News & Posts
November is Native American Heritage Month
In honor of Native American Heritage Month, BU GMS has compiled a list of notable books written by Indigenous authors. We want to share these great reads in an effort to amplify Indigenous voices and celebrate the diverse cultures of the Native American community. To learn more about Native American culture, click on the resources below. 7 Native American Inventions that Revolutionized Medicine and Public Health. History of Science - History of Science in Non-Western Traditions: Native America https://www.nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/ Native American Heritage Month | Boston.gov Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness Sightseeing Historical Markers Trail TED talk on language: Native American Culture - Language: the Key to Everything Native-Land.ca | Our home on native land Land Acknowledgement | Native American Cultural Programs
Genetic Counseling Receives New Grant to Promote Diversity
On this year’s Genetic Counselor Awareness Day, Boston University School of Medicine’s MS Genetic Counseling Program (BUGCP) is announcing two exciting new initiatives to continue enhancing the training and expertise within the field of genetic counseling. For the 2021-2022 admissions cycle, BUGCP will offer enrollment in a dual degree MS MPH program with the School of Public Health, and will join the Alliance to Increase Diversity in Genetic Counseling – a scholarship and fellowship program for underrepresented students in the field. The Alliance to Increase Diversity in Genetic Counseling A lack of diversity in multiple dimensions is a major issue in most fields of medicine, including the field of genetic counseling. Ninety-four percent of genetic counselors are female, and 90 percent are white, according to the National Society of Genetic Counselors. To combat this issue and educate a genetic counseling workforce that improves support for patients from underrepresented backgrounds, BUGCP has joined the Alliance... More
C3 gFIRST Mentor Spotlights for First Gen Week
In honor of celebrating national First-Generation College student day, BU's Graduate Medical Sciences Community Catalyst Center (C3) has peer mentor spotlights to highlight our first-generation student mentors and all of their contributions to the GMS community and their peers. Please click below to read more about our mentors Matt, Elissa and Taylor and learn about how to connect with them at the next upcoming C3 gFirst events! C3 gFIRST Mentor Spotlight Boston University Graduate Medical Sciences Community Catalyst Center (C3) is proud to support their peer mentors for the First Generation Group (gFirst). Our peer mentors are proud to share their diverse and unique backgrounds with fellow students to support the holistic success and community we have developed through our students, staff and faculty. We hope that these interviews will help you get to know our mentors here at BU and C3. All about MatthewMatt is currently a 2nd year MAMS student (MS in Medical... More
Learning Community on Inclusive STEM Teaching
The CTL and PDPA invite graduate students and postdoctoral scholars to join a Learning Community on inclusive teaching in STEM courses. The Learning Community will have a synchronous and asynchronous component: participants will meet weekly over Zoom on Thursday mornings from 9:30-11 am during October and November to build on their asynchronous participation in the Inclusive STEM Teaching Project edX course. Participants will engage in deep reflection and discussions around topics of equity and inclusion in learning environments across a variety of institutional contexts. Benefits to your participation include: Opportunity to learn new and refine existing skills in inclusive instruction Flexible learning – edX course materials and activities are self-paced Weekly discussions with peers from BU for in-depth learning and skills development Learn more here.
Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15 officially marks the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month! We are proud to support and uplift our Hispanic and Latinx community at Graduate Medical Sciences. If you know of an event or resource you’d like added to this list, please email Sara Frazier. Events City Hall Lighting Ceremony for Hispanic Heritage Month Wednesday, September 15 | 6-8 p.m. “Join the City of Boston's Latinx Employee Resource Group for a virtual and in-person celebration to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month.” Hispanic Star Boston Kickoff Reception Thursday, September 23 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. “Join Hispanic Star Boston as we kickoff the Hispanic Heritage Month for an evening of networking & community engagement." El Mundo Hispanic Heritage Breakfast Friday, October 15 | 7-9 a.m. “Join representatives from some of Boston’s most prestigious corporate and public institutions as they share their lighthearted – and often hilarious – commentary on the Latino community, their contributions to the city and state, and their many lovable quirks.” Resources National... More
C3 Community Catalyst Center Launches!
Graduate Medical Sciences believes that graduate education is enriched by diversity and a strong sense of community among peers. This philosophy sparked the idea for the Graduate Medical Sciences Community Catalyst Center (C3), which officially launches this week. The center’s goal is to foster holistic success for the diverse GMS student community by providing helpful resources, events, workshops and community chats. “As we welcome both incoming and returning students back to campus for the fall, we are excited to offer this additional support to our students,” said Deborah Stearns-Kurosawa, PhD, ad interim Associate Provost and Dean of GMS. Students of all backgrounds are encouraged to participate in C3 programming. The center’s five affinity groups are gSOC (students of color), gFIRST (first-generation students) gMAV (military-affiliated and veteran students), gPLUS (LGBTQIA+ students) and gGLOBAL (international students). “We are so proud of the diverse perspectives of our community and are eager to make sure that all... More
22 STaRS Share Their Summer Research
The Summer Training as Research Scholars (STaRS) Program concluded its 10-week research experience with a virtual symposium held Aug. 5. Overseen by Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS), the STaRS Program is funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the NIH. It has trained over 150 scholars and received more than 3,000 applications since its inception. Trainees work with faculty, fellow students and postdoctoral associates on cutting-edge biomedical research projects, build powerful and lasting relationships and set a course for college and career success. Each week the scholars worked alongside their mentors realizing virtual projects, presenting their research at meetings and attending seminars aimed at preparing them for application to graduate and medical school on a research path. After an opening welcome from Director of the STaRS Program Isabel Dominguez, PhD, who also is assistant professor of medicine, the virtual symposium began by acknowledging the faculty, professionals, student mentors and administrators that contributed... More
Meaning-Making for First-gen Grad & Professional Students
What is meaning making? According to Roger Kegan’s theory of meaning-making development, meaning making “is a conceptualization of how human beings make meaning of themselves, of others, and of their experiences throughout their life-span.” In this 4-week series, you’ll have the opportunity for personal self-reflection through free writing and small group discussion that will be supported by short articles and readings on meaning-making and purpose of life. All sessions will be held virtually on Zoom. Please sign up for the series only if you’re able to attend all 4 sessions. REGISTRATION is required. THEMES: Week 1: Introduction to Meaning Making: What are my Values? Week 2: The past–Exploration of my Identity: Who am I and where am I from? Week 3: The present–Resiliency and Joy: How does graduate school fit into my life’s purpose? How can I sustain my passion for my work and build my resilience during challenging times? What brings me joy and... More
Celebrating Juneteenth: The History Behind Freedom Day
Juneteenth, traditionally observed on June 19, marks the day in 1865 when the last enslaved people in America were told they were free. On this date slaves in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863. Also frequently referred to as Freedom Day, Juneteenth is already celebrated in most states. This is the first year it is an official holiday in the state of Massachusetts. As of this year, Boston University now recognizes Juneteenth as an official holiday as part of ongoing efforts to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive. The United States Senate and House of Representatives approved a bill that would make Juneteenth a legal public holiday, and the measure is expected to be approved by President Biden. BU is hosting various online webinars and events to allow our community to engage with and learn more about... More
Program Spotlight: Summer Research as Training Scholars (STaRS)
Boston University Summer Training as Research Scholars (BU STaRS) is a summer-long program designed to promote access to graduation education for traditionally underrepresented students in research and medicine. Scholars are provided with the opportunity for research, enhancing skills required for admission to graduate programs. Each STaRS scholar is paired with a faculty mentor to participate in research projects of varied interests not limited to substance abuse disorders, neuroscience, and cancer research. In addition, the STaRS program provides bi-weekly seminars focused on research and abstract writing, career advice, including applying to PhD or MD/PhD programs. The 2021 BU STaRS program takes place from May 31 - August 6 (for undergraduate students) and May 17 - July 9 (for medical students). The end-of-program symposium, where students present their research findings to colleagues and faculty, will take place on August 5. The program is grant funded through the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the NIH... More