by Cass Atzrodt and Katie Caja (DIB Co-Chairs, G2)
The annual summer Data, Ideas, and Beverages (DIB) seminar presents a unique opportunity for MSTP students from all years to share with us their scientific journey, niche interests, and pearls of wisdom. Whereas structured guidelines are given to seminar speakers for the M1, G1, and G3 talks during the academic year, DIB presenters are given creative freedom to communicate their ideas however they see fit. This results in a diverse set of talks can be informative, funny, engaging, and discussion-sparking.
This year, we had seven excellent seminars given by members of the G2, G4, and M4 classes. Not only did they bring us a wide range of seminar topics, but they left us with some particularly poignant lessons from their experiences in the program (and life) so far. Summarized below are the topics and takeaways from each of this summer’s speakers:
- Ariel Thorson (M4) kicked us off with “How do I discuss weight with my patients?’ and other hard questions” – which was the first (I think…) sponsored DIB talk – big thank you to the Endocrine Society! She brought in a panel of endocrinologists, a dietician, and a nurse practitioner to give us guidance on approaching difficult weight management conversations.
- Her big takeaway: medical education must be improved to better prepare future practitioners to have supportive, non-judgmental conversations about weight management with their patients.
- Clara Si (M4) gave Dr. Chris Williams a scare when she titled her talk “Why I Didn’t Quit the MSTP”. Her talk provided a real take on the struggles of grad school, and provided advice for G-phase students navigating the Sisyphean task of completing a thesis project. She also discussed possible career paths for MD-PhDs that break the mold of the traditional path of academic medicine.
- Her big takeaways: choose mentors, not projects; don’t mistake a bad year for a bad career; find mentors that care about your future, not just your project; looking ahead can get you through the present; struggles feel smaller when they are shared; pivoting is not a sign of failure, but a standard part of research; and you do not need to commit today.
- Claire Hanson (G2) brought an artistic touch to our seminar series with “DAB (Data ART Beverages): Game of Life”. The audience got the chance to create their own art during this live coding session!
- Her big takeaways: wherever you go, find your people; carve your own path; and new ideas need some space to grow.
- Kimmy Mess (M4) inspired and entertained us with “What I’ve Learned About Inclusion from Life and Research”. We know she’s going to kick B-O-T-T-Y in her last year of the program!
- Her big takeaways: intervene early; chart your own path; most environments are not built for everyone – consider whose needs are not represented; and every coin has two sides – we get rich by embracing both.
- Sara Stiens (G2) hit us with a blast from the past with “How to Make an Important Scientific Discovery in Three Easy Steps: Lessons from History”. She schooled us in the story of Dr. Oswald Avery and how his scientific ups and downs led to the discovery that DNA is the material of heredity.
- Her big takeaways: pay attention to inconvenient data, turn big questions into small experiments, and don’t confuse recognition with significance.
- Ghassan Makhoul (G4) took us on a journey around the country and globe, and through industry and academia, in “Three Countries, Two Graduate Programs, One Mentor — How Did I Get Here?”.
- His big takeaway: the sacrifices of those who come before draw the horizon of what’s possible (and remembering that can help you keep going in the face of setbacks!)
- Emma Fritsch (G2) rounded out our series with “What’s harder: an MD-PhD or climbing Mt Everest?: The importance of doing the hard things, even if they scare you”. She also gave Dr. Williams a scare when she
- Her big takeaways: Listen to your body, not your mind – it tells you all you need to know; it’s about the little victories; remember who you are doing it for; lean on others, and let them lean on you – no one can do it alone; and you’re always just 2 minutes away
We’re grateful to all of this year’s DIB speakers for taking the time to put together their presentations in the midst of qualifying exams, the trials and tribulations of grad school, and the return to medical school! It has been a memorable summer, and we’re excited to hear more talks once seminar begins again this fall.
Emma Fritsch at Everest Base Camp with sherpas Santos and Rishi, whose support during the tougher moments of the trek inspired Emma’s perspective towards supporting her patients and friends.
A helpful diagram from Clara Si’s DIB talk explaining the ups and downs of med school – with her takeaway that had more than half the room nodding and saying “so true”
