Where in the World is DBBS Recruitment??

The Recruitment Season has begun!! Last week, several staff and faculty members spent the day in Bethesda, MD recruiting prospective PhD, MD and MSTP students at the NIH. It was the first Graduate and Professional School Recruitment Fair ever held at the NIH and was highly successful! We're looking forward to going back next year.


The Sunshine State?? I don't think so! Rain, Rain and more Rain is more like it! Two DBBS Staffers spent 3 days in Orlando, FL recruiting at the National Society of Collegiate Scholars Convention. While it was raining outside, DBBS was inside, recruiting fantastic undergraduate leaders for our PhD, MSTP and Summer Research Programs.

Want to know where DBBS will be this fall? Check out the DBBS Recruitment page for an updated list of our travel schedule. Click on Upcoming Recruitment Schedule for the full list.

JULY Fact of the Month

Successful DBBS Applicants generally have at least one year of research experience at the time of application.

Working in the lab or field setting helps students gain an understanding of the principles of research as well as the environment in which the research takes place. Students learn the techniques of research while absorbing the cultural environment. They usually know very quickly whether they like or dislike the culture of "bench" science. By starting this process early, students who love research have time to build upon their skills and knowledge. Those who do not like the research setting have time to find another setting or even change majors.

Many schools offer their own funded research programs or participate in programs funded by McNair, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, NIH, or NSF. If your school does not offer research programs, students may want to spend summers in a research program at another school or with a biotechnology company. Several summer research experiences are available at Washington University. These include the Biomedical Sciences Apprenticeship Program (BioMedRap) for underrepresented minority and disadvantaged college students who are interested in careers in biomedical research.

Students often have more than one research experience. It is important for the student to remain in contact with previous research mentors, so they may provide letters of recommendation later.The admissions committee will be looking for research experiences in which a student's level of independence can grow as their scientific skills develop and in which their native curiosity can be expressed. Ideally, the applicant would have research experience related to the area for which the applicant is applying.

St. Louis Named in Best Fireworks Displays

ProfessionalTravelGuide.com just named St. Louis as one of the Top Places to Watch Fireworks in the country! Read more on their website here.

If you're in St. Louis this weekend, be sure to check out Fair St. Louis/Celebrate St. Louis for a full slate of activities, including main stage entertainment acts, the Ameren/Schnucks K-Town Kids Zone, and spectacular fireworks display in the evening! There's lots of great food, FREE Concerts and a great view of fireworks over the Arch!

Thank you to MSTP student Mike Montana for the great pictures of last year's fireworks display!