The Student/Postdoc Advisory Committee (SPAC) represents the interests of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and medical fellows at Fred Hutch in obtaining the best education possible for their future careers. SPAC works closely with the Office of Scientific Career Development.
We work to:
- improve the environment and education for students and fellows at Fred Hutch.
- identify needs for information beneficial to incoming and current students and fellows.
- address specific issues relating to student and fellow training and career development.
Exploration Program for Industry Careers (EPIC)
Postdoctoral fellows and graduate students often have little exposure to career paths outside of academia. SPAC and the Office of Career Development address this issue by offering events to educate about potential PhD career paths, including biotech industry careers.
The Exploration Program for Industry Careers (EPIC) takes this one step further for those curious about careers in Industry. In addition to career workshops and events at Fred Hutch, EPIC features site visits to biotech companies in the area, providing an in-depth look at industry careers. The program also gives participants networking opportunities, which can help in setting up collaborations and in current and future job searches.
A core component of the EPIC Program is to visit local biotech companies.
Eligibility
All current Fred Hutch graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and medical fellows are eligible to apply for this program.
Benefits for Students and Postdocs:
- Insight into corporate culture
- Networking experience
- Career guidance
- Potential opportunities for collaborations
- Exposure to a variety of career paths within industry
Benefits for Companies:
- Attract top area scientists to your company
- Identify opportunities for collaborations
- Meet future colleagues
- Establish relationships with local academic labs
Companies: If you are a company interested in being part of EPIC, please contact Amber Ismael.
McDougall Mentoring Award
Dr. Jim McDougall was a faculty member at the Fred Hutch from 1978-2003. He was highly regarded for his dedication to and excellent mentorship of the people in his lab. In honor of his memory, SPAC sponsors the annual McDougall Mentoring Award, which celebrates faculty members who demonstrate a similar dedication to and enthusiasm for mentoring their graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and/or medical fellows. The award recipient will be announced at the Annual SPAC Holiday Party in December.
2023 Dr. Sita Kugel
2022 Dr. Jihong Bai
2021 Dr. Erick Matsen
2019 Dr. Jesse Bloom
2018 Dr. Harmit Malik
2017 Dr. Paul Lampe
2016 Dr. Adam Geballe
2015 Dr. Stephen Tapscott
2014 Dr. Polly Newcomb
2013 Dr. Sue Biggins
2012 Dr. Michael Emerman
2011 Dr. Anne McTiernan
2010 Dr. Andrea LaCroix
2009 Dr. Johanna Lampe
2008 Dr. Julie Overbaugh
2007 Dr. David Fredricks
The nominee must meet the following criteria:
- Has been a faculty member at the Fred Hutch for at least three years
- Their primary faculty appointment is at Fred Hutch
- Currently has at least one graduate student, postdoctoral fellow, or medical fellow in his/her lab or work group
Criteria to consider in your application include mentoring in the following areas:
- Research skill development
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Critical thinking and hypothesis generation skills
- Collaborative science
- Choosing a career
- Job search including networking
- Poster and oral presentations
- Writing skills
- Teaching skills
- Responsible conduct of research
- Leadership and management skills
- Sensitivity to diversity issues
- The “human-side” of mentoring—how the mentor exemplifies living life as a scientist and a citizen
Hutchison Mentoring Award
Dr. Nancy Hutchison joined the Hutch in 1982 as a postdoctoral fellow, and in 1991 she co-founded the Science Education Partnership (SEP) which she led until her retirement in 2016. She is highly regarded for her dedication to science education and her excellent mentorship of the people in and around SEP.
In her honor, the annual Hutchison Mentoring Award celebrates non-faculty employees or trainees who demonstrate a similar dedication to and enthusiasm for mentoring others within the Fred Hutch community (e.g. graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, medical fellows, research technicians, undergraduates, high school students, etc.). The award recipient will be announced at the annual SPAC Holiday Party in December.
2023 Dr. Janet Young
2022 Dr. Pravrutha Raman
2021 Dr. Florian Mair
2019 Dr. Molly OhAinle
2018 Dr. Dara Lehman
The nominee must meet the following criteria:
- Has been an employee or trainee at Fred Hutch for at least one year.
- Does not hold a faculty appointment at Fred Hutch.
- Has demonstrated mentorship of others within the Fred Hutch community (e.g. high school students, undergraduates, gradute students, postdoctoral fellows, medical fellows, research technicians, etc.).
Criteria to consider in your application include mentoring in the following areas:
- Research skill development
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Critical thinking and hypothesis generation skills
- Collaborative science
- Choosing a career
- Job search including networking
- Poster and oral presentations
- Writing skills
- Teaching skills
- Responsible conduct of research
- Leadership and management skills
- Sensitivity to diversity issues
- The “human-side” of mentoring—how the mentor exemplifies living life as a scientist and a citizen
Karen Peterson, PhD
Director, Office of Scientific Career Development / SPAC Advisor
kpeterso@fredhutch.org
Amber Ismael, PhD
Sr. Program Manager, Office of Scientific Career Development / SPAC Advisor
aismael@fredhutch.org
Katie Yanagi, PhD (Co-Chair)
Lehrbach Lab
Basic Sciences
SPAC@fredhutch.org
Amy Spens, PhD (Co-Chair)
Tapscott Lab
Human Biology Division
SPAC@fredhutch.org
For further information contact Amber Ismael at aismael@fredhutch.org.
Contact Us
A listserv exists for Hutch graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and medical fellows to disseminate information about professional development, job, and funding opportunities. For more information on listservs, visit the Fred Hutch listserv website. Note: The listserv website requires Fred Hutch credentials to access.
Got something you want us to know about? Or do you want to get involved and do something helpful with your copious and abundant spare time? If so, please contact: