October 23, 2023

Student Spotlight: Noah Mancuso

The Point Foundation recently named first-year Laney Graduate School PhD student Noah Mancuso as a Point Flagship Scholar and recipient of the John M. Deciccio Scholarship. This scholarship is for LGBTQ students earning a degree who partake in leadership and community involvement, academic achievement, LGBTQ advocacy, and more.

Point Foundation is the nation's largest scholarship-granting organization for LGBTQ students. They support students from high school seniors to higher grades in undergrad, graduate, or doctoral programs.

Mancuso's background is in HIV prevention and treatment and LGBTQ health. In 2023, he completed his Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) degree in Global Epidemiology at Emory and is now pursuing his PhD in epidemiology at the Rollins School of Public Health.

Mancuso always had an interest in health, initially majoring in global health and chemistry. After working for a couple of years following undergrad, Mancuso realized he was interested in population-level health impacts and preventative care, leading him to epidemiology.

Receiving this award means a lot to Mancuso. As an LGBTQ advocate, “It’s a validation of my identity and my work so far. And it’s an encouraging investment for me to continue down this path, combining my queer identity with my public health research interests,” he said.

“I think it’s going to provide a cool network of other queer scholars across the country, in addition to their mentoring program. I’m excited to partake in those.”

Mancuso previously applied for this scholarship during his master’s program and received a smaller community grant from the Point Foundation.

This time, Mancuso had a bigger mission in mind in the PhD program – applying again to get the Point Flagship Scholarship.

After graduation, Mancuso will continue working in the health research field and continue building the Queer Health Collaborative (QHC), his own LGBTQ health consulting company.

According to Mancuso, the Rollins School of Public Health and the broader university support him in his research interests and help to advance health for queer people further.

Leadership & Management in Action (LMAP) Course Application Deadline Today!

The Leadership and Management in Action (LMAP) Course introduces bioscience postdocs & graduate students (advanced to candidacy) to the interpersonal and psychological foundations of leading teams and managing people. LMAP responds to the unique position of trainees, who may be practicing leadership for the first time.

LMAP is based on real-world research on the leadership and team dynamics challenges that postdocs and graduate students regularly encounter in the scientific research environment. Using real-world scenarios and current research on leadership and team dynamics, LMAP highlights professional behaviors and communication strategies that can be used in a variety of leadership and management scenarios.

This program uses an active-learning format based on the discussion of authentic case studies drawn from the experiences of graduate students and postdocs from diverse backgrounds. Case study training facilitates learning through active problem-solving and allows participants to change attitudes, behaviors, and decisions related to conflict management, communication strategies and navigating organizational hierarchies. Participants should plan to spend 4 - 5 hours of total time per week on the course.

Program is limited to 20 Emory postdocs & graduate students (advanced to candidacy) and requires a short application. 

Deadline: Today 

Dates: Six Wednesdays, 10/31, 11/7, 11/14, (NO CLASS on 11/21), 11/28, 12/5, 12/12
Time: 3 - 5 p.m. ET
Location: In-person, TBD (most likely in School of Medicine's James B. Williams Medical Education Building, 100 Woodruff Circle Atlanta, GA 30322)
Questions? Please contact: lydia.soleil@emory.edu

ComSciCon-Atlanta 2024: Application Now Open

Are you a graduate student in STEM interested in science communication? Join us at ComSciCon-Atlanta 2024!

ComSciCon is a series of workshops focused on the communication of complex and technical concepts organized by graduate students, for graduate students. Through our workshops and panel discussions, students can refine their science communication skills and learn about unique opportunities across a wide range of fields. Participants will create their own science communication project (i.e. an infographic, piece of writing, podcast clip, etc) and receive formal training alongside their peers. ComSciCon provides a unique professional development experience to graduate students engaged in and committed to communicating their research.

This event is entirely free of cost to attend! 

When: Feb. 22-24, 2024

Where: Atlanta, Georgia. 

Deadline: The application is now open until Nov. 13

Visit https://comscicon.com/comscicon-atlanta-2024 for more information!

Dynamic Presentations: How to Engage Audiences at Conferences, in the Classroom, and Beyond!

This National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD) webinar discusses the importance of audience engagement for public presentations and provides strategies for capturing and keeping the attention of an audience in various contexts. The presenter will provide recommendations for how to study an audience prior to a presentation, as well as suggestions for verbal and nonverbal communication strategies that engage an audience the entire presentation.

Free to LGS students and faculty through Emory's institutional membership with NCFDD.

When: Oct. 24 | 2-3 p.m. ET

Gilead Pharma Case Competition 2023 Invitation- ABPHS

Registration for the 4th annual Gilead Pharma Case Competition will be closing on Oct. 24! 

This global case competition aims to expose talented graduate students across multiple disciplines to the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. Each year, contestants are asked to develop and pitch strategic solutions to a real-world business scenario. The competition provides a unique opportunity for graduate students to collaborate with other emerging leaders, think creatively & strategically, and connect with industry professionals. Qualified students will ultimately be considered in the talent pipeline for summer internships and full-time positions at Gilead.

Key Details:

2023 Case Topic: Market Expansion Strategy in China
Registration is now open! See our website (https://tinyurl.com/GileadPharmaCaseCompetition) for more information
No entry fee + fully virtual
Dates: Oct. 25 – Nov. 17
Eligibility: All participants must be enrolled in an accredited MBA, MPH, PharmD, MS or other graduate program
Team Requirements: Teams of 3-4 students from same college/university; schools may have multiple teams compete
Prizes: 1st Place - $10,000 + priority interview for Summer 2024 Internship at Gilead Sciences; 2nd Place - $5,000; 3rd Place - $3,000

You're Invited! EDGE Annual Diversity Reception

Come out and mingle with colleagues while enjoying hord'oeuvres and drinks during our Annual Diversity Reception. Congratulate the recipient of this year's Kharen Fulton Graduate Diversity Award and hear from 2023-2024 EDGE Fellows, Ambassadors, and Delegates. 

To attend event, RSVP by Oct. 25: https://rb.gy/zys3t

Reception date: Nov. 1

How to Network When You Don’t Have a Network

This interactive workshop, presented by Beyond the Professoriate, will show you how to start building a network of professionals working in career fields that interest you.

When: Oct. 25 | 12 p.m.

Branding Your Innovation with Jon Eggleton

Discover the art of strategic brand development in this workshop led by Jon Eggleton, co-owner of Traktion Partners. Attendees will learn how to engage diverse stakeholders, translate functional features into customer value, and craft a compelling narrative for your brand's success. Dinner will be provided. This workshop is sponsored by The Hatchery.

When: Oct. 25 | 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Bring Your Ideas to Life with Mind Mapping with Dr. Stuart Zola

Unlock your creative potential at the upcoming workshop led by Dr. Stuart Zola, a seasoned neuroscientist and multi-time founder. Sponsored by The Hatchery, this workshop will dive into the art of mind mapping. Attendees will gain valuable insights and elevate your productivity and efficiency through innovative practices, ensuring you leave with a toolkit for success.

Dinner will be provided.

When: Oct. 26 | 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Are you an LGS student and a parent?

The Graduate Student-Parent Association is coming together this weekend for a family day at the Southern Belle Farm in McDonough, GA.

Why: To build community for LGS students that are parents

When: Oct. 29 | 12:30 p.m. 

Where: Meet outside the market building at Southern Belle Farm, 1658 Turner Church Road McDonough, Georgia 30252.

LGS Student-Parent Contact: Keenan Wiggins, keenan.wiggins@emory.edu

TEDxEmory Conference

TEDxEmory will be hosting its main conference this year on Feb. 17, 2024. In addition to 10 professional speakers from a variety of fields, the conference features TWO EMORY STUDENT SPEAKERS. 

Main Conference talks are professionally recorded and posted on TED's YouTube and website—our talks have millions of views, and hundreds of people attend our conference! This is a wonderful opportunity to network with professionals from around the country and to share ideas with a wider audience.

This event encourages the exchange of professionally workshopped and developed ideas between students, faculty, and professionals from various fields. This is a unique opportunity for students from your department to share their passions and good opportunity for students to share their research in their studies. 

Here are some key details about the opportunity:

• Event: TEDxEmory's Main Conference 
• Call for Speakers: We invite students to apply as speakers and share their unique perspectives, complaints, lessons, and stories on the aforementioned topics.
• Deadline: Apply now through Oct. 31

If you have any questions, please reach out to isabella.aguado@emory.edu

Join us for AWIS Trivia Night!

Join the Association for Women in Science (AWIS) for a night of fun! All are invited to come and test their knowledge about women in science. Free pizza and prizes for attendants!

When: November 1st, 4:30-6 p.m.
Where: Atwood 215

Biolocity Part-Time Internship Information Session

Interested in entrepreneurship? Want to learn more about the commercialization of medical technology and the “business” of science? Join the Biolocity Information Session to network with John Nicosia, Ph.D. (he/him) Associate Director of Biolocity, and learn about the career field, the internship and how to submit a strong application and take the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

When: Nov. 1 | 4 – 5 p.m.

Center for Women Fall Grad Mixer

Come to the CWE for our Fall Grad Student Mixer! We’ll be soaking up Fall vibes and mixing some herbs to make your home smell like a cup of spiced tea. Small bites and mulled wine will be provided.

When: Nov. 2 | 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: 3rd floor of Cox Hall

Strategies for Giving and Receiving Feedback

Join this interactive workshop to learn strategies for delivering clear and actionable feedback with, ensuring it resonates without triggering defensiveness. We will explore ways to adeptly respond to feedback, gaining insights into emotional management and deciphering how to leverage feedback for personal growth.

When: Nov. 7 | 10 a.m. –  12 p.m.

How to Identify New Career Fields where You will Thrive

Join this Beyond the Professoriate session to learn how you can find a nonacademic career where you will thrive, engage in meaningful work, and be connected to people and projects that matter to you.

When: Nov. 8 | 12 p.m.

Graduate Student Interpersonal Process Group 

In order to bring together graduate students of all majors/degrees who may be needing additional support, we are hoping to facilitate a weekly space in-person at CAPS focusing on improving students’ interpersonal relationships (both personal and professional). Relationships are a key feature of good mental health (and are often at the core of our struggles – whether stress, depression, or anxiety).

Students will have the opportunity to share, build a sense of community, learn vicariously through others, give and receive support from their peers. In addition, there will be two mental health professionals co-facilitating the group.

Before joining: Students are asked to complete an initial phone consultation and initial screening prior to joining the group, and are welcome to contact the group facilitators if they have any questions or concerns.

When: Tuesdays | 1-2:30 p.m.  

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Nominations Open Now: Kharen Fulton Award for Diversity, Inclusion & Community Engagement in Graduate Education

This Award will be given annually and has been created to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Kharen Fulton and her dedication to diversity in graduate education. The LGS Diversity Award will be presented to one LGS doctoral scholar in acknowledgment of his or her personal and professional efforts towards diversity, inclusion, and community engagement in the Laney Graduate School at Emory University.

Award recipients will receive a framed citation and an award prize of $2,000. The award winner will be announced during the EDGE Annual Diversity Reception on Nov. 1.

Deadline: A complete nomination must be received by Oct. 25 | 5:00 p.m. ET

Pre-College Teaching Opportunity Summer 2024

Graduate students! Are you interested in teaching this summer in the 2024 Emory Pre-College Program? If so, you will receive $2,000 for two weeks of teaching.

For summer 2024, we are looking for courses in the following fields in high demand: Biology, Business, Chemistry, Economics, Political Science, Pre-Med, Public Health, Psychology, Quantitative Science, Racial and Social Justice, etc.

The Pre-College Program brings bright, ambitious, rising high school Juniors and Seniors to Emory in the summer to give them a short college-level experience. Teaching in the program provides instructors a unique opportunity to expose high-school students (juniors and seniors) to college-level material and the university classroom environment.

Below are the dates for the sessions. Each of these two-week courses will include a minimum of 25 contact hours. The in-person courses meet daily from 9-11:30 a.m.
Session A (in-person) June 17-28
Session B (in-person) July 1-12
Session C (in-person) July 15-26
Session C (online) July 15-26 (class meeting times, tbd)

Deadline: If interested, complete the online course proposal form by Oct. 27. 

Omicron Delta Kappa Applications 

Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, recognizes and encourages superior leadership and exemplary character. Founded in 1914, O∆K encourages collaboration among members across five pillars of leadership: academics and research, athletics, service to campus and community, communications, and creative and performing arts.

The Emory University chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa was founded in 1925 and strives to foster excellence in service, research, academics, athletics, and the performing arts. Applications are open to current juniors, seniors, and graduate students, and requirements include a minimum 3.6 GPA and a significant demonstration of leadership on campus.

Please complete the following items to complete your application for Emory University’s chapter of ODK:

National ODK Application: https://membership.odk.org/
Emory University ODK Application: https://tinyurl.com/emoryodk23

Deadline: Both applications are due Nov. 1 | 11:59 p.m.

Paid Volunteers Wanted for an fMRI Study of Emotion and the Brain

The Hamann Cognitive Neuroscience Lab is recruiting healthy adults for a study of how different spoken words and pictures affect emotional responses. The study is conducted all on one day and takes approximately 2.5 hours. The study is conducted in our lab and the FERN imaging center, both of which are located in the Department of Psychology, Emory University. Participants will be paid a total of $55, $35 for a one-hour fMRI session plus $20 for completing 1.5 hours of computerized tasks in the lab.

This study has been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Emory University School of Medicine. This principal investigator of this study is Dr. Stephan Hamann at the Emory University Department of Psychology.

If you are interested in potentially participating and meet all of the following eligibility criteria below, please contact the study coordinator Susie Shepardson at hamannlab330@gmail.com for more information.

• Right handed adult between 21 and 40 years old
• Normal or corrected to normal vision
• No history of major neurological or psychiatric disorders
• Eligible for MRI (e.g., no ferromagnetic metal objects in the body)
• Native speaker of English, and you learned English in the US or Canada

Eligibility Criteria

Fox Center Research Assistant Job Opportunity

Fox Center Director Prof. Carla Freeman is looking to hire a research assistant. The research assistant will be needed for both scholarly research and administrative projects.

Description: We are looking for someone with excellent research, writing, and communication skills. Experience with Zotero and Excel required. Graduate students from any humanities or humanistic social science field are welcome to apply. Please include a CV and 2 writing samples. Expected time commitment is 10 hr/wk offering $17/hr.

Contact: Carla Freeman (http://fchi.emory.edu/home/about/freeman-carla.html), Director of the Fox Center for Humanistic Inquiry, Goodrich C. White Professor of WGSS.

Merck 2024 Summer Internship Opportunities 

Merck is accepting applications for 2024 Summer Internships in Analytical Research & Development. Apply using buttons below.

Let's sit down and write together!

Members of the LGS Writing meet weekly for dedicated writing time (through multiple writing sprints) within a supportive community. Each session also includes the opportunity to obtain feedback from an Emory Writing Center Fellow or an English Language Specialist if desired.

Fall 2023:
• Mondays 2- 4 p.m.
• Via Zoom at this link

• In-person: Cox Hall Computing Center, Fishbowl classroom (snacks provided)

Meet and Mentor: Graduate Student Recruitment

Emory’s only university-wide mentorship program looks to collaborate with the Laney Graduate School to provide mentorship to Emory undergraduates interested in pursuing graduate education. Our mission is to provide resources for undergraduates and build supportive mentor-mentee relationships to help students of all backgrounds develop professionally. 

We are currently looking for graduate school mentors interested in participating.

Mentors could be current students as well as alumni, and would meet with undergraduate mentees 2-3 times a semester to discuss topics in the curriculum. 

Deadline to apply: Oct. 31

Emory’s Asian Student Center Book Club

Join Emory’s Asian Student Center book club to discuss the book Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu. Free copies of the book are now available for pickup at the ASC! If you are interested in joining or would like more information, please contact allison.sullivan@emory.edu.

When: Nov. 2 | 2 p.m.
Where: ASC (Cox Hall 320) 

LGS Dissertation Boot Camp

Join us for a full day to dedicate time and space to your writing with community, support, and resources.

Sponsored by LGS Professional Development and Career Planning, LGS English Language Support Program, Emory Writing Center, and Emory Libraries.

 Breakfast and lunch will be provided. 

When: Nov. 11 | 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Where: ESC Multipurpose Rm 1

Please direct questions to Alexis Mayfield at ajmayfi@emory.edu. 

NIH Loan Replacement Program

The LRPs are unique programs with tremendous benefits to early-stage researchers. Eligible individuals have the opportunity to receive an LRP award, which can pay up to $100,000 towards federal and private student loans in exchange for a two-year commitment performing qualified research.

Check out this three-minute video which provides a brief overview.  More information and links to initiate an LRP application can be found on the LRP website.  

Deadline: Annual application cycle closes Nov. 16

Emory’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) announces its Fall 2023 support groups:

Support groups bring together students who have similar experiences or concerns, with a focus on emotional support and encouragement.

Students of Color Support Group

When: Fridays, Until Dec. 1 | 1-2 p.m.

Where: In-person at CAPS office, located at 1462 Clifton Road

Contact amara.chukwunenye@emory.edu or naqsh.navroz.ali@emory.edu

FYI: The Emory Writing Center serves the Laney Graduate School

The Emory Writing Center will be open through December 12 for a hybrid term with both in-person tutorials in Callaway N111 and Zoom appointments.

• The EWC is staffed with a team of undergraduate, graduate, and professional tutors who are trained to work with writers across disciplines, at any stage of the writing process. They follow a dialogue-based tutoring model and encourage writers to visit us from the time they begin brainstorming through their final drafting stages.
• Learn more about the EWC and its team of tutors, access writing resources, make appointments, and more, by visiting https://writingcenter.emory.edu/.

Student Intervention Services Responder Recruitment

Campus Life’s Student Intervention Services is seeking new SIS Responders to join the SIS team. Students who are second year graduate students and beyond are encouraged to join. The SIS Crisis On-Call Team is staffed 24/7 and responds to students’ active crises. Compensation is provided and SIS Team Responders receive ongoing training and support.

The LGS Handbook has been updated for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Why it matters: To ensure everyone follows current policies and procedures, we encourage all to read the handbook linked below.

Please find it on the LGS website.

Last Chance! Sign up ends tomorrow

Tips and Strategies for International TAs new to the U.S. Classroom

**An extension of TATTO, offered by Laney’s Office of Professional Development and the English Language Support Program.

Graduate students who are new to the US higher education classroom environment may have unique questions or concerns about what to expect in their role as a Teaching Assistant. This session will be led by experienced international TAs from across the disciplines who will share their perspectives and advice. The goal of this session is for participants to develop a firm understanding of the skills needed to ensure greater success with serving as a TA in the US classroom. Participants will learn what to expect in the US classroom culture as well as strategies for communicating as a TA with Emory students, specifically useful phrases for asking and answering questions, asking for clarification, and giving feedback. This session is designed specifically for TAs who are new to the US educational context.

Registration required.

When: Oct. 26 | 5 – 6:30 p.m.

Contact:  Dr. Katy Leonard (Professional Development) or Dr. Grace Song (ELSP)

Celebrate Halloween with Emory’s International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)

• Halloween is almost here, so get your costume ready and join ISSS for a fun Halloween-themed party complete with candy, snacks, and Halloween crafts. 
• This event is family-friendly so bring your partners and children along.

When: Oct. 30 | 4-6 p.m.

Where: Glenn United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall

Contact: Ford Johnson, raymond.johnson@emory.edu

Participate in Emory Cares Day of Service (a tradition celebrating its 20th year)

Spend the morning in Emory’s beautiful Lullwater Preserve with international students and scholars as LGS and ELSP participate in Emory Cares Day
of Service.

Space is limited. Gardening tools, snacks and water will be provided. Friends and family welcome. Children must be 10 or older.

When: Nov. 11 | 9 -11 a.m.
Where: Lullwater Preserve, here on Emory’s main campus
What: Planting native shrubs to restore the woodland growth in Lullwater Preserve.
Project Lead: Heather Boldt, hboldt@emory.edu

International Student Support Group

Support groups bring together students who have similar experiences or concerns, with a focus on emotional support and encouragement.

It’s not too late to join a Fall 2023 support groups for international students, offered by Emory’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).

When: Thursdays until December 7 | 11 a.m.- 12 p.m.

Where: In-person at the CAPS office, 1462 Clifton Road

Contact szhan71@emory.edu or smines2@emory.edu

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Hertz Foundation Fellowship

First year PhD students in the applied physical and biological sciences, mathematics, or engineering: the Hertz Fellowship provides financial and lifelong professional support for the nation’s most promising graduate students in science and technology.

The fellowship includes up to five years of funding, valued at up to $250,000, and the freedom to pursue innovative projects wherever they may lead. In addition, fellows take part in ongoing mentoring, symposia, and workshops with our vibrant community of more than 1200 fellows, a set of peers who span disciplines, generations, and geography.

All eligible applicants must:

- intend to direct their studies toward understanding and solving major, near-term problems facing society; and
- be citizens or permanent residents of the United States.

Deadline: Oct. 27

Dean's Teaching Fellowship 

We are pleased to announce a new cycle for the Dean's Teaching Fellowship for the fellowship year 2024-25.

Click the button below to visit our advanced fellowships webpage for the latest guidelines for application.

View more at our Fellowships and Grants website.

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Academic Success Resources

Are you looking for some help related to procrastination, imposter syndrome, test anxiety, perfectionism, or attention and concentration challenges? Check out the resources available on CAPS’ website.

In addition, the LGS Student Affairs Team is here to support every phase of your educational journey, so reach out any time! They can connect you to resources, answer questions you might have, or discuss concerns.

Explore these topics and other student affairs-related topics by contacting an LGS Student Affairs team member:

Dr. Jennifer M. Cason, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs & Deputy Title IX Coordinator

Emily Neutens, Assistant Director of Student Affairs for GDBBS

Emory Student Telehealth
24/7 Medical and Mental Health

Are you Concerned about a Student? 

Emory Flexible Teaching Toolkit

The toolkit is a collection of resources

designed to support the development of

flexible courses from CFDE, TLT, ATS,

and Library Services. Resources are

helpful to graduate students involved in

teaching at every level.

Read here.

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Attention Laney Community:

Do you have an idea for a story or event for this newsletter? If so, please submit it here.