The Committee on Diversity Initiatives (CDI) is seeking volunteers interested in becoming mentors for the 2016 Undergraduate Diversity Program held March 12‒14, 2016, in conjunction with the SOT Annual Meeting. Host mentors and peer mentors are the important connectors for the undergraduate students who have been selected to receive travel funding and participate in this program. The goal of the program is to recruit students from diverse backgrounds to graduate school in the biomedical sciences, especially toxicology.
In addition to attending meeting sessions, participants in the Undergraduate Diversity Program engage in presentations and case studies across the breadth of toxicology, gain knowledge about education and career opportunities in the field, and learn more about the requirements for graduate school and a research career. By establishing relationships with the students in their groups, the program participants can explore questions not only about toxicology but also about what careers are like and how to succeed. Mentors serve with a group from Saturday evening through Monday.
We also are recruiting mentors for groups of students who participate on Sunday only. Sunday mentors are paired with a group of about five undergraduates who registered for the Sunday only Undergraduate Education Program.
We encourage all who are interested in serving as a mentor to complete this brief application form by Friday, January 22 to indicate interest and availability.
Host Mentors are professional toxicologists currently established in a toxicology career. These mentors have a broad prospective on the benefits of a graduate research degree, employment opportunities in toxicology, and what life is like as a toxicologist. Peer Mentors are graduate students or postdoctoral scholars and can convey their experiences related to graduate school, research, and career choices. The mentor team will contact members of their group in advance of the meeting as well as keeping touch periodically after the meeting. Mentors become important contacts as the students continue in school and make decisions about their career paths.
This year a new group of volunteers is being recruited for Monday afternoon to guide the undergraduates in visiting scientific sessions and posters in particular topic areas. Each guide will facilitate a group of about five students from 1:00 pm to 3:15 pm. Volunteers interested in participating as Topic Guides are encouraged to complete the brief application form to indicate their interest before January 22. There are a limited number of mentor and guide positions available; those who volunteer will be notified in late January of the outcome.
Questions? Contact Rachel Woodson at SOT Headquarters.
The Committee on Diversity Initiatives thanks you for your commitment and interest in mentoring the next generation of scientists.