Turning the Kaleidoscope of Careers at the 2023 ASPIRE Symposium
This article was originally published in the 2022 – 2023 Annual Report
By ASPIRE Staff
The 2023 BRET Annual Career Symposium with this year’s theme, “A Kaleidoscope of Biomedical Science Careers,” was held on June 2nd at Vanderbilt University’s Student Life Center. The symposium, sponsored by the BRET Office of Career Development ASPIRE Program and training grants in biomedical and biological sciences, brought together over 200 biomedical science PhD graduate students and postdoctoral trainees. The BRET Annual Career Symposium has a rich history, having been held since 2006. Each year, the symposium covers different topics and invites diverse speakers to engage with biomedical science graduate students and postdocs, providing them with valuable insights and guidance for their career paths. This year’s symposium again featured an impressive lineup of 11 speakers who shared their personal and professional experiences.
The keynote speaker, Gauri Nair, PhD, Vice-President of Innovation at MassBio, delivered a keynote titled, “What a Long Strange Trip It’s Been.” Nair took the audience on a journey through her own career trajectory, starting from her upbringing in a small suburb outside Mumbai, India, to her current position as a leader in the biotech industry. Nair emphasized the significance of relationships, networks, and mentors, and how they played a vital role in shaping her career.
The symposium provided an excellent platform for attendees to gain valuable insights into various biomedical science career paths. From academia to industry to government, the diverse range of
topics covered during the event offered a comprehensive view of the opportunities available post-PhD. Attendees had opportunities to engage with speakers, ask questions, and network with fellow students and postdocs, fostering connections that may prove beneficial down the road.
Another opportunity provided by this year’s symposium was the popular alumni connection session, Networking Huddles. These small-group networking sessions with structured rotations allowed PhD students and postdoctoral fellows to sit down with alumni and employers for 15-20 minutes at a time providing meaningful personal interactions.
The ASPIRE Annual Career Symposium continues to be a significant milestone in the professional development of graduate students and postdocs, contributing to the growth and success of the Vanderbilt biomedical science trainee community.