Integration and Development

Step 2: Interdisciplinary Integration and Professional Development

In this step, trainees will be trained to

• perform high-quality independent research
• interact professionally across disciplines
• evaluate the social and ethical implications of their research
• appreciate the international impact of their research
• prepare for professional aspects of their career.

Key activities include a three-part research rotation, a cross-disciplinary teaching experience, a professional development course from the Transformative Graduate Education program, and a BIOTRANS-specific section of the course GRAD 5134: Topics in Interdisciplinary Research.

Each trainee's research experience will begin during their first semester in the BIOTRANS program with research rotations through three of the BIOTRANS research groups. By the end of the third rotation, trainees will select co-advisors for their continued research activity consisting of at least one faculty participant from each track. Every BIOTRANS trainee will also have the opportunity to participate in a technical conference (as long as there is funding available).