Achievement

Our IGERT has committed to and found independent funding to support a 3-day summer retreat for all IGERT trainees, their mentors, the IGERT leadership team (PI and Co-Is), and two external, internationally known, researchers in healthy aging. During the retreat students meet as a group to discuss goals for the coming year, meet with their mentors and the PI to monitor progress through the program, and have an opportunity to present their research ideas to the group and receive feedback on their ideas from IGERT faculty and the external scholars in attendance. This in-depth interaction over 3 days allows for deeper understanding of research approaches outside of the students' own disciplinary areas, strengthens supportive relationships with students in the cohort as well as faculty, and establishes familiarity with outstanding researchers outside of our university. These may be important for career placements and postdoctoral opportunities in the future.