The Scientific Leadership Development Program is an innovative online resource supported by The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Available at no cost to all postdoctoral fellows and PhD students in years two and above, our aim is to empower every participant to take control of their professional and personal development by offering opportunities to practice skills needed to launch and manage a successful career.  

We recognize that every individual’s needs are different, which is why we have designed the Scientific Leadership Development Program in a modular format, allowing participants to build their own personalized training program. The modules are also virtual and asynchronous, meaning they are accessible on-demand from anywhere, ensuring that everyone can engage at their own convenience.

Centered on three educational pillars, the Scientific Leadership Development Program focuses on:

• Building skills for a successful PhD or postdoctoral experience, such as scientific writing and presentation techniques
• Cultivating transferable soft skills, such as teamwork and leadership, applicable to both the PhD/postdoctoral experience and beyond
• Supporting the full spectrum of career exploration—we understand that some of our participants are interested in becoming PIs, while others want to land in industry or research-adjacent roles such as teaching, medical writing, or consulting

To facilitate all of the above, participants can expect to hear from a range of speakers, from internal experts to leaders outside of Mount Sinai. Those enrolled in our learning modules will also build connections with their peers through discussions and case studies, all while practicing these critical skills.

As a former postdoc at Mount Sinai, I am dedicated to ensuring that every participant of the Scientific Leadership Development Program feels supported in their career path at The Graduate School. We welcome your questions and feedback and look forward to you joining our program.

Giovanna Collu, PhD
Director, Scientific Leadership Development Program
Assistant Professor, Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai