NINDS's Building Up the Nerve

S5E8: Establishing Your Professional Identity Jan 03, 2025

In the fifth Season of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve podcast, we help you strengthen your science communication skills with tools and advice to use throughout your career. We know that navigating your career can be daunting, but we're here to help—it's our job!

In the eighth episode of the season, we talk about Establishing Your Professional Identity, focusing on tips for defining who you are in your career, and developing skills and strategies to create and communicate who you are, or what your “brand” is, in your field and in the public.

Featuring Thiago Arzua, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow at Columbia University’s Zuckerman Institute; Carmen Maldonado-Vlaar, PhD, Professor at University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras Campus; and Erich Jarvis, PhD, Professor at Rockefeller University and Investigator at Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Resources

Picture a Scientist: https://www.pictureascientist.com/
Black in Neuro: https://blackinneuro.com/
Ciencia Puerto Rico: https://www.cienciapr.org/
NIH Blueprint and BRAIN Initiative® ENDURE R25 Program: https://neuroscienceblueprint.nih.gov/training/endure-undergraduate-education
- NEURO-ID Program: https://neuroid.uprrp.edu/
NeuroBoricuas at UPR Cayey: https://neuroboricuasuprcayey.wordpress.com/

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

S5E7: Engaging with Non-Scientists Dec 20, 2024

In the fifth Season of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve podcast, we help you strengthen your science communication skills with tools and advice to use throughout your career. We know that navigating your career can be daunting, but we're here to help—it's our job!

In the seventh episode of the season, we talk about Engaging with Non-Scientists focusing on interactive strategies to promote public awareness of and participation in science, and spoke to the importance of being able to effectively communicate your work to multiple audiences.

Featuring Jennifer Buckley, PhD, Professor in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Delaware and Co-Founder & President of The Perry Initiative; Sadhana Jackson, MD, Investigator in the Surgical Neurology Branch in the NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; and Michael Wells, PhD, Assistant Professor of Human Genetics at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Resources

Watch Dr. Sadhana Jackson on Karen Hunter Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AAo6zxKRxo
The Perry Initiative: https://perryinitiative.org/
Society for Neuroscience Advocacy Network: https://www.sfn.org/advocacy/advocacy-network
MIT Science Policy Initiative: https://mitspi.squarespace.com/

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

S5E6: Writing Impactful Publications Dec 06, 2024

In the fifth Season of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve podcast, we help you strengthen your science communication skills with tools and advice to use throughout your career. We know that navigating your career can be daunting, but we're here to help—it's our job!

In the sixth episode of the season, we talk about Writing Impactful Publications, focusing on how to structure and write a paper, choose a journal, and craft engaging and accessible figures.

Featuring Bang Wong, MA, MS, Senior Director at Vertex Pharmaceuticals; Marina Picciotto, PhD, Professor at Yale University; and Tanya Garcia, PhD, Associate Professor at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Resources

Referenced paper by Dr. Amy Arnsten:
- Wang, Min, et al. "α2A-adrenoceptors strengthen working memory networks by inhibiting cAMP-HCN channel signaling in prefrontal cortex." Cell 129.2 (2007): 397-410. https://www.cell.com/fulltext/S0092-8674(07)00344-3?large_figure=true
Referenced Papers by Bang Wong:
- Wong, B. Design of data figures. Nat Methods 7, 665 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/nmeth0910-665
- Wong, B. Color coding. Nat Methods 7, 573 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/nmeth0810-573
- Wong, B. Points of view: Color blindness. Nat Methods 8, 441 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/nmeth.1618
- Check out more of Bang’s papers: https://www.nature.com/search?author=Bang%20Wong
Color Contract website:
- Example: https://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker/
Writing Science: How to Write Papers That Get Cited and Proposals That Get Funded. By Joshua Schimel: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/writing-science-9780199760244
Experimental Design Editorials in the Journal of Neuroscience https://www.jneurosci.org/collection/experimental-design-editorials

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

S5E5: Securing Funding for Research Nov 22, 2024

In the fifth Season of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve podcast, we help you strengthen your science communication skills with tools and advice to use throughout your career. We know that navigating your career can be daunting, but we're here to help—it's our job!

In the fifth episode of the season, we talk about Securing Funding for Research focusing on choosing what funding to apply for, “pitching” your science to different funders, and writing effective grant applications.

Featuring Sonya Dumanis, PhD, Executive Vice President of the Coalition for Aligning Science and Deputy Director for Aligning Science Across Parkinson's; Kat M. Steele, PhD, Associate Director of CREATE and Albert Kobayashi Professor in Mechanical Engineering at University of Washington; and Gene Yeo, PhD, MBA, Professor of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at University of California, San Diego and Chief Scientific Advisor, Sanford Laboratories for Innovative Medicine.

Resources

NIH Funding Opportunities
- Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants: https://seed.nih.gov/small-business-funding/small-business-program-basics/understanding-sbir-sttr
- NINDS Funding Opportunities: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/funding/find-funding-opportunities
- NINDS Training & Career Development Opportunities: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/funding/training-career-development
NIH Resources
- Early Career Reviewer program: https://public.csr.nih.gov/ForReviewers/BecomeAReviewer/ECR
- NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/
- Early Stage Investigator (ESI) Policies: https://grants.nih.gov/policy-and-compliance/policy-topics/early-stage-investigators
- NINDS Guidelines for incorporating rigor into grant applications: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/funding/preparing-your-application/preparing-research-plan/rigorous-study-design-and-transparent-reporting
- NIH Activity Codes: https://grants.nih.gov/funding/activity-codes
Allen Institute’s Allen Distinguished Investigators: https://alleninstitute.org/division/frontiers-group/distinguished-investigators/
Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H): https://arpa-h.gov/
Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) Disease – Collaborative Research Network (CRN): https://parkinsonsroadmap.org/research-network/#
California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) grants: https://www.cirm.ca.gov/

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

S5E4: Crafting Effective Presentations Nov 08, 2024

In the fifth Season of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve podcast, we help you strengthen your science communication skills with tools and advice to use throughout your career. We know that navigating your career can be daunting, but we're here to help—it's our job!
In the fourth episode of the season, we talk about Crafting Effective Presentations, focusing on how presentations are used in traditional science communication and how to effectively present in different forms and venues, with accessibility built in by design.
Featuring Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa, MD, Professor, Endowed Chair, and Dean of Research at Mayo Clinic Florida; Alicia Wooten, PhD, Co-Founder of Atomic Hands, and Associate Professor at Gallaudet University; Huda Zoghbi, MD, Professor at Baylor College of Medicine, Investigator at Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and Director at Texas Children’s Hospital.
Please note that Dr. Alicia Wooten conducts the interview via ASL with a voice interpreter. To watch this podcast episode with ASL interpretation, please visit: [YOUTUBE LINK].
Resources

Atomic Hands: https://atomichands.com/

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

S5E3: Collaborating with Partners in Research Oct 25, 2024

In the fifth Season of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve podcast, we help you strengthen your science communication skills with tools and advice to use throughout your career. We know that navigating your career can be daunting, but we're here to help—it's our job!

In the third episode of the season, we talk about Collaborating with Partners in Research, focusing on how to best learn from and include the perspectives of non-scientists and persons with lived experience in research and science.

Featuring Alice S. Chen-Plotkin, MD, Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, Director of the MIND Initiative, and Neurologist at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania; Sonia Vallabh, PhD, Senior Group Leader at Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and Assistant Professor of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Olajide Williams, MD, Vice Dean of Community Health & Professor at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons.

Resources

Hip Hop Public Health: https://www.hhph.org/
The Tipping Point by Malcom Gladwell
International Youth Neuroscience Association: https://www.youthneuro.org/
Hybrid Workshop: Advances in Therapeutics Development for Parkinson’s Disease co-chaired by Dr. Alice Chen-Plotkin
CureFFI.org by Dr. Eric Vallabh Minikel
HDBuzz: Huntington’s disease research news
ABRCMS: Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists: https://abrcms.org/

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

S5E2: Thriving in Team Science Oct 11, 2024

In the fifth Season of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve podcast, we help you strengthen your science communication skills with tools and advice to use throughout your career. We know that navigating your career can be daunting, but we're here to help—it's our job!

In the second episode of the season, we talk about Thriving in Team Science, focusing on how to build professional collaborations and guidelines to ensure success for all parties when working in team, especially across disciplines.

Featuring Bosiljka Tasic, PhD, Director, Molecular Genetics, Allen Institute for Brain Science; Heidi Baumgartner, PhD, Research Scholar, Stanford University and Executive Director, ManyBabies; and Lingfei Wu, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Pittsburgh

Resources

Articles from Dr. Lingfei Wu:
- “Remote collaboration fuses fewer breakthrough ideas” (2023): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38030778/
- “Large teams develop and small teams disrupt science and technology” (2019): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30760923/
Resources from ManyBabies: https://manybabies.org/resources/
- ManyBabies Collaboration Agreement
Contributor Role Taxonomy (CRedIT): https://credit.niso.org/
- Tenzing.club
Protocols.io

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

“Building Up the Nerve” to Develop an Effective Career Roadmap - Live at Neuroscience 2024! Sep 30, 2024

Are you attending the Society for Neuroscience's Annual Meeting Neuroscience 2024? If you are, join us for our 2nd annual live episode of Building Up the Nerve in the form of a professional development workshop.
"Building Up the Nerve" to Develop an Effective Career Roadmap will take place Monday, October 7, 2024, from 12:00 to 2:00 PM CT at the McCormick Place Convention Center, room S402. All Neuroscience 2024 attendees are welcome.
This workshop will provide deeper insights into helping graduate students, postdocs, junior faculty, and their mentors prepare strong career development plans. The workshop will feature advice and strategies from successful grantees and peer reviewers, with interactive activities and small group discussions facilitated by NIH staff and funders from foundation organizations. This event is organized by the NINDS Office of Programs to Enhance the Neuroscience Workforce (OPEN).
Add this event to your meeting planner and find resources for the event: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/news-events/events/building-nerve-develop-effective-career-roadmap-professional-development-workshop-sfn-2024
Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

S5E1: Composing Scientific Narratives Sep 27, 2024

In the fifth Season of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve podcast, we help you strengthen your science communication skills with tools and advice to use throughout your career. We know that navigating your career can be daunting, but we're here to help—it's our job!

In the first episode of the season, we talk about Composing Scientific Narratives which focused on how to compose scientific narratives to communicate our findings and how to tell a scientific story in a way that is compelling, but also transparent and objective.

Featuring Sean Carroll, PhD, Balo-Simon Endowed Chair of Biology, University of Maryland; Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Mónica Feliú Mójer, PhD, Director, Public Engagement with Science, Ciencia Puerto Rico; Director, Inclusive Science Communication & Engagement | Science Communication Lab; and Gina Poe, PhD, Director, UCLA Brain Research Institute; Lorre Scholars Faculty Chair; Professor, University of California, Los Angeles.

Resources

Science Communication Lab: https://sciencecommunicationlab.org/
Dr. Mónica Feliú Mójer’s documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNdX_C2jaac

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

Season 5 Trailer Sep 13, 2024

Welcome to Season 5 of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve podcast, where we help you strengthen your science communication skills with tools and advice to use throughout your career. We know that navigating your career can be daunting, but we're here to help—it's our job!
Transcript available at https://ninds.buzzsprout.com/

All About Grants: Discovering Strengths to Advance Your Research Career (Part 2) Nov 17, 2023

Listen in for the second of two special guest episodes of NIH's All About Grants podcast! In this episode, host Dr. David Kosub invites NINDS's Building Up the Nerve co-host, Dr. Marguerite Matthews, and the Director of the Division of Biomedical Research Workforce at the NIH Office of Extramural Research, Dr. Ericka Boone, continues conversations unveiling the "hidden curriculum" of scientific training. They share experiences and perspectives on how personal growth and professional development intersect, setting a plan to identify your strengths, reiterate the importance of engaging your network, the power of communication, and much more.
The first guest episode featured Building Up the Nerve's other co-host, Dr. Lauren Ullrich: https://www.buzzsprout.com/558574/13505607

Resources
All About Grants
Inside Cancer Careers
Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

"Building Up the Nerve" to Develop your NIH Training Application - Live at Neuroscience 2023! Nov 10, 2023

Are you attending the Society for Neuroscience's Annual Meeting Neuroscience 2023? If you are, join us for a live episode of Building Up the Nerve in the form of a professional development workshop.
"Building Up the Nerve" to Develop your NIH Training Application will take place Monday, November 13th, 2023, from 9:00 to 11:00 AM ET at the Washington Convention Center, room 207B. All Neuroscience 2023 attendees are welcome.
This interactive workshop will prepare graduate students, postdocs, junior faculty, and their mentors to apply for NIH funding. We will have a panel with advice on strategies from successful awardees and reviewers, then you'll have a chance to ask questions of NIH staff and former podcast guests in small group discussions.
Add this event to your meeting planner: https://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/#!/10892/session/401
Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

S4E10: Demystifying Scientific Careers Nov 03, 2023

The fourth Season of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve podcast, where we discuss the unwritten rules, or “hidden curriculum,” of scientific research at every career stage. We know that navigating your career can be daunting, but we're here to help—it's our job!
In our final episode of the season, we talk about careers outside of academia, with a focus on how to find what jobs exist, how to prepare for these jobs, and what to know when you transition.
Featuring Joanne Kamens, PhD, Senior Consultant, Diversity North Group; Kip Ludwig, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison; and Ekemini A. Udofa Riley, PhD, Founder & President, Coalition for Aligning Science.
Resources

AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowships (STPF): https://www.aaas.org/programs/science-technology-policy-fellowships
Association for Women in Science (AWIS): https://awis.org/
MassBio: https://www.massbio.org/
Introducing the Vitae Researcher Development Framework to employers 2011
Blogs written by Dr. Joanne Kamens:
- Developing Transferable Skills During Science Training
- 5 Uncommon Ways to Gain Career Skills During an Uncommon Time
Podcast with Dr. Joanne Kamens:
- What is a Peer Mentoring Group? Part 1: Joanne Kamens with iBiology
Webinars with Dr. Joanne Kamens:

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

S4E9: Demystifying the Mid-Career Faculty Stage Oct 20, 2023

The fourth Season of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve podcast, where we discuss the unwritten rules, or “hidden curriculum,” of scientific research at every career stage. We know that navigating your career can be daunting, but we're here to help—it's our job!
In episode 9, we talk about succeeding as mid-career faculty, including challenges mid-career faculty face such as maintaining funding, advancing in your career, and balancing internal service expectations.
Featuring Rebecca Shansky, PhD, Professor, Northeastern University; Kafui Dzirasa, MD, PhD, Professor, Chief Vision and Values Scientist, Duke University; and Francisco Barrera, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
Resources

BRAIN Initiative® Multi-Council Working Group: https://braininitiative.nih.gov/about/multi-council-working-group
“Hidden curriculum for mid-career faculty” by Terry McGlynn: https://smallpondscience.com/2022/07/18/hidden-curriculum-for-mid-career-faculty/

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

S4E8: Demystifying the Early Career Faculty Stage Oct 06, 2023

The fourth Season of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve podcast, where we discuss the unwritten rules, or “hidden curriculum,” of scientific research at every career stage. We know that navigating your career can be daunting, but we're here to help—it's our job!
In episode 8, we talk about succeeding as junior faculty, including starting a lab from scratch, balancing all aspects of the job, and how to manage tenure expectations.
Featuring Ishmail Abdus-Saboor, PhD, Assistant Professor, Columbia University; Katie Wilkinson, PhD, Professor, San Jose State University; and Jack Lipton, PhD, Professor, Michigan State University.
Resources

Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) (R35): https://nigms.nih.gov/Research/mechanisms/MIRA
Resources from the 2022 “Maintaining a Neural Network: Transforming Mentorship Workshop”: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/news-events/events/maintaining-neural-network-transforming-mentorship-workshop
NIH Glossary: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/glossary.htm
NIH Early Stage Investigator Resources: https://grants.nih.gov/policy/early-stage/index.htm
Support for Research Excellence (SuRE): https://www.ninds.nih.gov/funding/about-funding/types-research-support/research-project-grants/support-research-excellence-sure-program-r16
NIH Research Enhancement Award (R15): https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/r15.htm
University of Washington BRAINS program: https://brains.uw.edu/
Big 10 Academic Alliance: https://btaa.org/
Diversity R01 for New and “At-Risk” Investigators: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/funding/about-funding/types-research-support/research-project-grants/diversity-r01-new-and-risk-investigators
Books:
- At the Helm: Leading your Laboratory by Kathy Barker
- Making the Right Moves: A Practical Guide to Scientific Management for Postdocs and New Faculty, Second Edition from HHMI: https://www.hhmi.org/science-education/programs/resources/making-right-moves
- The Grant Application Writer's Workbook for NIH: https://www.grantcentral.com/workbooks/national-institutes-of-health/

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

S4E7: Demystifying the Tenure-Track Faculty Application Process Sep 22, 2023

The fourth Season of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve podcast, where we discuss the unwritten rules, or “hidden curriculum,” of scientific research at every career stage. We know that navigating your career can be daunting, but we're here to help—it's our job!
In episode 7, we talk about applying for a faculty position, including preparing your application, negotiating, and the accepting or re-applying process.
Featuring Kimberly S Williams, Assistant Professor, Spelman College; Lucas Cheadle, Assistant Professor, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory; and Erin Stephenson, Assistant Professor, Midwestern University.
Resources

NIH Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (RISE) Program (R25): https://nigms.nih.gov/training/RISE/Pages/default.aspx
NIH Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Awards (IRACDA) (K12): https://nigms.nih.gov/training/careerdev/Pages/TWDInstRes.aspx
Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS): https://abrcms.org/
Future PI Slack community: https://futurepislack.wordpress.com/
Neuroscience Development for Advancing the Careers of a Diverse Research Workforce (R25) Programs: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/funding/training-career-development/choose-award-career-stage-eligibility/diversity-awards/nih-neuroscience-development-advancing-careers-diverse-research-workforce-r25-faqs/neuroscience-development-advancing-careers-diverse-research-workforce-r25
- BRAINS (R25): Broadening the Representation of Academic Investigators in NeuroSciences - A national program to increase the advancement of neuroscience researchers from diverse backgrounds: https://brains.uw.edu/

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

All About Grants: What We Have Heard from Early Career Researchers (Part 1) Sep 15, 2023

Listen in for the first of two special guest episodes of NIH's All About Grants podcast! In this episode, host Dr. David Kosub invites NINDS's Building Up the Nerve co-host, Dr. Lauren Ullrich, and the host of National Cancer Institute's Inside Cancer Careers, Oliver Bogler, for a conversation on what they've learned from early career researchers through their podcasts.
The next guest episode features Building Up the Nerve's other co-host, Dr. Marguerite Matthews!
Resources
All About Grants
Inside Cancer Careers
Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

S4E6: Demystifying Clinician-Scientist Careers Sep 08, 2023

The fourth Season of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve podcast, where we discuss the unwritten rules, or “hidden curriculum,” of scientific research at every career stage. We know that navigating your career can be daunting, but we're here to help—it's our job!
In episode 6, we talk about conducting research as a clinician-scientist, including the different paths to research as a clinician and what a clinician-faculty position can look like.
Featuring Erika Augustine, MD, Associate Chief Science Officer, Kennedy Krieger Institute; Edjah Nduom, MD, Associate Professor, Emory University; and Audrey Brumback, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, The University of Texas at Austin.
Resources

NINDS Institutional Awards for Clinician-Scientists, such as T32 and K12 Programs: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/funding/training-career-development/institutional-grants
- For example, Dr. Augustine is on the leadership team of the Child Neurologist Career Development Program-K12 at Kennedy Krieger Institute: https://www.kennedykrieger.org/cncdp-k12
NINDS Career Development Awards: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/funding/training-career-development/career-development-awards
OPEN Stage Webinar: Clinician Scientist Clinic – Overview of NINDS Funding Opportunities and Q&A: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/news-events/events/open-stage-webinar-clinician-scientist-clinic-overview-ninds-funding-opportunities-and-qa
NIH Office of Clinical Research Training and Medical Education: https://clinicalcenter.nih.gov/training/index.html
The World Wasn’t Ready for You by Justin C. Key: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-world-wasnt-ready-for-you-justin-c-key?variant=41016598036514

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

S4E5: Demystifying the Postdoctorate Aug 25, 2023

The fourth Season of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve podcast, where we discuss the unwritten rules, or “hidden curriculum,” of scientific research at every career stage. We know that navigating your career can be daunting, but we're here to help—it's our job!
In episode 5, we talk about succeeding as a postdoc, including what graduate students need to know about what to ask during a postdoc interview, how to develop independent lines of research, and when to know it’s time to enter the job market.
Featuring E. Mae Guthman, Postdoctoral research fellow, Princeton University; Rapheal Williams, Postdoctoral fellow, University of Washington; and Mai-Anh Vu, Postdoctoral fellow, Boston University.
Resources

Parent K99/R00 NINDS webpage: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/funding/training-career-development/postdoctoral-fellows/nih-pathway-independence-award
MOSAIC K99/R00 NINDS webpage: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/funding/training-career-development/postdoctoral-fellows/mosaic-postdoctoral-career-transition-award-promote-diversity
Advisory Committee to the Director (ACD) Working Group on Re-envisioning NIH-supported Postdoctoral Training: https://acd.od.nih.gov/working-groups/postdocs.html
NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Stipends, Tuition/Fees and Other Budgetary Levels Effective for Fiscal Year 2023: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-23-076.html
NIH Director’s Early Independence Award (skip the postdoc): https://commonfund.nih.gov/earlyindependence
Loan Repayment Program (LRP): https://www.lrp.nih.gov/

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

S4E4: Demystifying Doctoral Training Aug 11, 2023

The fourth Season of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve podcast, where we discuss the unwritten rules, or “hidden curriculum,” of scientific research at every career stage. We know that navigating your career can be daunting, but we're here to help—it's our job!
In episode 4, we talk about succeeding in graduate school, including finding mentorship, performing research, and applying for funding.
Featuring Maya Gosztyla, Ph.D. Candidate, The University of California San Diego; Cellas Hayes, Postdoctoral fellow, Stanford University; and Shekinah Phillips, Ph.D. Candidate, University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Resources

Individual Development Plan (IDP) resource
DSPAN F99/K00 tips
NIH RePORTER (use this to connect with other students that received the grant you’re applying for!)
NINDS Advancing Diversity R25 Programs, including the UAB Neuroscience Roadmap scholars
NIH funded Summer Program in Neuroscience, Excellence and Success (SPINES)
NIH Blueprint and BRAIN Initiative ENDURE
NINDS Diversity Supplements page
Written by Maya Gosztyla:
- How to find, read and organize papers
- How to manage your time as a researcher
Written by Cellas Hayes:
- Black Scientists Are Not the Door to Diversity
Scholarships/awards:
International Brain Research Organization
Black in Neuro

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

S4E3: Demystifying the Doctoral Application Process Jul 28, 2023

The fourth Season of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve podcast, where we discuss the unwritten rules, or “hidden curriculum,” of scientific research at every career stage. We know that navigating your career can be daunting, but we're here to help—it's our job!
In episode 3, we talk about applying for graduate school, including what you should know about preparing PhD applications, how to choose a program and advisor, and what to expect during a campus visit or during interviews.
Featuring Daniel Colón-Ramos, Associate Professor, Yale University; Taylor McCorkle, PhD student, Drexel University; and Thibaut Pardo-García, Chief Sales Officer and Co-Founder, Microscape, Inc.
Resources

NIH Neuroscience Doctoral Readiness Program (DR. Program): https://www.ninds.nih.gov/funding/training-career-development/diversity-awards/nih-neuroscience-doctoral-readiness-program-dr-program
STAR method: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-to-use-the-star-interview-response-technique
NIH Blueprint and BRAIN ENDURE program: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/funding/training-career-development/diversity-awards/nih-blueprint-and-brain-initiative-endure
NIH Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) (R25): https://nigms.nih.gov/training/PREP

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

S4E2: Demystifying Postbaccalaureate Research Jul 14, 2023

The fourth Season of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve podcast, where we discuss the unwritten rules, or “hidden curriculum,” of scientific research at every career stage. We know that navigating your career can be daunting, but we're here to help—it's our job!
In episode 2, we talk about what to do next after your bachelor's degree, specifically focusing on the gap year or years between finishing undergrad and starting a PhD.
And just as a note to our listeners, we do talk about heavier subjects like miscarriage, so we have put chapter markers if you'd like to skip that section.
Featuring Cheyanne Lewis, Doctoral Student, Stanford University; Christian Cazares, Postdoctoral Fellow, Salk Institute for Biological Studies; and Gabriela Gomez, MD, MPH Candidate, Johns Hopkins University.
Resources

Programs:
- Colors of the Brain program, co-founded by Dr. Cazares: https://colorsofthebrain.com/resources/
- NIH Postbacc Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA): https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/postbac_irta
- Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) programs (e.g. at UC Berkeley): https://mcb.berkeley.edu/marc/marc-program-description
Organizations:
- Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS): https://www.sacnas.org/
- Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS): https://abrcms.org/
- Association of Science Communicators: https://www.associationofsciencecommunicators.org/
- Black in Neuro: https://blackinneuro.com/undergraduates
- Científico Latino: https://www.cientificolatino.com/post-bac
"Skill development in graduate education": https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22633484/
"So You Want to Be a Neuroscientist?" by Prof. Ashley Juavinett: http://cup.columbia.edu/book/so-you-want-to-be-a-neuroscientist/9780231190893

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

S4E1: Demystifying Undergraduate Research Jun 30, 2023

The fourth Season of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve podcast, where we discuss the unwritten rules, or “hidden curriculum,” of scientific research at every career stage. We know that navigating your career can be daunting, but we're here to help—it's our job!
In the first episode of the season, we talk about how to get started in undergraduate research, what undergraduates need to know about types of research opportunities available, how to find a lab, and what makes a successful research experience.
Featuring Michael D.L. Johnson, PhD, Director, National Summer Undergraduate Research Project and Associate Professor, University of Arizona; Hannah D. Nacht, NIH Diversity Fellow and Undergraduate student, Rutgers University and Oregon State University; and Ya’el Courtney, PhD candidate, Harvard University.
Resources

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

Season 4 Trailer Jun 16, 2023

Welcome to Season 4 of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve, where we discuss the unwritten rules, or “hidden curriculum,” of scientific research at every career stage. We know that navigating your career can be daunting, but we’re here to help—it’s our job!
Transcript available at https://ninds.buzzsprout.com/

S3E7: Structural interventions around mentoring Jul 15, 2022

The third Season of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve podcast helps you strengthen your mentoring relationships with tools and advice from both trainees and faculty. We know that navigating your career can be daunting, but we're here to help—it's our job!

In the last episode of the season, we focus on structural interventions around mentoring. Mentorship doesn’t happen in a vacuum—what can program directors, department chairs, and other institutional leaders do to create an environment in which supportive mentorship thrives?

Featuring Sherilynn Black PhD - Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement, Duke University; Beronda Montgomery, PhD –Professor of Biology & Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College, Grinnell College; and Thomas Schwarz, PhD - Professor, Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital.
Resources

Burroughs Welcome fund: https://www.bwfund.org/funding-opportunities/diversity-in-science/
HHMI Gillian Fellowship for Advanced Study: https://www.hhmi.org/science-education/programs/gilliam-fellowships-advanced-study
Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER): https://cimerproject.org/
- NOTE: Create a FREE account in the Portal to access a library of resources, tools, and instructional materials on mentoring
“Lessons from Plants” by Dr. Beronda Montgomery: https://www.berondamontgomery.com/lessonsfromplants/
Montgomery, Beronda L. "Academic leadership: gatekeeping or groundskeeping?." The Journal of Values-Based Leadership 13.2 (2020): 16. http://dx.doi.org/10.22543/0733.132.1316
Culturally Aware Mentorship webinar with Dr. Sherilynn Black and Dr. Angela Byars-Winston: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pt38C2l-o2o
Womack, Veronica Y., et al. "Culturally aware mentorship: Lasting impacts of a novel intervention on academic administrators and faculty." PloS one 15.8 (2020): e0236983. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0236983
Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) Program (T32): https://www.nigms.nih.gov/Training/IMSD/

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

S3E6: Becoming a mentor Jul 01, 2022

The third Season of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve podcast helps you strengthen your mentoring relationships with tools and advice from both trainees and faculty. We know that navigating your career can be daunting, but we're here to help—it's our job!

In the sixth episode of the season, we focus on moving from mentee to mentor, developing your mentoring philosophy, co-mentoring, and culturally aware mentorship.

Featuring Ruben Dagda, PhD - Associate Professor, University of Nevada, Reno; Kathryn Graves - Psychology PhD Candidate, Yale University; and Jasmine Quynh Le - Neuroscience PhD Candidate, Brandeis University.

Resources

myIDP ScienceCareers for drafting an Individual Development Plan: https://myidp.sciencecareers.org/
Posse Foundation: https://www.possefoundation.org/
NIH Blueprint Diversity Specialized Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Advancement in Neuroscience (D-SPAN) Award (F99/K00): https://neuroscienceblueprint.nih.gov/training/nih-blueprint-d-span-award-f99k00
National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN): https://nrmnet.net/
Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS): https://www.sacnas.org/
Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS): https://abrcms.org/
Office for Graduate Student Development & Diversity (OGSDD) at Yale University: https://gsas.yale.edu/diversity/office-graduate-student-development-diversity-ogsdd
Creating Significant Learning Experiences: An Integrated Approach to Designing College Courses by L. Dee Fink

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

S3E5: Transitioning out of a mentoring relationship Jun 17, 2022

The third Season of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve podcast helps you strengthen your mentoring relationships with tools and advice from both trainees and faculty. We know that navigating your career can be daunting, but we're here to help—it's our job!

In the fifth episode of the season, we focus on transitioning out of a mentoring relationship. Even good mentoring relationships can run their course or become ineffective as time goes on. This episode is a conversation about navigating rough patches in mentoring relationships and knowing when and how to move on.

Featuring Ismail Ahmed, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, New York University School of Medicine; Imogen Hurley, PhD, Director, Office of Postdoctoral Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison; and Sharon Mina Noh, PhD, Postdoctoral Scholar, University of California, Irvine.

Resources

Sharon references her NSF award. That was the National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program: https://www.nsfgrfp.org/
Imogen referenced that every university should have an Ombuds or Ombudsman Office. For example, the UW-Madison Ombuds office states “The Ombuds Office is a safe place where UW-Madison employees can seek guidance regarding workplace concerns at any time, without fear of reprisal, and at no cost to them. Ombuds provide faculty and staff with a confidential place to collaboratively explore complaints, clarify issues, and consider options and resources to address their concerns. Ombuds are impartial and non-aligned, working to promote fairness in the workplace.” - https://ombuds.wisc.edu/

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

S3E4: Adaptive mentoring Jun 03, 2022

The third Season of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve podcast helps you strengthen your mentoring relationships with tools and advice from both trainees and faculty. We know that navigating your career can be daunting, but we're here to help—it's our job!
In the fourth episode of the season, we focus on adaptive and resilient mentoring. While this is an evergreen topic, the last two years of the COVID-19 pandemic have tested the limits of our mentoring relationships. In this episode, we discuss how mentors and mentees can navigate these challenges.
Featuring Theanne Griffith, PhD, Assistant Professor, UC Davis, Sarah Kucenas, PhD, Professor of Biology, University of Virginia, and Raele Robison, PhD, CCC-SLP, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Resources

Aron, Arthur, et al. "The experimental generation of interpersonal closeness: A procedure and some preliminary findings." Personality and social psychology bulletin 23.4 (1997): 363-377. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0146167297234003
“Building Trust Through Skillful Self-Disclosure” by Lynn Offermann and Lisa Rosh: https://hbr.org/2012/06/instantaneous-intimacy-skillfu
Resources and articles related to disability/ableism in academia:
- "How the Unknown Led to Certainty for PhD Student and PH Patient Raele Robison" by Raele Robison: https://phassociation.org/unknown-led-certainty-phd-student-ph-patient-raele-robison/
- “Advancing Disability Inclusion in the Scientific Workforce” by Marie A. Bernard: https://diversity.nih.gov/blog/2021-07-21-advancing-disability-inclusion-scientific-workforce
- “Ableism in Academia”, Edited by Nicole Brown and Jennifer Leigh: https://www.uclpress.co.uk/products/123203
- “Academia’s ableist culture laid bare” by Kendall Powell: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02695-0
- “Academia’s ableist mindset needs to change” by Kendall Powell: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02907-7

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

S3E3: How to work with a mentor May 20, 2022

The third Season of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve podcast helps you strengthen your mentoring relationships with tools and advice from both trainees and faculty. We know that navigating your career can be daunting, but we're here to help—it's our job!

In the third episode of the season, we are talking with mentor mentee pairs about how they develop productive relationships, including aligning their expectations and working through challenges.

Featuring Avital Rodal, PhD - Associate Professor of Biology, Brandeis University; Matthew Pescosolido, PhD – Postdoctoral Fellow, Brandeis University; Kay Tye, PhD – Professor, Salk Institute for Biological Studies; and Austin Coley, PhD - Postdoctoral Associate, Salk Institute for Biological Studies.

Resources

Resources and examples for writing a lab manual:
- “How to…write a lab handbook” from The Biologist: https://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist-features/how-to-write-a-lab-handbook
- Lab Manual Resources from OSF: https://osf.io/2xn6z/wiki/Other%20lab%20manual%20resources/
- “Redesigning our lab practices” by Ari Benjamin: http://kordinglab.com/2019/12/20/lab-redesign.html
- Dr. Rodal’s Lab Manual: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gUtWSk7CqV3syAenEc11rnz4H5-yvU65b48NM46n-Vs/edit
myIDP ScienceCareers for drafting an Individual Development Plan: https://myidp.sciencecareers.org/
Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER) has numerous FREE resources for mentors and mentees, including creating a mentoring compact (login required): https://cimerproject.org/
Season 2 of Building Up the Nerve takes you through the components of a grant application with successful awardees: https://ninds.buzzsprout.com/

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

S3E2: How to find a mentor May 06, 2022

The third Season of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve podcast helps you strengthen your mentoring relationships with tools and advice from both trainees and faculty. We know that navigating your career can be daunting, but we're here to help—it's our job!
In the second episode of the season, we focus on finding mentors that are a good fit, how to choose a research advisor, and how to build a mentoring team.

Featuring Shawn Bates, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at California State University, Chico; Yesenia Garcia, Neuroscience PhD Student, Emory University; and Kaela Singleton, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow, Emory University School of Medicine.

Resources

Broadening the Representation of Academic Investigators in NeuroScience (BRAINS): https://brains.uw.edu/
Summer Program in Neuroscience, Excellence and Success (SPINES): https://www.mbl.edu/education/advanced-research-training-courses/course-offerings/summer-program-neuroscience-excellence-and-success
Neuroscience Scholars Program (NSP): https://www.sfn.org/initiatives/diversity-initiatives/neuroscience-scholars-program

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

S3E1: What is a mentor? Apr 22, 2022

The third Season of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve podcast helps you strengthen your mentoring relationships with tools and advice from both trainees and faculty. We know that navigating your career can be daunting, but we're here to help—it's our job!

In the first episode of the season, we will set the stage by defining who a mentor is and discussing different types of mentoring relationships, and mentoring models.

Featuring Claire Horner-Devine, PhD, Co-Investigator of BRAINS and Founder, Counterspace Consulting LLC; Fátima Sancheznieto, PhD, Assistant Researcher, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR); and Corey Welch, PhD, Director, STEM Scholars Program, Iowa State University.

Resources

Broadening the Representation of Academic Investigators in NeuroScience (BRAINS): https://brains.uw.edu/
Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS): https://www.sacnas.org/
National Academies report on "The Science of Effective Mentorship in STEMM:" https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/the-science-of-effective-mentoring-in-stemm#sectionPublications
Fátima Sancheznieto's TedxChicago talk "How to keep the next generation of brilliant scientists:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmwkDW3-99g
The Inigo Montoya Method: https://lifehacker.com/introduce-yourself-like-inigo-montoya-1840314386
UC Berkeley Biology Scholars Program (mentioned by Dr. Corey Welch): https://bsp.berkeley.edu/
"A new framework for assessing the contributions of professionals in the natural sciences": https://ssbbulletin.org/article/view/8332/6343

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

Season 3 Trailer Apr 15, 2022

Welcome to Season Three of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke's Building Up the Nerve, where we help you strengthen your mentoring relationships with tools and advice from both trainees and faculty. We know that navigating your career can be daunting, but we're here to help. It's our job.
Transcript available at https://ninds.buzzsprout.com/

S2E7: Building up Resilience Apr 02, 2021

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve is a podcast for neuroscience trainees that takes you through the components of a grant application with successful awardees. We know that applying for NIH funding can be daunting, but we’re here to help—it’s our job!
In the season finale, our grantee guests discuss how to handle the application resubmission process. We discuss best practices on how to overcome the initial disappointment of not being funded, how to address reviewer critiques, and how to approach revising your application so that you and the proposal are both stronger in the end.
Featuring
Cory White, Graduate Student, Johns Hopkins University, Catrina Robinson, PhD, Assistant Professor, Medical University of South Carolina, and Alice Lam, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Massachusetts General Hospital.

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

S2E6: Building a Fan Base Mar 19, 2021

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve is a podcast for neuroscience trainees that takes you through the components of a grant application with successful awardees. We know that applying for NIH funding can be daunting, but we’re here to help—it’s our job!
In this episode, our grantee guests discuss the importance of letters of recommendation, letters of support, and institutional commitment letters – and the difference between them! Our guests provide advice on how to approach the appropriate people to secure these components to strengthen their application.
Featuring Sikoya Ashburn, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Christopher Chen, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard University, and Corey Harwell, PhD, Assistant Professor, Harvard University.
Resources
Longwood chorus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsCVmSjOI6I
Early Career Reviewer Program: https://public.csr.nih.gov/ForReviewers/BecomeAReviewer/ECR

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

S2E5: Building Your Team Mar 05, 2021

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve is a podcast for neuroscience trainees that takes you through the components of a grant application with successful awardees. We know that applying for NIH funding can be daunting, but we’re here to help—it’s our job!
In this episode, our grantee guests discuss how they involved their mentor(s)/sponsor(s) in the application process to ensure the training plan reflects their individual needs and the mentor is able to provide the appropriate level of support and expertise to achieve those training goals.
Featuring Jaroslaw Aronowski, PhD, Professor, UTHealth McGovern Med School; Alexis S. Mobley, MS, PhD Candidate, UTHealth McGovern Med School; Anna Majewska, PhD, Professor, University of Rochester; Monique Mendes, PhD, Postdoctoral Researcher, Stanford University; Mark Wu, MD, PhD, Professor, Johns Hopkins University; Margaret Ho, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

S2E4: Building a Science Story Feb 19, 2021

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve is a podcast for neuroscience trainees that takes you through the components of a grant application with successful awardees. We know that applying for NIH funding can be daunting, but we’re here to help—it’s our job!
In this episode, our grantee guests share their training and career goals and how they tell their science story in the Candidate/Applicant's Background and Goals section. Guests also provide insight on how they aligned their expectations with their advisers' to ensure synergy in the training experience and the application itself.
Featuring Ubadah Sabbagh, PhD candidate, Virginia Tech, Alejandra Fernandez, PhD, Postdoctoral Researcher, OHSU, and Laura Ngwenya, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Cincinnati.
Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/.

S2E3: Building a Biography Feb 05, 2021

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve is a podcast for neuroscience trainees that takes you through the components of a grant application with successful awardees. We know that applying for NIH funding can be daunting, but we’re here to help—it’s our job!
In this episode, our grantee guests explain how they crafted their NIH biosketches. We discuss the crucial sections of the biosketch, including how to describe why you are well-suited for your role in the project in the Personal Statement and how to determine what is significant enough to include in the Contributions to Science.
Featuring Tavita Garrett, Graduate Student at Oregon Health & Science University, Joy Franco, Graduate Student at Stanford University, Clark Rosensweig, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow at Northwestern University, and Victoria Abraira, PhD, Assistant Professor at Rutgers University.
Resources
Chocolate chip cookie recipe: https://www.marthastewart.com/354939/cakey-chocolate-chip-cookies
Tip sheets are titled "Putting Together Your Strongest [Grant] Application," and are available in the "Related Resources" section on the given grant program page, e.g., for the K01: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Funding/Training-Career-Development/Award/K01-NINDS-Faculty-Development-Award-Promote-Diversity
Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/

S2E2: Building a Target for Your Aims Jan 22, 2021

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve is a podcast for neuroscience trainees that takes you through the components of a grant application with successful awardees. We know that applying for NIH funding can be daunting, but we’re here to help—it’s our job!
In this episode, our grantee guests discuss how they approach writing the Specific Aims and the Research Strategy and how to determine the “right” amount of work for a research proposal. We also discuss tips on how to approach pitfalls and alternative approaches to the experimental design.
Featuring Maria Ali, Neurobiology PhD Candidate at the University of Virginia, Brielle Ferguson, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow at Stanford University, and Nathan Smith, PhD, PI at Children’s National Hospital and Assistant Professor at George Washington University.
National Research Mentoring Network: http://nrmnet.net/

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/

S2E1: Plan Before You Build Jan 08, 2021

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve is a podcast for neuroscience trainees that takes you through the components of a grant application with successful awardees. We know that applying for NIH funding can be daunting, but we’re here to help—it’s our job!
In this episode, our grantee guests share insight on how to choose the right funding announcement and NIH Institute, how to approach the different components of the application, how to involve their mentors in the process, and other great advice on how to approach applying for NIH funding.
Featuring Tayler Sheahan, PhD, Postdoctoral Scholar at University of Pittsburgh, Sweta Agrawal, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Washington, and George Vidal, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biology at James Madison University.

Transcript available at http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/

Season 2 Trailer Dec 08, 2020

Welcome to Season 2 of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building Up the Nerve, a podcast for neuroscience trainees that takes you through the components of a grant application with successful awardees. We know that applying for NIH funding can be daunting, but we’re here to help—it’s our job!

Episode 12: Managing the NINDS Portfolio Mar 20, 2020

Learn how NINDS monitors its portfolio from the Director of Science Policy and Planning, Dr. Paul Scott, Policy Analyst Dr. Sophia Jeon, and Program Director Dr. Anna Taylor.
Building Up the Nerve is a podcast from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for neuroscience trainees that takes you through the life cycle of a grant from idea to award at NINDS with the people who make it happen. We know that applying for NIH funding can be daunting, but we’re here to help—it’s our job!
Transcript: http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/558574/2896015-episode-12-managing-the-ninds-portfolio

Episode 11: Monitoring Grant Performance Mar 06, 2020

Learn how NINDS monitors grant performance from Program Directors Drs. Jane Fountain and Michael Oshinsky and Health Program Specialist Dr. Emily Carifi.
Building Up the Nerve is a podcast from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for neuroscience trainees that takes you through the life cycle of a grant from idea to award at NINDS with the people who make it happen. We know that applying for NIH funding can be daunting, but we’re here to help—it’s our job!
Transcript: http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/558574/2896012-episode-11-monitoring-grant-performance

Episode 10: Issuing the Grant Award Feb 21, 2020

Learn about the Notice of Grant Award and the role of the NINDS Grants Management Branch from Chief Dr. Tijuanna Decoster and Grants Management Officer Elizabeth Conklin.
Building Up the Nerve is a podcast from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for neuroscience trainees that takes you through the life cycle of a grant from idea to award at NINDS with the people who make it happen. We know that applying for NIH funding can be daunting, but we’re here to help—it’s our job!
Transcript: http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/558574/2778262-episode-10-issuing-the-grant-award

Episode 9: Resubmission Feb 07, 2020

Learn how to approach resubmitting a grant from Program Directors Drs. Laura Mamounas and Beth-Anne Sieber, and Program Manager Dr. Shardell Spriggs.
Building Up the Nerve is a podcast from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for neuroscience trainees that takes you through the life cycle of a grant from idea to award at NINDS with the people who make it happen. We know that applying for NIH funding can be daunting, but we’re here to help—it’s our job!
Transcript: http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/558574/2645557-episode-9-resubmission

Episode 8: Council Review Jan 24, 2020

Learn about NINDS Council and their role in the grants process from Dr. Bob Finkelstein, Director of the Division of Extramural Activities, and Kelly Baker, Committee Management Officer.
Building Up the Nerve is a podcast from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for neuroscience trainees that takes you through the life cycle of a grant from idea to award at NINDS with the people who make it happen. We know that applying for NIH funding can be daunting, but we’re here to help—it’s our job!
Transcript: http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/558574/2505532-episode-8-council-review

Episode 7: Program Recommendation Jan 10, 2020

Learn how program staff decide whether to recommend funding from Dr. Lyn Jakeman, Director of Neuroscience, and Program Directors Drs. Amelie Gubitz and Jim Gnadt.
Building Up the Nerve is a podcast from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for neuroscience trainees that takes you through the life cycle of a grant from idea to award at NINDS with the people who make it happen. We know that applying for NIH funding can be daunting, but we’re here to help—it’s our job!
Transcript: http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/558574/2400797-episode-7-program-recommendation

Episode 6: Scientific Review Dec 27, 2019

Learn what happens during study section and the role of a scientific review officer from SROs Drs. Ernie Lyons (NINDS Review Branch Chief), Shanta Rajaram, and Bill Benzing.
Building Up the Nerve is a podcast from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for neuroscience trainees that takes you through the life cycle of a grant from idea to award at NINDS with the people who make it happen. We know that applying for NIH funding can be daunting, but we’re here to help—it’s our job!
Transcript: http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/558574/2309078-episode-6-scientific-review

Episode 5: Receipt and Referral Dec 13, 2019

Learn what happens to your application after you hit submit from Karrah Benson, Referral Program Specialist, and Dr. Carlos Faraco, Health Program Specialist.
Building Up the Nerve is a podcast from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for neuroscience trainees that takes you through the life cycle of a grant from idea to award at NINDS with the people who make it happen. We know that applying for NIH funding can be daunting, but we’re here to help—it’s our job!
Transcript: http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/558574/2233913-episode-5-receipt-and-referral

Episode 4: Preparing the Application Nov 29, 2019

Get tips for putting together your application from Drs. Steve Korn and Tish Weigand of the Training Office and Dr. Michelle Jones-London of the OPEN Office.
Building Up the Nerve is a podcast from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for neuroscience trainees that takes you through the life cycle of a grant from idea to award at NINDS with the people who make it happen. We know that applying for NIH funding can be daunting, but we’re here to help—it’s our job!
Transcript: http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/558574/2179406-episode-4-preparing-the-application

Episode 3: Initiating the Research Idea Nov 15, 2019

Hear from program directors Drs. Glenn Nuckolls, Francesca Bosetti, and Shai Silberberg on choosing a research topic, reading a funding opportunity announcement, and talking to your program director.
Building Up the Nerve is a podcast from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for neuroscience trainees that takes you through the life cycle of a grant from idea to award at NINDS with the people who make it happen. We know that applying for NIH funding can be daunting, but we’re here to help—it’s our job!
Related Resources:
https://projectreporter.nih.gov/reporter_matchmaker.cfm?source=RPCO&new=1
Transcript: http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/558574/2050863-episode-3-initiating-the-research-idea

Episode 2: The Grant Cycle Nov 01, 2019

Get an overview of the entire grant cycle from Acting Deputy Director of Extramural Activities, Dr. Dave Owens, and Program Directors Drs. Vicky Whittemore and Ned Talley.
Building Up the Nerve is a podcast from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for neuroscience trainees that takes you through the life cycle of a grant from idea to award at NINDS with the people who make it happen. We know that applying for NIH funding can be daunting, but we’re here to help—it’s our job!
Related Resources:
https://projectreporter.nih.gov/reporter_matchmaker.cfm?source=RPCO&new=1
Transcript: http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/558574/1949736-episode-2-the-grant-cycle

Episode 1: Get to Know NINDS Oct 18, 2019

Learn about the NINDS mission and our relationship with NIH as a whole from NINDS Director Dr. Walter Koroshetz and Deputy Director Dr. Nina Schor.
Building Up the Nerve is a podcast from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for neuroscience trainees that takes you through the life cycle of a grant from idea to award at NINDS with the people who make it happen. We know that applying for NIH funding can be daunting, but we’re here to help—it’s our job!
Related Resources:
https://schorline.ninds.nih.gov/
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/About-NINDS/Who-We-Are/Directors-Corner
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Funding/Training-Career-Development
Follow @NINDSdirector and @Schor_N
Transcript: http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/558574/1878416-episode-1-get-to-know-ninds

Building Up the Nerve Introduction Oct 18, 2019

Meet your hosts and learn about what's to come on this season of Building Up the Nerve.
Building Up the Nerve is a podcast for neuroscience trainees that takes you through the life cycle of a grant from idea to award at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. We know that applying for NIH funding can be daunting, but we’re here to help—it’s our job! Be sure to tune in to the entire season to learn about the NINDS grant cycle from the people who make it happen!
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Funding/Training-Career-Development
Transcript: http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/558574/1839991-building-up-the-nerve-introduction

Building Up the Nerve Trailer Oct 01, 2019

Building Up the Nerve is a podcast for neuroscience trainees that takes you through the life cycle of a grant from idea to award at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. We know that applying for NIH funding can be daunting, but we’re here to help—it’s our job! Be sure to tune in to the entire season to learn about the NINDS grant cycle from the people who make it happen!
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Funding/Training-Career-Development
Transcript: http://ninds.buzzsprout.com/558574/1799503-building-up-the-nerve-trailer

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