CRS Leadership Spotlight on Nimra Chohan

Nimra Chohan is the Senior Program for the MS in Reproductive Science and Medicine program. Nimra joined the CRS in December 2021.

What brought you to join the CRS community and what is your current position?

I am the Senior Program Coordinator for the MS in Reproductive Science and Medicine program. I joined CRS after working at Feinberg’s OBGYN Residency Program and Medical Clerkship as a Program Assistant. 

Could you describe what your work entails? 

I handle the day-to-day operations of our graduate program (scheduling, email communication with students and faculty, course coordination) in addition to larger scale objectives such as recruitment, admissions and organizing key program events (orientation, CRS Open House, graduation). A significant portion of my job involves supporting our students from the moment they are admitted to the day they graduate. I try to keep them on top of their deliverables for progressing through the program. In other words, they get A LOT of emails from me. 

What aspect(s) of CRS do you find most valuable?  

The community aspect of the CRS and the guidance provided to trainees are two things that we emphasize when talking to prospective students about joining our Master’s program – and with good reason! The CRS isn’t just a place for our young scientists to complete academic research; I have seen people build lifelong connections, both personal and professional. The mentorship aspect is huge. CRS faculty are always so willing to encourage trainees and provide opportunities, whether they are clinicians giving one lecture in a class, or PIs. 

What would you recommend to students and young professionals in order for them to succeed in their careers? ​  

Take advantage of every opportunity that is offered to you, especially in graduate school. You may never again be in a place where opportunities for professional expansion are literally handed to you. You may never again be in a place where you get to focus entirely on subjects that you are passionate about. We remind our students that they are only with us for a short amount of time so they should take full advantage by networking and being active, engaged participants in their own learning. Studying hard and passing classes will get you far, but making connections and approaching new ideas or concepts with curiosity will get you even farther. Be a sponge! Soak up everything that you can when you are in a new environment (this applies to new jobs as well). 

What is something that you have learned about the reproductive biology field since becoming a part of CRS?

I am so fascinated by how science has made it possible for people to build families. I knew nothing about IVF, fertility preservation, or oncofertility before joining the CRS. It’s very cool, and I hope this information will become more mainstream in the future. 

What hobbies do you have outside of the office? 

I’m a creative writer by vocation and graduated from Northwestern’s MFA in Prose and Poetry program, specializing in Fiction, in 2023. I completed a short story collection which I am currently in the throes of revising, and am also in the process of writing a novel. Other hobbies include reading (literary fiction mainly), listening to psychology and spirituality podcasts, and cooking.