Graduate school rarely follows a straight path. How do you choose the right training environment, build meaningful mentoring relationships, and prepare for a career you may not have imagined?In this compilation episode of The Next Step, University of Rochester Medicine alumni share five lessons from their own journeys. Hear from John Lueck, PhD; Shoshana Katzman, PhD; Michael Chen, PhD; Bo Hoon Le, MD; and Makaia Papasergi-Scott, PhD, on finding the right fit, recognizing your transferable skills, and navigating unexpected change.

Thinking about teaching after your PhD? Start here.University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry alumni Jennifer Newell-Caito, PhD, and Shoshana Katzman, PhD, share how they built careers in higher education after graduate school. They discuss discovering a passion for teaching, balancing research expectations with career goals, gaining meaningful teaching experience, and what hiring committees are really looking for.Along the way, they talk student-centered learning, the growing role of artificial intelligence in education, and offer practical advice for graduate students and postdocs who are considering a future in the classroom.Whether you've always wanted to teach or are just beginning to explore career paths beyond the lab, this conversation offers an honest look at what it takes to build a career in higher education.Jennifer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-newell-caito-207me/Shoshana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shoshana-katzman-2798961/

Michael Chen, PhD came to the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry with all intentions of being a full time teacher. After earning his PhD in Health Services Research & Policy, he landed a tenure-track faculty position and began the career he had always envisioned.

Then came the pandemic, and his career trajectory changed.In this episode of The Next Step, Michael joins faculty co-host Chris Seplaki, PhD to reflect on graduate school, mentorship, teaching through COVID-19, and the difficult decision to leave academia. He shares how the research, communication, and problem-solving skills he developed during his PhD prepared him for an unexpected career in civic technology, where he now helps evaluate AI-powered tools designed to connect people with public benefits and essential services.

Along the way, the conversation explores the value of mentors, the importance of transferable skills, and why a PhD can prepare you for opportunities that may not even exist when you begin graduate school.

Health Services Research & Policy PhD program: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/education/graduate/phd/health-services-research-policy

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hellomchen/

John Lueck, PhD, associate professor of Pharmacology & Physiology, shares the winding path that led him from graduate school uncertainty and career setbacks to leading cutting-edge research in RNA therapeutics and genetic disease.

Lueck reflects on nearly leaving academia after a difficult postdoctoral experience, applying to countless industry jobs, and ultimately finding new momentum through mentorship, collaboration, and translational science.

Along the way, he discusses the realities of academic careers, persistence in research, and the importance of building supportive scientific communities.

Joining the conversation as faculty co-host is Charles Thornton, MD, professor of Neurology, who brings additional perspective on physician-scientist training, translational research, and developing therapies for genetic disease.

Lueck Lab: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/labs/lueck

Pharm/Phys PhD program: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/education/graduate/phd/pharmacology-and-physiology

Charles Thornton: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/people/112358557-charles-a-thornton

What can you do with a PhD beyond academia?Derek Crowe, PhD, a graduate of our biomedical genetics program, shares how he transitioned into data science and now helps cities use data to make better policy decisions at the Bloomberg Center for Government Excellence.He discusses how skills developed during graduate training, like problem-solving, data analysis, and scientific thinking, translate to new fields, and why finding the right team and environment mattered more than the job title itself.Derek also speaks candidly about navigating challenges during grad school and offers perspective for trainees figuring out their own next steps.

Biomedical Genetics PhD program: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/education/graduate/phd/biomedical-genetics-and-genomics

Derek on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekbcrowe/

In this episode of The Next Step Podcast, we sit down with Bo Hoon Lee, MD, child neurologist and associate director for the Child Neurology Residency program at the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, to talk about what it really means to design a career that fits.Bo shares how she built a role that blends clinical care, clinical trials research, and teaching without forcing herself into a traditional 80/20 academic model. She reflects on the mentors who shaped her path, the importance of learning when to say no, and how writing down where her time was actually going helped her realign her work with her values.We also discuss how to intentionally insert yourself into opportunities, how to build strong mentor–mentee relationships, and why defining your own version of success is critical in academic medicine.If you have broad interests, are questioning how to narrow your focus, or are trying to imagine what a sustainable, fulfilling career in medicine can look like. Bo's story is a reminder that you don’t have to choose just one lane. You can shape medicine to fit you.

Chapters00:00 Introduction to Bo's Journey02:24 The Influence of Mentorship in Medicine05:08 Choosing Rochester: A Personal Journey07:41 Balancing Clinical Care, Research, and Teaching10:30 The Importance of Time Management and Prioritization12:59 Navigating Career Paths in Medicine15:33 The Role of Clinical Trials in Pediatric Neurology18:07 Building Strong Mentor-Mentee Relationships20:41 Teaching and Mentoring the Next Generation23:05 Defining Success in a Medical Career25:25 Advice for Aspiring Medical Professionals

More about Dr. Lee: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/people/112360810-bo-hoon-leeChild Neurology Residency Program: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/education/graduate-medical-education/prospective-residents/child-neurology

In this episode of The Next Step, we sit down with Makaia Papasergi-Scott, PhD, assistant professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, as well as Pharmacology and Physiology, to talk about what happens when a carefully imagined career path doesn’t unfold the way you expect.Makaia shares her journey through graduate school, postdoctoral training, and into a research career shaped by obstacles, difficult decisions, and moments of uncertainty. Along the way, she reflects on the personal and professional challenges she faced, the mentors and community members who helped guide her, and how she learned to stay open to new directions—including teaching, emerging research technologies, and leadership opportunities.This conversation is especially relevant for prospective and current trainees who may be questioning their next steps, rethinking long-term goals, or wondering whether it’s okay to change course. Makaia’s story is a reminder that career paths in science and academic medicine are often nonlinear—and that growth can come from the unexpected turns.Topics covered include:00:00 Introduction and Makaia’s Career Background02:23 Early Inspirations and Initial Career Goals07:44 Navigating Challenges in Graduate School11:44 Major Decisions and Personal Struggles17:44 Finding Support Through Community and Mentorship20:00 Exploring Teaching as a Career Path23:24 Postdoctoral Training and Research Focus26:09 Looking Back on Unexpected Career Turns29:50 Rediscovering Passion in Scientific Research33:10 How Cryo-EM Is Changing Modern Science40:08 What It Takes to Build a Cryo-EM Center43:10 The Growing Pains of Running a Research Lab46:00 Advice for Trainees Facing Career TransitionsMore about Makaia: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/people/112365117-makaia-papasergiPapasergi-Scott Lab: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/labs/papasergi-scott

Colleen Fogarty, MD, MSc, chair of Family Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center, joins us for a conversation that blends creativity, reflection, and the realities of rural healthcare.Colleen talks about how 55-word stories can help trainees and clinicians pause, reflect, and make sense of the moments that define their work. These short narratives become powerful tools for learning, writing, and self-understanding.We also discuss her recent research on rural physician shortages, including why the decline is accelerating, what her team uncovered in the national data, and how new rural training pathways at URMC aim to strengthen the primary care workforce.The episode ends with Colleen reading one of her published 55-word stories—Blue Velvet—a powerful example of how concise writing can illuminate the human side of medicine.Colleen completed residency here at URMC in 1996.Links mentioned in this episode:A piece of my mind. The stories: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.283.15.1934Fifty-five Word Stories: “Small Jewels” for Personal Reflection and Teaching: https://howlround.com/sites/default/files/55%20word%20stories%20reference%20by%20Fogarty%20CT.pdfFamily Physician Workforce Trends: The Toll on Rural Communities, Colleen T. Fogarty, Hoon Byun and Alison N. Huffstetler: https://www.annfammed.org/content/23/6/535Physician Shortage in Rural Areas of the U.S. Worsened Since 2017: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/physician-shortage-in-rural-areas-of-the-u-s-worsened-since-2017More about Colleen: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/people/112358775-colleen-t-fogartyColleen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-fogarty-057570111/

In this conversation, immunologist and science communicator Aimee Pugh Bernard '01M (PhD) reflects on her path from academic research to public engagement.She discusses the evolving role of scientists as communicators, the barriers that keep research from reaching the public, and the power of collaboration and digital platforms to close that gap.Dr. Bernard shares practical guidance for trainees on developing communication skills and embedding outreach within their scientific careers.Links Aimee mentioned:Science Bites: https://sciencebites.org/Science Homecoming: https://sciencehomecoming.com/Unbiased Science: https://www.unbiasedscience.com/

In the latest episode of The Next Step, Alejandro Vera '23M (MS) shares his journey from the Bay Area to Rochester, where he discovered his passion for health humanities and bioethics.We talk about why this field is so important for connecting science, medicine, and the human experience, and how the program shaped his graduate education path.Alejandro also shares how taking a year after graduation to pause and write his story gave him clarity heading into his PhD at The University of Texas Medical Branch, and why meeting people and building connections has been one of the most valuable lessons along the way.Health Humanities and Bioethics master's program: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/education/graduate/masters-degrees/health-humanities-and-bioethics