On Thursday, November 20, 2014 The Universities at Shady Grove (USG) Committee on Collaboration, Interprofessional and Interdisciplinary Education Strategies (CIPES) hosted the 6th annual Biomedical Sciences Day. Students attending programs at USG were joined by scientists and academic leaders to explore this year’s theme, “Into the Future: Research to Reality.” Students from the University of Maryland, College Park Biological Sciences; University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), School of Nursing; University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), School of Pharmacy; and University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), School of Psychology presented research posters. The research projects were based on biomedical topics and addressed some of the most important science and health issues of the 21st century.
Following the students’ research poster presentations was a panel discussion about the future of biomedical sciences and how research projects can evolve into future research, graduate level studies, industry experience, and careers. The panel stressed the importance of utlizing research projects as a springboard to futute career interest and aspirations.
The panel consisted of two honored guests and three recent graduates: Dr. Robert C. Walker, Jr., Ph.D., Chief, Career Development and Outreach Branch, National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health (NIH); Dr. Jacob Wesley, PharmD, UMB at USG, MS, Sr. Clinical Scientist, MedImmune; Theresa Price, B.S. Biological Sciences, UMCP at USG, Laboratory Technician, In Vivo Biology & Drug Testing (IVBDT) UMB School of Medicine; Kim Casimbon, B.A. Psychology, UMBC at USG, pursuing M.S. School Counseling, Johns Hopkins University; Arielle Dolegui, B.S. Psychology, UMBC at USG, pursuing M.S. Public Health, George Washington University. The panel was moderated by Dr. Beth Parent, Program Director of the UMCP Biological Sciences program at USG.
The panelists discussed the importance of interdisciplinary practices and urged students to collaborate with people outside their area of focus to help solve the research issues addressed in their projects. Dr. Walker concluded the panel discussion by stating, “Do not be deterred by failure, you must be persistent, in both research and in life.”