Over 300 people tuned in for the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at UT Health San Antonio’s first ever virtual candidacy ceremony on Aug. 21 which celebrated the achievements of graduate students who have passed their qualifying exam.

The graduate school invited Kizzmekia S. Corbett, Ph.D., scientific lead of the Coronavirus Vaccines & Immunopathogenesis Team at the National Institutes of Health to speak to the students at the candidacy ceremony. She spoke about the theme of “preparedness.”

“Albeit the distance, you should be proud of yourselves and you should be,” Dr. Corbett said. “This place you are in as a Ph.D. candidate is the place where you have the opportunity to prepare for the rest of your life as a biomedical scientist.”

To view the ceremony, see the YouTube video.

Before the ceremony, the graduate school sent around a KudoBoard which was filled out by family, friends, mentors, coordinators, program directors and more to congratulate the students.

During the ceremony, each student was given time to thank people that were important to them and say a few words about this achievement.

“Participating in the candidacy ceremony was a great way to honor our achievements with friends, family, and classmates during a time when in-person celebration is nearly impossible,” said Amber Asher, one of the candidates of this year. “Loved ones from all over the United States tuned in and really made the day special.”

Mentors, family, friends, and loved ones wrote encouraging words of support in the YouTube live chat.

To see a copy of the slideshow, view our SlideShare.