ASPIRE UP: A Career and Professional Development Series for Biomedical Science Trainees
The ASPIRE Up series is a monthly workshop series for biomedical Ph.D. students and postdoctoral scientists to aide in advancing their career and professional skills. Topics will include navigating career choices, grant writing, job search skills and more!
Add the sessions to your calendar!
2025-2026
| Date and Time | Title/Topic | Speaker | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 13, 2025 3:00 - 4:00PM | NSF GRFP Workshop #1 | Various | Light Hall 202 |
| August 26, 2025 4:00 - 5:30PM | NSF GRFP Workshop #2Writing Compelling Essays for the NSF GRFP | Various | Light Hall 407 |
| September 4, 2025 11:00 - Noon | Informational Interviewing | Ashley Brady, PhD Assistant Dean of Biomedical Career Engagement and Strategic Partnerships, Associate Professor of Medical Education and Administration, BRET Office | Light Hall 411 |
| October 2, 2025 11:00 - Noon | Biopharma Careers 2025–2026: Opportunities and Challenges for Early Career PhD Scientists | Ashley Brady, PhD Assistant Dean of Biomedical Career Engagement and Strategic Partnerships, Associate Professor of Medical Education and Administration, BRET Office | Light Hall 202 |
| October 16, 2025 Noon - 1:00PM | Special Session: Resume Masterclass Live | Lori Rudolph Owen, PhD Chief Development Officer at 4:59 NewCo JJ Owen, PhD Principal of Owen Biopharma Consulting | Light Hall 202 |
| November 6, 2025 11:00 - Noon | Applying for Fellowships & NRSAs | Kim Petrie, PhD Director, ASPIRE Program Assistant Dean for Biomedical Career Development Associate Professor of Medical Education and Administration Aubrie Stricker, PhD Program Manager, BRET Office | Light Hall 411 |
| December 4, 2025 11:00 - Noon | Negotiating your Faculty Startup | Kathy Gould, PhD Louise B. McGavock Professor, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology | Light Hall 411 |
| January 16, 2026 10:00 - 11:00 AM | Delivering an Impactful Biopharma Industry Job Talk | Lawrence Thompson, PhD Associate Research Fellow, Pfizer Research & Development, BioTherapeutics PharmSci | Light Hall 202 |
| February 12, 2026 11:00 - Noon | CVs/Resume | Kim Petrie, PhD Director, ASPIRE Program Assistant Dean for Biomedical Career Development Associate Professor of Medical Education and Administration | Light Hall 407 |
| March 5, 2026 | K Awards-From K12 to K99! | Abigail M. Brown, Ph.D. Director, BRET Office of Outcomes Research Co-Director, ASPIRE Program in Molecular Medicine Assistant Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics | Light Hall 407 |
| April 10, 2026 | Decoding Your Story: Networking and Interviewing Success | ASPIRE Team | The Pub (Rand) |
| May 14, 2026 11:00 - noon | Finding the right fit: understanding faculty roles at US institutions and overview of the faculty job search process | Kathy Gould, Ph.D Louise B. McGavock Professor, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology | Light Hall 407 |
Questions? Email Mary Gray at Mary.g.lindstrom@vanderbilt.edu.