Adapting to NIH in 2026 Webinar Series - Best Practices for Working with NIH Program Officers
Bioscience Graduate Programs
Join University of Utah research leaders for a timely discussion of how NIH funding decisions and priorities are evolving and what these changes mean for faculty seeking NIH support. The session will provide an overview of emerging trends, general guidance for adapting your approach, and insights into navigating changes to the application and review process, followed by an audience Q & A session with invited speakers.
Session Speakers:Rachel Hess, MD, MS, System Chief Research Officer, University of Utah Health, Associate Vice President for Research, Health Sciences, Cornelia Ulrich, MS, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer and Executive Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Todd Bjorklund, CRA, Associate Director, Federal and Foundation Grants & Contracts, Office of Sponsored Projects, Sarah Fogarty, PhD, Senior Manager, Research Program Development, Emily Post, PhD, Senior Manager, Research Program Development, Join Zoom Meeting
https://utah.zoom.us/j/84267051422.
Campus Locations: Zoom. Ticket URL: https://luma.com/NIH2026. Contact Email: researchcomm@hsc.utah.edu. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, October 15, 2026, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM.
Fall 2026 Second Half - Classes begin
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, October 19, 2026.
Supervising Work & People
The Graduate School invites graduate students and postdocs to explore the essentials of supervision during this seminar series. including hiring and onboarding, setting clear job expectations, optimizing employee engagement, optimizing employee performance, keeping work moving, time management and prioritization. As part of the seminar series, we will build a portfolio of skills to help you be successful in your first supervisory role.
Certificate of completion available for attending the full series!9/2 - Understanding the Role of Supervisor, 9/9 - Hiring & Onboarding, 9/16 - Engaging Employees, 9/23 - Employee Performance, 9/30 - Feedback, Coaching, & Professional Development, 10/7 - Time Management & Prioritization, 10/21 - Building a High Performing & Supportive Team Culture, Register now!
Event Categories: Workshops & Training. Campus Locations: Gardner Commons - Carolyn and Kem (GC). Cost: Free. Contact Name: Mary Anne Berzins. Contact Email: mary.anne.berzins@utah.edu. Campus Wide Event: No.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM.
Developing Your Leadership Skills
The Graduate School invites graduate students and postdocs to this interactive series focused on core aspects of leadership, including effective collaboration and mentoring, conflict navigation, challenging conversations, and compelling negotiation skills.
Certificate of completion awarded for attending the full series.9/2 Leadership Fundamentals 9/9 Collaboration, 9/16 Working Optimally with Others, 9/23 Conflict Navigation, 9/30 Challenging Conversations, 10/7 Negotiation, 10/21 Mentoring, Register now!
Campus Locations: Gardner Commons - Carolyn and Kem (GC). Cost: Free. Contact Name: Mary Anne Berzins. Contact Email: mary.anne.berzins@utah.edu. Campus Wide Event: No.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026, 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
Biochemistry Seminar Series - Can Cenik, PHD
Bioscience Graduate Programs
“An Integrative Approach to Predictive Modeling of Translation”
In this talk, I will present Ribo-ITP, a microfluidic isotachophoresis-based method that measures translation at
high resolution in scarce samples down to single cells, opening questions in development, neuroscience, and cancer that were previously inaccessible. Turning from measurement to prediction, I will then describe a
compendium we assembled from more than 3,500 translation experiments spanning diverse cell types and
conditions. This scale enabled us to define translation efficiency covariation (TEC), showing that transcripts
sharing biological function or protein complex membership covary in their translation. It also let us train RiboNN, a deep neural network that predicts translation rates across cell types from mRNA sequence alone, substantially
outperforming existing methods. I will close with how RiboNN quantifies the translational impact of human
genetic variants, with implications for genetic diagnostics, bioengineering, and mRNA t…
Campus Locations: Health Sciences Education Building - Spencer F. and Cleone P. Eccles (HSEB). Contact Name: Biochemistry Events. Contact Email: events@biochem.utah.edu. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, October 22, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
Fall 2026 Second Half - Last day to add, drop (delete), elect CR/NC, or audit classes
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, October 23, 2026.
Fall 2026 Second Half - Last day to wait list
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, October 23, 2026.
Biomolecular AI Interest Group SOM Seminar - Dr. Claire McWhite
Bioscience Graduate Programs
CLAIRE MCWHITE, PhD
Assistant Professor
University of Arizona
“INTERPRETABLE DIRECTIONS IN BIOLOGICAL LANGUAGE MODELS"
Foundation models encode rich biological information, but extracting specific properties usually requires task-specific retraining. We show that Concept Activation Vectors provide a lightweight, extensible way to query protein and single-cell embeddings for arbitrary, interpretable biological concepts. Across diverse biological tasks, these vectors support rapid comparison, discovery, and localization without modifying the underlying model.
HOSTED BY THE BIOMOLECULAR AI INTEREST GROUP.
Campus Locations: Health Sciences Education Building - Spencer F. and Cleone P. Eccles (HSEB). Contact Email: jeffrey.swan@biochem.utah.edu. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, October 26, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Adapting to NIH in 2026 Webinar Series - Best Practices for Working with NIH Program Officers
Bioscience Graduate Programs
In this session, experienced NIH-funded faculty and former NIH staff will share best practices of how to successfully work with Program Officers to secure funding opportunities, both in past and present funding environments. Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with peers about their experiences working with NIH Program Officers.
Session Speakers:Kelly Baron, PhD, MPH, DBSM, Professor of Family & Preventative Medicine, Katsu Funai, PhD, Associate Professor of Nutrition & Integrative Physiology, Jennifer Troyer, PhD, Former NIH Program Director, National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), Emily Post, PhD, Senior Manager, Research Program Development.
Campus Locations: Zoom. Ticket URL: https://luma.com/NIH2026. Contact Email: researchcomm@hsc.utah.edu. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Wednesday, October 28, 2026, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM.
Fall 2026 Full Term - Last day to withdraw from classes
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, October 30, 2026.
Thesis Open Workshop Hours
Thesis Editor Trista Emmer is available for hands-on help with thesis and dissertation manuscript formatting and accessibility compliance in Word from 2:30-4:30.
Campus Locations: Gardner Commons - Carolyn and Kem (GC). Campus Wide Event: No.
Monday, November 2, 2026, 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM.
Genetics Interest Group Seminars - Julie Kiefer
Bioscience Graduate Programs
Julie Kiefer
Director, Research Communications
University of Utah Health.
Campus Locations: Eccles Institute of Human Genetics (EIHG). Contact Name: David Grunwald. Contact Email: dgrunwal@genetics.utah.edu. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, November 2, 2026, 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM.
Spring 2027 - Registration dates begin
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, November 5, 2026.
Thesis Open Workshop Hours
Thesis Editor Trista Emmer is available for hands-on help with thesis and dissertation manuscript formatting and accessibility compliance in Word from 2:30-4:30.
Campus Locations: Gardner Commons - Carolyn and Kem (GC). Campus Wide Event: No.
Monday, November 9, 2026, 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM.
Genetics Interest Group Seminars - Aaron Quinan
Bioscience Graduate Programs
Aaron Quinan
Department of Human Genetics
University of Utah.
Campus Locations: Eccles Institute of Human Genetics (EIHG). Contact Name: David Grunwald. Contact Email: dgrunwal@genetics.utah.edu. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, November 9, 2026, 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM.
Adapting to NIH in 2026 Webinar Series - Finding Your Fit with NIH Priorities
Bioscience Graduate Programs
In this session, NIH-funded faculty will provide tangible case studies on how they have used NIH resources to identify fit with funding opportunities and successfully adapt their applications to new funding priorities. Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with peers about their experiences finding their best funding fit for NIH opportunities.
Session Speakers:Guilherme Del Fiol, MD, PhD, Professor of Bioinformatics, Jody Lin, MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Jason Lyons, MPP, Strategic Intelligence Analyst, Research Program Development, Sarah Fogarty, PhD, Senior Manager, Research Program Development.
Campus Locations: Zoom. Ticket URL: https://luma.com/NIH2026. Contact Email: researchcomm@hsc.utah.edu. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, November 12, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Fall 2026 Second Half - Last day to withdraw from classes
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, November 13, 2026.
Adapting to NIH in 2026 Webinar Series - What Early-Career Researchers Should Know About a Changing NIH Landscape
Bioscience Graduate Programs
Wondering what recent NIH changes mean for graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and faculty seeking their first NIH awards? Join University of Utah experts for a discussion of key developments and considerations for researchers early in their NIH journey. The session will provide an opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with those who support trainees and early-career investigators.
Session Speakers:Michael Rubin, MD, PhD, MS, Director, VPCAT Research Scholars Program; Professor and Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs and Development, Department of Internal Medicine, Erin Wachs, BS, Research Manager, VPCAT Research Scholars Program, Sean Flynn, PhD, Director, Biomedical Research Education Office, Jessica Kieper, BBA, Associate Director, Training Grants and Fellowships, Kristin Stephens, BFA, Grant Specialist, Biomedical Research Education Office, Neil Vander Most, PhD, MS, Director, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
Campus Locations: Zoom. Ticket URL: https://luma.com/NIH2026. Contact Email: researchcomm@hsc.utah.edu. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, November 19, 2026, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM.
Genome Instability and Cancer Seminar Series - Abby Green MD
Bioscience Graduate Programs
We would like to bring your attention to a new monthly seminar series at HCI/University of Utah, focused on the role of genetic instability (at the DNA, RNA and ribosome levels) to cancer etiology, progression, and treatment.
This seminar series, called GStaC (Genome Instability and Cancer), will bring both established and early career investigators in the field to showcase their recent research and data to our community. Attached, you will find the line-up of speakers for the 2026-2027 calendar year. Seminars will happen on the 3rd Friday of each month, and refreshments will be served. We would love to count on the presence of all of you (and your groups), showcasing the interest of our institution to this area of research.
Campus Locations: HCI Cancer Research North - Huntsman (HCI North). Contact Name: Katie Kvam. Contact Email: katie.kvam@hci.utah.edu. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, November 20, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Plagiarism Lecture with Dr. Michael Kay
Bioscience Graduate Programs
Scientific Writing: How to Make it Your Own. Learn when and how to properly cite sources. Review Academic Standards.
Campus Locations: Health Sciences Education Building - Spencer F. and Cleone P. Eccles (HSEB). Contact Name: Bioscience PhD Programs. Contact Email: bioscience@genetics.utah.edu. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Tuesday, November 24, 2026, 12:45 PM – 2:00 PM.
Holiday: Thanksgiving Break
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, November 26, 2026 – Friday, November 27, 2026.
Spring 2027 - Open enrollment
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, November 30, 2026.
Fall 2026 Full Term - Last day to reverse CR/NC option
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, December 4, 2026.
Fall 2026 Second Half - Last day to reverse CR/NC option
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, December 4, 2026.
Genetics Interest Group Seminars - Ofer Rog
Bioscience Graduate Programs
Ofer Rog
School of Biological Sciences
University of Utah.
Campus Locations: Eccles Institute of Human Genetics (EIHG). Contact Name: David Grunwald. Contact Email: dgrunwal@genetics.utah.edu. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, December 7, 2026, 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM.
Fall 2026 Full Term - Classes end
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, December 10, 2026.
Fall 2026 Second Half - Classes end
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, December 10, 2026.
Fall 2026 Full Term - Reading day
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, December 11, 2026.
Fall 2026 Full Term - Final exam period
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, December 14, 2026 – Friday, December 18, 2026.
For more info visit registrar.utah.edu. Fall 2026 Second Half - Second-half grades due
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Tuesday, December 15, 2026.
For more info visit registrar.utah.edu. Genome Instability and Cancer Seminar Series - James Gagnon, PhD
Bioscience Graduate Programs
We would like to bring your attention to a new monthly seminar series at HCI/University of Utah, focused on the role of genetic instability (at the DNA, RNA and ribosome levels) to cancer etiology, progression, and treatment.
This seminar series, called GStaC (Genome Instability and Cancer), will bring both established and early career investigators in the field to showcase their recent research and data to our community. Attached, you will find the line-up of speakers for the 2026-2027 calendar year. Seminars will happen on the 3rd Friday of each month, and refreshments will be served. We would love to count on the presence of all of you (and your groups), showcasing the interest of our institution to this area of research.
Campus Locations: HCI Cancer Research North - Huntsman (HCI North). Contact Name: Katie Kvam. Contact Email: katie.kvam@hci.utah.edu. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, December 18, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Holiday Recess (Dec 19 - Jan 10)
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Saturday, December 19, 2026 – Sunday, January 10, 2027.
Fall 2026 Full Term - Semester-length grades due
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Wednesday, December 23, 2026.
For more info visit registrar.utah.edu. Holiday: Christmas Day
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, December 25, 2026.
Spring 2027 - House Bill 60 registration
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Tuesday, January 5, 2027.
Spring 2027 First Half Classes - Classes begin
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, January 11, 2027.
Spring 2027 Term Length - Classes begin
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, January 11, 2027.