Careers

Careers Roundtable

Sponsored by the AAI Minority Affairs Committee

Chair:

• Tonya J. Webb, Univ. of Maryland Sch. of Med.; AAI Minority Affairs Committee Chair

Networking skills have never been more crucial to ensure success for early/mid-career scientists, including those traditionally under-represented in biomedical research. At the session, take advantage of the opportunity to meet in small-group format with accomplished, senior immunologists to hear how they have handled the career challenges you now face and learn what they believe will work for you today. Then, practice networking in a relaxed environment offering a structured networking exercise and personalized feedback on communicating your scientific interests/objectives most effectively. Scientists and trainees of all backgrounds are encouraged to attend!

Discussion Topics

Grad student: finding a mentor, setting sights on postdoc training

• Claudia Jakubzick, Dartmouth Geisel Sch. of Med.
• Luis Sanchez-Perez, Tune Therapeutics
• Tonya Webb, Univ. of Maryland

Postdoc: finding a mentor, setting sights on a faculty position

• Mireia Guerau, Ohio State Univ.
• De’Broski Herbert, Univ. of Pennsylvania Sch. of Vet. Med.
• Henrique Serezani, Vanderbilt Univ.

Junior Faculty: preparing for promotion and tenure

• Carla Rothlin, Yale Univ.
• Harlan Jones, Univ. of North Texas Health Science Center
• Luis Montaner, Wistar Institute

Academia or Industry: how to decide (or switch sides)

• Amina Abdul Qayum, Siolta Therapeutics
• Cherié Butts, Biogen
• Jonathan Deane, Kumquat Biosciences
• Louis Gonzalez, Shattuck Labs
• Frann Antingano, STEMCELL Technologies

Government Agency Careers

• Jennifer Martinez, NIEHS, NIH
• Marta Catalfamo, Georgetown Univ. (formerly, NIH)

Non-Bench-Research Science Careers

• Entrepreneurship—James W. Lillard, Morehouse Sch. of Med. and JYANT Technologies
• Grants implementation/compliance—Julio Aliberti, NIAID, NIH
• Nonprofits/Foundations—Thandi Onami, Gates Fndn.
• Nonprofits/Foundations—Aliyah Weinstein, Addgene
• Research technology—Robert Balderas, BD Biosciences
• Science policy—Lauren G. Gross, Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs, AAI
• Scientific publishing—Nicole Beauchamp, Science Associate, AAI

NIH Grants Workshop: Demystifying the Grant Application Submission, Review, and Funding Processes

Chair:

• Tina McIntyre, CSR, NIH

Panelists:

• Tina McIntyre, Scientific Review Officer, III Study Section, Immunology IRG, DPPS, CSR, NIH
• Deborah Hodge, Scientific Review Officer, HAI Study Section, Immunology IRG, DPPS, CSR, NIH
• Julio Aliberti, Scientific Review Officer, Immunology Review Branch, NIAID, NIH
• Joseph Breen, Chief, Immunoregulation Section, Basic Immunology Branch, DAIT, NIAID, NIH

This workshop will provide participants with an overview of NIH grant submission, assignment, review, and funding opportunities. Emphasis will be given to identification of the most appropriate funding agencies and mechanisms available through NIH, how to make an application “reviewer friendly,” and other strategies that contribute to applications that succeed in obtaining research funding. The workshop will also provide information on how to understand the peer review system, which is essential to competing successfully for funding, with a focus on recent changes to the review process. NIH review and program staff will provide a broad array of expertise and encourage questions from seminar participants. This workshop is open to anyone interested in learning more about preparing an NIH grant application and obtaining NIH funding. Trainees and independent investigators are welcome.

Careers in Science Roundtables

Sponsored by the AAI Education Committee & AAI Committee on the Status of Women

Chairs:

• Laura A. Solt, Scripps Res., AAI Committee on the Status of Women Chair
• Dorina Avram, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr. and Res. Inst.

Speaker:

• Joan Goverman, Univ. of Washington, Overcoming self-doubt and becoming a confident scientist

At this popular session, attendees will have the opportunity to meet with experienced scientists to explore specific career issues important to men and women in science today. Gain insights into issues you are confronting in your own career. Topics include international opportunities in science, succeeding in graduate school, tips on grant writing, considerations for scientists in M.D.-Ph.D. careers, and exciting careers beyond the bench. New to the 2021 session are topics on building productive mentor/mentee relationships, overcoming self-doubt, and tackling gender biases in recruitment, research, and leadership. Other topics will include navigating work-life issues, such as balancing careers with family and transitioning from specific career stages, which may be relevant to any work environment (academic research, biotech industry, governmental agencies, non-profit). Don’t miss this great opportunity!

Discussion topics

• New PI (mentoring effectively, recruiting students and postdocs, preparing for promotion, tips for balancing teaching and research)
• Succeeding in Graduate School
• Graduate Student to Postdoc
• Postdoc to PI
• Work/Life Balance
• Building Networking Skills
• Biotech and Industry
• Overcoming Self-Doubt and Becoming a Confident Scientist
• Tackling Gender Biases in Recruitment, Research, and Leadership
• Careers in Government Agencies
• Scientific Publishing
• Opportunities for Scientists in Non-profits/Foundations & Careers in Science Policy
• Grant Writing for PIs
• Research from M.D., Ph.D. Perspective/The Phsysician Scientist
• International Opportunities

Panel Discussion: Minority Scientists’ Experience: Challenging and Overcoming Barriers to Enhancing Diversity and Career Advancement

Sponsored by the AAI Minority Affairs Committee

Chair:

• Tonya Webb, Univ. of Maryland Sch. of Med., AAI Minority Affairs Committee Chair

Panelists:

• Cherié L. Butts, Biogen, The importance of fostering a health equity mindset across the biomedical research ecosystem
• Mireia Guerau-De-Arellano, Ohio State Univ., How to be an ally in front of microaggressions
• Harlan P. Jones, Univ. of North Texas Hlth. Sci. Ctr., Creating self-efficacy and persistence by engaging in a community of practice
• Luis J. Montaner, Wistar Inst., Does the minority status help or hurt in career advancement? My experience from student to chaired professor
• Luis A. Sanchez-Perez, Tune Therapeutics, Be mentored, be present, be a leader… How becoming a leader promotes diversity and career advancement in academia or industry

Today’s urgent national attention on race and racism challenges institutions and individuals, including scientists, to contribute their voices and actions to ending the toll racism takes on society and science careers. In this important and timely discussion, panelists will draw from their experiences and share their perspectives on strategies for dealing with barriers to diversity, equity, and inclusion that persist in society and science. This session, open to all meeting attendees, is intended to provoke dialogue on the part of all participants about the individual and institutional actions—and inaction—that perpetuate barriers to career advancement.

How to Have a Successful Postdoctoral Experience

Chair:

• Mary T. Litzinger, AAI

Speaker:

• Lori Conlan, Office of Postdoctoral Services, NIH

A postdoctoral fellowship is the time to develop research skills you will need to succeed as an independent scientist. It is, however, just as important to realize that you need to prepare for a career path at the same time. This session will highlight ways of getting the most out of your postdoctoral fellowship, relating successfully with your mentor, and understanding how to use the resources available to you to ensure that your training prepares you adequately for a seamless transition into the next phase of your career.

Careers in Biotech Panel Discussion

Sponsored by the AAI Education Committee

Chairs:

• H. Kiyomi Komori, Arena Pharmaceuticals
• Mary T. Litzinger, AAI

Panelists:

• Lokesh Kalekar, Senior Scientist, eGenesis, Inc., Boston, MA
• Sadiye Rieder, Senior Scientist, Viela Bio, Gaithersburg, MD
• Rachel S. Soloff, Senior Director of Research, Kyowa Kirin Pharma. Res., La Jolla, CA
• Tania Wiens, Senior Director of Business Development, Precision for Med., Carlsbad, CA

Many opportunities exist in biotechnology for scientists with advanced degrees. There are positions in laboratory research, program management, business development, regulatory affairs, clinical trials oversight, medical liaison, and more. This panel features scientists employed in a variety of positions discussing their career paths and the skills required for success in each.

How to Convert Your CV into a Résumé

Chair:

• Mary T. Litzinger, AAI

Speaker:

• Derek Haseltine, Hertz Foundation

For anyone seeking a job outside of academe, how you present yourself on paper is critical. A well prepared résumé can make all the difference in securing that interview. The focus of this session will be on the important elements of a résumé, the differences between a résumé and the standard academic curriculum vitae, and the information needed to make a good impression. In this special career development session, attendees will be instructed in how to transform their CVs into professional résumés.

Immunology Teaching Interest Group: Enhancing Your Immunology Teaching

Sponsored by the AAI Education Committee

Chairs:

• Edith Porter, California State Univ., Los Angeles
• Michelle A. Swanson-Mungerson, Chicago Col. of Osteopathic Med., Midwestern Univ.

Speakers:

• Edith Porter, California State Univ., Los Angeles, Undergraduate curriculum guidelines
• Michelle A. Swanson-Mungerson, Chicago Col. of Osteopathic Med., Midwestern Univ., Student application of immunology concepts and mechanisms through test-based learning on Canvas
• Gerald L. Buldak, Loyola Univ. Chicago, Toward an animated visual model for teaching immunology
• Pierette M. Appasamy, Chatham Univ., Avoiding the “can’t see the forest for the trees” problem in teaching immunology

Breakout Session Leaders:

• William H. Carr, Medgar Evers Col., CUNY, A hands-on workshop on using H5P as an active learning tool to build content-based critical thinking skills
• Sharon A. Stranford, Pomona Col., Active learning strategies
• Natalie C. Steinel, Univ. of Massachusetts, Lowell, and Abby L. Geis, Arkansas Col. of Osteopathic Med., Innovation in the medical immunology classroom
• Julie M. Jameson, California State Univ., San Marcos, Virtual teaching strategies

Are you looking for new ideas or strategies to enliven and improve your teaching? If so, please join us for this special interest group which will focus on strategies that instructors can use to successfully convey immunology concepts to students at the undergraduate and graduate level. The session will explore the use of test-based learning, animated visual models, active learning strategies, and more through talks and structured breakout discussion groups. Current educators, new faculty, and trainees with an interest in teaching are welcome.

Interviewing for a Job

Chair:

• Mary T. Litzinger, AAI

Speaker:

• Derek Haseltine, Hertz Foundation

This session will be focused on tips and techniques to help you successfully navigate the interview process. Emphasis will be on how you can present yourself in the best possible light. You will also learn how to respond to unexpected questions. This session is open to anyone but is especially intended for student and postdoctoral attendees.