What can you do with a PhD beyond academia?Derek Crowe, PhD, a graduate of our biomedical genetics program, shares how he transitioned into data science and now helps cities use data to make better policy decisions at the Bloomberg Center for Government Excellence.He discusses how skills developed during graduate training, like problem-solving, data analysis, and…
In this episode of The Next Step Podcast, we sit down with Bo Hoon Lee, MD, child neurologist and associate director for the Child Neurology Residency program at the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, to talk about what it really means to design a career that fits.Bo shares how she built a…
In this episode of The Next Step, we sit down with Makaia Papasergi-Scott, PhD, assistant professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, as well as Pharmacology and Physiology, to talk about what happens when a carefully imagined career path doesn’t unfold the way you expect.Makaia shares her journey through graduate school, postdoctoral training, and into a research…
Colleen Fogarty, MD, MSc, chair of Family Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center, joins us for a conversation that blends creativity, reflection, and the realities of rural healthcare.Colleen talks about how 55-word stories can help trainees and clinicians pause, reflect, and make sense of the moments that define their work. These short narratives…
In this conversation, immunologist and science communicator Aimee Pugh Bernard ’01M (PhD) reflects on her path from academic research to public engagement.She discusses the evolving role of scientists as communicators, the barriers that keep research from reaching the public, and the power of collaboration and digital platforms to close that gap.Dr. Bernard shares practical guidance…
In the latest episode of The Next Step, Alejandro Vera ’23M (MS) shares his journey from the Bay Area to Rochester, where he discovered his passion for health humanities and bioethics.We talk about why this field is so important for connecting science, medicine, and the human experience, and how the program shaped his graduate education…
Dr. David Korones has spent decades caring for children with brain tumors as a pediatric oncologist and palliative care physician at Golisano Children’s Hospital. Along the way, he’s also built a remarkable body of writing, sharing the deeply human side of medicine with the public.In this episode, Dr. Korones reflects on what compels him to…
In this episode, we explore the journey of Qiuyi Wu ’24M (PhD), a postdoctoral research fellow in Biostatistics and Bioinformatics at Duke University.We discuss her educational path from Suzhou, China to Rochester and beyond, her research experience here at UofR under the direction of Xing Qiu, as well as the importance of internships in shaping…
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology PhD candidate Madeline Jensen joins us on The Next Step to share her path from graduate school to a new postdoc position at UT Southwestern.In this episode, Maddie reflects on the origins of her love of science, the increasing importance of RNA research, and what the postdoctoral search process really entails….
In this special episode for Mental Health Awareness Month, we explore the emotional toll of high-pressure careers in science and medicine, and why acknowledging our limits is essential to thriving.Amber Rivera, Director of Learner Life and Wellness here at SMD, shares how she supports graduate students and postdocs through moments of stress, uncertainty, and overwhelm….