Professional development can be a transformative experience in one’s graduate school journey. For fifth year PhD Candidate, Caitlyn Fasteanu, it has been a journey packed with professional growth and personal milestones.

From leadership positions to conferences and travel to podcast appearances to discovering career interests, Caitlyn’s professional development opportunities are rewarding and keep her busy.

Caitlyn, an IBMS student in the Biology of Aging discipline, is mentored by Dr. Sarah Hopp and Dr. Kevin Bieniek. As she prepares to graduate this May, Caitlyn is currently finalizing experiments and analyses for her thesis. She is also working on writing up manuscripts for completed projects.

Leadership: Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)

As President of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) at UT Health, Caitlyn has built a welcoming and supportive community that encourages students to connect, share experiences, and uplift one another. Through her leadership, the chapter organizes social activities, professional development events, and outreach initiatives to engage and serve the broader community.

In October, Caitlyn traveled to Phoenix, Arizona, for the SACNAS National Diversity in STEM (NDiSTEM) Conference. She was awarded the Chapter Officer Leadership October Retreat (C.O.L.O.R.) scholarship, which provided airfare, lodging, and conference registration. This retreat, held the day before the Conference began, united chapter leaders from across the country. While at the conference, Caitlyn co-moderated a Professional Development session alongside other SACNAS chapter leaders.

Mentorship: Scientific Mentoring and Diversity Program (SMDP)

This summer, Caitlyn attended two major conferences, each offering unique experiences, insights, and connections to mentors and other students. In June, Caitlyn traveled to San Diego for the Scientific Mentoring and Diversity Program (SMDP) training session and BIO International Convention. Caitlyn was selected as SMDP Scholar earlier this year. SMDP is a year-long mentoring program that pairs industry professionals with graduate students to navigate the transition into industry careers. During the conference, was able to meet her SMDP mentor. She was paired with Dr. Tong Zhu Head of the Early Clinical Sciences, Translational Clinical Sciences Discovery & Early Development Discovery at Pfizer. The conference and the mentorship she received significantly broadened her knowledge of new technologies and the latest drugs on the market. The sessions were packed with insightful discussions led by industry experts who shared their research and how the advancements were shaping various sectors.

Research: Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC)

In July, Caitlyn attended the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in Philadelphia. At this conference, she served as an Alzheimer’s Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment (ISTAART) ambassador. As an ambassador, she assisted with scientific sessions and networked with leading scientists. In addition to presenting her PhD thesis work in a poster session, she also spoke on a panel about trainee engagement within scientific societies. The panel connected her with the San Antonio Alzheimer’s Association Chapter, and she hopes to facilitate relationships between students and the Association at the local level.

Scientific Outreach: International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment (ISTAART)

Caitlyn is actively involved in ISTAART, a diverse global network of scientists, clinicians, and dementia professionals. ISTAART has several professional interest areas (PIAs), where members share their common subspecialties or interests. In July, Caitlyn shared her journey into dementia research on the ISTAART Alzheimer’s Association Relay Podcast, hosted by the Dementia Researcher. As an executive member of the Immunity and Neurodegeneration PIA, Caityln both interviewed and was interviewed by other PIA members. “This was an excellent opportunity to practice both podcast roles, and I loved it. I definitely see myself continuing to foster my love for science communication through other podcasts,” says Caitlyn.

Getting Involved

Caitlyn thrives on being engaged in organizations she feels passionate both on and off campus.  “I am very intrinsically motivated to dedicate time and energy to promoting a mission I truly believe in. Additionally, I am the type of person who gains purpose by working with others and expanding my experiences because a research PhD is not enough for me.” Caitlyn’s approach to balancing her research while staying engaged with organizations she is passionate about is a notable example for new students embarking on their graduate journey.

With just a few months of graduate school left, she has valuable insight to offer new students. For Caitlyn, her professional development experiences outside of the lab helped her grow her skillset and network. “I would remind all students that building a community is very important. Look at our student organizations to learn about communities you may want to engage with,” Caitlyn says.

Whether you prefer structured schedules or flexible deadlines; collaborative work or individual work; frequent guidance from your mentor or infrequent check-ins with your PI, Caitlyn also encourages “new students to think critically about their needs as a student and person. Learn about your work style, mentorship style, and stress management techniques,” Understanding these key components can significantly impact student success.

While balancing her professional development and external leadership roles, Caitlyn has much to look forward to this year. She is excited about completing her PhD, getting married after graduation, and beginning her scientific career.