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immunology_nonmodel

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  • Location
    St. Louis
  • Application Season
    2014 Spring
  • Program
    WU STL - Immunology

immunology_nonmodel's Achievements

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  1. http://chronicle.com/blogs/letters/academia-has-a-place-for-lgbt-scholars/
  2. I have actually written a letter to the editor regarding this narrow view of diversity. It is worth noting that each year they focus on a different set of diversity issues - 2013 got a few articles on sexual orientation.
  3. Here is the recent edition of The Chronicle of Higher Education, highlighting how the importance diversity is emerging in academia: http://chronicle.com/section/Diversity-in-Academe-2014/799/ Access is restricted to subscribers, but if you have library access you can probably read it online through a proxy server.
  4. Yes, there are people who don't understand why diversity is important: But, despite their views, it is up to the diversity of this country to speak up about how society has established uneven playing fields, and how we can grow to give all members of society equal opportunity to pursue happiness - whether that be personal or professional. I will not defend my choice to vocalize my point of you and my drive to promote diversity - what is sickening to some is the stark reality of others.
  5. You should definitely highlight these aspects that make you stand out as an applicant. You should keep the tone positive by presenting the unique challenges you have faced (yes, other people may have faced these challenges, but the large majority has not), and describing how you worked very hard to overcome these challenges to succeed. Your academic performance will be evaluated equally with peers, but if you are as academically competitive as your peers, and on top of that have overcome these challenges, you are a unique candidate better prepared than anyone else for a challenging professional life. To give you an idea, I am gay and fell in love with my husband, who is Chilean. At the time, DOMA was unchallenged, and there was no way for me to sponsor my husband’s green card to come to the U.S. with me, where I was ready to begin a Ph.D. (accepted with full stipend). I decided to decline the offer, move to my husband's country as an exile, and wait it out. When DOMA was overturned, I applied to grad school and got into one of my top choices, and am better positioned today to tackle a Ph.D. than I was before facing this difficult period of discrimination. I was also awarded the NSF GRFP in 2014, after having applied in the past unsuccessfully in 2008 and 2009. I made my situation clear in all of my applications. I wrote supplementary extenuating circumstances or diversity essays for all of the applications. For some, I don't think they were impressed and they may have been turned off by the marriage aspect, but if they aren't interested in diversity then I don't want to join their team to begin with. If you have experienced a challenge that interrupted your education that can be explained in the context of diversity or adversity you can submit a separate extenuating circumstances essay. If you have had a continuous academic record, it may be best to mention these things in your personal statement in the context of how you are capable of meeting objectives despite experiencing a level of adversity unparalleled to your peers. Finally, describe how you will promote diversity as a future leader in your field. Those universities and departments that promote diversity through designated diversity staff and faculty will likely be receptive to a diversity-oriented essay, whether independent or part of a personal statement. Embrace your diversity with pride, it makes you stronger and will positively influence your professional life. Apart from that, these universities are raking in loads of money from the goverment, and those universities that claim to promote diversity rake in even more. These claims are not idle, they are held accountable by demonstrating that in fact they are accepting diversity applicants into their programs, and if they aren't, then they will lose funding that was dedicated for students like you.
  6. For what it's worth, I graduated from undergrad in 2008 with one pub., went to grad PhD for genomics/oceanography but dropped out due to poor program with full support from academic advisors funded under NSF, lived abroad as science teacher to present, and moving back to US for Ph.D. in biomed. Total publications 2, 2 in prep. Also submitted extenuating circumstances essay to describe non-traditional background, previous challenges, and discrimination under the Defense of Marriage Act that led to my exile from the U.S. with my foreign spouse. In other words, LGBTQ friendly reviewers. Reviewer 3 made me very happy. Awarded/Recommended Reviewer 1 VG/E: IM: Applicant shows a strong commitment to research studies and has applied his skills at many research locations. He has contributed to publications and is highly recommended. One thing that is not clear is how or where the student wishes to continue his research. The area is quite specialized and a potential mentor or university where the research might be conducted were not put forth. It is not unusual for students to describe where they would like to do research whether or not they have been admitted to a program. Providing information about where he plans to do graduate work would have improved this application BI: Broader impacts of pursuing [very specific topic removed] is apparent and well articulated by the applicant. The applicant also has continued to engage in teaching, including bridging communication between young students and university faculty. He has a record of engaging the community with his science. Summary: This is an interesting research proposal from an applicant who has interest in coral reef biology, and wishes to continue his research after leaving a troubled graduate program, and moving abroad for personal reasons. What is challenging to gauge is that his past research experience is highly specialized and whether a suitable graduate program can be found to match his interests. The application would be strengthened if a university program were identied as a place of interest and some communication had been established. Reviewer 2 E/E: IM: Proposed research plan is nicely presented and application provides documentation of laboratory potential and success in the form publications and letters of recommendation. BI: Applicant's research has mutliple broad impacts with regard to biodiversity, ecosystems and local economies. Applicant has also been very active with regard to education of children and adults with respect to the importance of maintaining healthy coral reefs. Summary: Applicant conveys a great sense of passion and energy in his application. He is clearly committed to this work and circumstances have led him to strike a nice balance between research and education endeavors. Reviewer 3 E/E: IM: The research plan is innovative. The candidate proposes to use modern molecular biology techniques to study coral health and the response to stress. The project is very well conceived and has the support of expert collaborators. BI: The research plan has great broad impacts by developing methods to monitor coral health and overall environmental changes. The candidate has demonstrated dedication to improving society on many fronts. He has been very active in outreach activities to the public and in particular to school children for many years. The application outlines mulitple pathways for continued outreach activities. Summary: The candidate is dedicated to science and the benet of society. He has shown perseverance in his question for science through many adverse circumstances. The letters of support are fantastic. The scientic environment is excellent. His research plan is cutting edge and strong. The examples of outreach and giving back to society are unsurpassed.
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