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Student Awards and Opportunities
The G&E Program provides its students with financial support to attend scientific meetings, join professional societies, and take online courses connected to their thesis research. We also recognize outstanding service to the G&E community with our annual Student Service awards.
G&E Travel Awards
G&E provides $500 travel awards to eligible students presenting the findings of their research at national or international meetings, either orally or as a poster, or to engage in an intensive short course such as at Cold Spring Harbor, The Jackson Laboratory or Woods Hole. All travel award applications are reviewed as they are received. To apply for a travel award, please complete the short application form – one per student per 12-month academic year, as long as funds are available.
G&E Virtual Meeting Registration Award
Due to current Covid-19 travel restrictions, G&E has established a new award to support participation in virtual scientific conferences for students who will be presenting the results of their research. This award provides up to $200 towards the registration fee to attend one such meeting per academic year. It will have no impact on a student's eligibility to apply for a regular G&E travel award in the same 12-month period once travel restrictions are lifted. Award applications will be reviewed as received. To apply, please complete this short application form and return it to Amy Carter.
G&E Student Service Awards
The G&E Student Service Award recognizes students for their outstanding service to the G&E community through leadership on program committees, exceptional service in the planning of research, career development, networking program activities, and in contributing to program communications and innovative ideas that strengthen the program community and enrich their training environment for all students. The number of awards given each year varies but typically ranges from five to eight. Winners are selected based on the scope of service the student provides to G&E during the academic year in which the award is given (September 1 through August 31). The award is $100.00.
Scientific Society Memberships
G&E pays the annual membership fee for G&E students to join one scientific society of their choice. Payment is done on a reimbursement basis -one per student per 12-month period, as long as funds are available. All receipts must be submitted to our Program Coordinator, Amy Carter, for reimbursement within 45 days of the expense (no exceptions). Contact Amy for more information.
Online Course Registration Fees
G&E will reimburse G&E students up to $250 per 12-month period for online class(es) they complete that are relevant to their thesis research, as long as funds are available. We encourage you to take advantage of this educational opportunity - but please first send an indication of your interest to Amy Carter who will forward it to the program directors for pre-approval. At the finish of the course, a certificate of course completion for each class must be submitted along with the request for reimbursement. All subscription expenses must be submitted for reimbursement within 45 days of the date of the expense (no exceptions). This deadline is in place because of MD Anderson and UTHealth reimbursement deadline policies. If you have any questions, please contact Amy.
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G&E Library
The G&E library is located in the G&E program coordinator's office at GSBS. Books can be checked out for 2 weeks. Click here to see the book list and availability.
Biology Textbooks, References and Other Scientific Topics
At the Bench - a laboratory navigator, CSH Press (2002), Kathy Barker
Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology (11th edition), Devita, Hellman, and Rosenberg (pending)
Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology of Molecular Biology in Cancer (3rd edition), Devita, Hellman, and Rosenberg (pending)
Concepts of Genetics (2019), William Klug, Michael Cummings, et al.
Developmental Biology (12th edition, 2019), Michael Barresi, Scott Gilbert
Epigenetics (2nd Edition), C. David Allis, Marie-Laure Caparraos, Thomas Jenuwein, Danny Reinberg, Monika Lachner
Molecular Biology of the Cell (6th edition, 2014), Bruce Alberts
Neanderthal Man: In Search of Lost Genomes, Svante PaaboWriting & Funding
The Elements of Style, EB White
Composing Research, Communicating Results: Writing the Communication Research Paper, Kurt Lindemann
Dreyer’s English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style (2019), Benjamin Dreyer
How the NIH Can Help You Get Funded: An Insider's Guide to Grant Strategy, Michelle Keinholz, Jeremy Berg
How to Write a Lot: A Practical Guide to Productive Academic Writing (2nd edition 2018), Paul J. Silvia
Writing Science in Plain English, Anne Greene
Writing Science: How to Write Papers That Get Cited and Proposals That Get Funded, Joshua Schimel
Writing the NIH Grant Proposal: A Step-by-Step Guide (2017), W Gerin, C Kapelewski, N PageProgramming
R Cookbook: Proven Recipes for Data Analysis, Statistics, and Graphics, (2019) JD Long & Paul Teetor (pending)
R For Dummies, Andrie de Vries
R for Data Science: Import, Tidy, Transform, Visualize, and Model Data, Hadley Wickham & Garrett Grolemund
The Annotated and Illustrated Double Helix, James Watson, Alexander Gann, et al.
An Introduction to Statistical Learning with Applications in R, James, Witten, Hastie, TibshiraniBiographies/Memoirs
Dorothy Hodgkin: A Life, Georgina Ferry
Every Other Thursday: Stories and Strategies from Successful Women Scientists, Ellen Daniel
Hidden Figures, Margot Lee Shetterly
If This Isn't Nice, What Is? (Even More) Expanded Third Edition: The Graduation Speeches and Other Words to Live By, Kurt Vonnegut (author); Dan Wakefield (compiler)
In Search of Love, Science, and God: A Memoir by a Cancer Scientist, Sadhan Majumder
Lab Girl, Hope Jahren
Legends and Legacies: Personal Journey's of Physicians and Scientists at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Elizabeth Travis
Rosaline Franklin: The Dark Lady of DNA, Brenda Maddox
The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race, Walter Isaacson
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot
The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt’s New World, Andrea Wulf
The Last Lecture, Randy Pausch, Professor, Carnegie Mellon University, Randy Pausch
Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World, Rachel IgnotofskyPersonal Productivity
Effortless: Make it Easier to do what matters most (2021), Greg McKeown
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G&E Leadership and Committees
Program Leadership & Committees 2022-23 and 2023-24
G&E Program Director
Francesca Cole, PhD - Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MDAG&E Program Co-Director
Rachel Miller, PhD - Pediatrics, UTHealth*student
Steering Committee (2023-24)
Francesca Cole, PhD - Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MDA (Chair)
Rachel Miller, PhD - Pediatrics, UTHealth
George Eisenhoffer, PhD - Genetics, MDA
Jun Wang, PhD - Pediatrics, UTHealth
Georgios Karras, PhD - Genetics, MDA
John Tainer, PhD - Molecular & Cellular Oncology and Cancer Biology, MDA
Michelle Hildebrandt, PhD - Lymphoma/Myeloma, MDA
Lia Koutelou, PhD - Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MDA
Ahmed Emam* - Molecular & Cellular Oncology, MDA
Diana Machado* - Genetics, MDA
Shannon Erhardt* - Pediatrics, UTHealth
Renee Rubiano* - Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MDACommunity Committee (2023-24)
Michelle Hildebrandt, PhD - Lymphoma/Myeloma, MDA (Chair)
Yejing Ge, PhD - Cancer Biology, MDA
Ericka Humphrey* - Cancer Biology, MDA
Dalia Hassan* - Pulmonary Medicine - Research, MDA
Josh Lindenberger* - Genetics, MDA
Melissa Frasca* - Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MDA
Shannon Erhardt* - Pediatrics, UTHealth
Anna (Shucheng) Miao* - Genetics, MDA
Jace Aloway* - Genetics, MDA
Julianna Quinn* - Pediatrics, UTHealth
Menna-t-Allah Shaheen* - Translational Molecular Pathology, MDA
Kate Cho* - Neurosurgery, MDA
Renee Rubiano* - Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MDA
D'Shaunique Walters* - Radiation Oncology, MDAG&E Communications Committee (2023-24)
Lia Koutelou, PhD - Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MDA (Chair)
Margarida Santos, PhD - Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MDA
Richard Behringer, PhD - Genetics, MDA
Abhinav Jain, PhD - Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MDA
Lana Al Hasani* - Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, UTHealth
Heather Tsong* - Neurobiology, UTHealth
Majo (Maria) Gacha Garay* - Pulmonary Medicine -Research, MDA
Shannon Erhardt* - Pediatrics, UTHealth
Dalia Hassan* - Pulmonary Medicine -Research, MDA
Menna-t-Allah Shaheen* - Translational Molecular Pathology, MDAG&E Admissions Area Review Committee (2023-24)
Jun Wang, PhD - Pediatrics, UTHealth (Chair)
George Eisenhoffer, PhD - Genetics, MDA (At-large member – GSBS)
Yonathan Lissanu, MD, PhD – Thoracic & Cardiovascular Survery and Genomic Medicine, MDA
Abhinav Jain, PhD - Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MDA
Vidya Gopalakrishnan, PhD - Pediatrics, MDA
C. Cameron Yin, PhD - Hematopathology, MDARotation Talks Hosts (2023-24)
Han Xu, PhD – Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MDA (Co-Chair)
Katharina Schlacher, PhD - Cancer Biology, MDA (Co-Chair)
Yuan-Hung Lo, PhD - Molecular and Cellular Oncology, UTHealth (Co-Chair)
Jihye Yun, PhD - Genetics, MDA (Co-Chair)
Shih-Han (Peggy) Lee, PhD - Genetics, MDA (Co-Chair)
Victor Lopez del Amo, PhD - Epidemiology, UTHealth (Co-Chair)
Wenyi Wang, PhD - Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, MDA (Co-Chair)Candidacy Exam Chairs Committee (2023-24)
Shawn Bratton, PhD – Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MDA
Taiping Chen, PhD - Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MDA
George Eisenhoffer, PhD - Genetics, MDAG&E GEM Student Seminar Series Organizers (2023-24)
Josh Lindenberger* - Genetics, MDA (Co-Chair)
Mith V* - Genetics, MDA (Co-Chair)
Kate Cho* - Neurosurgery, MDA (Co-Chair)G&E Faculty Insight Series Organizers (2023-24)
Bhargavi Brahmendra Barathi* - Pathology, Anatomical, MDA
Josh Lindenberger* - Genetics, MDA
Lanxin Bei* - Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, UTHealth
Mo-Fan (Elena) Huang* - Integrative Biology & Pharmacology, UT Health
Mith V* - Genetics, MDA
Yi-Ting Chen* - - Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, UTHealth
Renee Rubiano* - Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MDA
Lana Al Hasani* - Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, UTHealth
Sara Sanz Juste* - Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MDAG&E Easy Science Communication Club (2023-24)
Jace Aloway* - Genetics, MDA
Richa Nayak* - Pulmonary Medicine, MDA
Julianna Quinn* - Pediatrics, UTHealth
D'Shaunique Walters* - Radiation Oncology, MDA
Sara Sanz Juste* - Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MDA
Michelle Hildebrandt, PhD - Lymphoma/Myeloma, MDAG&E 'Historical Perspectives in Science' Series Organizers (2023-24)
Mith V*- Genetics, MDA (Chair)
Richard Behringer, PhD - Genetics, MDAG&E Newsletter Committee (2023);
Ericka Humphrey* - Cancer Biology, MDA (Editor)
Richa Nayak* - Pulmonary Medicine, MDA (Co-Editor)
Shannon Erhardt* - Pediatrics, UTHealth (Co-Editor)
Brandy Walker* - Pediatrics, UTHealth (Co-Editor)
Majo (Maria) Gacha Garay* - Pulmonary Medicine -Research, MDA (Student Advisor)
Lia Koutelou, PhD - Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MDA
Abhinav Jain, PhD - Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MDAG&E Newsletter Committee (2022);
Majo (Maria) Gacha Garay* - Pulmonary Medicine -Research, MDA (Editor),
Tolkapremkumar Premkumar* - Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MDA (Co-Editor)
Shuangjie You* - Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, MDA (Co-Editor)
Celine Kong* - Pulmonary Medicine -Research, MDA (Student Advisor)
Dalia Hassan* - Pulmonary Medicine -Research, MDA (Student Advisor)
Yejing Ge, PhD - Cancer Biology, MDAG&E Event Organizing Committees, 2022-2023
2023 G&E Retreat Organizing Committee
Josh Lindenberger* - Genetics, MDA (Co-Chair)
Bhargavi Brahmendra Barathi* - Pathology, Anatomical, MDA (Co-Chair)
Heather Tsong* - Neurobiology, UTHealth
Lanxin Bei* - Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, UTHealth
Julianna Quinn* - Pediatrics, UTHealth
Abhinav Jain, PhD - Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MDA
Katharina Schlacher, PhD - Cancer Biology, MDA2022 G&E Retreat Organizing Committee
Ruoyu Wang* - Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, UTHealth (Co-Chair)
Vahid Bahrambeigi* - Pathology, Anatomical, MDA (Co-Chair)
Lanxin Bei* - Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, UTHealth
Dalia Hassan* - Pulmonary Medicine -Research, MDA
Anna (Shucheng) Miao* - Genetics, MDA
Nick Newkirk* - Genetics, MDA
Kadir Akdemir, PhD – Neurosurgery, MDA
Swathi Arur, PhD – Genetics, MDA2023 G&E Spring Symposium Organizing Committee
Richa Nayak* - Pulmonary Medicine, MDA (Co-Chair)
Emely Larios* - Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MDA (Co-Chair)
Mo-Fan (Elena) Huang* - Integrative Biology & Pharmacology, UT Health (Co-Chair)
Jace Aloway* - Genetics, MDA
Ruoyu Wang* - Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, UTHealth
Sreepradha Sridharan* - Genetics, MDA
Timothy McDonnell, MD, PhD - Hematopathology, MDA
Ambro van Hoof, PhD – Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, UTHealth2022 G&E Spring Symposium Organizing Committee
Jace Aloway* - Genetics, MDA (Co-Chair)
Celine Kong* - Pulmonary Medicine-Research, MDA (Co-chair)
Mabel Perez-Oquendo* - Thoracic Head & Neck Medical Oncology, MDA (Co-Chair)
Melissa Frasca* - Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MDA
Heather Tsong* - Neurobiology, UTHealth
Brandy Walker* - Pediatrics, UTHealth
Ruoyu Wang* - Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, MDA
Tanner Wright* - Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MDA
Timothy McDonnell, MD, PhD - Hematopathology, MDA
Guang Peng, PhD - Clinical Cancer Prevention, MDA2022 G&E Arts Showcase Organizing Committee
Celine Kong* - Pulmonary Medicine-Research, MDA (Chair)
Vahid Bahrambeigi* - Pathology, Anatomical, MDA
Majo (Maria) Gacha Garay* - Pulmonary Medicine -Research, MDA
Ciara (Shuaitong) Chen* - Translational Molecular Pathology, MDA
Pierre McCrea, PhD – Genetics, MDA
Rick Wood, PhD - Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MDA2021 G&E Arts Showcase Organizing Committee
Raisa Reyes Castro* - Genetics, MDA (Chair)
Celine Kong* - Pulmonary Medicine-Research, MDA
Mabel Perez-Oquendo* - Head and Neck Medical Oncology, MDA
Sreeja Sridharan* - Pediatrics, MDA
Michael Galko, PhD - Genetics, MDA2022 G&E Lunar New Year Event Committee
Anna Miao* - Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MDA
Yejing Ge, PhD - Cancer Biology, MDA
Michelle Hildebrandt, PhD - Lymphoma/Myeloma, MDA2021 G&E Lunar New Year Event Committee
Anna Miao* - Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MDA
Yejing Ge, PhD - Cancer Biology, MDA
Michelle Hildebrandt, PhD - Lymphoma/Myeloma, MDAG&E Faculty & Students Serving on GSBS Standing Committees, 2023-2024
Note: faculty with the star are the designated G&E program reps.
GSBS Academic Standards Committee: *Xiangli Yang, PhD, Shawn Bratton, PhD
GSBS Admissions Committee: Jun Wang, PhD
GSBS Curriculum Committee: Blaine Bartholomew, PhD, Guang Peng, MD, PHD, Wantong Yao, PhD
GSBS Executive Committee: Jichao Chen, PhD (Chair), Michael Galko, PhD, Wenbo Li, PhD, Pierre McCrea, PhD
GSBS Membership Committee: Richard Wood, PhD
GSBS Program Directors Committee: Francesca Cole, PhD
GSBS Student Scholarship Committee: Michael Galko, PhD -
G&E Wellness, Scientific and Online Learning Resources
Scroll down, and you're bound to find something of interest! Send your online resource suggestions to elindheim@mdanderson.org
MENTAL HEALTH & MINDFULNESS RESOURCES
GSBS Student Support and Resources Page: https://gsbs.uth.edu/current-students/support.htm
UTHealth Student Counseling Services Visit website for hours and contact information. 713-500-5171 from 8am to 5pm. 24/7 Crisis line: 713-500-4688
UTHealth Employee Assistance: https://inside.uth.edu/eap/employee-assistance/
MD Anderson Employee Assistance Counseling Services: 713-745-6901. Monday – Thursday 7:30 am – 9:00 pm, and Fridays to 4:30 pm.https://www.mdanderson.org/about-md-anderson/employee-resources/employee-assistance-program.html
MDLive: Free counseling through MDLive: MDLive offers many of the same services offered by providers in an office. Services are available 24/7, 365 days a year. MDLive offers appointments with psychiatrists and therapists, at no charge. A full range of medical services are also available at no charge.https://www.bcbstx.com/ut/doctors-and-hospitals/virtual-visits
Thrive at UT: App with wellbeing resources. Access with your UTH email. https://healthyhorns.utexas.edu/thrive/
TAO connect: Online tool available to UT students. https://www.taoconnect.org
MD Anderson Mindfulness Videos (see yoga videos below)
--Meditation Practice: Body Awareness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuhV_S650Yw
--Mindful Breathing: Practicing Self-Care: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLkoZtiXeqQEXERCISE & YOGA RESOURCES
-DownDog App: Online yoga practices FREE for students with your UTH email until July 1st. https://www.downdogapp.com
-Youtube yoga tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZkDZKOcvYTh4dRDXQ71m7gQUmWkDmLAl
-Peloton: Free workouts for 90 days – cycling, running, yoga, strength training. https://www.onepeloton.com/app
-Gymondo: 14-day free trial and affordable memberships after free period ends. https://www.gymondo.com/en/
-Wellness consultation: For MD Anderson students - If you would like to speak with one of the fitness team members and/or our dietitian, please email BeWell@mdanderson.org.
-BeWell Facebook group: Get healthy eating tips, exercise videos and ideas for how to stay healthy while on campus or away from home.MD Anderson Yoga Videos
Yoga to calm and cool: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQmBSCF6qgA&feature=youtu.be
Yoga for restoration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dllIxuyi04&feature=youtu.be
Yoga for resilience and focus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08ChKyhT6Mo&feature=youtu.be
Yoga for centering: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqaSlYG45-w&feature=youtu.be
Yoga for strengthening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-_6eVvwets&feature=youtu.be
Yoga breath techniques: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KVtGlvpzFU&feature=youtu.beNUTRITION & COOKING RESOURCES
Anna Olson: shows simple savory and sweet recipes you can try at home. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr_RedQch0OK-fSKy80C3iQ
International cuisines tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_Oi0LoSn3J_Bl0cOQ8JvNw
Yummly: - App and website that provides recipe recommendations personalized to your tastes, semantic recipe search, a digital recipe box, etc. https://www.yummly.com
NYTimes Food newsletter: Free along with many other newsletters. https://www.nytimes.com/newslettersFOR FUN & RELAXATION
Sea Otters: View live video feed of Sea Otters at the Monterey Bay Aquarium 7 am to 7 pm PST: https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams/sea-otter-cam?campaign_id=58&emc=edit_ck_20200406&instance_id=17379&nl=cooking®i_id=23902975&segment_id=24020&te=1&user_id=66545c54ce9403453bb6c745ae598572
-NY Metropolitan Opera: Daily stream of past performances; with subtitles. Each stream becomes available at 7:30 p.m. EDT and remains accessible for on-demand viewing until 6:30 p.m. the following day. General Info: Weekly Schedule: https://www.metopera.org/user-information/nightly-met-opera-streams/
-Houston Symphony’s Living Room Series: Recorded symphony broadcasts listed here: https://houstonsymphony.org/watch-listen-now/
-Houston Inprint Reading Series: From the Inprint archives, watch and listen to some very famous (and perhaps not so famous) authors read. Free and available on demand: inprinthouston.org.
-MD Anderson aquarium (about 5 min): https://mediaplayer.mdanderson.org/video-full/ED6BF485-66BD-43D5-A40F-243BA449F99C
-Virtual Yosemite National Park (CA). Sit on top of Half Dome and peer down 3000’ to the Yosemite Valley floor! Or, walk the Mist Trail up to Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls. https://www.virtualyosemite.org
-Good Housekeeping Travel Tours: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/travel/a31784720/best-virtual-tours/
-Travel and Leisure Museum Tours: https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours
-Scattegories Game: https://swellgarfo.com/scattergories-old/SCIENTIFIC ONLINE RESOURCES
Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Center Connect: Science seminar series: Broadcasts to researchers around the globe and recorded for subsequent viewing. The series is held every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. All talks will begin at noon, EST. Link to resource
AACR conferences: Various lectures from past AACR conferences are available online. Select ‘free’ videos or login if you are a member. Link to resource
The Node, a Developmental Biology Scientific Writing Club: https://thenode.biologists.com/developmental-biology-write-club-post-1/discussion/
Gulf Coast Consortium: Workshops, seminars, events, and many other scientific resources: https://www.gulfcoastconsortia.org/home/training/
ONLINE LEARNING RESOURCES
Linkedin Learning: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/activate. More than 9,000 courses on business software, career development, customer service, writing, Illustrator, Photoshop, Excel and more. Here’s an Illustrator class: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/illustrator-2020-one-on-one-fundamentals/.
UT System Skillport: utsystem.skillport.com. Huge library of free soft skills, IT skills, graphics topics (Photoshop and Illustrator classes are 2015 versions though), & management skills.
Coursera: Coursera offers hundreds of work-at-your-own-pace online courses and specializations including courses in bioinformatics, computer science and business. Each course has a final exam and a certificate is granted upon completion. Subscriptions cost $49 per month. https://www.coursera.org
JoVE Videos: JoVE offers over 12,000 videos of scientific experiments on cancer research, biology, engineering and more. Videos include novel techniques, innovative applications of existing techniques, and gold standard protocols in the physical and life sciences. https://www.jove.com
PRODUCTIVITY RESOURCES
Microsoft To Do: https://todo.microsoft.com/tasks/
Todoist: https://todoist.com
TimeTimer: https://www.timetimer.com/collections/applications
Notion: https://www.notion.so/product → all-in-one workspace (free option available) -
G&E Faculty Participation Opportunities
Responsibilities and Expectations of G&E Program Faculty Members
Faculty of the Genetics & Epigenetics Program (G&E) are expected to be active in the G&E community through academic, scientific and social program activities – please make note of the recommendations below. Our faculty should mentor their students to become critical thinkers, and as appropriate, encourage their students to join the G&E Program. It is the individual responsibility of a faculty member to track her/ his own contributions towards G&E. A summary of service will be requested from each faculty member that comes up for evaluation by the Program Steering Committee.
Serve
- Direct/ Teach in G&E Courses
- Serve on Advisory, Examining and Thesis Defense Committees of G&E Students
- Serve on G&E Committees:
--G&E Steering Committee
--G&E Community Committee
--G&E Communications Committee
--Admissions Area Review Subcommittee
--Retreat Organizing Subcommittee
--Spring Symposium Organizing Subcommittee
--Host Rotation Talks
--Other Ad Hoc SubcommitteesParticipate/ Attend – Expected
- G&E Annual Retreat
- G&E Faculty Meetings - 2 per year
- G&E Student Thesis Defense Seminars
- G&E Rotation Talks - 3 per year
Participate – Appreciated
- G&E efforts towards GSBS New Student Orientation Week - August
- New Student Recruitment Interviews & Activities - Jan-March GSBS ‘Visitation Weekends’
- G&E GEM Student Seminar Series – once per month
- G&E Spring Symposium
- G&E Faculty Insight Series
- G&E Lunar New Year Event
- G&E Arts Showcase (Fall)
- G&E Ice Cream Social (Summer)
- Other Ad Hoc G&E Activities
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Historical Translations
Translations of Classic Scientific Papers
This project was initiated by the desire to read primary papers in our field. However, some of these papers were written in languages that we do not understand.
Lucien Cuénot
Our first project was to translate Lucien Cuénot's paper La Loi de Mendel et l'Heredite de la Pigmentation chez les Souris (1902) from French into English: Mendel's Law and Heredity of Pigmentation in Mice. This paper was the first to show that Mendel's Laws applied to animals (he used mice in his studies). We used Google to generate initial translations that were then edited by Phil Soriano, a native speaker. As with all translations, the translator must choose words very carefully to convey what they believe was the intended meaning of the original author. Since our initial translation into English, the Cuénot paper has been translated into multiple languages so that students and researchers of genetics can read this classic paper in their own language. More translations in other languages will be added. We thank our volunteer translators: Youmna Atieh, Vanessa Barone, Ida Chow, Viktor Feketa, Marina Galanternik, Jovanka Gensel Augusto, Seol Hee Im, Irina Larina, Oscar Ruiz, Philippe Soriano, Chang-Ru Tsai, Marina Venero Galanternik, Irene Yan, Shou-Ting Yen.
Mendel's Law and the Heredity of Pigmentation in Mice
Soon after the rediscovery of Mendel’s laws of inheritance in plants, French scientist Lucien Cuénot published a paper in 1902 reporting his studies of the inheritance of pigmentation in the house mouse. His results showed that Mendel’s laws of inheritance also applied to animals. This is a fundamental paper in the field of genetics.
Because the original paper was published in French and many people may not read French, we translated the manuscript into English. We then recruited others to translate the paper into other languages (below). We hope that this provides the opportunity for many more people to read this classic paper in genetics.
Please let us know if you find any errors in the translation. More languages will be added soon. Please contact us if you would like to add an additional language.
Contact: Richard Behringer, rrb@mdanderson.org
English • Français • Italiano •
(Chinese) • 
(Korean) • 
(Russian) • 
(Portuguese) •
(Arabic) • 
(Ukrainian) • 
(Serbian) • Vietnamese
Johannes Müller
The Cuénot paper was relatively short. For our next project, Dagmar Wilhelm and I are translating Johannes Müller's paper Bildungsgeschichte der Genitalien aus Anatomischen Untersuchungen an Embryonen des Menschen und der Thiere nebst einem Anhang über die chirurgische Behandlung der Hypospadia (1830) from German into English (Development of the Genitals from Anatomical Studies on Human and Animal Embryos, along with an Appendix on the Surgical Treatment of Hypospadias). This paper describes the development of the gonads and reproductive tract organs in multiple species, including amphibians, birds, reptiles, and mammals. The manuscript is over 150 pages. Therefore, we will be posting the manuscript in sections. Ralf Krahe, Elke Ober, and Tatjana Piotrowski have been helping with the translations.
Original Paper in German
BILDUNGSGESCHICHTE DER GENITALIEN
ausanatomischen Untersuchungen an Embryonen des Menschen und der Thiere, nebst einem Anhang über die chirurgische Behandlung der Hypospadia.
English translation
The manuscript is >150 pages. Thus, the translation is ongoing. We are uploading parts as they are completed.
Part 1 - Title, Preface, Introduction, Table of Contents
Part 7 - Testes, Ovaries, Genital Ducts
Part 9 - Development after Hatching
Please let us know if you find any errors in these translations.
Contact: Richard Behringer, rrb@mdanderson.org
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G&E Bylaws
I. Program Description
The Genetics & Epigenetics (G&E) Graduate Program is a research-oriented Ph.D. training program at The University of Texas MD Anderson UT Health Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS). The research in G&E Program labs is broadly focused on the fundamental genetic, epigenetic, and genomic mechanisms that control cell growth and differentiation, and that cause cancer and other human diseases. From basic science investigations to translational studies, G&E Program students and faculty are actively engaged in the pursuit of new scientific knowledge that could one day lead to clinical advances.
The Program focuses on training graduate students, the future leaders in science discovery. It aims to train students who are knowledgeable, critical, and productive independent scientists. This is achieved through cutting-edge research projects, classes, seminars, retreats, laboratory collaborations, social gatherings and career development activities.
G&E Program labs are located throughout the Texas Medical Center, including MD Anderson and the UT Health Science Center at Houston. In addition, some G&E Program labs are located at the MD Anderson Science Park campus in Smithville, Texas, the location of the Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis.
II. Program Director and Co-Director
A. A single Program Director will be elected by receiving the most votes from program faculty in an election. If an equal number of votes is received by each of two (or more) candidates at the top, a run-off election will be held. The Director will serve as the main point of contact for Program students and the GSBS. The Program Director bears final responsibility for Program leadership and will serve a two-year term.
B. A Program Co-Director will be elected by receiving the most votes from program faculty in an election. The Program Co-Director will assist the Program Director in overall leadership of the Program. The Program Co- Director will be approved to sign student forms and conduct other Program business in the Program Director’s absence. The Program Co-Director will serve a two-year term.
C. The Program Director and Co-Director must be Regular Members of the GSBS.
D. All Program Faculty will be asked to vote for the Program Director, Co-Director, and two At-Large Faculty Members of the Steering Committee.
III. Standing Committees
A. The Program will have three standing committees. These include Steering, Community, and Communications. The Community and Communications Committees and ad hoc committees will serve in an advisory capacity to the Steering Committee. The membership of the Standing Committees will reflect the diversity of the G&E Program faculty and students
B. The Steering Committee will be responsible for formulating policies related to the administrative, financial, and educational aspects of the Program. The Committee will define core knowledge and skill competencies needed by Program students and oversee the development of courses and other educational activities that meet those core competencies. The Committee will be responsible for evaluating Program courses with the goals of improving pedagogy, fostering a deeper understanding of specific topics and eliminating overlap with other GSBS courses. The Steering Committee will be composed of the Program Director, Co-Director and the Chairs of the Community and Communications Committees plus two other G&E Program faculty members elected by the Program faculty at-large who will serve two-year terms. The Steering Committee will also have up to four students, each serving one-year terms. Two students will be elected by the student members and two will be appointed by the Program Director and Co-Director to ensure diversity. The Director and Co-Director will have the option to appoint up to two faculty members for the purpose of having diverse faculty representation.
C. The Steering Committee will meet at least twice a year to conduct Program business.
D. The Community Committee will be composed of at least three G&E faculty members and up to five students selected by the Program Director and Co-Director with advice from the Steering Committee. The Community Committee will be responsible for developing and implementing the scientific and social events of the Program. The Community Committee will meet at least twice per year.
E. The Communications Committee will be composed of at least three G&E faculty members and up to three students selected by the Program Director and Co-Director with advice from the Steering Committee. The Communications Committee will be responsible for the Program Webpage. It will work together with the Program Coordinator to review and update the Program Webpage regularly, and to acquire/provide content. The Director/Co-Director will be consulted for approval of significant alterations to the Program Webpage. The Communications Committee is responsible for social media to communicate the events and achievements of the Program faculty and students. The Communications Committee will meet at least twice per year.
F. Ad Hoc Committees can be formed when needed at the discretion of the Program Director and Co-Director with advice from the Steering Committee.
IV. Election of Program Leaders
A. To preserve the integrity and anonymity of the process, the GSBS will conduct elections for Program Director positions, as per current GSBS policy.
B. The Steering Committee will be responsible for identifying suitable candidates for Program Director and Co-Director. In addition, GSBS will solicit nominations from the Program faculty at-large, including self-nominations.
C. The Program will solicit nominations from the Program faculty at-large for faculty candidates and Program students at-large for student candidates to serve as the two faculty and two student at-large positions on the Steering Committee.
D. Once the slate of candidates has been created, the G&E program coordinator will conduct the election and report the results to the Program directors, who will then inform Program members. Faculty Steering Committee members will be elected by receiving the most votes from Program faculty in an election. Student Steering Committee members will be elected by receiving the most votes from Program students in an election. If an equal number of votes is received by each of two (or more) candidates at the top, a run-off election will be held.
V. Program Membership
A. Any GSBS faculty member may apply to join the G&E Program.
B. Candidates for membership will contact the Program Director, who will verify good standing with GSBS.
C. The Program Director will present the applicant to the Steering Committee.
D. Acceptance into the Program requires a majority vote of the Steering Committee.
E. Membership will be evaluated every 5 years at the longest, with the option to do so more frequently (e.g., 1-to-4 years) at the discretion of the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee has the option to stagger evaluations, so that the workload is better distributed.
F. At the time of evaluation, the Program Director will request that the member states his/her interest (versus not) in renewing Program membership. If renewing, the member will submit a list that summarizes the G&E Program activities that the member has engaged in for each year of the evaluation period. Note that each member (not the G&E Program) is individually responsible for tracking their own contributions/participation.
G. The Steering Committee will evaluate the member’s participation and contributions to the G&E Program as listed by the member. To renew membership, the faculty member must have demonstrated significant participation in G&E-specific activities in each year of the evaluation period.
H. The Steering Committee, by majority vote, will determine whether the member fulfills the above requirement. If not, the Program will send to the GSBS a list of faculty whose membership has been placed on probation for a period of one year. The GSBS will notify the faculty member that they are on probation. At the end of the one-year probation period, if there is insufficient activity, the Program will terminate membership.
I. Two years after termination, a terminated faculty member may request membership in the Program, following the above rules.
VI. Program Meetings and Procedures
A. Semi-annual meetings of the G&E Program faculty shall be held to consider new business. The Program faculty should meet twice a year. Changes in the Program Bylaws recommended by the Steering Committee and other matters will be approved by a majority vote of those in attendance.
B. Special Meetings can be called by the Program Director, Steering Committee or following a petition signed by five (5) members of the Program faculty.
C. The general authority on questions of meeting procedure is Robert’s Rules of Order. A quorum is one fourth of the Program faculty members.
D. An amendment to the Bylaws of the G&E Program may be accomplished by majority vote of the Program faculty attending the meeting, after the following procedure has been followed. The proposed amendment is submitted to the Program Director who will send it to the GSBS Deans Office for review to ensure that it meets GSBS guidelines. The Program Director will then send the proposed amendment to the Program faculty for consideration, preferably at least two weeks (minimally one week) prior to a scheduled meeting of the Program faculty. Following discussion of the amendment(s) at the faculty meeting, a majority vote will be taken. The Director together with the Co-Director will determine on a case-by-case basis if an issue discussed at G&E faculty meetings may include proxy votes. If a quorum is not reached for faculty in attendance (see C above), the Director and Co-Director will determine if the vote on the bylaws amendment(s) will proceed by later email or www-based voting, or undertaken in a subsequent regular or special meeting of the G&E Faculty.
E. The records of the G&E Program will be retained in the office of the Program Coordinator, available for inspection by the Program faculty. The Program Director shall send the summary minutes of each meeting to the Program Faculty within two weeks of the meeting.
VII. Student Membership
GSBS students in good standing working under the direct supervision of a GSBS faculty member are eligible for membership in the G&E Program. Students should submit a request to the Program Director for admission to the Program.
Revised version 07/24/20
Approved by the G&E Faculty on 06/23/20