GENEWIZ Week Grant Program

The 5th annual GENEWIZ Week Grant Program is now open! Apply for one of six grants valued up to $5,000 in GENEWIZ credit as we recognize excellence in genomics research.

Winners will receive credit toward a GENEWIZ service that applies to their project, including next generation sequencing, synthetic DNA solutions, PCR + Sanger sequencing, Sanger-only sequencing, or 4titude consumables from Brooks Life Sciences. To apply, simply submit a short abstract (up to 250 words) describing your project. See full grant terms and conditions for contest rules and eligibility.

Submit your application by June 1, 2020 for consideration.

Learn more about our GENEWIZ Week activities including webinars about the latest genomic innovations and discoveries, limited-time GENEWIZ promotions, and more. Feel free to contact us with any question. We look forward to celebrating with you!

BISC Honors 2019-20

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13.Program 2020 Part 2 by uscbiscgrad on Scribd

13.Program 2020 Part 3 by uscbiscgrad on Scribd

COVID-19 Resources

Face Coverings
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/GuidanceClothFaceCoverings.pdf

Social Distancing
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/GuidanceSocialDistancing.pdf

LA County Resources
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/resources.htm

COVID-19 Cases
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the National Lead Agency for COVID-19.  Visit their COVID-19 site for up-to-date information and guidance, including information for community organizations and community gatherings:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html 

World Health Organization
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

FEMA COVID-19 Best Practices
FEMA has created a page for Emergency Management Best Practices for COVID-19:  https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus/best-practices

Additional websites with useful information
The following includes a list of websites with useful information on COVID-19
• Workplace, School, and Home Guidance
• People at Risk for Serious Illness from COVID-19
• How COVID-19 Spreads
• Symptoms
• Steps to Prevent Illness
• Testing
• Frequently Asked Questions
• What You Need to Know
• Facts about COVID-19
• Information for People at Higher Risk and Special Populations
• Communication Resources

Taking Care of Your Behavio... by uscbiscgrad on Scribd

COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund

OVERVIEW
USC will be receiving funds under the CARES Act to provide emergency financial aid grants to students for COVID-related expenses, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care. The Financial Aid Office is working closely with Student Affairs and Campus Support and Intervention to coordinate providing financial assistance to students.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Students facing extraordinary one-time costs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic should complete the COVID-19 Emergency Assistance for Currently Enrolled Students application. The application identifies common costs that are eligible for emergency grant funding. The current funding limit is $3,000. Students can access the form in the Document Library on the Financial Aid Summary and Tasks (FAST) page. A copy is also attached.

This funding is available to continuing undergraduates and graduate students, regardless of whether they are financial aid recipients. Newly admitted undergraduates and undergraduates facing a change in income that may affect their expected family contribution should upload a separate Appeal Concerning Expected Contribution through FAST, which may result in additional financial aid.

The Financial Aid Office, Student Affairs, and Campus Support and Intervention are working in collaboration to respond to student needs related to COVID-19. We are sharing information and providing referrals so that students may obtain appropriate assistance. Our goal is to assist the maximum number of students possible with financial assistance to meet their needs throughout the duration of the COVID-19 emergency.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
Students should be advised to complete and upload the COVID-19 application to their FAST page. We are aware that departments may be establishing their own emergency grants as well and are supportive of those efforts. In some cases, we may contact your department to determine if further assistance is available for a student. Please note that departmental grants are institutional funds that will need to be coordinated into a student’s financial aid package, although we will make every effort to preserve all existing sources of financial aid.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP
Please contact Diane Anchundia, Associate Dean, Outreach and Loans, or me if you have any questions about this funding or have a specific student situation that requires special attention.

Thank you for your support during this extraordinary time.

Thomas McWhorter
Dean of Financial Aid
University of Southern California
John Hubbard Hall  MC 0914
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0914
T: (213) 740-5445   F: (213) 821-3796
Email: faodean@usc.edu
Web: financialaid.usc.edu

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Stem Cell Challenge Grants 2020-21

Phi Beta Kappa Alumni Scholarship 2020

The graduate school is delighted to announce that the nomination site for the Phi Beta Kappa Alumni Awards is now open. The scholarship recognizes international students pursuing graduate degrees in the U.S. Recipients of the PBK award must be about to begin the final year of their program and be seeking a degree that is considered “terminal” in their field (i.e. PhD).

One award in the amount of $1,000 will be given to a graduate student at USC

Students should complete the attached Phi Beta Kappa Alumni Awards application and upload it to https://provost.sma.usc.edu/prog/gs_pbk by Friday, May 8, 2020.

Two letters of reference should uploaded to the application site by Sunday, May 10, 2020.  One of these letters should be from the student’s faculty advisor.  Students will be able to send a request to their recommenders to upload letters directly through the application site.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Kate Tegmeyer
Assistant Director of Graduate Programs
The Graduate School
Office of the Provost
University of Southern California
Tel: (213) 740-9037 | Fax: (213) 740-9048
gradfllw@usc.edu

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   International Scholarship Application 2020 by uscbiscgrad on Scribd

   PBK Faculty Recommendation for Scholarship 2020 by uscbiscgrad on Scribd

Bioinformatics Self-learning Resources Guide

The USC Libraries Bioinformatics Services is pleased to announce the availability of the Bioinformatics Self-learning Resources Guide as part of our ongoing efforts to support the COVID-19 Research Continuity Plan by the university as well as by the Keck School of Medicine.

This Bioinformatics Self-learning Resources Guide has been compiled for students and researchers who are interested in learning how to carry out some of the most common bioinformatics tasks.  This resource provides links to our previous workshops and training on our licensed commercial bioinformatics software.  It also includes the links to our hand-picked list of high-quality publicly accessible bioinformatics tutorials and webinars from other institutions, focusing on open-source tools.

We will continue to update this resources guide and we welcome any comments and suggestions.

Stay safe and healthy!

USC Libraries Bioinformatics Services
nmlbio@usc.edu
https://libraries.usc.edu/bioinformatics

CET Teaching Online Tip Sheet

   Online Teaching Advice for CET USC by uscbiscgrad on Scribd

Move! It will help your mental health and boost immunity

David Raichlen, a USC expert on exercise and human evolution, is in the same boat as anyone whose county or state have enacted a stay-at-home mandate to reduce the spread of infection. It can make you feel trapped. He has this advice for boosting both mental and physical health:

"These are highly stressful times, with anxiety levels increasing, and few outlets to help us maintain our mental health. One thing we can do, even when we are housebound, is to engage in physical activity and exercise. Exercise is not only good for your physical health and immune system, but exercise can play a key role in improving mental health. In fact, recent work has shown that exercise can be an effective treatment option for mild depression and anxiety disorders.

"Why does exercise affect your psychological state? One possibility is that exercise increases the activity of neurotransmitters like endorphins and endocannabinoids which are associated with reductions in stress and improvements in mood. These neurotransmitters activate the same receptors as drugs like opioids and marijuana, but with milder effects that can lead to more general feelings of well-being in most people.

"How can you take advantage of these effects? Moderate intensity aerobic exercise is the most commonly studied activity shown to activate these systems. A brisk walk or jog will do it, and will get you outside (while keeping a safe 6 feet of distance from others). You know you’re at a moderate intensity if you can talk but not sing. If you can only manage a few words without having to catch your breath, you are going too hard."

An important update on our bioinformatics services

As part of USC Libraries’ COVID-19 responses, our offices on both HSC and UPC will be closed starting Monday March 16 and possibly 'til April 13.  However, the USC Libraries Bioinformatics Services will continue to deliver the quality bioinformatics support you have come to expect during this period of time as we will be working from home.  While the in-person consultation will not be available, all of your questions and requests will be addressed in a timely manner via emails and online platforms such as the Zoom.  All our bioinformatics computing resources will be operating as usual to support your sequencing data analysis needs. 

1. For general inquiries and request, email nmlbio@usc.edu.
2. For consultation request: https://uschsl.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_di1fbQJYL4QsxXD
3. For NGS data analysis request: https://uschsl.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8GHy25wi20UsL2Z
4. Whenever necessary, Zoom meeting will be arranged between 10 am and 4 pm, Monday to Friday.

Please take a good care of yourself, everyone!

Fight on!

Yibu, Meng, and Eddie

USC Libraries Bioinformatics Services
nmlbio@usc.edu
libraries.usc.edu/bioinformatics

Graduate Housing Update

Graduate students living in USC Housing on the year-long contract must complete the survey you received via email to request an exception to stay in housing.

We do not plan on asking those students to move out, but we need them to still follow our process to request the exception so we can track true occupancy numbers right now.

Please follow the instructions above if relevant to your housing situation.

If you have any questions, please reach out to USC Housing Services at (213) 740-8488 or via email at housing@usc.edu or to my office at graduatedean@dornsife.usc.edu.

- Dr. Steve Finkel
College Dean of Graduate and Professional Education

The Writing Center has moved online

The Writing Center has transitioned to online consultations for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester and will reopen for appointments on Wednesday, March 25 at 9am.

The appointments will be "synchronous," meaning that students and consultants can video chat and work on a document in real time.  The schedule remains the same, and all appointments will be held in PST.

Instructions are provided below on how to schedule and attend an online appointment at the Writing Center.

If you have questions, please e-mail or call Cory Nelson (213-740-0231).

   How to Schedule a Virtual Appointment by uscbiscgrad on Scribd

COVID-19 Updates for BISC Graduate Students

Spring Semester Classes

Beginning today, March 11th and continuing through Sunday, March 29th, all USC lecture, quiz, and discussion sections will be moved online.  Lab courses will meet as scheduled through March 13th.  The current assumption is that lab courses will also move online beginning on March 14th and continuing through March 29th.  Should this change, we will update as soon as possible.  We currently are working with university officials to determine how the move to online course instruction will impact those of you who are currently Teaching Assistants.  As soon as any decision has been made in this regard, I will update you on your responsibilities.

Research

All research staff and graduate students should continue to work in their labs at this time, while following recommended USC practices related to minimizing the impact of COVID 19.  These practices include things such as staying home if you are sick, not shaking hands, practicing good hygiene and practicing social distancing.  More detailed information regarding research practices may be found here.

Travel

All non-essential travel for faculty, staff, and graduate students is suspended until further notice.  Essential travel must be approved in advance to be reimbursed.  If you have incurred costs related to the cancellation of travel due to cancellations of conferences or meetings, you may still be able to be reimbursed.  Details on what will be considered essential travel and how to be reimbursed for any incurred expenses may be found here. 

Qualifying Exams, Dissertation Defenses, and Graduate School Petitions

The USC Graduate School has issued temporary policy related to oral qualifying exams and dissertation defenses.  Both may now take place remotely, with prior approval from the student, committee chair, and dean of the school.  Here is the specific language related to this policy from the Graduate School:

How can I defend my dissertation if COVID-19 affects my ability to meet with my dissertation committee in person?
Remote participation in a dissertation or thesis defense is always an option for a limited number of committee members.  With the approval of the student, committee chair, and the dean of the school, the defense can be conducted entirely through Zoom or other videoconferencing tool.  The standard rules apply to the defense.  This means that all committee members must be part of the same defense “meeting,” whether they are on campus or remote.

How can I submit my dissertation if COVID-19 affects my ability to function on campus?
Dissertation checklists and manuscripts are submitted electronically via Thesis Center (http://graduateschool.usc.edu/current-students/thesis-dissertation-submission/) and are not affected by the location of the student.

How can I take the oral portion of my qualifying exam if COVID-19 affects my ability to meet with my exam committee?
Remote participation in the oral portion of a qualifying exam is always an option for a limited number of committee members.  With the approval of the student, committee chair, and the dean of the school, the defense can be conducted entirely through Zoom or other videoconferencing tool.  The standard rules apply to the exam.  This means that all committee members must be part of the same exam “meeting,” whether they are on campus or remote.

How can my advisor submit an academic petition on my behalf to the Graduate School if COVID-19 affects the university’s functions on campus?
Petitions are submitted by advisors online and are not affected by the location of the student or the advisor.

Student-Organized Events

Effective immediately and until further notice (at least through March 29th), all university-sponsored events, including any event organized by a Registered Student Organization, are suspended.  We ask that you cancel any events currently scheduled and plan to reschedule them, if desired, sometime later in the semester, after March 29th.

We will continue to monitor the situation as it develops and share with you any updates that are impactful to you, your classes, your TA/RAships, and your research.

Vice Provost for Graduate Programs Student Luncheons

USC Graduate School’s Vice Provost for Graduate Programs, Sally Pratt, invites you to attend one of the upcoming Spring 2020 Graduate Student Luncheons. 

The luncheon will be an opportunity to create an inclusive community for graduate students from the University Park Campus and the Health Science Campus. You have the opportunity to talk with the Vice Provost about a variety of university-wide graduate and professional student topics Vice Provost Pratt is interested in hearing your news, updates, and concerns  and in soliciting feedback on aspects of the Graduate School that work well and how the Graduate School can improve its relationships with graduate students. 

The event is open to all USC graduate students, and attendance will be capped at 15 students per luncheon. Space is limited; please note that your RSVP does not guarantee you a seat at the luncheon. The exact location of each luncheon will be communicated through a confirmation email sent to the first 15 students, per event, who have expressed interest in the particular meeting date.

Our Spring 2020 Graduate Student Luncheons will take place on the following dates:
• UPC: March 25, 12-1:30 PM
• UPC: April 6, 12-1:30 PM
• UPC, International Student Topics: April 8, 12-1:30 PM
• HSC: April 14, 12-1:30 PM

Reserve your space for one of the luncheons by filling out this form.

2020 Student Recognition Awards: Call for Nominations

Dear USC Faculty and Staff,
.
On behalf of the 2020 Student Recognition Committee, we invite you to nominate undergraduate, graduate and professional students whose dedication and notable contributions have enriched the quality of campus life and in the local, national and international community.

We are asking your support to identify and nominate outstanding students deserving of this special recognition. To be eligible, nominees must be scheduled for graduation in either May 2020 or August 2020. Recent graduates from December 2019 are also eligible. Faculty and staff may nominate as many students as they deem worthy of consideration; however, not all nominees will receive a Student Recognition award.

By honoring these students, USC continues to celebrate the values of leadership, service and engagement. Nominated students may be eligible to receive one of the following awards:
Undergraduate Students:

• The Order of the Torch: Awarded to outstanding undergraduate students whose dedication to leadership and community service go beyond that of their peers.
• The Order of Troy: Awarded to graduating undergraduate students whose leadership, in conjunction with academic excellence, has provided significant value to the USC community.
• The Order of the Laurel and the Palm: Awarded to less than 1% of graduating undergraduate students who have distinguished themselves from their peers in the fields of leadership, scholarship, and service both on and off campus.

Graduate/Professional Students:

• The Order of the Torch: Awarded to outstanding graduate students whose dedication to leadership and community service go beyond that of their peers.
• The Order of Areté: Awarded to graduating graduate students who have demonstrated significant depth and scope of responsibility in leadership roles benefiting their peers and their broader communities.

The nomination and selection process is as follows:
• Nominations are available online starting Feb. 21, 2020 at http://studentrecognition.usc.edu/ and close on Friday, March 6, 2020 (Only complete nominations will be considered.)
• Faculty and staff nominators must provide all information about each nominee’s involvement and justify their excellence in leadership, scholarship, and service.
• Nominators are responsible for the completion of nomination forms for students,which they nominate.

Student nominees will not be involved in the selection process.
• At least three members from the Student Recognition Review Committee will review completed nominations.
• The committee will select based on academic achievement, leadership, and service including those who have enhanced their academics with a variety of co-curricular activities (including paid positions) and have positively contributed to USC.
• The committee will notify award recipients and their nominators via email to attend the USC Student Recognition Ceremony taking place on Thursday, May 14, 2020 at Bovard Auditorium at 1 p.m.

More information about the awards are located on the Student Recognition Awards.

Please direct any specific questions to 2020 Student Recognition Committee Chair, Cynthia Tucker at uscsrc@usc.edu.

Thank you for helping us recognize and honor our outstanding students.

2020 PhD Achievement Award

   2020 PhD Achievement Award by uscbiscgrad on Scribd

Signature Page

   PhD Achievement Signature Page 2020 by uscbiscgrad on Scribd

USC Student Health - Program expansion for students

   Feb10 2020 Service Memo Svo Usc Studenthealth by uscbiscgrad on Scribd

Wize | Hiring student private tutors for new online tutoring platform

   Wize Tutor (Student Position) by uscbiscgrad on Scribd

Wrigley Sonosky Sustainability summer fellowship

The USC Wrigley Institute is now accepting applications for the 2020 Sonosky Sustainability Summer Fellowship. Applications due March 11. Notice is attached.

   Sonosky 2020 Announcement by uscbiscgrad on Scribd

POSTDOCTORAL POSITION IN EVOLUTION OF DEVELOPMENTAL MECHANISMS

Three-year NSF-supported postdoctoral position is available at University of California San Diego, Department of Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA, USA to study the evolution of segmentation in chordates. This is a multi-level study focused on somite formation in the basal chordate amphioxus. The study involves dissecting the genetic mechanism of somite segmentation in embryos and larvae of the basal chordate, amphioxus. The effects of perturbing gene function on the mechanics of somite segmentation will be monitored at the single-cell level by 3-D reconstructions with serial blockface scanning electron microscopy. RNA-Seq will address questions of gene hierarchy.  Applicants with a background in evo/devo and/or developmental mechanisms of amphioxus are preferred. A PhD is required. Interested applicants please submit a curriculum vitae, names, addresses and e-mail addresses for three references to Dr. Linda Z. Holland, Marine Biology Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla CA, 92093-0202 (tel 858-534-5607; fax 858-534-7313; email lzholland@ucsd.edu). UCSD is an equal opportunity employer.