PREP NEWS

PREP NEWSLETTERS

Juan Apiz Saab (PREP class of 2018): “The UChicago PREP allowed me to get hands on research experience, and see myself as a member of the scientific community who can really strive for positive change.”

2023-2024 PREP Scholar Cohort

2024 PREP Symposium

Congratulations to this year’s cohort of PREP Scholars, who completed the program on Tuesday, June 4th! After writing a final written report of the lab research that they conducted throughout the academic year, they also presented their research at the 2024 PREP Symposium. This year’s presentations included studies of RNA modification, the biology of psychotic disorders, spatial navigation memory, and more. A special thank you to all of this year’s PREP mentors: Drs. Sarah London, Cara Brook, Mark Sheffield, Nancy Schwartz, Miriam Domowicz, Jai Yu, Paschalis Kratsios, Sarah Keedy, and Tao Pan. Additionally, thank you to Dr. Miriam Domowicz for mentoring our PREP Scholars through weekly Journal Club meetings and their preparations for the Symposium. Our 2023-2024 cohort will be continuing their studies next year at institutions including the University of Michigan, Johns Hopkins University, the Medical University of South Carolina, Washington University at St. Louis, Emory University, and Michigan State University. We are so proud of our PREP Scholars and look forward to seeing the ways in which they will continue to grow as alumni!

2024 PREP/IMSD Symposium

The 2024 PREP/IMSD Symposium, “Making Our Mark: Celebrating Diversity in Scientific Success” took place on May 10th and 11th. This student-led biomedical research conference provided postbaccalaureate and PhD students from Northwestern University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Notre Dame, the University of Chicago, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and Rush University Medical Center with the chance to connect, present their research, and attend a variety of talks. The weekend featured a keynote speech from Dr. Maria C. Carrillo, panels on career opportunities and graduate school preparation, and workshops on identifying individual strengths and effectively communicating with PIs. Additionally, student researchers displayed their findings through oral presentations, lightning talks, and poster exhibitions. Attendees praised the symposium, with one IMSD student stating that “it was fantastic to exchange ideas and learn about the scientific endeavors of others in my community.” Listeners noted the strength of the speakers and the empowering nature of their messages. Thank you to those who aided in planning the event and all attendees for the excellent weekend!

PREP/IMSD Poster Session

UChicago PREP Scholars, Class of 2021

PREP Symposium 2021

The eight 2020-21 UChicago PREP Scholars completed the PREP Program under a hybrid model this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and university protocols that have limited in-person events and meetings. While it was another unusual year on campus, the PREP Scholars were able to take advantage of both virtual and in-person research, graduate level science courses, journal clubs, lab meetings, workshops, and research presentations and seminars throughout the year. The Scholars presented their research orally at the final PREP Symposium on June 8, 2021 and completed a final written report based on their lab research conducted this year. Congratulations to all on your wonderful final presentations, your accomplishments this year, and your continued commitment to your education and training! The group is now moving on to their next career steps and have enrolled in graduate training programs at Northwestern University (2), UCLA (2), Vanderbilt, Duke, Yale, and Columbia University. Thank you to all of the PREP Mentors this year and good luck to all the Scholars in the next phases of your careers!

UChicago PREP completes the 2019-2020 year virtually

The eight 2019-2020 UChicago PREP Scholars completed the PREP Program “virtually” this year due to the ongoing COVID pandemic and campus lab closures. While it was an unusual end to the year, the PREP Scholars were able to take advantage of virtual courses, journal clubs, lab meetings, research presentations and seminars throughout the Spring Quarter. Special thanks to Co-director Dr. Domowicz who met with the PREP Scholars twice weekly for journal club, professional development sessions and virtual research presentations. The Scholars all also completed a final written research report based on their lab research conducted this year. Congratulations to all on your continued commitment to your education and training throughout the most unusual and trying circumstances in 2020! This group is now moving on to their next career steps and have enrolled in graduate programs at Washington University, University of Chicago, San Francisco State University/UCSF, University of Michigan and Columbia University. Good luck to all in the next phases of your careers!

UChicago PREP Scholars, Class of 2020

UChicago PREP Scholars, Class of 2019

PREP Symposium 2019

Congratulations to the 2018-2019 University of Chicago PREP Scholars! 8 Scholars finished the PREP program and presented their research at the PREP Symposium on June 12, 2019. They will be enrolling in graduate school to continue their studies at institutions including Northwestern, Emory, Georgia State, Baylor and UCSD this Fall. We wish them the best in their future research careers!

PREP/IMSD Midwest Regional Symposium 2019

The 2019 Midwest Regional PREP & IMSD Symposium was held May 10-11, 2019 and was hosted by the University of Chicago and Northwestern University PREP and IMSD Programs at the Big Ten Conference Center. The 85 participants from 7 Midwestern institutions included 29 PREP Scholars, 38 graduate students, 7 guest speakers and panelists, and 11 PREP/IMSD program directors. The theme of the 2019 Symposium was “From Here to There: My Science, Our Community, Our Stories” and was organized by a student-led committee of PREP Scholars and IMSD graduate students from the University of Chicago and Northwestern University, and included scientific research sessions, professional development, and networking opportunities. The Symposium was designed to highlight the stories and journeys of individuals form underrepresented groups pursuing scientific careers, and how students and professionals alike overcame adversity to be where they are today.

The Symposium was sponsored by the University of Chicago BSD Office of Diversity & Inclusion, the NIH, and the UChicago and Northwestern PREP and IMSD Programs.

Click here to read the full article: 2019 Midwest Regional Symposium recap

2019 PREP/IMSD Midwest Regional Symposium Attendees