Announcements for Current Students

Fall 2026 Research Apprenticeship Program – Applications due 3/16

Posted on by

UConn graduate students who are interested in mentoring early career undergraduate students to assist them in the graduate student’s research are invited to submit a proposal for consideration. Selected proposals will be used to create an undergraduate research opportunity based on the information provided by the graduate student.

The Research Apprenticeship Program provides graduate students with research assistance and experience in mentoring. Early-career undergraduate students who have little or no prior research experience a pathway to involvement in research with a PhD student mentor. Each graduate student will be paired with one undergraduate student during Fall 2026 to work together on a research project proposed by the graduate student.

In recognition of the commitment to mentoring an apprentice, graduate student mentors will receive a $500 stipend at the end of the semester.

Interested graduate students may find additional information and the application at the Research Apprenticeship Program Graduate Student Mentors page (under Opportunity Submission) by March 16, 2026.

This program is supported by The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) in collaboration with the Center for Access and Postsecondary Success (CAPS)/McNair Program, Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR), Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention, and Policy (InCHIP), and The Graduate School.

For questions about the program, undergraduate students may contact Dr. Micah Heumann, Director in the Office of Undergraduate Research, at micah.heumann@uconn.edu and graduate students may contact Dr. Mary Bernstein, Associate Dean of The Graduate School, at mary.bernstein@uconn.edu.

7th Annual 3M RISE Symposium

Posted on by

We would like to announce that the 7th annual 3M RISE Symposium (Raising Influence in Science and Engineering) is accepting applications! The purpose of the symposium is to introduce emerging doctoral students in science and engineering to the wide range of rewarding careers in research and development at 3M. This is a virtual event that will be hosted August 17th-19th, 2026 and is a great way for future STEM leaders to get introduced to the corporate world.

Ideal applicants are expected to complete their graduate degree appointment within 24 months of the RISE event. We will accept applicants from any STEM field. Attached is a flyer describing the symposium. The RISE Symposium application deadline is May 1st, 2026.

RISE Application: 3M RISE Application

RISE Flyer

Spring and Summer 2026: Last day of work for GAs holding F-1 and J-1 visas

Posted on by

Dear International Huskies,

Federal government regulations allow graduate students on F-1 and J-1 visas to hold on-campus employment while they are pursuing their degree. If you will be a Spring 2026 graduate, you will no longer be pursuing your degree after May 10, 2026 and can no longer work on campus beyond that date.

If you hold an academic year or spring GA appointment at Storrs or a regional campus (excepting UConn Health), the final date of your appointment is May 22, 2026. If your degree is conferred in May and you hold an F-1 or J-1 visa and your assistantship appointment is covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the Graduate Employee Union (GEU), the time between the degree conferral date and the appointment end date should be treated as time off. Please work with your supervisor to ensure you finish the duties associated with your assistantship before your degree conferral date. You will still receive your full spring GA stipend.

In addition, ISSS will be updating your I-20 or DS-2019 program end date to May 10, 2026, if you are graduating in May and hold a GAship this term. This means your grace period to depart the U.S., or your first eligible date to begin post-completion practical training, will begin May 11, 2026. Please plan for this accordingly. ISSS will adjust your I-20 or DS-2019 end date automatically based on notification that you have applied for graduation, or at the time you apply for post-completion OPT (F-1 students) or Academic Training (J-1 students), whichever comes first. ISSS will notify you when your adjusted I-20 or DS-2019 is ready to download from your ISSS portal account later in May.

If you will be offered a summer GA appointment and will complete your degree during Summer 2026, please be aware that the summer term will be considered your final semester, and you may be employed for no more than 20 hours per week. The date you submit all final degree requirements to Degree Audit will be your degree completion date and the last date you may be employed under a graduate payroll title. Your form I-20 will be shortened to this date.

Please reach out to ISSS at international@uconn.edu if you have any questions about this change as it relates to your visa status, I-20, grace period, or practical training timeline.

Leslie M. Shor
Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of The Graduate School

Arthur Galinat
Director, International Student and Scholar Services

Graduation Reminders from Degree Audit

Posted on by

Are you graduating for Spring 2026? Did you know you must apply for graduation online via your Student Administration account?

You can visit Steps to a Successful Graduation for guidance or the Master’s Degrees page, the Certificate programs page, the Doctoral Degrees page for instructions and information about:

  • applying for graduation
  • submitting required paperwork
  • uploading your thesis or dissertation

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

I didn’t know the deadline to apply for graduation was the end of the 4th week of the semester. What if I missed the deadline?
If you missed the deadline, please apply ASAP in order to not delay the conferral of your degree.

I plan on graduating in the Summer. What is that deadline to apply to graduate?
Summer candidates are asked to apply no later than April 1st to ensure their information makes the Commencement publication. Applications received after April 1st will not be included in the commencement program

Do I submit a plan of study via Student Administration?
No, graduate students submit plans of study via email to degreeaudit@uconn.edu. These forms can be found on the Master’s Degree page, the Certificate programs page, the Doctoral Degrees page, or the Forms Section of the Office of the Registrar’s website.

I have external advisor(s) on my advisory committee; how do I ensure they are approved?
An external advisor is someone not affiliated with UConn or UConn Health. Students can use the External Advisor Request form to officially add an external advisor to their committee.

Master’s Degree and Certificate Students must receive approval to include an external advisor prior to submitting their Final Plan of Study (POS). The final plan of study is submitted when applying for graduation.

Doctoral Students must request approval for an external advisor prior to submitting their Plan of Study (by the time 18 credits are completed) or when the external committee member is invited to join the committee.

Is there a deadline to submit my master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation in the Thesis and Dissertation Portal to qualify for a Spring 2026 conferral date?
Yes, the deadline is Friday, April 24, 2026. User Guides for the Thesis and Dissertation Portal are available online: Doctoral Dissertation User Guide and Master’s Thesis User Guide.

Can I change my graduation term from Spring to Summer or Fall if I end up needing more time?
Yes, please email degreeaudit@uconn.edu to request the change.

Do I have to apply to graduate for my Certificate program?
Yes.

Important Note: All students are advised to review their transcript to ensure that it is in agreement with their plan of study. Any missing grades, documents, or discrepancies between a student’s plan of study and transcript can result in a delay of degree conferral or cancellation of degree candidacy. Please refer to the Registrar’s guide, Steps to a Successful Graduation, as you prepare to complete your degree.

COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION

If you wish to attend the Ceremony, you’ll need to RSVP after spring break. Information regarding commencement can be found on the Commencement webpage.

UConn Health graduate students can find commencement information at the following link: UConn Health Commencement.

IMPORTANT DATES

Please reach out to degreeaudit@uconn.edu with questions.

Preparatory Workshops for the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) and Graduate Student Showcase

Posted on by

Leading up to the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) and Graduate Student Showcase on Wednesday April 8, 2026, at the Konover Auditorium in The Dodd Center for Human Rights, and as part of the 2026 Graduate Student Appreciation Week (UConnGSAW26), The Graduate School invites graduate students to participate in two preparatory workshops ahead of the competition.

The workshops are open to all applicants of the 3MT® competition and the broader graduate student population and are designed to help participants translate their research or professional experience(s) for a general audience, improve oral presentation skills, and prepare for the April showcase. All applicants are strongly encouraged to register and attend.

Workshop 1

Designing Engaging Presentations: Preparing for UConn’s 3MT® and Graduate Student Showcase

Friday, February 20, 2026 | 3:00–4:30 PM

Location: Online

Instructors:

Melanie Sinche, Director of Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Success, The Graduate School, UConn.

Melanie Sinche

 

Sam Lake, Director of Career & Professional Development, University of Virginia.

 

Workshop 2

Creating Effective Presentations

Friday, February 27, 2026 | 3:00–4:30 PM

Location: Homer Babbidge Library, Room 1102

Instructor:

Dr. Faye Assanah, Assistant Professor in Residence, UConn College of Engineering.

Fayekah Assanah, Ph.D.

 

Who Should Attend

Applicants to the 3MT® and Graduate Student Showcase, the broader graduate student population, and anyone interested in enhancing their presentation skills. Tell a friend or colleague.

Register Now!

 

Learn more about the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) and Graduate Student Showcase or explore additional events happening during Graduate Student Appreciation Week (UConnGSAW26), April 6–10, 2026.

For questions or accommodation requests ahead of any of these workshops, please contact Melanie Sinche, Director of Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Success at melanie.sinche@uconn.edu or Michael Inkoom Nyarko, Graduate Assistant at rdu25001work@uconn.edu

UConnGSAW26, We See You. We Celebrate You!

The Graduate School Newsletter

Posted on by

Welcome, UConn grads, to a new semester! Thank you all for your many contributions to the UConn community as students, trainees, teachers, researchers, and more. UConn could not be what it is without graduate students.

As we begin a new year, I want to remind you that The Graduate School is here to support you. Members of The Graduate School’s Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) Team are available for private conversations with you. When concerns arise, The Graduate School works with students, faculty, and staff to determine the best steps to take and the most beneficial resources for the given situation. Contacting the GSPA team is a great starting place for any graduate student concern, especially if you are not sure where to begin.

The Graduate School is also here to assist you in your development as a scholar and professional. Throughout the spring semester, there will be numerous opportunities for you to build the skills required to thrive during your graduate program and beyond and we invite you to view our newsletter to learn more about what we have in store for you.

Best wishes for a happy, healthy, and academically successful new year,

Leslie M. Shor
Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of The Graduate School

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) and Graduate Student Showcase

Posted on by and

As part of the 2026 Graduate Student Appreciation Week at the University of Connecticut and in celebration of the Because of UConn campaign, The Graduate School invites you to apply for and participate in the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) and Graduate Student Showcase. It is an event that celebrates the impact, creativity, and purpose behind graduate students’ work through brief, engaging presentations for a general audience. The showcase will take place on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Konover Auditorium in The Dodd Center for Human Rights and is open to degree-seeking graduate students from all UConn campuses.

Application Deadline EXTENDED: 

Monday, February 9, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET

Goal of the Event:

For eligible degree-seeking graduate students at UConn to gain experience in communicating the significance of their work to a non-specialist audience in 3 minutes or less.

Timeline:

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 Application opens
Monday, February 9, 2026 Application deadline for graduate students
Friday, February 20, 2026 Decisions made, graduate students notified
Friday, February 20, 2026 Designing Engaging Presentations workshop (recording)
Friday, February 27, 2026 Creating Effective Presentations workshop (in-person)
March 2-13, 2026 Preliminary round
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 Final competition

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Category 1: All Master's degrees; Professional and clinical doctoral degrees
  • Category 2: Arts, Humanities, and Social Science doctoral degrees (PhD candidates only)
  • Category 3: STEM doctoral degrees (PhD candidates only)

Please note:

To compete, students must be currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program in the Spring of 2026.

To participate in Categories 2 or 3 above:

  • The applicant must be a doctoral student enrolled in a program with a dissertation requirement.
  • The applicant must be an active student when they apply and compete. Applicants who complete their degree during the prior semester cannot compete.
  • The applicant must have documented successful completion of the General Examination by submitting the Report on the General Exam to the Office of the Registrar Degree Audit Team no later than April 8, 2026.
  • The applicant must have documented successful completion and submission of the dissertation proposal by submitting the Dissertation Proposal Form to the Office of the Registrar Degree Audit Team no later than April 8, 2026.
  • The Dissertation Proposal Form may be submitted to Degree Audit without approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB)/Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). The milestone will be posted as "in progress" and will meet the eligibility requirements for this application. IRB/IACUC approval must be submitted to Degree Audit once received to ensure that the milestone is updated to "complete" on the student record.

Prizes:

Ten (10) finalists in each of the categories listed above will be selected to compete on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. These thirty (30) finalists will receive $100 each for competing.

At the event, the following prizes will be awarded within each category:

  • First prize: $1,000
  • Runner-up: $750
  • People's Choice: $500

At the end of the event, an overall winner will be selected from among the three categories and will receive an additional $5,000 for a total Grand Prize of $6,000.

Application Process:

  1. Submit your application for the event, ensuring that you answer all questions fully and to the best of your ability, using language that a general audience can understand.
  2. If selected to participate in the preliminary round, you must present your 3-minute talk to a panel of judges between March 2-13. This presentation may be virtual or in-person.
  3. From those who participate in the preliminary round, 10 finalists from each category will be selected to participate in the final competition on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM.

Judging Criteria:

To select applicants to advance on to the preliminary round in March, readers will use the following criteria:

  • Clarity and accessibility of the description of your work
  • Problem, question, or challenge addressed
  • Connection between your degree program and your future goals
  • Broader impact of your work

Rules for the 3-minute presentation:

  • A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any description, the slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration).
  • No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
  • No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
  • Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
  • Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps, or songs).
  • Presentations are to commence from the stage.
  • Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through movement or speech.
  • The competition is judged by a panel of professionals with wide ranging academic and non-academic expertise.
  • The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

TO APPLY: Visit this link.

Connect with The Graduate School on social media for updates and highlights from UConnGSAW26 on LinkedIn, Instagram, X (formally Twitter) and Facebook.

UConnGSAW26, We See You, We Celebrate You!

   

The world moves forward because of UConn, and all we do is possible because of YOU.

Industry Insights

Posted on by

The Graduate School, together with the Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills, invites you to attend Industry Insights, a series of virtual events designed to introduce graduate students and postdocs to a variety of industries. Each series will be held online and will feature working professionals from different industries. The discussions will be based on the skills required to enter and succeed in these industries.

The first series of the program, taking place in the spring of 2026, will focus on the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.

The online events will take place:

  • Friday, January 30, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (NOTE: Date change)
  • Monday, February 23, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
  • Monday, March 30, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
  • Monday, April 27, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

To register for any of the events, please visit this link. Once registered, you will receive the link to attend virtually.

Second Session: Monday, February 23, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Speakers include:

Martha Brown, Executive Director, Discovery Research Site Strategy and Operations, Boehringer Ingelheim

Dr. Martha Brown is the Executive Director of Discovery Research Site Strategy and Operations at Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals. With a 27‑year tenure at the company, she has held a range of strategic and scientific leadership roles across Research and Development. Her experience includes leading High Throughput Screening and overseeing Structural Biology for all on‑site small‑molecule research programs.

Dr. Brown earned her PhD in Biology from The Johns Hopkins University and has dedicated her career to advancing scientific innovation, operational excellence, and the advancement of innovative therapies that bring meaningful benefit to patients in need.

O. Hecmarie Melendez-Fernandez, Associate Director, Precision Medicine & Diagnostics, Eli Lilly and Company

Hecmarie Meléndez-Fernández, PhD, is a Neuroscientist by training, and serves as an Associate Director in Precision Medicine Diagnostics at Eli Lilly & Company. Her industry experience spans clinical trial management, project portfolio management, medical content creation focused on clinical care care gaps and disease state education. 

Hecmarie was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where she completed her undergraduate degree in Integrative Biology, at the University of Puerto Rico – Río Piedras. Initially focused in academia, Hecmarie pursued multiple academic and research opportunities within Neuroscience, obtaining a T32 fellowship from the NIH, a CLIMB fellowship from NIGMS, an SfN Neuroscience Scholars Fellowship, among others, working at Baylor College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Northwestern and West Virginia University. Her doctoral dissertation focused on understanding the effects of disrupted circadian rhythms on aortic endothelial function, metabolism and sleep, within the context of sex differences. 

Hecmarie is passionate about supporting people from underrepresented backgrounds in science, so they can achieve their maximum potential and career goals, just as she has. In graduate school she developed the Non-Academic Careers in Science seminar series, where she coordinated webinars with PhD-holding scientists outside academia, to educate current graduate students on careers outside the traditional academic research path. She has a long-standing history of leading and participating in outreach and service efforts, such as Científico Latino, in which she has volunteered in different capacities, since 2023. Additionally, she participates in mentorship and outreach opportunities through local organizations (e.g., Girls Inc, Indiana Latino Institute, Project Stepping Stone, etc.), where she provides scientific and professional development support. Knowing how important this support has been in her development, and how she can also positively impact others, her motto is “Pay It Forward”.

To register: Visit this link.

____________________________________________________________________________

First Session: Friday, January 30, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (NOTE: Date Change)

Speakers include:

Manisha Sinha, Founder of Clarity Bio

Manisha Sinha, Ph.D., is a strategic R&D leader, a well-published translational biologist, founder of Clarity Bio, and an adjunct faculty member with a proven track record of advancing programs from target validation to clinical candidates. With 12+ years of experience at Biogen and high-growth biotechs, she leads multi-disciplinary teams to advance complex therapies while mentoring the next generation of scientists to lead with data-driven rigor and operational excellence in the life sciences industry.

Cassandra Tierney, Senior Principal Scientist and Lab Head, Pfizer

Cassandra Tierney, PhD is a Senior Principal Scientist and Lab Head at Pfizer, where she leads a CLIA‑regulated genomics laboratory dedicated to advancing biomarker strategies and delivering pharmacogenomics insights that inform drug exposure in clinical trials. With deep expertise in qPCR, NGS, digital PCR, and the development of laboratory‑developed tests, Cassandra combines scientific rigor with a passion for mentorship. She actively supports early‑career scientists through her role as a mentor in Pfizer’s R&D rotational program and continues to teach as an adjunct instructor in human biology. Cassandra earned her PhD in Molecular & Cell Biology (Genetics) from the University of Connecticut.

First Session available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULCs2p8meBI

 

Spring 2026 Graduate Student Timely Topics Series

Posted on by

The Graduate School’s Timely Topics is a series of learning opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to engage with subject matter experts on topics relevant to graduate education. The student track of this series features sessions that highlight University resources and supports, answer questions about academic processes and procedures, and provide strategies to help students successfully navigate their graduate career. All sessions are offered virtually.

Register for a Session | View the full student track schedule and session descriptions

Spring 2026 Student Sessions:

Getting to Conferral: Master’s Degrees and Graduate Certificates
This session will discuss the Office of the Registrar’s degree audit process for master’s degrees and graduate certificates, including 6th Year Certificate programs. Degree Audit staff will share auditing terms and timeline, degree requirements for Plan A and Plan B, as well as the thesis submission process. Time will be available at the end of the session for participants’ questions.

Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Time: 11am – 12pm
Facilitator: Sandra Cyr, Master’s Degree and Graduate Certificate Programs Registrar Specialist

Getting to Conferral: Doctoral Degrees
This session will discuss the Office of the Registrar’s degree audit process for doctoral (Ph.D.) students. Degree Audit staff will share auditing terms and timeline, degree requirements, the master’s on the way process, and the dissertation submission process. Time will be available at the end of the session for participants’ questions.

Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Time: 2pm – 3pm
Facilitator: Jenn Horan, Doctoral Degree Registrar Specialist

You’re Not an Imposter! (We promise.)
Many graduate students struggle with feeling like an imposter, including feeling like they don’t belong in graduate school and will be “found out”. This session will dive into Imposter Phenomenon, including its roots, how it impacts our academic and personal lives, and strategies to combat it.

Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Time: 11am – 12pm
Facilitators: Kim Curry, Director of Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Support, The Graduate School & Megan Petsa, Director of Graduate Student Administration, The Graduate School

Accessible Scholarship: Building Inclusive Theses and Dissertations
Your research deserves to be accessible to everyone. In this workshop, you’ll discover how simple choices like using descriptive headings, true tables, and alt text, can remove barriers and make your dissertation or thesis inclusive for all readers. These same practices will strengthen your ability to create accessible materials in your future academic or professional work. In addition, with new Title II regulations taking effect by April 2026, now is the perfect time to understand accessibility standards and ensure your work meets these upcoming requirements.

Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Time: 11am – 12pm
Facilitator: Karen Skudlarek, IT Accessibility Coordinator, ITS

From Grad Student to Postdoc: Navigating a Successful Transition
Are you considering a position as a postdoc after you graduate? Moving from graduate school to a postdoctoral position marks a significant shift in your education and training. This workshop will help you prepare for that transition by addressing key topics such as selecting a postdoc, understanding expectations, establishing productive mentoring relationships, and setting professional goals. Participants will also explore how to balance research, career development, and personal wellbeing during this pivotal stage.

Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Time: 11am – 12pm
Facilitator: Melanie Sinche, Director of Graduate Student and Postdoc Success, The Graduate School

Register for a Session

Learn more about all of The Graduate School’s Timely Topics