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Mount Sinai’s Research Symposium and PhD Application Assistance and Advisory Program for Underserved Scholars (SINAI4US) aims to support and enhance the participation of individuals who have limited access to educational resources and hands-on research opportunities, lack mentorship or guidance in navigating the academic and research landscape, or are socioeconomically disadvantaged scholars. Participants will be introduced to the various programs of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) and have the opportunity to attend a PhD Application Assistance and Advisory Program (PAAAP) focused on admissions to the PhD Programs in Biomedical Sciences and Neuroscience at ISMMS. The symposium is open to undergraduates and Master's students, technicians, research associates, and non-traditional students.

Advantages of participating in SINAI4US include the opportunity to:

• Present a Lightning Talk - Participants can deliver short, focused presentations that highlight the important aspects of their research.
• Receive feedback and practice your lightning talk ahead of large conferences.
• Learn more about the science conducted by your peers.
• Benefit from Mount Sinai student and faculty mentorship in strengthening your application and thinking about next steps in your education.
• Prepare yourself for the PhD application and interview processes through individual (1:1) document feedback and a mock interview.*
• Network with faculty and students at ISMMS to build long-lasting relationships that can support you through the application process and beyond.
• Receive application fee waivers for the 2025-2026 PhD application cycle.

*Please note that the individual (1:1) document review and mock interview sessions will be subject to availability, and will take place from October 27 - November 26, 2025. Please also note that these sessions are limited to PAAAP participants applying for the 2025-26 admissions cycle of the PhD Programs in Biomedical Sciences and Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Agenda

Day One (Thursday, October 16)

11-11:05 am: Welcome and Opening Remarks, Dr. Matthew O'Connell, Senior Associate Dean for PhD Programs

11:05 am-12 pm: Introduction to Biomedical Research Graduate Degree Programs at Mount Sinai

• Master of Science in Biomedical Data Science and AI, Dr. Eric Sobie, Program Director
• Master of Science in Biomedical Science, Dr. Jose Silva, Program Director
• MD-PhD Program, Dr. Talia Swartz, Senior Associate Dean for MD-PhD Education
• PhD in Biomedical Science and Neuroscience, Dr. Matthew O’Connell, Senior Associate Dean for PhD Programs

12:00-12:30 pm: Graduate Student Support, Advising, and Career Guidance at Mount Sinai, Office of Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Affairs

• Student Affairs
• Wellness and Resilience
• Career Services and Alumni Relations

12:30-1 pm: BREAK

1-2 pm: Mount Sinai’s Trainee Lightning Talks, TBD

2-3 pm: Graduate School reception with the MTA Directors

Day Two (Friday, October 17)

11 am-1 pm: PhD Application Assistance and Advisory Program (PAAAP), Dr. Matthew O’Connell, Senior Associate Dean for PhD Programs

• 11-11:15 am: Holistic applications and admissions
• 11:20-11:45 am: Preparation of core application documents
• 11:50 am-12:05 pm: Preparing for an interview
• 12:10-1 pm: A panel discussion on applying and interviewing for the Graduate School with current PhD students

1-1:30 pm: BREAK

1:30-3 pm: Participants’ Lightning Talks, TBD

3-3:05 pm: Closing Remarks, Dr. Matthew O’Connell

3:05-4:05 pm: Social Event