05 Jan Biosketch 101: Getting (Grant Reviewers) to Know You
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Event Video
Description
The biographical sketch (or “biosketch”) is where you get to show grant reviewers what you—as PI or other key personnel—will bring to a proposed project. In this session, we will discuss how to make your experience and expertise shine through in the Personal Statement and Contributions to Science sections of the biosketch. We will also review the NIH biosketch format and guidance so that you can make sure yours complies with current policies.
During the first hour of this session, we will provide an overview of the NIH biosketch and tips for writing effective personal statements and contributions to science. In the final half hour, presenters will be available to answer specific questions about your biosketch.
Through April 14, 2024, you can also request a half-hour, one-on-one session with one of our presenters to get feedback on your biosketch.
Event Materials
11 MBSLIDE PRESENTATION: Biosketch 101 02.13.24Learning Objectives
At the end of the session, attendees will be able to:
- Understand the different biosketch formats and when to use them.
- Learn tactics for demonstrating relevant experience in the Personal Statement.
- Understand how to structure Contributions to Science section to highlight accomplishments and impact of research activities.
Pre-Work
To make the most of this session, have a copy of your current biosketch handy. After the presentation there will be a virtual office hours session for attendees to get feedback from the presenters on the narrative portions of their biosketch.
Attendees should also read the NIH Biosketch instructions before the event: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms/biosketch.htm (Due dates on/after Jan 25, 2022)
Schedule of Activities
12:00-12:05pm – Welcome/Introduction
12:05-1:00pm – Presentation and Discussion
1:00-1:29pm – Virtual Office Hours
1:29-1:30pm – Thank You and Feedback Survey
About the Speakers
Melissa Vaught, PhD, is the Director of Research Development for ITHS, facilitating proposal development for strategic initiatives across ITHS. She also provides personalized guidance to ITHS resources for investigators, fellows, and students conducting clinical and translational research. Dr. Vaught earned her PhD in Chemistry at Vanderbilt University and continued research at the interface of biology and chemistry as a postdoctoral fellow in Boston, MA. As a contractor at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) for almost four years, she managed daily operations of post-publication projects. She joined ITHS in 2018 as the Research Navigator and has served as Director of Research Development since December 2019.
Alysia vandenBerg, PhD, is the Grants Development Manager for ITHS. Dr. vandenBerg has a PhD in Cellular and Molecular biology from the University of Vermont. Her postdoctoral studies took her from New York to Paris, France, where she studied cellular signaling processes involved in cancers of the female reproductive tract. Before joining ITHS in 2020, she worked at Fred Hutch as program manager for a range of efforts that spurred research in strategic areas. She has a dozen years’ experience in grant development, program management, and scientific communications on two continents.
