Created with the goal of brings together current graduate students and postdocs with local Ph.D. and Postdoctoral alumni who hold positions in a variety of professions, the UCI Graduate Professional Success in the Biomedical Sciences (GPS-BIOMED) Alumni Mentor Program is a first of its kind program at the university. Launched this Spring, by GPS-BIOMED director David Fruman, Ph.D., Professor of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, the program seeks to help its participants through a series of on-campus meetings, at which mentors and mentees are encouraged to discuss job opportunities and how to prepare for career transitions.

19 alumni mentors volunteered for the launch of the program, with the majority representing Bio Sci, and GPS-BIOMED is thrilled to offer them a chance to give back to UCI by sharing their experiences and wisdom with young scientists.

“This program is very important (for current students) and I’m happy to be a part of it,” mentioned Kevin Liang, Ph.D., UCI Neurobiology and Behavior alumnus and mentor.

“I was impressed by how professional and poised the mentees were,” shared Erica Smith, Ph.D., UCI Neurobiology and Behavior alumnus and mentor.

Professor Fruman and GPS-BIOMED Associate Director Emma N. Flores, Ph.D., have received additional support for the program from Graduate Division. For more details on how to become an alumni mentor, please contact: Emma Flores, eflores@uci.edu.