual medium, the day felt like a community coming together to share research endeavors and newfound knowledge.