Upcoming Coffee and Conversation

We host a monthly online, interactive webinar with a senior GWIS mentor and a small group of GWIS members.

These webinars are designed to allow for in-depth conversation and an opportunity to network directly with the speaker. Each month look for a preview of the speaker and a link for registration in our GWISEmpower mailings. Only 7 registration spots are available for each session, so you’ll want to act fast once registration opens! We have recruited amazing mentors!

Not a member yet? Join GWIS today so you can be a part of this exciting program!

Upcoming Speakers

*Dates and times are subject to change.

May 2020

Date: Wednesday May 20th at 4pmEST/3pmCST/1pmPST/11amHST

Time: 4pmEST/3pmCST/1pmPST/11amHST

Questions? Email mentoring@gwis.org

GWIS May 2020 Virtual Conversation - Careers as Medical Science Liaisons and Medical Writers

Panelists: 

Britta Nelson, PhD, Medical Science Liaison in women’s health at Bayer

Brenna Beckelman, PhD, Medical Writer III at Trilogy Writing and Consulting

Tara Burns, Associate Medical Science Liaison at Sirtex Medical Limited 

Dr. Britta Nelson is currently a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) with Bayer specializing in women’s health. She supports health care professionals and patients on reproductive education and their efforts to secure research grants that involve long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs). She is based in Charleston, SC, and has a territory that encompasses South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Prior to joining Bayer, Britta worked as a MSL for Shire and Sun Pharmaceuticals providing support in their ophthalmic therapeutic areas. Before transitioning to industry, she completed a three-year postdoctoral position at the University of Georgia studying the cell-based processes underlying stress, depression, and addiction.  She earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Pittsburgh in Biology and Chemistry and her doctoral degree at Tulane University in Neuroscience where she researched the cellular and molecular relationships whereby estrogens affect non-reproductive behaviors. Her time in New Orleans also gave her a fondness for making costumes that still consume disproportionate closet space.

Dr. Beckelman is currently a Medical Writer at Trilogy Writing & Consulting, where she leads the preparation of clinical regulatory documents for submission to federal authorities.  Before shifting to regulatory writing, she worked at a medical communications firm specializing in physician and patient education. Dr. Beckelman earned a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Wake Forest University and a B.S. in Psychology from Davidson College. Her research focused on the molecular mechanisms contributing to Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. 

Dr. Tara Burns is a Medical Science Liaison for Sirtex, a biomedical device company for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. In this role, she uses her scientific background and expertise to serve as a medical oncology resource to various internal stakeholders as well as medical Key Opinion Leaders in Interventional Radiology and Medical Oncology. Prior to becoming an MSL for Sirtex, Dr. Burns earned her PhD in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from the Medical University of South Carolina studying the molecular mechanisms responsible for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia.  She did her postdoctoral studies on the genetics of malformations of the heart.  During her time in her pre and postdoctoral training, Tara has published several papers in top tiered journals and received awards for multiple international podium presentations.

March 2020

Date: Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

Time: TBD, tentatively 4pm EST/3pm CST/1pm PST/10am HST

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1043880069321986/

Questions? Email mentoring@gwis.org

GWIS March Virtual Conversation - Career Panel: Teaching and Research at PUIs/SLACs

Join us online on Wednesday, March 25th (mid-late afternoon, exact time TBD) to hear about careers in primarily-undergraduate institutions (PUIs)/small liberal arts college (SLACS). We’ll hear from multiple panelists about their path to this career, their day-to-day work life, how they balance teaching and research, and more. You’ll be able to submit your own questions when you register, or ask our panelists during the live conversations!

Panelists: 

Dr. Kameko Halfmann, Assistant Professor of Psychology, University of Wisconsin at Platteville (https://kamekohalfmann.com/teaching/sotl/, @KamekoMae on Twitter)

Dr. Elana Stennett, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Hobart and William Smith Colleges (https://www.hws.edu/academics/chemistry/facultyProfile.aspx?facultyID=1580)

Dr. Lindsey McGee, Assistant Professor of Biology, Earlham College (https://earlham.edu/bio/?t=dir&id=42540&r=41406&d=)

February 2020

Date: Wednesday, Feb 19th, 2020

Time:  4pm EST/3pm CST/1pm PST/10am HST

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/3708061849268401/

Questions? Email mentoring@gwis.org

This month's GWIS Mentoring Virtual Conversation will focus on how to fundraise!

Join us on online on Wednesday, Feb 19th at 3pm CST to discuss strategies for fundraising success. GWIS chapters often rely on local fundraising to support professional development, social, and outreach events, and sponsor travel awards. Join to hear a bit about how three chapters successfully fundraised to host the National Conference, which then contributed profit back into the chapter to fund future events. 

Panelists: 

Dr. Michelle Booze (Eastern South Dakota chapter, host of 2017 National Conference)

Dr. Rachel Cole (Iowa City chapter, host of 2018 National Conference)

Dr. Lisa Kunza (Black Hills chapter, host of 2019 National Conference)