Biomedical Sciences (BMS) Trainee Association

The goal of the BMS Trainee Association is to provide a framework for postdoctoral and graduate students of faculty in the Biomedical Sciences (BMS), Family Medicine and Behavioral Health (FMBH), and the College of Pharmacy at the Medical School, Duluth Campus, to create learning opportunities to enhance the career development of trainees, and to promote an inclusive and welcoming community for all trainees.

The Association offers trainees bi-weekly opportunities to meet over lunch to network with world-class speakers from the scientific community, as well as  with other graduates and professionals, and gather in a space dedicated to empowering them to engage with peers and pursue career development prospects.

The BMS Trainee Association was launched Fall semester 2022 under the leadership of Dr. Sarah Lacher, BMS Assistant Professor and Chair of the Biomedical Sciences DEI Committee. The BMS Trainee Association is funded by the Biomedical Sciences Department.  Hina Durrani, MS, the inaugural Chair of the Association, is a Graduate Research Assistant in the Zimmer Lab and a PhD candidate in Integrated Biosciences

Expectations of the BMS Trainee Association

  • Organize and select a leader each year with the goal of monthly meetings or activities consistent with the goals of the association
  • Manage a budget to pay for association activities
  • Generate a short report on activities and expenditures by June 15, 2023, to the BMS Department Head

 
Upcoming Event: 

March 15, 2023, Noon - 1 pm
Guest: Jeffrey Hunger, PhD, Assistant Professor of Social Psychology, Miami University
Location: SMED 398
Meeting topic: TBD

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2022/2023 Schedule

November 16, 2022, 1-2 pm
Location: SMED 398
Meeting topic: Association initial meeting

November 30, 2022, 1-2 pm
Location: SMED 398
Meeting topic: 3-minute thesis practice

December 7, 2022, 1-2 pm
Guest: Laurie Read, PhD, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Buffalo, State University of New York
Location: SMED 398
Meeting topic: Coffee hour with Dr. Read

January 18,  2023, 1-2 pm
Lunch guest: Kyoko Yoshida, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. 
Location: SMED 398
Meeting topic: TBD

February 1,  2023, 1-2 pm
Lunch guest: Dr. Martin Phillips
Dr. Martin Phillips is a chemist and human health assessor at the US Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (US EPA/OPPT).
Location: SMED 398
Meeting topic: Career path for National agencies and Networking

February 15, 2023, Noon-1 pm
Guest: Dr. Ezequiel Marron, AHC Seminar guest
Ezequiel Marron Fernandez de Velasco, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Seminar Title: "GIRK channel contribution to mood and substance use disorders"
Location: SMED 398
Meeting topic: Career Development and Opportunities

March 1,  2023, 1 - 2 pm
Guest: Laura Schulz, PhD, Director of the Institute for Women’s Health and Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Missouri
Location: SMED 398
Meeting topic: TBD

March 15, 2023, Noon-1 pm
Guest: Jeffrey Hunger, PhD, Assistant Professor of Social Psychology, Miami University
Location: SMED 398
Meeting topic: TBD

March 29,  2023, Noon-1 pm
Guest: TBD
Location: SMED 398
Meeting topic: TBD

April 5,  2023, Noon-1 pm
Guest: TBD
Location: SMED 398
Meeting topic: TBD

April 19,  2023, Noon-1 pm
Guest: TBD
Location: SMED 398
Meeting topic: TBD

May 3, 2023, Noon-1 pm
Guest: TBD
Location: SMED 398
Meeting topic: TBD

May 17, 2023, Noon-1 pm
Guest: TBD
Location: SMED 398
Meeting topic: TBD

May 31, 2023, Noon-1 pm
Guest: TBD
Location: SMED 398
Meeting topic: TBD

Committee Members

Chair of the BTA
Hina Durrani, MS, Chair of the Association
Graduate Research Assistant, Zimmer Lab
PhD Candidate, Integrated Biosciences

Faculty Advisor to the BTA
Sarah Lacher, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Biomedical Sciences 
Medical School Duluth Campus 

Contact

For additional information about the BMS Trainee Association program, contact:
Hina Durrani, MS
Department of Biomedical Sciences
Medical School Duluth Campus
durra018@d.umn.edu