To facilitate meetups and networking between members of the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics (BCBP), we launched BCBP Synergy. Groups of 3-5 randomized individuals are generated with the Strength^n software, which was developed by our colleague Amy Shaub Maddox, Associate Professor of Biology. The mixed groups of graduate students, postdocs, faculty, and staff then organize informal meetups on their own.
We envision generating new groups each month to meet and foster personal and professional relationships, promote new scientific collaborations, expand awareness of opportunities, help spread great ideas, and increase cooperation among all BCBP members. Feedback from the first launch on June 20th has been remarkably positive. Groups went out for lunch and reported that this was a great way to meet new people in the department to learn about diverse research specialties and expand their professional networks.
“I think this was a positive experience. Luckily, I was the only graduate student so I was able to listen to more academically experienced PI’s during our lunch and I even met a new researcher who studies HIV as well. It was a great change of pace in my daily routine and I would love to see this continue on.” – Xavier Bonner, graduate student in Swanstrom lab stated.
“I thought it was a great way to meet a few people in the department that I had never spoken to before. I appreciated the diversity of the group. I liked how it included a younger and older grad student, an assistant professor, and an administrative department member.”- Cathy Anderson, graduate student on McGinty lab said.
If you are already participating in this program, please spread the word throughout the department. If you are not yet involved but wish to participate in BCBP Synergy, please contact the organizers, Adam Luthman (aluthman@email.unc.edu) and Beverly Errede (errede@email.unc.edu), to get started. We are very excited about the future of this program!