Announcements for Current Students

7th Annual 3M RISE Symposium

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 hosted the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) and Graduate Student Showcase. This event celebrated the impact, creativity, and purpose behind graduate students’ work through brief, engaging presentations for a general audience. The showcase took 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 was open to degree-seeking graduate students from all UConn campuses.

TO VIEW THE RECORDING: Visit this link.

Presentation Categories:

  • 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)

Agenda for the Event:

8:00 AM Registration Opens The Dodd Center for Human Rights
9:00 AM Welcome & Dean's Address Konover Auditorium
9:10 AM Category 2 Presentations Konover Auditorium
10:05 AM Voting & Coffee Break Lobby outside of Konover Auditorium
10:15 AM Category 1 Presentations Konover Auditorium
11:05 AM Voting & Coffee Break Lobby outside of Konover Auditorium
11:15 AM Category 3 Presentations Konover Auditorium
12:15 PM Voting & Coffee Break Lobby outside of Konover Auditorium
12:45 PM Awards Ceremony Konover Auditorium

Prize Winners:

CATEGORY 1:

  • First Place: Tracy Geha
  • Runner-up: Amelia Hickey
  • People's Choice: Tracy Geha

CATEGORY 2:

  • First Place: Urvi Kaul
  • Runner-up: Daniela Dominguez
  • People's Choice: Rui Wu

CATEGORY 3:

  • First Place: Meshach Ojo
  • Runner-up: Samantha Glass
  • People's Choice: Yasmin Bimbatti

At the end of the event, the overall winner was selected from among the three categories. The Grand Prize Winner of the 2026 3MT event was Tracy Geha of the Department of Literatures, Cultures, and Languages.

Finalists 2026 (in order of presentations):

CATEGORY 2: Arts, Humanities, and Social Science PhDs

  • Peyton Carroll: Love Island: Prehistoric Sicily
  • Mark Dickson: Mending Humpty Dumpty: Truth as Trustworthiness
  • Daniela Dominguez: Imaginaries of Mexican Infrastructure
  • Spencer Hayes: Social Media's Dichotomous Agency in Human Trafficking
  • Lincoln Hirn: “Worthy to Be Counted”: The Postbellum Slave Narrative, 1865-1915
  • Urvi Kaul: Biological and Social Narratives of Displacement
  • Iris Querenet Onfroy de Breville: Paint the Town Red: Pigments and Coloring Material Use by Early Humans in Southwestern France
  • Rui Wu: Mapping Weight Stigma Online: What Social Media Platforms Reveal
  • Muireann Nic Corcrain: “I Have a Voice”: Towards the Development of Speech Synthesis Technology for the Passamaquoddy Language

CATEGORY 1: Master’s Degrees; Professional/Clinical Doctorates

  • Mahir Takak: Saving the Planet, Evicting the Neighbor: How Sustainable Urban Development Prices People Out
  • Tracy Geha: World Languages: The Cognitive Benefits We Fail to Market
  • Amelia Hickey: The Hidden Role of Women in Trafficking Networks
  • Keegan Jalbert: Overcoming Risks and Barriers in Shellfish Aquaculture
  • Iris Kennedy: When Fire Meets Ice: How Disturbances Combine to Shape Forests in a Changing Climate
  • Ryeim Ansaf: From Prehospital to Bedside: Smarter Trauma Care with Ozonated Hydrogels
  • Arianna Cedeno: Reminding Cartilage How to Heal
  • Catherine Chou: Strengthening Bone with Blood: Bettering Braces
  • Tracie Le: The Disease That Doesn't Knock

CATEGORY 3: STEM PhDs

  • Yasmin Bimbatti: Lower Cost, Less Energy, Cleaner Planet
  • Mittal Darji: The $34 Billion Meltdown: Fixing Fragile Vaccines
  • Meshach Ojo: From Decades to Weeks: Tackling Connecticut's Crumbling Foundations
  • Sarah Pasqualetti: Using Threespine Stickleback Gut Bacteria to Break Down Plastic
  • Girija Pawge: Gamma-delta T cell (γδ T cell) : The Hidden Detectives and A New Hope Against Cancer
  • Snehaa Ray: The Weight After Birth: Protecting the Health of Black Mothers
  • Zahra Salehi: Can One Landscape Produce Food and Energy? Agrivoltaics in Connecticut
  • Samantha Glass: Tuning into the Arctic: Rethinking How the Polar Oceans Store Carbon
  • Kevin Grassie: Transdermal Bone Repair: Using Sound Waves to Mechanically Stimulate Implants
  • Leila Sharifi: Solving the Clumping Puzzle in Modern Medicine

Judges 2026:

Chris Chadbourne

Chris Chadbourne is a 1988 alumnus, graduating with a B.S. from the School of Business. He recently retired following a distinguished 30-year career in employee benefits sales and client management, where he worked extensively within the health insurance industry. Throughout his career, Chris partnered with senior leadership at several of Aetna’s and UnitedHealthcare’s largest national account clients, supporting complex strategies in achieving their operational objectives.

Since retiring, Chris has remained actively engaged in leadership and community initiatives, including spearheading the redesign and restoration of a local golf course. He has renewed his commitment and dedication to the University, joining the UConn Foundation Board of Directors in October 2025. Chris and his wife reside in Newton, MA, and remain enthusiastic supporters of UConn students and athletics.

Debs Ghosh, Ph.D.

Debs Ghosh is a Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Geography, Sustainability, Urban, and Community Studies, where she has served on the faculty since 2011. She is a Principal Investigator with the Institute for Collaboration of Health, Intervention, and Policy (or InCHIP). Her research and teaching focus on health geography, advancing an interdisciplinary agenda to examine the causal pathways linking neighborhoods, health behaviors, and disparities using a variety of methodological approaches. Beyond research, Debs provides national leadership within the American Association of Geographers, having served as Chair of the National Councilors and Vice Chair of the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. At UConn, she is currently a member of the Graduate School’s Executive Committee, subcommittee for Graduate Success with the Graduate Faculty Council, and a member of CLAS’s AI Committee.

Kent Holsinger, Ph.D.

Kent Holsinger served as Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of The Graduate School from 2012 until his retirement in 2024. He earned his PhD in biological sciences at Stanford University. He held postdoctoral positions at the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California Davis before joining UConn as an assistant professor in the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. In 2012, he was appointed as a Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor — the university’s highest faculty honor.

Matthew Mroz, Ph.D.

Matthew Mroz leads UConn’s Research Development efforts as the Interim Director of Research Development, overseeing efforts within the Office of the Vice President for Research to support faculty research advancement and external funding success. His portfolio includes OVPR Internal Funding and research support programs, research opportunity matching, enhancement of collaboration/team science, research development training and education, and proposal development support. He also contributes to research strategy discussions and the building of external partnerships. He has a PhD in English Literature and Rhetoric and extensive experience in teaching, scholarship, and academic administration.

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.

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

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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

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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:

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

Fourth Session: Monday, April 27, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Speakers include:

Guleid Awale, PhD, Senior Scientist, Pfizer

Guleid Awale, PhD, is a Senior Scientist in the Pharmaceutical Sciences – Small Molecule (PSSM) department at Pfizer, based in Groton, Connecticut. He earned his BSE, MSE, and PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Connecticut. In his current role, he works on pharmaceutical development with a focus on translating solid oral drug candidates from early-stage research into robust, scalable dosage forms. His work spans formulation development, process understanding, and experimental design in support of drug product advancement. Previously, he was a part of the Professional Development Program (PDP) at Pfizer in the Lake Forest, IL site, where he gained experience in the formulation, analytical, and project management portions of the business.

 

Meghan Monroy, PhD, Principal Scientist, Lilly

Meghan Monroy, PhD, is a Principal Scientist at Lilly, where her work focuses on structure-guided approaches to understanding and modulating integrin function. She specializes in X-ray crystallography, structure-based drug design, and cross-functional scientific collaboration.

While working in industry, she is completing her PhD at Northeastern University. Her doctoral research integrates structural biology and bioengineering strategies, including targeted protein degradation, to investigate how to influence immune cell trafficking for therapeutic development.

Throughout her training across academia and industry, she has developed expertise at the interface of fundamental discovery and translational science. She is committed to translating science into meaningful patient impact.

On this panel, Meghan will share insights into navigating graduate training, building bridges between academia and industry, and shaping a career path aligned with both scientific curiosity and long-term impact.

Third Session: Monday, March 30, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Speakers include:

Christine Endicott, PhD, Senior Scientist, Alexion Pharmaceuticals

Christine Endicott, PhD is currently a senior scientist at Alexion Pharmaceuticals in New Haven where she leads teams in the biologics downstream process development group. Prior to her role at Alexion, Christine earned her PhD in chemical engineering from UConn in 2021. Before entering UConn’s PhD program, Christine worked at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals in Tarrytown, NY, in the downstream process development group. Christine also has an MS (Cornell University, 2010) and BS (UConn, 2008) in chemical engineering.  

Sarah Goldstein, PhD, MBA, Director of Oncology Global Medical Affairs, Eli Lilly

Sarah Goldstein, PhD, MBA, is the Director of Oncology Global Medical Affairs at Eli Lilly, where she leads strategic medical initiatives supporting genitourinary oncology programs across the product lifecycle. She partners closely with cross‑functional and global stakeholders to translate clinical evidence into impactful medical strategies that advance patient care. Sarah has extensive experience shaping medical narratives, guiding evidence generation, and supporting scientific engagement in complex oncology landscapes. Sarah earned her PhD in cellular and molecular biology at the University of Connecticut, as well as her Master of Business Administration. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in cellular and molecular biology at Connecticut College.

Third Session available here: https://youtu.be/o7-vMrL8x3o

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

Speakers include:

Martha Brown, PhD, 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 Meléndez-Fernández, PhD, 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”.

Second Session available here: https://youtu.be/k1cGuXfU8HY

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

Speakers include:

Manisha Sinha, PhD, 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, PhD, 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

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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

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