U_of_C PhD Biochem
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Posts posted by U_of_C PhD Biochem
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On 10/12/2018 at 2:21 PM, stressedgradstudent said:
Undergrad Institution: McMaster University
Major(s): Molecular Biology
GPA in Major: 10.0/12.0
Overall GPA: 9.0/12.0Undergrad Institution: UOttawa
Major(s): Biology
GPA in Major: A
Overall GPA: A
Type of Student: International student, female, minorityGRE Scores:
Wrote 2 years ago and have scores in the 50th percentile, considering writing again. Although most schools don't tend to require GRE now. Thoughts?
Research Experience:- 1.5 years work exp. in government labs related to Plant Biology/ Fungal biology
- 8 months at undergrad research lab related to plant biology for honours thesis project
- 2 years master's work related to fungal and plant biology, RNA-Seq
- 5 posters at local, national and international conferences
No pubs yet, which might be an issue
Awards/Honors/Recognitions:
- Dean's list both years during my master's
- Travel grants for conferences
- Poster prize for best poster during undergrad
Pertinent Activities or Jobs:
- TA for 2 years: intro biology, plant bio and genetics
Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:- Organised science symposium for grad students from two universities
- Department representative for club in undergrad that focused on science outreach
Special Bonus Points:
Applying to Where:
MIT - talked to potential supervisor who seemed interested
WUSTL - DBBS Plant SciencePlease list some more universities to where I should consider applying. Mainly looking for programs related to plant biology or even microbiology. Don't really have much knowledge regarding US universities. Thanks for your help ?
Uchicago Cell and Molecular Biosciences has some really cool plant biologists if that's what you are looking for. If you want to talk to some grad students or get connected with faculty in that program use this website to get in contact with a student organization designed to help women and minorities get their PhDs here https://voices.uchicago.edu/grit. We don't require the GRE any more either so you don't need to worry about that.
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On 8/16/2018 at 8:51 PM, squigglyface_emoji said:
Undergrad Institution: Top 10 US Public School
Major(s): Cell and Developmental Biology
Minor(s):
GPA in Major:
Overall GPA: 3.13
Position in Class: N/A
Type of Student: Domestic Asian Female
GRE Scores (revised/old version): Retaking in October for better quant and writing score.. but not sure if I can get it up significantly. I have a really poor affinity for standardized testing
Q: 157
V: 158
W: 4.0
B:
TOEFL Total: (if applicable, otherwise delete this)
Research Experience: (At your school or elsewhere? What field? How much time? Any publications (Mth author out of N?) or conference talks etc...)-
Lab Assistant --> Research Associate 2 at Medical Diagnostic Biotech Startup (2.5 years).
- Not really sure how to categorize the field of assay development. Probably closest to microbiology/biochem
- 1 patent pending, 2nd patent currently being written
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Currently helping write up paper to submit to scientific journal (probably nature biotech) for first ever product release. Definitely not the first author on this, but I'm going to be an author nonetheless
- Holding a company-wide seminar talk about the development of a novel AMR detection method
- Presented data weekly to CEO and CMO on various projects
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Undergraduate researcher at undergrad university (1 year)
- Basic genomics lab studying unicellular eukaryotic organisms
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Visiting Undergraduate Researcher: Arizona State University Biodesign Institute (2 summers)
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Early cancer detection research, biomarker discovery and diagnostic method development
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Early cancer detection research, biomarker discovery and diagnostic method development
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: (Within your school or outside?)
- Graduated undergrad with distinction in major (Honors)
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Not sure how to really go about talking about awarded grants when I'm not listed as the PI, but I'm a major contributor. Anyways, here they are:
- NIH SBIR Phase II
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AMR Challenge step 1 semi finalist (BARDA)
- Primary researcher for step 2 submission
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: (Such as tutor, TA, SPS officer etc...)- Mentor in undergraduate mentorship program for underclassmen majoring in biology
Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:- In a few months, I can say I'm a key player in bringing my company's first ever product from R&D to market. I'm employee #18 and company is now over 70 people.
Special Bonus Points: (Such as connections, grad classes, famous recommenders, female or minority status etc...)
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Great LORs from CEO, CFO, Director of R&D Assay, and PI of summer cancer research lab
- CEO is well known. Previously Stanford associate professor in cancer lab. Forbes 30 under 30.
- CMO is well known Stanford MD. Currently emeritus professor at Stanford with an active infectious disease research lab.
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:- There's an upward trend in my undergrad transcript.... managed to pull a 2.79 to a 3.13. I really screwed up for one quarter (winter junior year) because of burn out. Learned how to study smarter and better coping/resting mechanisms from that point on.
Applying to Where:
- UCSF - BMS Cancer Biology and Cell Signaling
- Stanford - Cancer Biology
- University of Washington - MCB
- MDAnderson (UTHealth) - Cancer Biology
- UCSD - BMS Cancer Biology
- University of Michigan - MCP
- University of Chicago - Biosciences Cancer
- UCLA - Biosciences, molecular, cellular & integrative physio
- UCI - MCB
My goal is to specialize in early cancer detection research. Liquid biopsy, circulating tumor cells/DNA/exosomes, biomarkers are all of interest to me and I understand that it's fairly broad. Any suggestions on which schools/labs are good for this are greatly appreciated!
So I'm a Uchicago Grad student in this organization called GRIT https://voices.uchicago.edu/grit/ since you are considering apply to our Cancer bioprogram I wanted to reach out and let you know we are here to help you get in contact with faculty and give you tips on your application like how to frame things like a low GPA as a demonstration of your motivation and resilience. We can also hook you up with an application fee waiver. Feel free to reach out using the contact info on the website. Personally given how much research experience you have I think you'd be a strong applicant. We also convinced the Biosciences to make the GRE requirement optional so don't worry about your scores holding you back here.
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Lab Assistant --> Research Associate 2 at Medical Diagnostic Biotech Startup (2.5 years).
2019 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results
in Biology
Posted
You sound like a really strong candidate for all of these programs. Assuming you have strong rec letters and can write well about your research I'd imagine you should get interviews at most of your list. I would also suggest you look into http://www.einstein.yu.edu/ they have a great immunology program but they aren't as competitive as the rest of your list. If you want some extra guidance from grad students at UofC feel free to reach out to this D&I student organization called GRIT. https://voices.uchicago.edu/grit/