Activities

Overview

UGTP Trainees participate in two years of intensive activities during which they receive stipend and tuition support, funds for health insurance and childcare, and an allowance for research-related costs or attendance at a conference or course. Each year, Trainees and their Mentors commit to a Training Plan of UGTP-specific and individualized development activities that complements the training occurring in home labs and departments.

Trainee Meetings

These meetings are the cornerstone of the Program. Trainees register for HGEN 7850 Genetics Conferences and meet ~biweekly with Program Directors. Sessions include trainee Research-In-Progress presentations as well as discussions and workshops covering topics including scientific rigor and ethics; development of professional and communication skills; navigating the scientific workplace; and career awareness. Trainees help select topics and learn to lead discussions.

UGTP-Sponsored Seminars

Trainees attend UGTP-sponsored seminars, which are open to the entire university community and held ~monthly during the academic year. They include lectures about a historical or emerging topic in genetics, research seminars from UofU faculty or visiting scientists, and lectures focused on scientific or biomedical ethics. Open discussion and debate are encouraged, and pizza and other refreshments help set an informal tone. These gatherings are supported in part by the UofU Health Research Office.

For more information about the 2026-27 series and prior seminars, see Events. Announcements are distributed regularly to departments across campus. To join the UGTP email list, contact Erin Hawley.

Annual Retreat

The UGTP holds an annual retreat in which trainees present their research and interact with other members of the genetics training community. Other activities include seminars from visiting scientists, discussion of topics chosen by the trainees, career talks from alumni, and sessions to plan Program goals and activities.

Our 2026 Retreat was held in May at Snowpine Lodge in Alta, Utah. Current trainees and mentors were joined by alumni, UGTP steering committee and community members, and visiting speaker Dr. Sharon Amacher, Professor and Vice Chair of Molecular Genetics, Ohio State University. Trainees presented their research projects and led a group discussion of “What is the scientist’s responsibility to society?” anchored by articles distributed ahead of time to retreat participants. For more information about recent retreats, see Events.

Coursework

During the course of their graduate studies, all trainees complete coursework in foundational and advanced genetics, biostatistics, genomic/ computational approaches, and research ethics. Required courses:

• MBIOL 7570 Case Studies and Research Ethics

• MBIOL 6490 Introduction to Biostatistics & Probability for the Biosciences

• HGEN 6060 Applied Computational Genomics

• HGEN 6660 Foundations of Genetics and Genomics

• HGEN 6840 Advanced Topics in Genetics

Additional electives are available in specific areas of genetics and genomics. Regardless of their area of research, we encourage trainees to select courses that will broaden their understanding of different areas of genetics and ability to apply a range of methods to their research.

Other Training Opportunities

We encourage trainees to expand their training beyond their thesis research and to build both their skill set and professional network. Trainees receive supplementary funds to attend courses and conferences and to support research collaborations. We also promote participation in the many programs and student interest groups available at the University of Utah in areas such as biotech, education, and science communication and outreach.

Recent trainee involvement includes:

  • Internships

  • BREO-sponsored career interest groups

  • Graduate Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education

  • UofU Science Communicators

  • NHMU Science Communication Fellowship

Trainees work with UGTP Directors and their advisors each year to maintain an individualized development plan matched to their unique interests.

Mentoring mentors

All UGTP trainee mentors participate in activities designed to enhance the mentorship environment. Each mentor must complete a Mentoring Workshop, sponsored biyearly in collaboration with the UofU Biomedical Research Education Office (BREO), where mentors share best practices and learn from one another. New trainees and mentors are required to create a shared Mentorship Agreement with goals for success and a plan for ongoing communication. We also provide additional resources upon request.