The Neuroscience Graduate Group has a departmental GSA, the Neuroscience Graduate Student Association (NGSA). The NGSA was originally formed in 1994 to officially convene in order to be able to petition for event money from the GSA, the Dean, and the undergraduate campus organization (ASUCD). The student selected as the NGSA representative acts as the lead representative for the departmental group. This student acts as the primary liaison between the students and faculty/staff of the graduate program. It is this student’s duty to organize the annual spring meeting, ensure that all committee and officer positions are filled within the NGSA, authorize the treasurers to issue reimbursements, develop and implement the yearly student agenda, and coordinate the dissemination of information between the various committee members/officers and the students. This student also serves as a liaison between the students, faculty, and administration on various administrative issues that arise for students. These issues include, but are not limited to UCD Internal Fellowship applications, course curriculum analyses, new student orientation, and social activities for students and development of student resources for graduate success. You are automatically a member of this auspicious and distinguished association just by being here!
GRADUATE STUDENT POSITIONS IN THE NGSA
Neuroscience graduate students are active in all aspects of policy and academic life in the Neuroscience graduate group. Students are selected annually during the Spring Meeting (every May/June) to fill a variety of positions for the graduate group. These positions are filled by nomination and (if necessary) a vote at the annual Spring Meeting. This is a great way to get involved in the program and to interact with fellow students. Below is the list of positions and position leaders for 2020-2021:
Neuroscience Graduate Student Representative (1)
Becca Wison
This individual serves as the liaison between the graduate students and faculty. They also arrange and run the meetings of the NGSA, help to define and ensure the filling of other graduate student positions, and work on specific student goals for the year. Send out quarterly newsletters.
This student must have advanced to candidacy.
TA Union Representative (1)
Porter Harrast; Kate Foray
A student is selected to represent the graduate students on the TA Union. This student can communicate issues from the graduate students to the Union, or report any information provided from the Union to the students to keep them informed of their rights and responsibilities. The student will also help coordinate meetings between the Union and the Graduate group in the Fall to have incoming student learn about the TA Union and throughout the year as necessary (Ex. Covid-19 virtual town hall). Additionally, the student has the option of taking as active a role in the Union as they would like.
Admissions Committee Representative (1)
Kiran Long-Iyer
The selected student reviews all applications for admission to the graduate group and meets with the rest of the committee to discuss each applicant’s suitability for the program. The student committee member will interview prospective students during the recruitment weekend and will meet with the committee to make final admission decisions. Per the bylaws, the Chair of the Neuroscience Graduate Group selects this student. Student must have advanced to candidacy.
Education Policy Committee Representative (1)
Kendall Stewart
The selected student participates in curriculum reviews along with the faculty members of the committee. This student can raise concerns and contribute ideas from the student body regarding changes to the
Neuroscience graduate program curriculum.
Recruitment Committee (2)
Tanner Stevenson
Elly Lewis
Students serving on this committee help the graduate program coordinator plan and execute the recruitment weekend for prospective neuroscience students. This is an active commitment for approximately one month of the year. This position is a 2yr commitment. Therefore there will be 1 person staying on and 1 new person each year. The new people will stay on for the following year and help train the next coordinator.
Executive Committee (2)
Tanner Stevenson
Stephanie Lozano
This committee is comprised of the Chair of the Neuroscience Graduate Group, the faculty chairs of each committee in the graduate program, and two student members. The two student members serve as representatives of the neuroscience graduate student body. The committee meets at least quarterly.
Retreat Coordinators (4)
Erin Scott
Evan Haley
Caroline Keeshen
Kate Foray
The selected students are responsible for working with the graduate program coordinator and chief administrative officer to organize the annual retreat. Usually, two first year students and two second year students volunteer to serve as coordinators. The first year students are responsible for planning the meeting schedule, organizing faculty and student speakers, and organizing room reservations for attending graduate group members. The second year students are responsible for organizing retreat social events and inviting/hosting the keynote speaker. Each position is a 2yr commitment. Therefore there will be 2 staying on and 2 new people each year. The new people will stay on for the next year and help train the next set of coordinators.
GSA Representatives (2 + 2 alternates)
Caroline Keeshen
Kendall Stewart
Elly Lewis (alternate)
Becca Wilson (alternate)
The selected students are responsible for going to monthly GSA Meetings (+ eating delicious Woodstock pizza), forwarding GSA emails to the grad group, and generally representing our interests at the level of the Graduate Student Association.
Student-Organized Seminar Series Student Organizers (2)
Tanner Stevenson
Erin Scott
The selected students are responsible for helping to organize the Student Seminar Series. Each year, we have 1 Cellular/Molecular speaker, 1 Cognitive speaker and 1 Vision speaker (1 talk per quarter for the whole year, both
organizers help the host to organize each talk). This committee will also coordinate voting in February/March for the next year’s SSS speakers.
Scientists that are nominated for this series will be hosted by the student who nominated them. This means that the host will be responsible for contacting the scientist, arranging a date, putting the scientist in touch with Najwa for arranging transportation and hotel, and organizing the schedule. The SSS organizers will be responsible for more ‘behind the scenes’ activities such as booking the appropriate rooms, ordering food and creating flyers/slides for advertisements. The host and organizer can work together to advertise across any platforms. The SSS committee member should guide the host in letting them know what to do and when.
Neuroscience Initiative to Enhance Diversity Committee (2-3)
Celena Lozano
Maribel Anguiano
Paula Vij; Stephanie Lozano
Students serving on this committee help the academic coordinator plan and execute the NIED weekend for undergraduate students to pursue a PhD in Neuroscience.
Student Outreach for Minority Advocacy Student Organizers
Similar to the Student Seminar Series, the selected student coordinators organize a meeting during which students nominate and vote on 3-4 speakers for the series. At that time, a student host is selected for
each invited speaker. Student coordinators and hosts work together to plan the seminar series. Responsibilities include inviting the chosen speakers, organizing their itineraries with faculty and student meetings during the day and meals with students, scheduling their seminar and introducing them before the talk, and making arrangements for all transportation during the visit.
SfN Student Lead (1)
Kiran Long-Iyer
Students serving on this committee help the graduate coordinator plan and schedule the student volunteers at SfN for the graduate group recruitment booth. Has to attend SfN and help run the graduate group booth and sit at the booth when available to help. Basically rep our program!!
Social Media Leads (3)
Kate Foray
Students serving on this committee help the program coordinator post to the graduate group social media outlets: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Student has to be active on social media. Rep our program!!
NeuroFest Organizer (2-3)
Olga Vafaeva
Evan Haley
Students serving on this committee sit in on several Brain Awareness Week/NeuroFest meetings throughout the year. Lead the organization of volunteers and booths for Neurofest. Help the event planner and NeuroFest Faculty organizer with day of events.
Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Program (2-3)
Becca Wilson
Elly Lewis
Ethan Fenton
In this initial year (2020), committee members will need to develop and implement the Peer-to-Peer mentoring program, including getting all interested mentees and pairing them with upper-year mentors.