Educational Opportunities

The following educational opportunities are offered to supplement the courses and lab work that are required for the Ph.D. program.

Lecture Series and Seminars
Students are expected to attend a weekly one-hour seminar course in the fall and spring terms that is based around the Stowers Institute's Lecture Series. The Lecture Series brings to the Stowers Institute renowned scientists from all over the world who give talks about a variety of scientific topics.

Students are encouraged to attend other seminars at the Stowers Institute, and an advisor may require a student to attend additional particular seminars.

Science Club
Students are expected to attend a weekly Science Club in the fall and spring terms where two students or postdoctoral researchers from Stowers Institute laboratories present their research. Following the lectures, attendees gather to interact and share scientific experiences.

Crossroads
The Graduate School participates in the Crossroads program at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research that exposes graduate and postdoctoral students to career options and helps them prepare for their next career move. Crossroads sponsors talks from and meetings with researchers and representatives of industry, academia, and nonprofit institutions; provides assistance with curriculum vitae and interview preparation; creates opportunities for students to make presentations about their research to groups of peers and/or advisors; and is a vehicle for interaction and collaboration among students. Crossroads hosts an annual Young Investigator Research Day for students to speak about their work and present posters, and it is organized by a small group of students.

Scientific Meetings
The Graduate School pays the travel expenses for students to attend two scientific meetings or courses per year.

Teaching
Students with an interest in teaching may, with their Thesis Committee's consent, serve as teaching assistants either in the first-term modules or in courses taught by faculty. However, teaching is not a requirement of the program.