Leora Goldbloom-Helzner, BME Ph.D. Candidate under the mentorship of Professor Aijun Wang, and Abby Niesen, BME Ph.D. Candidate under the mentorship of Professor Maury Hull, were recently selected as fellows of the UC Davis Professors for the Future Program for 2022-2023. 

This competitive program provides outstanding Ph.D. students and postdoctoral scholars with  leadership-development opportunities and a $3000 stipend. The 2022-2023 cohort will engage in the following activities:

1. Professional development 

Fellows learn skills that are vital to future careers in academia such as how to find grants to support research or how to develop course curriculum. All fellows receive formal training in teaching methods and course design, as well as participate in a seminar course on Professionalism and Ethics in the University.

2. Engaging workshops, discussions, retreats and speaking events

Fellows gain access to top-level administrators and academic leaders throughout the university who share insider’s knowledge about a variety of topics. This insight often gives fellows the upper hand when starting their careers.

3. Collaborative cohorts

PFTF creates a collaborative environment where an interdisciplinary cohort of students can share details about a myriad of experiences that occur during their pursuit of a doctoral degree or postdoctoral training.

4. Leadership training 

Fellows immerse themselves in leadership training through monthly meetings, classroom instruction and executing their academic service projects.

5. Impactful, student-driven academic service projects

Fellows create academic service projects that are centered on addressing needs identified within the graduate and postdoctoral community. This grassroots-driven approach to problem-solving real issues empowers the fellows and improves the graduate and postdoctoral community. Project results and outcomes are then presented at an end-of-year reception, which is open to all interested members of the university.