>

ASPIRE on the Road

ASPIRE on the Road is an initiative aimed at broadening the training experiences of biomedical Ph.D. graduate students and postdocs by organizing site visits to companies and organizations to help our trainees make well-informed career decisions.

ASPIRE on the Road

Program Overview

ASPIRE On the Road is an initiative of the BRET Office of Career and Professional Development aimed at broadening the training experiences of biomedical PhD graduate students and postdocs by organizing site visits to companies and organizations to help our trainees make well-informed career decisions. 

Occurring twice annually, ASPIRE on the Road site visits provide postdoctoral fellows and graduate students the opportunity to learn about different career options by touring a variety of workplaces and meeting professionals in a range of roles in different cities across the US.

Twelve current PhD students and postdoctoral fellows embark on a biotech adventure, learning about area companies and connecting with local VU biomedical PhD alumni in the area.

Locations have included Boston, Seattle, San Diego, San Francisco, St. Louis, Washington DC, and Nashville.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicants must be affiliated with a School of Medicine or VUMC PhD or postdoctoral program.
  • PhD students must have passed their qualifying exams before the application deadline.
  • Applicants must be able to attend the full site visit in the selected city which may require additional time for travel. 

Alumni Networking Happy Hour

At each destination, local alumni are invited to attend a BRET Alumni Networking Happy Hour.

Co-sponsored by the BRET Career and Professional Development, Vanderbilt University Basic Sciences Office of the Dean, and Vanderbilt University Development and Alumni Relations.

Read about past ASPIRE on the Road Trips

students and alumni in front of seattle space needle