Students in the Whiddon College of Medicine’s Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program have selected new officers to lead the BMS Graduate Student Society for the upcoming year. The newly elected leadership team aims to strengthen student engagement, promote professional development, and foster a supportive academic community across the graduate program.
The officers reflected on their motivations for serving and shared their goals for the year ahead:
Sicily Hardy, President “This year, I decided to run for president of the BMS Graduate Student Society because I’m passionate about fostering both academic growth and a sense of community among our students. Throughout my time here, I’ve seen how much students accomplish. I want to continue and strengthen the Graduate Research Forum as a space where students can proudly share their work with one another, connect with faculty and PIs, and gain valuable feedback that supports their professional development. In addition, I hope to expand our professional development opportunities by hosting events focused on preparing for life after a Ph.D. This includes sessions on exploring different career paths, developing effective resumes and CVs, and building the skills needed to succeed in both academic and non-academic environments. Beyond promoting academics, I also want to prioritize student well-being. Graduate school can be an isolating experience, and I believe that creating opportunities for us to come together, through social gatherings and wellness events, can make a difference. My goal is to build a supportive, inclusive environment where every student feels heard, valued, and represented.”
“I will focus on expanding visibility, strengthening student-faculty engagement, and building events, like our Graduate Research Forum, that truly reflect the excellence of our program. Most importantly, I’m committed to transparency, collaboration, and making sure every student feels represented.”
Shovon Lal Sarkar, Secretary “I’m truly honored to serve as secretary for the Graduate Student Society of the Basic Medical Sciences. This is an incredible opportunity to lead and inspire our community. Together, we can build a stronger, more connected, and supportive environment, grounded in our diverse backgrounds, where every voice matters. Let’s embrace new opportunities, foster collaboration, and elevate our organization to new heights this year. I believe in our collective potential, and I’m excited to embark on this journey with all of you!”
Jonathan Cortez, Treasurer “I am an organized and highly efficient person with several years of experience in planning charity and celebratory events for various occasions. These skills will allow me to contribute effectively to our cohort’s event planning by generating creative ideas that benefit everyone while maximizing our budget. My goal is to ensure that every event we host is planned meticulously and makes the best use of our resources, so all students gain the most value possible. I will bring a structured and detail-oriented approach to organizing events, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently for the benefit of all cohort members.”
Rajarshi Banerjee, Wellness Director “My goal is to build an environment where productivity grows, and success comes with peace of mind. Pursuing a Ph.D. is an incredibly rewarding journey, but it also comes with a set of unique challenges, like long hours, uncertainty and the idea of producing something novel. As someone who is part of that academic life and understands the journey, I am deeply committed to promoting a culture where wellness is not just an afterthought but a foundation of both mental and academic success. I want to work hard to ensure that every student in the program feels supported mentally, emotionally and socially. I am a big advocate of work-life balance and want to foster that with my position and create initiatives that build genuine community among Ph.D. students. My aim is to organize wellness events, peer support groups, and networking with experts in the field to aim for both academic and professional wellness as well as social and community wellness as Ph.D. students.”
