Welcome to the March issue of
Mizzou Grad & Postdoc News.
I hope you are celebrating Women’s History Month and honoring all those who identify as women who have made a difference in your life, including in your disciplines and fields of study. Remember to cite a woman! There is still time before the month’s end to take advantage of some of the great programming on campus in recognition of Women’s History.
Please check our webpage about external fellowships; it includes a number of competitive awards and databases that can help you find opportunities that are suited to you and your goals. The Director of Postdoctoral Education, Dr. Valli Sarveswaran, sends regular emails to our postdoc listserv with funding opportunities particularly focused on postdoctoral scholars.
I also wanted to remind you to periodically check out our website; the information included may be helpful as you move through your time at Mizzou. For example, I receive many questions throughout the year about assistantships; many of those questions can be answered by reviewing the Graduate School website.
Finally, I want to congratulate the 18 graduate and professional students who were recently recognized with the Mizzou 18 Award. This award recognizes students’ outstanding research, leadership with undergraduate students, and collaboration with faculty. The Mizzou 18 Award is just one way our community recognizes graduate education—such recognition fosters a community that celebrates excellence.
Until next month,
Jeni Hart, PhD
Dean of the Graduate School
Vice Provost for Graduate Studies
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Booster shots
We strongly encourage you to get vaccinated if you have not already, and to get a booster shot within the recommended time after your initial vaccination. COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are readily available and are free to anyone.
Face coverings
We also ask you to wear a quality, well-fitting mask regardless of vaccination status while indoors or in crowded outdoor settings. Best masking practices from the CDC can be found here.
Stay home if you are sick
Remember to stay home if you are sick, even if your symptoms are mild. Instructors are encouraged to provide alternative arrangements for learning for those who are isolating or in quarantine.
Read more information at renewal.missouri.edu
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IMPORTANT DEADLINE FOR
SPRING AND SUMMER GRADUATES!
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Spring and Summer 2022 Graduate Degree Recipients:
Please be sure to confirm your plans to attend the Graduate School’s May Commencement Exercises on May 15. Also, please be sure to review our participation policies. Academic regalia is required for the ceremony and can be purchased at the Mizzou Store.
Students completing a Graduate Certificate and Degree Candidates:
The application for graduation is available until May 6. However, degree candidates' names will not appear in the commencement bulletin if you applied to graduate after February 21.
Please note: THESIS AND DISSERTATION SUBMISSION DEADLINES STILL APPLY regardless of when you complete the application. In order to successfully apply to receive your graduate certificate or graduate degree, you must complete the Graduate School Application for Graduation.
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Graduate Students with Assistantships:
ePerformance self-reflection extended deadline approaching!
If you are a graduate student with an assistantship, the deadline for you to submit your self-reflection has been extended until March 30, 2022.
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Office for Financial Success VITA Tax Prep Site:
The Office for Financial Success (OFS) will host a VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) site in 162 Stanley Hall this Spring. Undergraduate and graduate students1 can use MU Connect to schedule an appointment for free tax preparation from tax-certified2 OFS peer financial coaches. Appointments open on February 7 and run through April 15.
Steps to access the service:
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Log into MU Connect
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Search “Financial Success” from your Success Network.
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Select “Financial Success Tax Preparation” to find available appointments.
4. Click on Schedule Appointment" on the top left side of the page, the blue button.
1 Community members (including faculty and staff) are encouraged to use the MU Extension VITA site at the Family Impact Center.
2 “All VITA/TCE volunteers who prepare returns must take and pass tax law training that meets or exceeds IRS standards. This training includes maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of all taxpayer information. In addition to requiring volunteers to certify their knowledge of the tax laws, the IRS requires a quality review check for every return prepared at a VITA/TCE site prior to filing.” Source: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers
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For International Students - Check you tax status
International students need to know if they have nonresident tax status or if they are considered U.S. tax residents for the year 2021. If you are unsure of your tax status for 2021, you may send an inquiry to umsharedservicesu1@umsystem.edu and refer to the Nonresident Alien Taxation page. International students should also have received an email from the International Center on February 1 with information on taxes.
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Where is my 1095-B (proof of insurance) document?
Anthem mailed them out the first week of January. If they missed anyone, those will be identified this month and the document will be/already has been mailed out.
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Need to Resolve a Concern Related to your Assistantship?
If you have a concern about your assistantship, whenever possible attempt to resolve the issue with your supervisor. If that is not possible, or is unsuccessful, contact the leadership in your department or program (e.g., Department Chair or Director of Graduate Studies), or college/school (e.g., Associate Dean for Academic Affairs/Graduate Education). You are always welcome to contact the Associate Dean of the Graduate School for advice and assistance.
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Funding Opportunities &
Awards
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MU Dissertation Year Fellowship
The Graduate School’s Dissertation Year Fellowship provides financial support for doctoral students in the academic year that they will defend their dissertation. The fellowship is $9,148 distributed in two lump sums in the fall and spring semesters. Awardees typically use the funds to help defray research costs or to free up time to work on the dissertation while taking a reduced assistantship workload during the dissertation year. Deadline: July 1, 2022
2022 Trans World Airlines (TWA) Scholarships
The scholarship was established to fund students who are performing research in areas that will impact environmental issues. Graduate students currently enrolled full-time as Missouri residents as classified by the Registrar's Office for tuition purposes are eligible to apply.
Additional information can be found at Trans World Airlines (TWA) Scholarship | University of Missouri System.
Deadline: April 6, 2022
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Non-MU Funding Opportunities
Department of Energy Office of Science Accepting Applications for Graduate Student Research Awards
The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science is now accepting applications for the Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program. Deadline: 5 PM EST on Wednesday, May 4, 2022.
The SCGSR program supports awards to outstanding U.S. graduate students to conduct part of their graduate thesis research at a DOE national laboratory or host site in collaboration with a DOE laboratory scientist — with the goal of preparing graduate students for scientific and technical careers critically important to the DOE Office of Science mission. Since its inception in 2014, the SCGSR program has provided support to over 780 graduate awardees from more than 150 U.S. universities to conduct thesis research at all 17 DOE national laboratories across the nation. More information can be found here.
Databases to Search for Funding
Familiarize yourself with external grants and fellowship opportunities for graduate students! Our campus and your department may also offer training opportunities throughout the year to help you prepare an application.
Set up a free Pivot account to search for opportunities and set up automated funding alerts. Click here to get more information about how to get started.
National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Student Funding
Search the NSF database to discover funding opportunities for current graduate students. Research discipline areas and deadlines vary.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Graduate Student Funding
Search the NIH website to become familiar with the different types of funding you are eligible for as a current graduate student.
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Congratulations Mizzou 18!
2022 recipients:
- Divya Anand; Trulaske College of Business; Bihar and Kerala, India
- Ashley Anderson; College of Arts and Science; Atwater, Ohio
- Fatin Asnan; College of Education and Human Development; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Jibin Baby; College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; Kerala, India
- Benton Berigan; College of Arts and Science; Ballwin, Missouri
- Mark Bremer; School of Health Professions/College of Arts and Science; Springfield, Missouri
- Grant Clayton; College of Education and Human Development; Jefferson City, Missouri
- Ryan Dashek; College of Veterinary Medicine; Franklin, Wisconsin
- Kelly Dougherty; School of Medicine; Craig, Missouri
- Lily Omowumi; College of Arts and Science; Akwa Ibom, Nigeria
- Jabarbara Jennings; College of Education and Human Development; Columbia, Missouri
- Lucy McGowan; College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; Centralia, Missouri
- Obofoni Ann Obadan; College of Arts and Science; Edo State, Nigeria
- Md. Rafiqul Islam Rana; College of Arts and Science; Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Bridget Rennard; School of Health Professions; Chesterfield, Missouri
- Cydni Meredith Robertson; College of Arts and Science; Dallas, Texas
- Wenting Sun; College of Education and Human Development; Qiqihar, China
- Leanne Tippett Mosby; School of Journalism; St. Louis, Missouri
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Spring 2022 Professional Development Offerings for Graduate Students and Postdocs
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The + symbol indicates the session is offered in person; unmarked sessions are virtual.
Please check the gradESSENTIALS page to register for events.
March
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+Health Professions/Nursing career & opportunities fair |
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Survey design |
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+Saturday Morning Writing Retreat |
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Exploring the Postdoc path |
April
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How to make the most out of your summer internship/practicum |
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National Graduate & Professional Student Appreciation Week |
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Grad Swag Giveaways |
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Is balance possible in graduate/professional school? Strategies for managing all types of stress |
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Credit scores, reports, ID theft |
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Donuts with the Deans |
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Communicating your research to broad audiences |
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+Saturday Morning Writing Retreat |
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+Cultural awareness in the interview |
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+Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) info session |
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+Diverse career opportunities in the humanities: Talking with professionals |
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Avoiding a big yikes: Export controls and the impact on academia |
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+Grant writing workshop |
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38th Annual Research & Creative Activities Forum
The Graduate Professional Council (GPC) is proud to announce its 38th Annual Research & Creative Activities Forum (RCAF) which will take place on April 30, 2022! This event offers an invaluable opportunity for graduate and professional students to showcase their academic projects/research in front of an audience of their professors, mentors, research colleagues, and visiting faculty from other institutions in Missouri.
Submit applications, including a brief abstract by April 5, 2022.
Student Advocacy Day
Student Advocacy Day at the Missouri State Capitol is Tuesday, April 19 from 9 AM - 1 PM. All graduate students are welcome to attend a day of meeting with representatives, observing the legislative process, and touring the Capitol. Lunch is provided and transportation is coordinated. Please RSVP. Questions? Contact Graduate and Professional Council's Director of State Affairs, Lexi Hall, at amjt44@missouri.edu.
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Research Judging Opportunity for Graduate Students
Call for Judges: Missouri Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS)
The Missouri Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) is part of a nationwide effort to challenge, engage, and publicly recognize high school students conducting research in the sciences, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). Individual students compete for scholarships and recognition by presenting the results of their original research efforts before a panel of judges and an audience of their peers. This year’s Missouri JSHS will take place in Lafferre Hall on Friday, March 18. Graduate and doctoral students are invited to take part in the event as a JSHS Judge from 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM.
Participating as a judge is a great professional development and networking opportunity! You will judge high school students' STEM research within your chosen research category. Presentations are 15-minute each and you will judge them based on the JSHS Judging Rubrics. Lunch will be provided. For more information on JSHS visit the webpage here, and to view research categories and sign up as a judge please use this document. For more information, please contact Sarah Rielley at edwardssar@missouri.edu.
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The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Society for Advancing Chicanos/HIspanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) are excited to host a workshop on Grant Writing and Peer Review for early career scientists! Participants of this workshop will learn to critique grant proposals as well as how to develop their own with the guidance of peers and advisors.
Participants will:
1) Have the opportunity to revise an idea for a grant proposal and have it critiqued by peers and advisers
2) Learn about the merit review process and how to get involved as a reviewer at NSF
3) Get hands on experience reviewing proposals as part of a "mock review panel
Applicants should be advanced graduate students, postdocs or early career professionals who are interested in submitting a grant proposal to either the Biological Sciences (BIO) or Education and Human Resources (EHR) directorates at NSF.
This workshop will be held in June 2022 (tentative June 12th-15th with travel) in Los Angeles, CA. Airfare and lodging will be provided for all accepted participants.
Please apply by completing the application before May 6, 2022 at 11:59 PM PST.
For any questions, please contact Elizabeth, Professional and Leadership Programs Manager, at careercon@sacnas.org.
For more information about this workshop and others offered by SACNAS visit: Professional Programs.
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Graduate Students
Professional Development Resources
Document Review: by appointment
Do you need feedback on your resume, CV, or cover letter? Contact Dr. Laura Page for an individual appointment, offered in-person or over Zoom. Once scheduled, you should email the document in advance. The goal of the 30-minute meeting is to discuss feedback and suggested revisions.
Enroll in the Graduate School Resources Canvas site!
The Graduate School Resources Canvas site features videos, professional development, and other resources for all MU graduate students! Use the self-enrollment link to enroll. If you are new to MU click on “New Students” to view orientation videos about graduate student tuition support, health insurance, and the Individual Development Plan (IDP). Check back throughout the year to see resources grow as we continue to add content to the site.
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Ph.D. Students: Complete your
Annual Review in myVITA by March 25
The Graduate School would like to remind all current Ph.D. students that their annual review of graduate student progress should be completed by no later than March 25, 2022, at 11:59 pm CST.
The 2022 Annual Review Process – Ph.D. Student Guide provides step-by-step instructions for completing the process. You may also register for online training sessions here:
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Tuesday, March 15 at Noon CST – Register here
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Friday, March 18 at 1:00 PM CST – Register here
A previously recorded training and slides are also available (you must sign in with @umsystem.edu credentials to access the recording).
If you have questions, please contact mugradassessment@missouri.edu.
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Student Health & Wellbeing
A reminder that the Student Health & Wellbeing website offers many resources and tips for maintaining great mental and physical health.
We encourage you to be proactive and attend to your needs and stress. Here are some ways:
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Maintain a consistent schedule for meals, sleep, and movement.
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Talk about challenges with trusted friends, family, and faith communities.
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Learn skills and strategies to take care of yourself, manage challenges, and support a community of wellbeing in the Student Health & Well-Being on demand course in Canvas.
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Get support and learn skills by attending a Student Health & Well-Being workshop, event, or meditation. A full list of opportunities is available in Engage.
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Learn how you can save a life in a brief online suicide prevention training Ask Listen Refer.
Access Sanvello, an app designed to help you manage stress, anxiety, and depression. Unlock premium features by creating an account with your Mizzou email address. The app is available on iOS and Android.
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Women's Center
The Women’s Center is a family and child-friendly space that provides opportunities for learning, service, and support. The Women’s Center hosts many events throughout the year such as the Women’s Leadership Conference and offers resources for graduate student and postdoc parents including a library with pregnancy, birthing, and parenting sections; brochures; and a family room.
Contact:
MUWomensCenter@missouri.edu
573-882-6621
G108 MU Student Center (Located on the ground floor of the MU Student Center, below the Mizzou Store). Columbia, MO 65211
Center Hours:
Monday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity Membership
The University of Missouri System has an institutional membership with the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD), an independent faculty development center dedicated to supporting academics in making successful transitions throughout their careers. Faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students have the opportunity to participate in NCFDD's unique form of mentoring and career development programs to support inclusive excellence systemwide.
Because the UM System is an Institutional Member, you have access to the following resources at no cost to you, however, some resources are for Faculty and postdocs but not available to graduate students. A sample of the offerings is listed below:
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Weekly Monday Motivator |
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Monthly Core Curriculum Webinars |
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Monthly Guest Expert Webinars |
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Access to Multi-Week Courses |
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Access to Dissertation Success Curriculum for graduate students |
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Private Discussion Forum for peer-mentoring, problem-solving, & moderated writing challenges |
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Access to 14-Day Writing Challenges |
You can claim your membership by going to www.FacultyDiversity.org/Join. Once you complete the registration process and receive the “welcome email” from the Center, you can register for upcoming trainings.
If you have any technical questions, please email NCFDD at Membership@FacultyDiversity.org.
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Center for Inclusive Excellence
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Women’s History Month
March is Women’s History Month, and the Women’s Center has many free events going on throughout the month, both in-person and on Zoom.
March
16 Women's History Month Goody Bag Noon - 3 PM (first 30 people)
24 The Revolutionist Panel - 2 PM
Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business invites you to: Audacious Womanhood: Helping Women Prepare for Leadership. March 24, 2022 11:30 AM - Online. Learn more here.
Registration is required for online participation. The webinar link will be sent to the email address provided on the registration form.
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Save the Date! Washu Pow Wow
The 31st Annual Washington University Pow Wow will be on April 16, 2022. Visit the Kathryn M. Buder Center for American Indian Studies for the schedule and vendor information.
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Indigenous Knowledge Symposium
March 25, 2022 2:30pm-4:00pm (CST)
Utah State University is hosting scholars presenting on the topics of archaeology, mathematics, and environmental science. Please register for the event by clicking here. You can find out more about the event in the linked flyer.
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International Teaching Assistant Program (ITAP)
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Let ITAP Help You
ITAP wants to help you achieve your communication goals this year. Whether you need support for a one-time presentation, for long-term improvement overall, or some feedback and direction to achieve your goals, ITAP is happy to help. Sign up for an ITAP Consultation - a 1-on-1 meeting with an ITAP instructor who will help you focus on your personal goals as an international graduate student.
~Liz Tummons-Gallazzi, ITAP Coordinator
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Division of Research, Innovation & Impact
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New Name, New Website
The Office of Research and Economic Development has changed its name to the Division of Research, Innovation & Impact and has launched a new website to better serve MU’s world-class researchers, scholars, innovators, entrepreneurs, and industry partners.
Professional Development Opportunities
Developing a Grant Budget & Budget Narrative (virtual), March 18, 12-1 PM (Register)
Learn the ins and outs of developing a grant budget with expert grant writer Sheryl Koenig. We will discuss when to involve your grant writer, how to ensure that your budget is in line with your project activities, how to budget for external partners, and more!
Becoming a Public Scholar Part 2: Tools for Engagement (in-person), April 8,12-1:30 PM, Mizzou Rec Center, Legends Room (Register)
Public scholarship is vital for communicating the value of research and scientific discoveries for individuals and our community. Learn from our panel of engagement experts about how they approach engagement and the support on campus that can help amplify your message.
Human Subjects Research News
Virtual Tutorial on Institutional Research Board (IRB) Monitoring, April 11, 2-3 PM. (send requests for Zoom link to muresearchirb@missouri.edu). This session will cover pre- and post-approval, common findings, and how researchers can self-monitor their research projects.
Submit human subjects research applications and amendments by March 25 for review by the full Institutional Review Board on April 13.
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Postdoctoral Scholars
Professional Development Resources
Career Consultations for Postdocs
Valli Sarveswaran, Director of Postdoctoral Education, is available for 1:1 career consultations to discuss career exploration, networking & job search strategies, job application document reviews, and interview & negotiation preparations. This will be helpful whether you have a solid career plan, or you are still figuring it out. You can also reach out to Valli with non-career related questions & concerns.
Schedule a meeting in person or virtually.
Postdoc Funding Opportunities
There are funding opportunities to support your existing postdoc position or to start a brand new postdoc position here in the U.S. or abroad. View the current and future opportunities webpage. The Office of Postdoctoral Education supports your preparation and submission of proposals. Reach out to Valli Sarveswaran if you have questions.
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MU Postdoctoral Association (MUPA)
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Meet your MUPA Association Board
 Dr. Megan Sheridan, MUPA Co-Chair
Hi, my name is Megan Sheridan, and I am your MUPA Co-Chair! I received my Ph.D. in Biochemistry at MU. My thesis focused on modeling pregnancy disorders; specifically, how diseases like preeclampsia and maternal infections with Zika virus affect the placenta. I joined the Centre for Trophoblast Research in Cambridge, U.K. for my postdoctoral training where I learned how to culture placental organoids and used them to study how the mother and baby communicate during pregnancy. Now I am happy to be back at MU for a postdoctoral position in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health. I am currently working on combining my Ph.D. and postdoctoral training to assess the impact on placental function following maternal infections during pregnancy. My hobbies include traveling with my husband (although mostly a pre-pandemic hobby), spending time with my dog, Pookie, and dancing!
Welcome our new Finance Chair
We are welcoming our new Finance Chair Dr. Lauren Hamilton to the MUPA board. Lauren is a postdoctoral fellow in the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources.
Congratulations to Dr. Elizabeth King,
winner of the postdoctoral mentor award
Congratulations to Dr. Elizabeth King for winning the postdoctoral mentor award for 2021. Dr. Elizabeth King is an Associate Professor in Biological Sciences.
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