The Next Step: Career and Grad School Advice from Our Alumni

Michael Chen, PhD came to the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry with all intentions of being a full time teacher. After earning his PhD in Health Services Research & Policy, he landed a tenure-track faculty position and began the career he had always envisioned. Then came the pandemic, and his career trajectory changed. In this episode of The Next Step, Michael joins f...

John Lueck, PhD, associate professor of Pharmacology & Physiology, shares the winding path that led him from graduate school uncertainty and career setbacks to leading cutting-edge research in RNA therapeutics and genetic disease. Lueck reflects on nearly leaving academia after a difficult postdoctoral experience, applying to countless industry jobs, and ultimately finding new momentum through...

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 scientific thinking, translate t...

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 role that blends clinical care, clinical trials research, and teaching without forc...

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 career shaped by obstacles, diffic...

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 become powerful tools for learnin...

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 for trai...

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 path. Alejandro also shares how taking a year after grad...

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 write, the vulnerability that comes with putting your wo...

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 her career. She reflects on the challenges she...

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. She discusses the critical role of mentorship, why P...

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. Karen Leitner, MD alum and...

Jessie Hogestyn is 2020 graduate of our Neuroscience Graduate Program, now a senior scientist at Sanofi. She shares how she balanced the demands of neuroscience research with career exploration during grad school, as well as how staying open and adaptable led her to a spot at Sanofi where she's spent the first five years of her career. From networking and internships to navigating the transiti...

Grad school is a marathon, so how do you stay energized and perform at your best? In this episode of The Next Step Podcast, we dive into strategies for staying healthy in academia—from quick, nutritious meals to realistic ways to stay active with a packed schedule. What you’ll learn:🔵 How diet and exercise impact focus and resilience🔵 Easy meal hacks for busy lab schedules🔵 Ways to prevent burn...

We're thrilled to have Tom O'Connor, PhD, SMD Genetics/Pharmacology and Physiology alum, join us for the latest episode of The Next Step podcast. Tom shares insights on transitioning from graduate school to being a scientist at  @rpcicreative  . He also discusses his shift from muscle biology to cancer research, and how a passion for scientific writing shaped his career. Get insights on pu...

The intersection of stroke rehabilitation & neuroscience research is transforming our understanding of the brain and recovery after a stroke. Catherine Lang, PT, PhD, Barbara J Norton Professor of Physical Therapy, Professor of Neurology and Occupational Therapy, and Associate Director of the Movement Science Program at the University of Washington in St. Louis, shares expert insights into str...

Savannah Moritzky, PhD is a 2022 graduate of our Translational Biomedical Science program, now working as a scientist at HDT Bio in Seattle. She joins The Next Step to talk about getting her first job at a start-up across the country where she had no established network, what it truly means to "wear many hats" at a young company, what qualities they look for in applicants now that she's part of th...

In celebration of International Education Week in November, we hosted a special conversation with two alumni who began their journeys at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry as international students. Cindi Lewis, who now serves as executive management to the Director General at the World Health Organization, and Vivek Nanda, an Assistant Professor at the University of Alab...

In the latest episode of The Next Step, we sit down with Jeff Wyatt, the University of Rochester's Veterinarian and Professor of Comparative Medicine, to discuss his career journey and the fascinating intersections between human, animal, and ecosystem health. Jeff talks about what led to his decision to pursue a master's in Public Health and ultimately bridge gaps between veterinary and human medi...

Our latest career discussion features Tara Vrooman Murante, who received her PhD in Microbiology and Immunology in July 2024. Tara is fresh into her new role as an Assistant Professor of Biology at Westfield State University in Massachusetts. We talk about how her intentions of going to medical school shifted to focus on a teaching career, how she developed relevant teaching experience to make her...

We’re excited to share a recent episode of NeURoscience Perspectives, the podcast produced by the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience. In this special edition, you'll see a curated, powerful mash-up of the best career and grad school advice from world-renowned neuroscientists who have visited the University of Rochester. If you’re curious about how a career in science might look for you, or i...

Special episode alert! The myHub crew joins the podcast as we take a look back some of the top pieces of wisdom from our alumni guests so far this year, as well as let our current graduate and postdoc trainees know about all the professional development resources they have at their disposal. myHub is a professional and career development office established for SMD graduate trainees bringing togeth...

Stefan joins us for our latest episode of The Next Step to talk about his career journey, how he transitioned from a technical role to strategic business development, advice to trainees exploring a career in regulatory affairs, and more. Stefan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sburde/ Pathology PhD Program: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/education/graduate/phd/pathology.aspx TÜV SÜD: https...

Jamie Butler, PhD is a 2002 graduate of our Biophysics graduate program and now works as the Vice President of Marketing at Hamamatsu, a leading company of light and technology products. We talk about how he became interested in tech, what it was like starting his career in sales, taking a year off from his career for personal reasons, and ultimately how he worked his way up to his current role. I...

We're thrilled to welcome Brenda Santiago Narvaez, PhD to our next career discussion on The Next Step! Hear about Brendaliz's journey from Puerto Rico to Rochester, why she decided to pursue teaching, how mentors had an impact on her journey, and more. Brenda is a 2012 graduate of our Microbiology and Immunology program. She also completed the PREP and Summer Scholars programs before pursu...