With everything going on I went to check the NIH Postbac Program and was sadden to see this on the main page. For those who don’t know, I was an NIH IRTA Postbac and I attribute so much of my training from this program. I did not get much research experience during my undergraduate. (1/7) - ThreadSky

csebastianbio.bsky.social • 15 days ago

With everything going on I went to check the NIH Postbac Program and was sadden to see this on the main page. For those who don’t know, I was an NIH IRTA Postbac and I attribute so much of my training from this program. I did not get much research experience during my undergraduate. (1/7)

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csebastianbio.bsky.social•15 days ago

I did not even know how to use a pipette or what most common lab equipment looked like. I knew I wanted to get a PhD in microbiology. My undergraduate mentor encouraged me to apply to this prestigious program. I spent hours emailing potential PIs knowing I was already behind many other peers (2/7)

csebastianbio.bsky.social•15 days ago

Due to not having any research experience. I was determined regardless. I was met with many many “Nos” along with encouraging words from PIs who did not have room in their lab but recognized my drive. I finally received a positive from Dr. Clifton E Barry, who at the time I did not realize how (3/7)

csebastianbio.bsky.social•15 days ago

Well known he was in the field of tuberculosis research. After accepting I realized I was making a large jump from no research experience to working in a BSL-3 laboratory. Despite this, Clif along with the rest of the lab, were extremely important in allowing me to grow in confidence as (4/7)

csebastianbio.bsky.social•15 days ago

A young scientist. After passing immense training and thorough background checks I was permitted to finally work in the BSL-3 space. I loved every bit of it. Over two years I grew tremendously as a research, got more confidence in speaking, and made countless memories with my lab members. (5/7)

csebastianbio.bsky.social•15 days ago

I attribute so much of my scientific training to my two years at the NIH. It even gave me my passion to pursue a career in biosafety/biosecurity. I don’t believe I would have become the even stronger research I am now in @microbiomegan.bsky.social lab without this amazing experience. (6/7)

csebastianbio.bsky.social•15 days ago

The pausing of this program is limiting the potential of so many young researchers. And this pause is directly attributed to the current events in science. I will always be a IRTA fellow, and I will always be an advocate for young researchers like myself. Don’t stop fighting now. (7/7)

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