Activities
The GCB graduate group has various activities throughout the year that students can participate in:
Chalk Talks
These weekly talks allow GCB students and faculty members to present their research. Students in years three and above are required to present their work each year. Second year students participate by practicing their candidacy exam talks. The schedule for the spring semester can be found here.
Penn Bioinformatics Forum
The Penn Bioinformatics Forum has a long history of bringing in top speakers in bioinformatics from academia and industry. GCB students are invited for a lunch meeting with the PBF speakers. Students also organize two PBF seminars per year.
GCB Retreat
The annual GCB retreat usually takes place in the late spring or early summer. The retreat features faculty, current and former students, postdocs and keynote speakers. During lunch, GCB students present posters on their research. For more information on our past retreat, view our flyer.
Welcome back party
Every fall, GCB hosts a welcome back party. This event allows faculty and students to connect in an informal setting and also introduces the incoming class to the program.
End of the Year BBQ
Senior students plan this annual BBQ to celebrate the 2nd years finishing their candidacy exams and the end of the academic year.
Student planned social events
GCB students plan monthly social events which includes game nights, movie nights, and holiday parties.
Python Bootcamp
Workshop to help graduate students and postdocs in the Bio/Biomedical fields learn the basics of Python. GCB students don't actually take the bootcamp, but help out as TAs.
Ways students can get involved:
- Serve on GCB committees (Admissions, Curriculum, Advising, EDI, Executive)
- Recruitment weekends - plan events for recruits, attend recruitment lunch and dinners
- Penn Bioinformatics Forum - organize seminars and attend lunches with speakers
- Attend/plan social events - GCB monthly student events, events held by other BGS groups or the Biomedical Graduate Student Association
- TA a class, or Python bootcamp