Dr. Teresa Evans has recently accepted an exciting new career opportunity
Teresa plans to continue research on mental health in graduate education.
“The prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression in the graduate trainee population is not well understood. In order to address this gap in knowledge, an international survey of graduate trainees was conducted,” she said. “The results from over three thousand respondents indicated rates of anxiety and depression six times that of the general population.”
Additionally, she will continue her work with K-12 STEM Education which are supported by a NIGMS Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA).
Dr. Evans said, “Through this award we have engaged researchers in activities with K-12 teachers in order to develop novel programs through theĀ Teacher Enrichment Initiatives (TEI) that enhance STEM Teacher professional development.”
So, join us in thanking Dr. Evans for all the wonderful initiatives and programs she has developed on behalf of our trainees and wishing her the best as she takes on this exciting new career. And this is not goodbye, but rather au revoir. She will maintain a formal presence on campus as the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences continues to develop the dynamic programs she initiated.
A Letter from Dr. Teresa Evans
It takes a community.
Building a career is like building a city, it takes a community. As I reflect on my own career journey it is unmistakable how important engaging a community of professionals, colleagues, and supporters has been on what I have been able to achieve. This same principal applies to building a company, an office, or launching a career. You must actively engage with others to expand your own knowledge and challenge yourself.
Engage to learn.
Engage with one another to learn not only about each other’s science and develop potential collaborations but about the struggles you share and the opportunities to overcome. I learned this lesson at the start of my career and close of my graduate education. Life throws a lot of struggles at us, dissertations, grant reviewers, and new careers alike, however, the only way to get through tough times is with those who support you, your community. Go out and continue to support one another!
Engage to build.
As scientists we are charged with building research plans that will shape the future of our fields. I encourage you to embody that spirit and your training as a scientist in all that you do. There have been countless examples of trainees who have come forward with local and community problems that they wish to impact in a positive light, myself included. They have worked together and executed plans that will live on to impact the community for years to come. Keep making plans and taking action together!
Engage to challenge yourself.
No innovation or discovery is made within the comfort zone. Once you learn to embrace the challenge and your fear you will reach new heights. This is fundamental to paving a career path of your own that is marked by outstanding success. Take stake of where you are and ask the question, “How do I challenge myself today, tomorrow, in my career?” Then, once you have set your goals, band together with your community and take on the world! You have the ability, training, and community to shape the future one challenge at a time!