The new officers of the Association of Minority Biomedical Researchers (AMBR) look forward to helping students navigate grants and funding, hosting social events to encourage work-life balance, promoting cultural competency, and celebrating inclusivity at the Graduate School. Watch our video to meet co-presidents Llaran Turner and Kaylene Lu, event coordinator Renee Rubiano, secretary Larissa Tavizon, outreach chair Bhargavi Barathi, media relations coordinator Shruthi Kannan, and second-year representative Tala Noun.  

The group hosted a welcome session in September, and the session Funding 101 – a guide to grant and fellowship applications, in October. They will organize more social and learning events throughout the school year. 

Co-presidents’ vision: nurture lasting connections 

Lu chose to take on an officer role to give back to the community, and to provide the same camaraderie and comfort to new students that she experienced in her first years at the Graduate School. “We are uniquely positioned to support our diverse student body – socially, academically, professionally, and personally,” she says.  

For Kannan, a leadership role provides both personal and professional fulfillment. “I truly believe that engaging in activities beyond academics and research during graduate school is crucial for overall professional development,” she says. Her experience in AMBR has allowed her to learn from the experience of others and figure out her own path to success, as well as build lasting connections with other scientists. As an officer, she plans to create opportunities for AMBR students to network and learn about the aspects of graduate school that aren’t covered in the official curriculum. 

AMBR mission: academic and social support encourage the best outcomes during education journey  

Making graduate education accessible is a key part of AMBR’s mission. Read more about their mission here. Events like Candid about Candidacy, which connects junior and senior students to discuss preparing for candidacy exams, and Funding 101, aim to de-mystify the complexities of graduate school. By creating transparency around these topics, AMBR’s officers hope to increase knowledge and confidence and encourage open conversations. 

Another goal is to foster a positive work-life balance for students. “I am particularly excited about our effort to enhance the social aspect of our organization,” says Tavizon. She adds that AMBR’s leadership team is focused on creating opportunities to bring members together outside of the academic environment. “Graduate school often comes with a demanding and rigorous schedule, making it challenging to maintain a healthy work-life balance,” she says. “We hope our upcoming social events will provide a much-needed space for relaxation and connection.” Incorporating movie nights, book clubs, and international holiday celebrations will give AMBR’s members a chance to enrich their lives outside the classroom and lab. 

Officers exemplify work-life balance 

AMBR’s officers lead by example when it comes to work-life balance, making time for their own hobbies outside of school. Lu is a proud plant parent to a rainforest of more than 50 houseplants, Rubiano takes ballet classes in Houston, Kannan practices Indian classical music and dance, Noun performs Latin dance, and Barathi learned all the world’s capitals during lockdown. 

All of AMBR’s officers look forward to a great year of welcoming new members, creating social and networking events, and continuing to serve as an inclusive group at the Graduate School.