Leading up to the Annual NIH Global Doctoral Partnerships Research Workshop (Workshop), the Class of 2022 began its new student orientation at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on July 22, 2022. They heard from current Scholars through panel discussions, learned about visas and university support, discussion training and courses, and all the necessary information to embark on their journey as doctoral students. A welcome event at Pinstripes in North Bethesda, MD included an Italian feast and introduction to bocce where the new class met current Scholars, NIH Executive Committee members, and NIH OxCam Program Leadership. Following their U.S. orientation, the new Scholars jetted off to the U.K. to continue their orientation at their affiliated universities.
The University of Cambridge Scholars arrived at Pembroke College on July 24, 2022 and explored the Fitzwilliam Museum with current Scholars. Following their museum visit, the current Scholars organized a BBQ at Darwin Island where the new Scholars had an opportunity to learn how to punt on the River Cam. Despite having novice punting skills, everyone remained dry while having a chance to get to know their classmates and peers, sharing many laughs.
The following morning, the new Scholars met with their supervisors and labs and had lunch at King’s College with NIH OxCam Leadership. Following lunch, there was a historic walking tour that included both science and ghost stories. To round out this experience, the International Biomedical Research Alliance worked with NIH OxCam alum Dr. Jason Mellad to host a mixer at his bar, The LAB.
The concept of The LAB was inspired by two scientists and friends with a dream to create a space for Cambridge’s scientific community and local science enthusiasts to informally discuss science. These friends were Dr. Jason Mellad, a healthcare venture builder CEO and NIH OxCam Class of 2004 alum, and cancer biologist professor Dr. Tony Kouzarides. They worked with GP Dr. Peter Niemczuk to set up The LAB. The LAB has become a place to host lab meetings, network, and collaborate, all whilst enjoying science-themed cocktails under portraits of the University of Cambridge’s most famous scientists.
Some 155 kilometers away, the University of Oxford Scholars in the Class of 2022 arrived at Keble College and began their orientation with a tour of the Ashmolean Museum and visited one of Europe’s oldest libraries and main research library at Oxford, the Bodleian Library on their walking tour. The incoming Scholars met with NIH OxCam leadership and current Scholars for punting on the Cherwell River and Prosecco at the Cherwell Boathouse. Enchanting historical views and ancient waterways were witnessed when the Oxford cohort punted their way toward the Thames. Like their classmates at Cambridge, they too shared plenty of laughs. The following day, the current Scholars took a stroll through Oxford with the new Scholars, culminating in a delightful dinner at Branca to welcome them to the university.
