BIMS Student Interview and Recruitment Committee
After a successful first year, the Student Interview and Recruitment Committee (SIRC) continues their recruitment efforts for the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program (BIMS). This committee was created to incorporate student voices into program recruitment efforts and build leadership skills that will benefit students throughout their graduate careers and beyond.
The committee consists of second, third, and fourth-year students selected from each BIMS degree program by their respective directors of graduate studies. This selection recognizes the students’ drive and dedication to fostering connection, support, and collaboration within their program. These members are responsible for developing and organizing student affairs and social events involved during the BIMS recruitment process. The newly established committee prepares for their second year of recruitment involvement as they work with the BIMS administrative team to organize the upcoming virtual interview process.
From writing handwritten notes for the interviewing students to organizing the in-person visits, members of the committee are a crucial component to recruitment, acting as mentors that the applicants can go to for guidance regarding graduate school, the BIMS program, and life in Charlottesville. Members of the 2025-2026 SIRC recount how their experience on the committee has impacted them:
“Being a part of this committee has not only allowed me to interact with prospective students, but also work closely with my peers in different departments, fostering a lot of collaboration and connection.” – Valeria Molinary, Pharmacology
“I always look forward to meeting and getting to know prospective students! My main goal with being involved with SIRC is to help guide prospective students to the institution that would be best for them.” – Berenice Almaguer, Neuroscience
Future directions for the committee include increasing social media engagement with applicants such as posting virtual lab tours to encourage connection and demystify life as a graduate student. In addition to the events themselves, post-interview and in-person visit surveys also allow both administrators and SIRC members to receive insight into how to further improve recruitment strategies and activities for next year’s recruitment process.
With plans already underway, SIRC members and BIMS administrators are very excited for round two of recruitment. The BIMS program is very thankful to the current SIRC members and wishes to recognize the 2025-2026 committee members:
- Jayda Cavanaugh || Loughran Lab, Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics
- Hannah Cannon || Levental & Kenworthy Labs, Biophysics
- Sara Zdancewicz || Jomaa Lab, Biophysics
- Sputay Daryna || Levental Lab, Cell Biology
- Zaneta Markowska || Hirschi Lab, Cell Biology
- Feifan Xu || Bullock and Slingluff Labs, Experimental Pathology
- Summer Johnson || Li Lab, Experimental Pathology
- Chris Pastore || Sperling Lab, Microbiology
- Jasmine Cruz || Derré Lab, Microbiology
- Jules King || Gaultier Lab, Neuroscience
- Berenice Almaguer || Neuroscience
- Valeria Molinary || Desai Lab, Pharmacology
- Bryce Murillo || Saucerman Lab & Wolf Lab, Pharmacology
- Alex Eichert || Wolf Lab, Physiology
- Gwen Wagner || Whitlock Lab, Physiology
Filed Under: Education