Graduate study is hopefully just the beginning of a long, successful scientific career. It is important to identify your career goals and then determine which subset is relevant to your graduate study and what should be saved for later postdoctoral training or your time as a PI. I chose Gerstner Sloan Kettering for my graduate study because of the unique research culture of Memorial Sloan Kettering. Cancer as an integrating framework has exposed me to many topics of basic and translational research that I may have been isolated from at a different institution. GSK capitalizes on this culture with the core curriculum, which focuses on learning directly from the majority of the investigators at the institute. Plus, the location in New York City contributes to the extent and quality of visiting scientist seminars — and you’ll always get a steady flow of visitors! 

Fellowships

Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (NIH F31) (2012-2016)

Grayer Fellowship (2011-2012)

Geoffrey Beene Graduate Student Fellowship (2010-2011)