This Week’s Events:
0. Ongoing Services – updated 9/21/20
1. PERSIAN MYSTICAL CONTRIBUTION TO HUMANITY’S SPIRITUAL JOURNEY IN THE 21ST CENTURY
2. SELF-CARE BAGS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS
3. “HEAVEN: I TOURED THERE” PART TWO WEBINAR
4. STARTING YOUR ETD
5. WOMEN AND GENDER IN INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT DISCUSSION SERIES
6. GLC CAFÉ
7. GENERAL BODY MEETING: SCIENCE POLICY EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY CLUB AT VT
8. SCIENCE ON TAP: HA HA! SCIENCE COMEDY NIGHT WITH KASHA PATEL
Administrative Announcements:
9. DIVERSITY SCHOLAR PROGRAM APPLICATION IS OPEN – 1st posting
10. CULTURAL ACHIEVEMENT CEREMONY FOR ASIAN/ASIAN AMERICAN GRADUATES – 1stposting
11. GRAD 5024 DATA MANAGEMENT SKILLS COURSE OFFERED FOR SPRING 2021 – 2nd posting
12. INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH HONOR SOCIETY FALL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS – 3rd posting
Jobs:
13. GRADUATE STUDENT WAGE POSITION OPENING IN OFFICE FOR INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY – 3rd posting
Volunteers and research participants sought:
14. HEALTHY DOGS NEEDED FOR HEART STUDY – 1st posting
15. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR HNFE RESEARCH STUDY – 2nd posting
16. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR RESEARCH STUDY ON EXOSKELETONS – 3rd posting
17. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR COVID-10 CONTACT TRACING SURVEY – 3rd posting
Upcoming Events:
18. GRADUATE STUDENT GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING – Dec. 3
0. Ongoing Services – updated 9/21/20
· GRADUATE SCHOOL ADVISING: No walk-in advising during Fall 2020. Request one-on-one assistantship or academic advising by using our online request form to set-up a Zoom session.
· CAREER ADVISING: schedule virtual career advising appointment via https://career.vt.edu/job-search/Handshake.html
· COOK COUNSELING: Drop-in Zoom hours, 1-5pm Thursdays and Fridays, Zoom links found here.
· WRITING CENTER SERVICES: Schedule an appointment at https://vt.mywconline.com/
· GRADUATE OMBUDSPERSON: contact for appointment at gradstudentombud@vt.edu, 540-231-9573
1. PERSIAN MYSTICAL CONTRIBUTION TO HUMANITY’S SPIRITUAL JOURNEY IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Tuesday, November 17, 5:30pm, Online
Students in Common Ground and Synergy invite you to an interfaith talk: Persian Mystical Contribution to Humanity’s Spiritual Journey in the 21st Century. This is part of a series of initiatives that are approaching topics from a variety of religious and non-religious perspectives. RSVP at dos.vt.edu/persiancontribution. Open for students, faculty, staff & community members. Sponsored by the Dean of Students Office.
2. SELF-CARE BAGS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS
Wednesday, November 18, 2-4pm, GLC Lobby
Stop by the GLC Lobby and pick-up a self-care bag that the GLC Fellows put together in hopes of reminding students to relax, be well, and take good care of yourself. Bags are first-come, first-served and include pre-packaged snack items, hand sanitizer, tea, chapstick and much more.
3. “HEAVEN: I TOURED THERE” PART TWO WEBINAR
Wednesdays November 18, 5:30-7pm, Zoom
In 2006 Dean Braxton died for 1 hr 45 mins while in a Seattle hospital. But he miraculously returned after the relentless prayers of his wife. “It’s not about if I died, the doctors proved that. It’s about where I went when I died,” Dean says. Author of two books on Heaven and nationally known speaker, Dean Braxton will do this second free webinar for Intervarsity Graduate Christian Fellowship. We invite you to come and hear an incredible testimony about the after-life. Q & Session included. Registration is at www.gcfvt.org.
4. STARTING YOUR ETD
Wednesday, November 18, 7pm, Zoom
Learn how to format and structure your Electronic Theses or Dissertation (ETD) so that you can submit it after your defense and best meet Graduate School formatting guidelines. This presentation is aimed at students in the early stages of writing their thesis or dissertation but is relevant to students at any stage of the process. Zoom link: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/83655463064 Email grads@vt.ed if you have questions.
5. WOMEN AND GENDER IN INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT DISCUSSION SERIES
Thursday, November 19, 12:30-1:30pm, Online
“Towards a politics of mobility and women’s empowerment: the case of self-help groups in India” with Dr. Carly Nichols from the University of Iowa. Click here to register. The WGD Discussion Series is organized by the Center for International Research, Education, and Development (CIRED) and is an InclusiveVT initiative of Outreach and International Affairs (OIA). The series offers an opportunity for scholars and development practitioners to share their research and knowledge surrounding gender and international development with the Virginia Tech community and beyond. Learn more about the series here: WGD Discussion Series
6. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, November 19, 4:00pm, Zoom https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/97678968202
While the pandemic put a stop to our in-person café, we want to keep the GLC café running so that students may continue to meet informally and share their experiences. Make yourself a cup of tea or coffee and join fellow grads and Grad School staff for some casual conversation and the occasional game. If you have questions or concerns about this event, email Monika Gibson at gibsonm@vt.edu.
7. GENERAL BODY MEETING: SCIENCE POLICY EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY CLUB AT VT
Thursday, November 19, 5-6 pm EST, Zoom
Curious about science policy? Join us for our November meeting! Dr. Lauren Brinkley-Rubinstein will be leading a discussion on equity in public health during COVID times. Lauren Brinkley-Rubinstein, PhD, is an assistant professor of social medicine at the UNC School of Medicine and an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Health Behavior. She is also a core faculty member in the UNC Center for Health Equity Research. Dr. Brinkley-Rubinstein’s research focuses on how incarceration can impact health outcomes. Look forward to meeting with you all this month! Please register here: https://forms.gle/CWEfuRwWAdzbbh9C9. For more information or to join our Listserv, email speacvt@gmail.com. Also connect with us on Twitter and Facebook (@speacvt).
8. SCIENCE ON TAP: HA HA! SCIENCE COMEDY NIGHT WITH KASHA PATEL
Thursday, November 19, 5:30pm, Online
NASA Earth Observatory communicator by day, science comedian by night! Please join us for a performance by comedian Kasha Patel followed by a conversation about comedy in communicating science. This is an online event and registration is required.
9. DIVERSITY SCHOLAR PROGRAM APPLICATION IS OPEN – 1st posting
Diversity scholars are graduate students who specialize in and advocate for the awareness, knowledge, and skills associated with diversity and inclusion in the Graduate School and the greater community. Nominations are due by December 8th. Applications are due by December 15th. More info at https://graduateschool.vt.edu/about/diversity/diversity-scholars.html
10, CULTURAL ACHIEVEMENT CEREMONY FOR ASIAN/ASIAN AMERICAN GRADUATES – 1st posting
Every semester, the Asian American Student Union and the Asian Cultural Engagement Center host a cultural achievement ceremony for graduating members of the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) community. If you are graduating this semester, please fill out this survey (https://rb.gy/ixchmz) to let us know how you would like to celebrate your accomplishments! For questions, contact Dr. Ha at nha@vt.edu.
11. GRAD 5024 DATA MANAGEMENT SKILLS COURSE OFFERED FOR SPRING 2021 – 2nd posting
Improve your data management skills towards your thesis/dissertation! Learn about the importance and benefits of data management including creating a data management plan. Data organization, policies, documentation, storage, ethics, access, security, analytical tools, grant requirements (proposal and post- award), proper attribution, archiving, other issues and topics related to data in scholarly communication.
8-week course, 1-credit. Pass/ Fail Only. Pre: Graduate Standing.
12. INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH HONOR SOCIETY FALL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS – 3rd posting
Do you do Interdisciplinary Research? Join other researchers and a wide network of alumni by applying to the Interdisciplinary Research Honors Society, Iota Delta Rho (or IDR). We foster interdisciplinary research and networking here at Virginia Tech and out in the real world. Applications are open until November 30. Apply here: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_blTeV21TJGIFISV
13. GRADUATE STUDENT WAGE POSITION OPENING IN OFFICE FOR INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY – 3rd posting
The Office for Inclusion and Diversity is seeking a graduate student for a student wage position to support equity and inclusion efforts for the disability community at Virginia Tech. The position will include 20 hours per week at a rate of $20 per hour. Compensation for the position does not include tuition or fees. The successful candidate should have an interest and working knowledge of diversity and inclusion efforts, especially those relative to the disability community. Candidates identifying with the disability community are strongly encouraged to apply. Responsibilities include but are not limited to supporting Disability Alliance and Caucus initiatives, managing the disability community commencement ceremony, and other projects as assigned by Chief of Staff for Inclusion and Diversity. Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest and CV to Stacey Wilkerson, Chief of Staff, Inclusion and Diversity at stacey9@vt.edu.
14. HEALTHY DOGS NEEDED FOR HEART STUDY – 1st posting
The Veterinary Clinical Research Office if seeking healthy dogs to compare to a clinical population of dogs affected by mitral valve disease. To enroll, dogs must be 1-5 years old, weigh 3-25 kg/ 7-55 lbs, be free of systemic disease, such as diabetes, Cushing’s, kidney disease and heart disease. Dogs will undergo a standard cardiac examination, including echocardiography, at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Blacksburg, VA. Then we will obtain some three-dimensional images of the mitral valve of your dog’s heart. These procedures are non-invasive, but may require a small area of fur on your dog’s chest to be shaved. Appointments should take less than an hour. The visit and echocardiographic examination is free of charge. To schedule a study appointment, please call Mindy Quigley on 540-231-1363 or email mindyq@vt.edu.
15. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR HNFE RESEARCH STUDY – 2nd posting
Volunteers needed (particularly males) for a study looking at the relationship between your attitudes and perceptions about food and your health habits. You may be eligible to participate if you are: age 18 years or older, living in southwestern, VA, able to carry out usual activities of daily living (e.g., household activities), have internet access through a mobile phone, computer or tablet and not living in a dorm. Individuals with in-depth professional training in culinary arts (e.g., Chef) are not eligible for this study. This study will require 4 online sessions, with a total time commitment of ~2-4 hours. One session (using online surveys) will take place at your convenience. Three sessions will be scheduled with the study staff via email and will take place using video conferencing or phone call. You may receive information about your dietary intake, and you will receive a $20 gift card after completion of all study sessions. If you meet the above requirements and are interested, please contact Katelyn by email at: kbarks@vt.edu
16. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR RESEARCH STUDY ON EXOSKELETONS – 3rd posting
Participants are needed for a study assessing the effectiveness of wearable assistive devices. Requirements: male or female, age 18-55 years; have no current or recent history of musculoskeletal disorders that limit daily activities; due to device fit, waist must be 26” to 46”, torso length 14.5” to 23”; of note, you’ll be asked to bring your shorts and t-shirt/sports bra. Participants will be asked to perform a series of overhead tasks without and with three exoskeletons: (1) Static simulated drilling with a hand tool; (2) Dynamic simulated handwork. We will monitor muscle activity throughout this study. We will video record the sessions, but these videos will only be viewed by researchers on this study. One training session and two experimental sessions are required to complete this study (~3 hours each). Compensation: $10/hour. Participation is voluntary and confidential. This study is conducted in an Occupational Biomechanics and Ergonomics lab in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. Research protocols have been approved by the VT IRB (#16-1138). If interested, please email or call/text Denean Kelson at denean@vt.edu (225-717-0239).
17. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR COVID-10 CONTACT TRACING SURVEY – 3rd posting
Researchers from ECE@VT are looking for participants in an online survey on questions related to digital contact tracing apps. The goal of this study is to gain your opinion about digital contact tracing apps, which can help us to produce design guidelines for futuristic contact tracing app that can be well accepted by the general public. This survey only contains 12 questions and will take around 15 minutes. Here is the link to the survey: https://forms.gle/MGjSQLH9tXFudB1V8. The participant will be included in a drawing for a $20 gift card with a selected odds of one in 100. To be eligible to participate in the study, you must be at least 18 years old and able to give consent. If you have any questions about the study, please contact Xiang Cheng (xiangcheng@vt.edu). This experiment has been reviewed, as required, by the Virginia Tech Institutional Review Board under protocol #20-349.
Upcoming events:
18. GRADUATE STUDENT GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING
Thursday, December 3, 5:30-7:00pm, Online via Zoom.
As a graduate student enrolled at Virginia Tech, you’re automatically a member of GSA. Of course, this means that you’re welcome to attend any and all of our General Assembly Meetings. These meetings are not just for delegates – there is an open forum for our community to voice concerns of which the delegate body may not be aware. Please use the RSVP link on our website to indicate your attendance. Meeting starts at 5:30pm. More information about the organization can be found online at http://bit.ly/GSA_Gen_Assembly.