The first few weeks of the semester at a new school/department are all about learning who's who and where to get all the resources. There are 13 first year EBIO graduate students - 10 men and 3 women which is unusual for EBIO departments. We also have two new faculty this year - Laura Dee and Julian Resasco. Our department chair, Deane Bowers, will be leading all of the first year students through a course called 'Parade of Champions' or CHUMPS, which hosts different faculty each week so that we learn about all the research that is happening in the department. On our first day of CHUMPS, we met one another and tried to match faces with names with research topics while enjoying delicious snacks.
Last night was the annual EBIO potluck where we were introduced to some of the more seasoned students in the department. I am slowly becoming familiar with everyone here and the rhythm of EBIO compared to BioFrontiers. We have annual progress reports that must be submitted to the department and approved by our individual committee members. The progress report includes research, mentoring, and external accomplishments. There are all sorts of ways to get involved in the EBIO department including mentorship programs, reading groups on special topics, diversity and inclusion, and teaching certificates. There is certainly not a lack of things to do - I have to be careful not to pick too many. For now, I am thinking I will stick to triathlon club with just three races this fall, establishing a group of students to attend the University of Wyoming Shepard Symposium in the spring, and the QED Supergroup organization (below). Plenty more will come my way, but that is plenty to do alongside teaching General Biology, taking two seminar courses, and trying to get some research underway in the Barger Lab. I still have a small connection with BioFrontiers this semester. I volunteered to help with organizing the Quantitative Exploration and Discussion (QED) Supergroup which will meet three times a semester at the JSCB Building on campus. This Supergroup includes anyone working on quantitative biology and offers both tutorials and opportunities for data talks. Data talks are a presentation of raw data and the methods you are using to analyze that data. It is an opportunity to teach other people about your work but also to get feedback and ideas for how to best move forward with your research. The goal of all the Supergroups is to build community in BioFrontiers and help people find the resources they need to be successful. And of course, gotta get outside while it's still nice. The alpine gentian is in full bloom in the high country right now and it is lovely.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorSierra is a graduate student in the Barger Lab at CU Boulder studying microbial ecology for dryland restoration. Archives
August 2023
Categories |