Outside the Classroom
BTP trainees go above and beyond — in their coursework, in their research, in fulfilling their training requirements, and in participating in many professional development and volunteer activities within their graduate programs and across UW–Madison. Trainees embody The Wisconsin Idea, the university’s guiding principle that what happens on campus should influence people’s lives off campus.
Professional Development
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation offers the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation’s Innovation Roadmap and other programs, which focus on issues of intellectual property, small business, entrepreneurship, and responsible conduct of research. Other opportunities include those from the National Research Mentoring Network and resources from the university’s Learning and Talent Development programs. Life Sciences Career Day is a biennial event in which trainees participate to learn about career opportunities outside of academia, and BTP trainees serve as organizers of this campus-wide event along with graduate students from other programs. Information about these opportunities and events is shared with BTP trainees by program administrators.
Trainees have also connected with the Forward BIO Institute. Founded in 2018, the Forward BIO Institute works to accelerate transformation of innovative biomanufacturing-related technologies into healthcare solutions. The Institute employs industry standards and practices to accelerate translation, with a focus on milestone-driven, targeted technology development. In addition to these activities, the Institute’s workforce development efforts seek to educate and engage faculty, staff, and students throughout the process.
Education and Outreach
Other BTP trainees are involved in STEM education and outreach. Some visit local schools, while others participate in the annual Wisconsin Science Festival on campus.
Academic Networking
Many colleges and schools at UW–Madison have Graduate Research Scholar programs. They are fellowship programs on campus that offer a community of support and networking events for students in disciplines from all across campus. When not in a BTP-funded year, BTP trainees can be funded by a GRS program and take full advantage of these opportunities. Many continue with the community even after their funding ends to volunteer and participate in outreach and professional development activities.
And, thanks to the BTP travel allowance as well as funds available through the Graduate School, trainees are also able to travel to local, national, and international conferences to present posters and give oral presentations on their research.