CRS Community comes together for MS-RSM Open House
“The poster session made research as a whole feel more approachable because of the intimate environment in which we got to speak with the researchers and faculty. I really enjoyed seeing the different models of research being used across the field of reproductive science, and it got me excited about ways that I might be able to get involved in research myself!”
Shani Zelenko, 1st Year MS-RSM Student
The evening of October 14, 2022, Northwestern’s Center for Reproductive Science hosted the annual CRS Open House and Networking Event. The poster session created a unique opportunity for faculty and trainees to present their research, while first-year students explored a span of topics they have the potential to embark on. The call to action for CRS members was sent out, and it was heard loud and clear. The CRS community came out in full support; many proudly displaying their research and contributing to a dynamic array of posters. There was no shortage of representation, a co-mingling of ideas between generations of researchers, from master's students to PhD candidates, Postdocs, and established PIs of all research backgrounds relevant to reproductive science. Though the event was hosted in the CRS suite of the Chicago campus of Northwestern, Evanston researchers, such as Dr. Sadie Wignall, still managed to find their way over. Many core members of the CRS community here at Northwestern took their place amongst the posters, seeing representatives from labs such as: the Kim lab, the Chakravarti lab, the Matei lab, the Bulun lab, and many more. Newer labs were not outshine; to the contrary, as the Goyal lab managed to stand its ground as a newcomer to Northwestern and the CRS community. The event further highlighted the academic growth and success of second years, as their research contributions and dissemination skills were put on display.
The first-year MS-RSM cohort were offered a glimpse into the pioneering research being conducted in their new community. Students actively engaged in constructive conversations; the event introduced first-years students to the vast range of reproductive topics within the CRS community, spanning from topics of fundamental science to areas of translational research. The Funk lab offered students more awareness on how environmental factors may impact fertility, a hot topic in our ever more health-conscious society. Representatives from the Halpern lab tackled fertility from a behavioral and societal perspective, elaborating on health care disparities between cis gendered males vs trans gendered females. A solid introduction to specific research avenues and potential future mentors; first-years were provided with the opportunity to begin finding their niche within reproductive science and medicine. A first-year MS-RSM student, Shani Zelenko, enthusiastically stated, “The poster session made research as a whole feel more approachable because of the intimate environment in which we got to speak with the researchers and faculty. I really enjoyed seeing the different models of research being used across the field of reproductive science, and it got me excited about ways that I might be able to get involved in research myself!”
Overall, the open house was a stimulating experience for those who attended. Returning members mixing with the up-and-coming minds of the future. An appetizer of sorts for what is to come for this year's cohort of MS-RSM students, potentially returning as second year students to present their research to their successors next year.