May 23-30, 2022

This Week’s Events:       

0. Ongoing Services – updated 5/9/22 
1. THE SCIENCE AND POLITICS OF JOURNAL RETRACTIONS
2. GLC CAFÉ

Administrative Announcements:    
3. FUNDING FOR SUMMER TRAVEL (JUNE 30-SEPT. 30) AVAILABLE THROUGH GPSS – 2nd posting
4. GRAD-STUDENTS-IN-ACTION PHOTOS REQUESTED – 2nd posting
5. AES ENERGY INNOVATION CHALLENGE – 2nd posting

Jobs:   
6. VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS STUDIO GRADUATE ASSISTANT – 1st posting
7. GPSS RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM CO-CHAIRS – HIRING 2 FOR 2022-23 – 1st posting

Volunteers and research participants sought:  
8. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR NUTRITION RESEARCH STUDY ON DIETARY ASSESSMENT AND WEIGHT – 2nd posting
9. RESEARCH STUDY SEEKS EXPERIENCED RIDERS OF ELECTRONIC SCOOTERS, BICYCLES, SKATEBOARD AND MONOWHEELS – 3rd posting
10. VOLUNTEER AT THE VT HORSE FARMS THIS SUMMER – 3rd posting
11. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A CONSUMER STUDY ON HARD CIDER – 3rd posting
12. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION SEEKS INPUT FROM DOCTORAL STUDENTS – 3rd posting

Upcoming Events: 
13. BIOMEDICAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SYMPOSIUM – June 3
14. BUILDING SOIL FOR A HEALTHY LIFE – June 22

 0. Ongoing Services – updated 05/9/22    

  • GRADUATE SCHOOL: In-person advising, drop-off or pick-up of documents and materials, and a space to study and take a break! Visit SHIP (120 GLC), M-F 9:00-4:00pm. If you prefer Zoom advising: request one-on-one assistantship or academic advising by using our online request form to set-up a Zoom session.
  • CAREER ADVISING: schedule career advising appointment via https://career.vt.edu/job-search/Handshake.html ; In-person drop-in advising every Wednesday, 1-4pm in the Graduate School (120 GLC).  NOTE: There will be no career advising this week or for the rest of May. Advising will resume June 1.
  • COOK COUNSELING: Drop-in Zoom hours, Tuesdays 10am-12pm and Thursdays and Fridays 3pm-5pm, Zoom links found here. To make an appointment, visit: https://vt-ucc.titaniumhwc.com/ScheduleGraduateFirstCookConnect (Students must pay the summer health fee or daily use fee which can be reimbursed through Aetna. Students must be in Virginia) 
  • WRITING CENTER SERVICES: Schedule an appointment at https://vt.mywconline.com/         
  • GRADUATE OMBUDSPERSON: contact for appointment at gradstudentombud@vt.edu, 540-231-9573

1. THE SCIENCE AND POLITICS OF JOURNAL RETRACTIONS
Wednesday, May 25, 1-2pm, Zoom
Why can’t scientific journals be honest about how much gets through peer-review that shouldn’t? Why are some papers retracted following negative publicity on social media but other papers with demonstrably bad science remain untouched? Can valuing and promoting viewpoint diversity help correct the scientific record? Join Virginia Tech Research Scientist Siddhartha Roy as he speaks with Ivan Oransky, co-founder of Retraction Watch, on research integrity, the self-correcting (?) nature of science, and the scientific and political reasons guiding or obstructing journal retractions in our COVID-19 era. Register here: http://bit.ly/retractionsevent Contact sidroy@vt.edu if you have questions.

2. GLC CAFÉ  
Thursday, May 26,  3:30-5pm, GLC Reading Room
Enjoy snacks, tea, coffee and conversation with graduate students and Graduate School staff. Bring your own mug if you can.

3. FUNDING FOR SUMMER TRAVEL (JUNE 30-SEPT. 30) AVAILABLE THROUGH GPSS – 2nd posting
If you plan to present your research at a conference from June 30-Sept. 30, apply for the Graduate and Professional Student Senate Travel Fund Program! Full-time graduate students may receive up to $750 in funds toward travel expenses, registration and fees associated with attending a virtual or in-person conference. The application is open from now until June 1 at 11:59 PM ET.. The application instructions are here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Lv1hnFCKNDjP1RH7o4_-Smj_8uMN5Gmy/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=112575221279231572067&rtpof=true&sd=true Contact Cissy Ming at cissym@vt.edu for any questions.

4. GRAD-STUDENTS-IN-ACTION PHOTOS REQUESTED – 2nd posting
The Graduate School is soliciting photos of graduate students in the lab, in the classroom in the field, etc., as illustrations of graduate student work and life for a June presentation to the Board of Visitors. If you are willing to share such photos of yourself or your work, please submit photos by email to gibsonm@vt.edu with Graduate Student Action Photo in the subject line.

5. AES ENERGY INNOVATION CHALLENGE – 2nd posting
The AES Energy Innovation Challenge is a competition that brings together teams of graduate students from diverse backgrounds to create and present a solution to a relevant problem the energy industry is facing. The prize-based competition is an opportunity for students to gain the real-world experience in accelerating the responsible energy transition while networking with leaders from a global Fortune 500 company leading the transformation to smarter, greener energy future. Team requirements: 3-5 graduate level students per team from the same University, 2+ different undergraduate or graduate disciplines. Prizes: 1st Place: $10K Cash Prize, Interview Opportunity, $1K Donation to Charity of Choice, 2nd Place: $5K Cash Prize, $1K Donation to charity of choice. Applications open in August. Learn more here: https://www.aes.com/innovation-challenge  This announcement was submitted by VT alum Natalie Koppier with support from Ron Meyers, Associate Professor of Practice  in Fish and Wildlife Conservation.

6. VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS STUDIO GRADUATE ASSISTANT – 1st posting
The goal of this position is to help maintain, support, and grow the Virtual Environments Studio in Newman Library by teaching workshops, taking consultations from faculty and students about immersive environments, managing the spaces and hardware, performing basic maintenance tasks, promoting the Virtual Environments Studio, and assisting with AR/VR related projects associated with the University Libraries. Responsibilities: performing basic maintenance/troubleshooting on the Virtual Environments Studio and its related equipment; managing the Virtual Environments Studio, including helping patrons with advanced equipment and making guides on space usage; producing material that could be used by our communications team to promote the spaces; taking VR/AR-related consultations from patrons; participating in Studios-related events; attending Studio Managers meetings; teaching workshops for the public on VR/AR related topics; assisting University Libraries-led VR/AR projects. More details, including compensation and qualifications can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_ppm12-jVx10j5-vtSJzZSxJHYhvYNmTbX6CavG0jhA/edit Application here by June 1: https://app.joinhandshake.com/emp/jobs/6397530/details Contact Jonathan Bradley at bradley1@vt.edu if you have questions.  

7. GPSS RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM CO-CHAIRS – HIRING 2 FOR 2022-23 – 1st posting
The symposium co-chairs will report directly to the Graduate and Professional Student Senate’s Director of Programs. They will be responsible for developing a symposium theme that appeals to all disciplines, recruiting student presenters from various fields and appointing faculty to judge presentations. The co-chairs will additionally select a keynote speaker, coordinate vendors for the event and manage the distribution of cash prizes for top presenters. Co-chairs will work from August 2022-end of March 2023. Start time is flexible. Time commitment is 3-5 hours per week on average, with additional hours likely as the symposium date approaches in March. Stipend available for each semester of satisfactory work. All graduate students eligible to apply. Experience with administrative tasks and large event planning is strongly preferred. Apply here by June 20: https://forms.gle/XGMr3abgjGUFUm9m8 Contact Cissy Ming if you have questions: cissym@vt.edu.

8. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR NUTRITION RESEARCH STUDY ON DIETARY ASSESSMENT AND WEIGHT – 2nd posting
Are you interested in helping researchers better measure dietary intake in participants of varying body size? Participants are needed for a study (IRB #21-588) seeking to understand how weight can affect measurements of dietary intake. You will complete three phone dietary recalls over a two-week period, attend one in-person study visit in Roanoke, VA where height, weight, and energy expenditure will be measured, complete a questionnaire asking about feelings about weight and body size, and participate in a Zoom interview about your experiences. To be eligible, you must be over 18, have a body mass index ≥25, and not be following a weight control diet. Screening survey link: https://virginiatech.questionpro.com/t/AUAl6Zrc3o If you have questions, contact Erica Howes at ericamh@vt.edu.

9. RESEARCH STUDY SEEKS EXPERIENCED RIDERS OF ELECTRONIC SCOOTERS, BICYCLES, SKATEBOARD AND MONOWHEELS – 3rd posting
The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) is seeking individuals, aged 18 to 64, who are experienced users of electric mobility devices, such as e-scooters, bicycles, skateboards, and monowheels. The study involves participating in one daytime session, lasting approximately 2.5 hours. The test session will be video recorded, and participants will be asked to complete questionnaires after each task. The project provides compensation of $75 for full participation. To learn more, contact 540-231-0988 or VTTIStudy@vtti.vt.edu. Please reference “the Balance Study”. <IRB #22-354>

10. VOLUNTEER AT THE VT HORSE FARMS THIS SUMMER – 3rd posting
Volunteer this summer at the Virginia Tech horse farms in Blacksburg. We open our program up to volunteers across campus and throughout the Blacksburg community. Volunteers assist on our feed shifts to provide care to the horse herds on either side of 460 and will learn skills such as routine handling, nutritional management and health assessment. Additional opportunities exist to work with our youngstock, shadow veterinary appointments and even help select the registered names for our 2022 foals! No prior equine experience is required! Volunteers have two options: Commit to 30 shifts between May 16 – August 21st (roughly two a week) or commit to the same two shifts every week – with the ability to request coverage from other volunteers when needed. Feed shift times are 8am and 5pm. Weekday and weekend options available. Volunteers should expect for shifts to last approximately 2 hours. View the Google Form application for more details or contact Natalie Duncan at nbduncan@vt.edu. Applications due 8 am May 13th:  VT Students, Staff & Faculty: https://forms.gle/iRq8QTtUoPQAxDFy8   Blacksburg Community: https://forms.gle/6PVkK5i7Y9acrSXA7 Volunteers must have transportation to campus farms, physically be able to lead a horse with training, and lift/push up to 50 lbs (bag of feed or a hay bale).

11. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A CONSUMER STUDY ON HARD CIDER – 3rd posting
The Sensory Evaluation Laboratory (SEL) at Virginia Tech seeks participants to evaluate hard cider (IRB 22-220). The study will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday (5/10 and 5/11) from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm. The study will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Panelists will taste 8 hard cider samples. The purpose of this study is to understand how different processing methods influence consumer preference of Virginia hard ciders. To participate in this study, you must be 21+, have previously consumed alcohol, not be allergic to apples, cider, alcohol, or fermented beverages, vaccinated against COVID-19, and not currently pregnant. https://vt.compusensecloud.com/edu/  Contact Marlon Ac-Pangan at foodsensory@vt.edu if you have questions.

12. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION SEEKS INPUT FROM DOCTORAL STUDENTS – 3rd posting
The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) within the National Science Foundation (NSF) is looking for doctoral students to participate in a research study that evaluates potential new demographic questions for the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED). All currently enrolled doctoral students are invited to complete a brief screener survey, which will help determine your eligibility for the study. NCSES’ contractor, RTI International, is conducting the study. All responses will remain private and confidential. Those who are selected to participate in the study, which is estimated to take about 60 minutes, will receive $40 as a token of appreciation for their time. The study will be conducted virtually through videoconferencing between May and July 2022. To see if you are eligible for the study, please complete the short screener survey at https://edsurveys.rti.org/sedscreen. For more information about the study, please email sed@rti.org. This opportunity was shared by Dr. Janice Austin, Graduate School.

13. BIOMEDICAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SYMPOSIUM
Friday, June 3, 9am-4pm, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute (Roanoke)
Gain knowledge and ask questions about career paths outside of academia for those with biomedical degrees. The event includes six guest speakers, with careers in pharma, biotech, government, and science policy. The event will be held in Riverside 4 on the HS&T campus with breakfast for all and lunch provided for the first 65 registrants. Parking is free! If you have questions, please email Gates Palissery (gatespalissery@vt.edu) or Maruf Hoque (mhoque2@vt.edu). Registration: https://forms.gle/qAoMpfebx14FP4Yz9  Event Details: https://rgsa.gpss.vt.edu/events/2022-biomedical-career-symposium.html

14. BUILDING SOIL FOR A HEALTHY LIFE
Wednesday, June 22, 5:40-7pm, Rising Silo Brewery, 2351 Glade Road/YouTube
Join us in-person at Rising Silo or online live on the Science on Tap NRV YouTube channel: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=876e3OrUcLQ) for a Q&A panel with soil experts, gardeners, and sustainability advocates.