Education & Seminars
Our members are active member of the Feinberg community, speaking at and participating in a number of educational events around campus on a variety of epigentics-related topics.
Use the tabs below to browse listings of upcoming genetics-related seminars and events. For a schedule of additional Northwestern University and Feinberg School of Medicine events, visit the Feinberg Medical School Event Calendar or PlanIt Purple.
Apr
10
SQE Forum on Biochemistry, Epigenetics, and Metabolism (BEaM)
Chicago - 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
The BEaM Forum is a data group where Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics members present ongoing work being conducted. It is a great opportunity to get feedback on your work from colleagues, and to make new connections and foster new collaborations within the Institute.
Our forum will normally be held every other week from 3:00-4:00 p.m. Presenters will give a 20-minute talk with 10 minutes for discussion and questions. We welcome presentation from students, techs, postdocs, and PIs. Presenting work-in-progress is always encouraged!
Cookies and coffee provided.
Presenter:
Evan Couser, Graduate Student, Eichner Lab, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics: "Determining LKB1-specific Mechanisms of Therapeutic Resistance in NSCLC"
May
14
SQE Lectureship Series with Hilary Coller, PhD
Chicago - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
The Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics presents:
Hilary Coller, PhD
Professor of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology
University of California, Los Angeles
May
15
SQE Forum on Biochemistry, Epigenetics, and Metabolism (BEaM)
Chicago - 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
The BEaM Forum is a data group where Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics members present ongoing work being conducted. It is a great opportunity to get feedback on your work from colleagues, and to make new connections and foster new collaborations within the Institute.
Our forum will normally be held every other week from 3:00-4:00 p.m. Presenters will give a 20-minute talk with 10 minutes for discussion and questions. We welcome presentation from students, techs, postdocs, and PIs. Presenting work-in-progress is always encouraged!
Cookies and coffee provided.
Presenter:
Elly Yeom, PhD Candidate, Neurology/Savas Lab: "Small Nucleolar RNA Binding Protein Longevity as a Point of Vulnerability in Aging"
Apr
02
BMG Seminar: Bess Frost, PhD
Chicago - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
The Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics presents:
Bess Frost, PhD
Salame-Feraud Director, Center for Alzheimer's Disease Research
Professor of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry
Professor of Brain Science, Brown University
Presentation:
Retrotransposon Activation in Neurodegenerative Tauopathies: From Bench to Bedside
Abstract:
“Almost half of the human genome is composed of retrotransposons, viral-like genetic elements that are normally silenced by constitutive heterochromatin. Dr. Frost and colleagues have discovered that retrotransposons become activated in Alzheimer's disease and related "tauopathies," and that pathogenic forms of tau protein drive retrotransposon activation. This seminar will review the history of this discovery, ongoing work related to retrotransposon-induced innate immune activation in tauopathy, and data from a recent clinical trial targeting retrotransposon activation in participants with mild cognitive impairment due to suspected Alzheimer's disease.”
Host: Iris Titos-Vivancos, PhD
Refreshments will be served.
Apr
23
BMG Seminar: Christopher Cowan, PhD
Chicago - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
The Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics presents:
Christopher Cowan, PhD
Professor and Chair, Dept. of Neuroscience
Presentation:
Cell and Molecular Mechanisms Shaping Relapse-Like Drug Seeking
Abstract:
Host: Iris Titos-Vivancos, PhD
Refreshments will be served.
Mar
31
Goldwater Scholarship information session
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Join the Office of Fellowships to learn more about the Goldwater Scholarship. The Goldwater Scholarship is the most prestigious national award given to undergraduate sophomores and juniors who plan to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering. In this info session we will review the award benefits, nomination process, and the application. Registration is required to attend.
Mar
31
Microbiology-Immunology Seminar Series: Dr. Akira Ono, PhD
Chicago - 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
Title: HIV-1 Assembly and Spread — Roles Played by Plasma Membrane Acidic Phospholipids and tRNAs
Description: HIV-1 particle assembly, driven by the viral structural polyprotein Gag, occurs specifically at the plasma membrane (PM). Localization of Gag to the PM is regulated by two negatively charged molecules, a PM phospholipid PI(4,5)P2 and tRNA, both of which bind the same region of Gag. In this seminar, I will discuss the mechanism by which the Gag-lipid interaction modulates the spread of progeny virions through incorporation of T cell transmembrane proteins such as CD43, CD44, and PSGL-1. In addition, I plan to discuss our recent findings on Gag binding to different classes of tRNAs, which also modulates the virion infectivity. Since the interactions of viral proteins with negatively charged molecules are commonly seen in assembly of a range of viruses, better understanding of these interactions may inform new and broad antiviral strategies.
Apr
01
Fulbright Study/Research/Arts Awards Information meeting
Evanston - 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Interested in Fulbright Study/Research & Arts Awards? Attend this meeting to learn how Fulbright can transform your life and pursuits. You will hear about the history of the Fulbright program, understand the core values that animate the Fulbright competition, review various kinds of awards, and hear about the Northwestern University application process and timeline. Get all your Fulbright questions answered!
Campus Deadline – Tuesday, Sept. 1st, 2026
Apr
01
CDB Trainee Seminar Series - Ajay Abraham
Chicago - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Cell & Developmental Biology (CDB) Trainee Seminar Series
"Mitochondrial complex-III and B cell responses"
Ajay Abraham,
Research Associate, Shukla Lab
12:00 - 1:00 PM
Simpson Querrey Auditorium 1-230
Simpson & Kimberly Querrey Biomedical Center
303 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
The department meets every first and third Wednesday from 12:00 to 1:00 PM to enjoy a presentation from a research trainee (postbacc, pre-, post-doctoral fellow, etc). Meetings usually take place at Simpson Querry Auditorium, with some exceptions.
Calendar invites with the meeting location are disseminated in advance. Please contact cdb@northwestern.edu for more information or sign-up to our event listserv at https://forms.office.com/r/5X7DWBqXUq
Apr
03
FCVRRI Research in Progress Seminar - Alex Choi and Annissa Aamoum
Chicago - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Talk title: Lumenal Flow is Necessary for Proximal Tubule Maturation
Apr
03
Bacterial Journal Club
Chicago - 1:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Speaker: Osamudiamen Ebohon
Description: Bacteriology Journal Club is a forum for the presentation of original research-in-progress and for scholarly discussion of recently published papers in bacteriology
Apr
07
Fulbright Study/Research/Arts Awards Information meeting
Evanston - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Interested in Fulbright Study/Research & Arts Awards? Attend this meeting to learn how Fulbright can transform your life and pursuits. You will hear about the history of the Fulbright program, understand the core values that animate the Fulbright competition, review various kinds of awards, and hear about the Northwestern University application process and timeline. Get all your Fulbright questions answered!
Campus Deadline – Tuesday, Sept. 1st, 2026
Apr
07
STEM tuition support fellowships for rising first-year graduate students
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Are you planning to apply to or will be enrolled in a STEM focused graduate program in Fall 2026? If so, please join us to learn about fellowships that fund STEM graduate programs for first year graduate students. In this session we will primarily discuss application guidelines for the NSF GRFP, NDSEG and Hertz fellowships. These fellowships are open to undergraduate seniors, baccalaureate holders not currently enrolled in a graduate program, and first-year graduate students. Registration is required.
Apr
07
University Practicum | Featured Speaker: Understanding and Amplifying Student Motivation with Mesmin Destin (2026 Spring)
Online - 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Understanding and Amplifying Student Motivation with Mesmin Destin
moderated by Veronica Womack
Drawing from field experiments and psychological theory, social psychologist and Northwestern professor Mesmin Destin offers insights into how educators can foster environments that embrace students' backgrounds to support their persistence and well-being.
This live virtual event (open to Northwestern University faculty, staff, postdocs, and graduate students) kicks off each iteration of the 2026 University Practicum on The Science of How Students Learn.
This event will NOT be recorded.
Apr
07
Microbiology-Immunology Seminar Series: Dr. Rahm Gummuluru, PhD
Chicago - 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
Title: How the innate immune system senses HIV-1 Infection and what the virus does to escape detection?
Description: In this seminar, I’ll focus on the innate immune mechanisms that detect late steps in the HIV-1 life cycle. I’ll discuss some recent findings from my laboratory that identify viral RNA expression and virion assembly as steps that are susceptible to innate immune sensing and will highlight virus innovations that result in virus evasion from these sensing mechanisms.
Apr
08
CDB Experts in the Field - Sua Myong, PhD.
Chicago - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
CDB Experts-in-the-field Seminar Series
“FUS in stress granule & FUS as nanoclusters”
Sua Myong, PhD.
Professor
Dept. of Pediatrics; Program for Cellular Molecular Medicine
Boston Children's Hospital; Harvard Medical School
https://biophysics.fas.harvard.edu/people/sua-myong-she-her-hers
Wednesday, March 8th, 2026
12:00pm to 1:00pm
Simpson-Querrey Auditorium 1-230
Simpson & Kimberly Querrey Biomedical Center
303 E. Superior St. Chicago, Illinois, 60611
Host:
Wilton Snead PhD
Assistant Professor, Cell and Developmental Biology
https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/cdb/faculty/profile.html?xid=65199
Calendar invites with event details are disseminated in advance. Contact cdb@northwestern.edu for additional details or sign-up for our listserv at https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/cdb/about/listserv.html#listserv
Apr
08
CDB Experts in the Field - Sua Myong, PhD.
No Location - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
CDB Experts-in-the-field Seminar Series
“FUS in stress granule & FUS as nanoclusters”
Sua Myong, PhD.
Professor
Dept. of Pediatrics; Program for Cellular Molecular Medicine
Boston Children's Hospital; Harvard Medical School
https://biophysics.fas.harvard.edu/people/sua-myong-she-her-hers
Wednesday, March 8th, 2026
12:00pm to 1:00pm
Simpson-Querrey Auditorium 1-230
Simpson & Kimberly Querrey Biomedical Center
303 E. Superior St. Chicago, Illinois, 60611
Host:
Wilton Snead PhD
Assistant Professor, Cell and Developmental Biology
https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/cdb/faculty/profile.html?xid=65199
Calendar invites with event details are disseminated in advance. Contact cdb@northwestern.edu for additional details or sign-up for our listserv at https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/cdb/about/listserv.html#listserv
Apr
08
April in the Isles: Warwick—where Shakespeare visits the "Silicon Spa"
Off-Campus - 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Join Fulbrighter Abe Ruben (WCAS '25) to hear about graduate study at the University of Warwick
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.northwestern.edu/fellowships/documents/british-scholarships-schedule-2026.pdf
Apr
09
University Practicum | The Science of How Students Learn (2026 Spring)
Online -
Selected by the campus community, this year’s University Practicum focuses on the science of how students learn. Participants will explore innovative, evidence-based strategies grounded in core learning principles—not only to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, but to shape its future.
This year includes synchronous online sessions, complemented by a featured speaker, learning labs, and individual consultations.
Can't attend all live offerings? Register anyway and get access to recordings!
This iteration begins on Thursday, April 9 and ends on Thursday, April 30.
Apr
09
Schwarzman Scholars at Tsinghua University
Evanston - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Meet Sarah Fischer, Global Outreach Associate for Schwarzman Scholars, and learn more about the fellowship program!
Schwarzman Scholars is an unparalleled graduate program, designed to ready the next generation of leaders to drive change. It is anchored in a fully-funded 10-month Master’s Degree in Global Affairs at Beijing’s Tsinghua University. The experience encompasses unique opportunities in and outside the classroom, providing Scholars with extensive leadership training, a network of senior mentors, opportunities to engage in high-level interactions with Chinese leaders and visiting speakers, optional internships, career development guidance, and travel seminars around China. Scholars learn about China’s importance on the global stage through a rigorous and dynamic core curriculum, delivered by world-class faculty and guest speakers. Schwarzman Scholars readies young leaders for careers in which they will join a growing alumni network of leaders who are working to foster dialogue and build global understanding.
Apr
09
University Practicum | The Science of How Students Learn - Synchronous Online Session: Deepening Connection (2026 Spring)
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Selected by the campus community, this year’s University Practicum focuses on The Sciene of How Students Learn. Participants will explore innovative, evidence-based strategies grounded in core learning principles—not only to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, but to shape its future.
This year includes synchronous online sessions, complemented by a featured speaker, learning labs, and individual consultations.
Can't attend the live offering? Register anyway and get access to a recording!
Apr
09
Spring Mingle
Evanston - 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Celebrate Graduate Student Appreciation Week with a lively gathering at the Searle Center! Enjoy festive seasonal snacks, games, and conversation starter decks designed to spark energizing discussions about learning and teaching.
This drop‑in event is an opportunity to meet Searle’s educational developers, connect with fellow graduate students, and enjoy a cheerful kickoff to spring quarter.
You’ll also have the chance to:
—Explore professional development opportunities that support your pedagogical growth.
—Receive feedback on your teaching materials through a one-on-one consultation.
—Enter a raffle to win our favorite books on learning and teaching.
Come enjoy good food, good conversation, and a vibrant spring celebration with the Searle Center community!
Apr
10
Bacterial Journal Club
Chicago - 1:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Speaker: Kyle Rosinke
Description: Bacteriology Journal Club is a forum for the presentation of original research-in-progress and for scholarly discussion of recently published papers in bacteriology
Apr
10
James C. Houk Lecture in Motor Control: "Surprises from the Basal Ganglia: Stop and Go Have New Meaning" with Ann Graybiel, PhD
Chicago - 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
The Department of Neuroscience Presents:
The James C. Houk Lecture in Motor Control: "Surprises from the Basal Ganglia: Stop and Go Have New Meaning"
Ann Graybiel, PhD
Institute Professor
Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
McGovern Institute for Brain Research
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
Every day is replete with occasions when ‘doing or not doing’, ‘going or not going’ decision-making is required. A wealth of evidence suggests that the basal ganglia underpin these daily behaviors. Yet a critical gap remains in understanding mechanisms underlying the modulation of motivated actions, both under normal conditions and in the wake of movement disorders. The basal ganglia are critical for this modulation. The canonical direct-D1 ‘Go’ and indirect-D2 ‘No-Go’ basal ganglia pathways are universally considered essential for these functions. Strong evidence and advanced models show that the direct-D1 and indirect-D2 pathway activities must be balanced for normal control. When they are out of balance, neurologic and neuropsychiatric disorders ensue, and pharmacologic and other treatments for Parkinson’s disease are largely based on these classical direct-indirect models of these circuits. Yet there is controversy about the degree to which the direct and indirect pathways act together or in opposition, as the classic models suggest. In our lab, we have found evidence strongly suggesting that extensions of these models are called for. By genetic engineering, we have delineated a pair of direct and indirect pathways that emerge from the striatum separately from the canonical pathways and that, unlike the classical pathways, target the dopamine-containing neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta. They receive input from cortical areas related to the limbic system, in contrast to the sensorimotor inputs to the canonical direct and indirect pathways. This newly delineated parallel pathway architecture of the basal ganglia at once suggests the need for talking account of this dual system in clinical settings and suggests a model whereby evolution provided a way to have behavioral state modulate the coordination of movement control and motivated action.
About Dr. Graybiel
Ann M. Graybiel is an Institute Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she and her laboratory are actively investigating neural circuits related to the basal ganglia and to a range of neurologic and neuropsychiatric disorders. Her work is centered on understanding the functions of circuits leading from mood-related parts of the frontal neocortex through the striatum to the dopamine-containing neurons of the midbrain. This work took its origin in her discovery of neurochemically distinct compartments in the striatum, which she named ‘striosomes’. These are now known to provide all or nearly all striatal input to the dopamine-containing neurons of the midbrain. These circuits strongly bias decision-making made under motivationally challenging conditions, as though inducing optimistic or pessimistic state changes. They can strongly modulate responses to stress and levels of engagement across age, and levels of reinforcement-based learning. Her group is now harnessing molecular and genetic markers in functional work of these and related circuits of the striatal matrix, with the goal of contributing to clinical medicine as well as to fundamental understanding of the brain.
About the James C. Houk Lecture in Motor Control
In 2020, the late James Houk, PhD, former chair and professor of Physiology (now Neuroscience), and his wife Antoinette established the Dr. James C. Houk Fellowship in Neuroscience through a bequest. Their gift provides funding for a graduate student or postdoctoral fellow training in the Department of Neuroscience at Northwestern and also supports the annual James C. Houk Lecture in Motor Control, delivered by a renowned neuroscientist whose work reflects Dr. Houk’s broad interests.
About James C. Houk, PhD
Dr. James C. Houk originally studied electrical engineering before receiving his PhD in physiology at Harvard University. As an assistant professor at Harvard, he studied Golgi tendon organs, muscle spindles and developed control models of muscle activation through neuronal circuits in the spinal cord.
Later, as an associate professor at Johns Hopkins Medical School, Houk began work on the central nervous system in behaving monkeys, work he continued at Northwestern University, after being recruited in 1978 as chair of the Department of Physiology (now Neuroscience). During this time, Houk also built a world-renowned systems neuroscience group within the department.
In 2001, after 23 years, Houk stepped down as chair to concentrate on multimodal approaches to studying how the nonlinear dynamics of microscopic modules in the brain give rise to its unique computational properties. He became particularly interested in the interplay between the basal ganglia, motor cortex and cerebellum.
THIS LECTURE WAS RESCHEDULED FROM SPRING 2025
Save the date for the 2026 Houk Lecture with guest speaker Bernardo Sabatini, MD, PhD.
Apr
10
DGP Student Thesis Seminar - Vivienne Fang Shaver - Dr. William Muller Lab
Chicago - 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Title of Presentation:
"The Role of Neutrophils and CCR2+ Myeloid Cell Transendothelial Migration in Diseases of the Retina"
This is a hybrid event. For Zoom access or more information, email rachael.hill@northwestern.edu.
Apr
13
Lurie Cancer Center Core Technologies & Applications Seminar
Chicago - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Advancing Drug Development: Translational Capabilities of the Developmental Therapeutics Core
Nayereh Ghoreishi, M.S.
Assistant Director, Developmental Therapeutics Core
Chemistry of Life Processes Institute
Northwestern University
*Lunch will be served
Apr
14
University Practicum | The Science of How Students Learn - Synchronous Online Session: Cultivating Attention (2026 Spring)
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Selected by the campus community, this year’s University Practicum focuses on the science of how students learn. Participants will explore innovative, evidence-based strategies grounded in core learning principles—not only to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, but to shape its future.
This year includes synchronous online sessions, complemented by a featured speaker, learning labs, and individual consultations.
Can't attend the live offering? Register anyway and get access to a recording!
Apr
14
Microbiology-Immunology Seminar Series: Heather Hirsch PhD Candidate
Chicago - 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
Title: Regulation of sporulation signaling by Rok in Bacillus subtilis biofilms
Description: Bacillus subtilis forms complex structured communities known as biofilms that confer protection against environmental stressors. Biofilms exhibit collective behaviors and emergent properties which arise from cellular heterogeneity across a clonal population. A key subpopulation within these biofilms consists of highly resistant, dormant spores that ensure long-term survival. My work aims to further our understanding of this developmental process by defining how the nucleoid-associated protein Rok regulates sporulation within biofilms.
Apr
14
Application Workshop -- Fulbright Study/Research/Arts Awards
Evanston - 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Interested in pursuing research, study, or the arts abroad? Attend an application workshop to learn about the Fulbright application process at Northwestern. We will discuss application components and successful application strategies. You do not need a draft of your essays, but will benefit most if you have a clear vision of your project.
Campus Deadline – Tuesday, Sept. 1st, 2026
Apr
15
Goldwater Scholarship information session
Online - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Join the Office of Fellowships to learn more about the Goldwater Scholarship. The Goldwater Scholarship is the most prestigious national award given to undergraduate sophomores and juniors who plan to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering. In this info session we will review the award benefits, nomination process, and the application. Registration is required to attend.
Apr
15
April in the Isles: Marshall Scholarship Summit
Online - 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Ahead of the launch of the Marshall Scholarship in late Spring, British Embassy Washington in conjunction with our key stakeholders in the US will be hosting a virtual Marshall Summit on 15 April 2026 for students. These sessions will provide more information about the application and selections processes.
Registration required:
Student session on 15 April 2026: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfmpO6XSd8RkoLFrelOIDoyDcEbFE8FsIy5r7EBGI3zd1atyw/viewform
For information on the Northwestern nomination process, contact Elizabeth Lewis Pardoe @ e-pardoe@northwestern.edu
Marshall Scholarship information here: MARSHALLSCHOLARSHIP.ORG
Apr
15
DGP Student Thesis Seminar - Lucy Luo - Dr. Alexander Misharin Lab and Dr. G.R Scott Budinger Lab
Chicago - 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
Title of Presentation:
"Immune aggregates associated with CXCL9+/10+ macrophages define a novel signature of acute lung transplant rejection"
This is a hybrid event. For Zoom access or more information, email rachael.hill@northwestern.edu.
Apr
15
Pedagogical Innovations in Writing and Editing featuring Mei-Ling Hopgood
Evanston - 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Pedagogical Innovations is a scholarly exchange offered each quarter, showcasing leading-edge research that informs teaching and learning strategies.
This session will feature Mei-Ling Hopgood, the William F. Thomas Professor of Journalism and a Clinical Professor in the Department of Journalism. She will discuss how she helps students explore the potential and limitations of large language models (LLMs) and consider critical and ethical uses of generative AI in her course on innovative editing.
Recommended for those pursuing the CIRTL Certificate.
Apr
16
OKRA National Forum
Online - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
The Northwestern O'Brien Kidney Resource Center invites you to participate in the upcoming O'Brien Kidney Resource Alliance (OKRA) webinar series, designed to foster networking and learning.
Registration is required.
Apr
16
University Practicum | The Science of How Students Learn - Learning Lab: Catalyzing Engagement (2026 Spring)
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Selected by the campus community, this year’s University Practicum focuses on the science of how students learn. Participants will explore innovative, evidence-based strategies grounded in core learning principles—not only to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, but to shape its future.
This year includes synchronous online sessions, complemented by a featured speaker, learning labs, and individual consultations.
Can't attend the live offering? Register anyway and get access to a recording!
Apr
16
April in the Isles: Bristol, Bath, & Beyond
Off-Campus - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Join Bristol alumna and Northwestern doctoral candidate Lauren Cole to discuss the educational and cultural landscape of the UK's Southwest!
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.northwestern.edu/fellowships/documents/british-scholarships-schedule-2026.pdf
Apr
17
Bacterial Journal Club
Chicago - 1:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Speaker: Ronnie Fulton
Description: Bacteriology Journal Club is a forum for the presentation of original research-in-progress and for scholarly discussion of recently published papers in bacteriology
Apr
20
Fulbright ETA Info Session w/ Current Fulbrighter Dena Cher-Fils (Vietnam)
Online - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Information Session with current Fulbright Teaching Assistant in Vietnam, Dena Cher-Fils.
Fulbright English Teaching Assistants strengthen English-language instruction in over eighty countries world-wide. Applicants select one country of application. Host institutions range from elementary and secondary schools to university language departments. Some countries require host country language skills, others do not. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold an undergraduate degree by the time the fellowship begins. Undergrads apply just prior to their senior year for awards that begin shortly after graduation. Graduate students and alum are also eligible to apply. Awards are an academic year in length.
The 2026 campus deadline is September 1 @ 12:00 noon.
Apr
20
Fulbright ETA Info Session w/ Current Fulbrighter, Breanna Hibbert (Spain)
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Information Session with current Fulbright Teaching Assistant in Spain, Breanna Hibbert.
Fulbright English Teaching Assistants strengthen English-language instruction in over eighty countries world-wide. Applicants select one country of application. Host institutions range from elementary and secondary schools to university language departments. Some countries require host country language skills, others do not. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold an undergraduate degree by the time the fellowship begins. Undergrads apply just prior to their senior year for awards that begin shortly after graduation. Graduate students and alum are also eligible to apply. Awards are an academic year in length.
The 2026 campus deadline is September 1.
Apr
21
Fulbright ETA Info Session w/ Current Fulbrighter, Tomas Gordo-Churchill (Morocco)
Online - 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Information Session with current Fulbrighter in Morocco, Tomas Gordo-Churchill.
Fulbright English Teaching Assistants strengthen English-language instruction in over eighty countries world-wide. Applicants select one country of application. Host institutions range from elementary and secondary schools to university language departments. Some countries require host country language skills, others do not. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold an undergraduate degree by the time the fellowship begins. Undergrads apply just prior to their senior year for awards that begin shortly after graduation. Graduate students and alum are also eligible to apply. Awards are an academic year in length.
The 2026 campus deadline is September 1
Apr
21
Fulbright Study/Research/Arts Awards Information Meeting
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Interested in Fulbright Study/Research & Arts Awards? Attend this meeting to learn how Fulbright can transform your life and pursuits. You will hear about the history of the Fulbright program, understand the core values that animate the Fulbright competition, review various kinds of awards, and hear about the Northwestern University application process and timeline. Get all your Fulbright questions answered!
Campus Deadline – Tuesday, Sept. 1st, 2026
Apr
21
University Practicum | The Science of How Students Learn - Synchronous Online Session: Demystifying Rigor (2026 Spring)
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Selected by the campus community, this year’s University Practicum focuses on the science of how students learn. Participants will explore innovative, evidence-based strategies grounded in core learning principles—not only to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, but to shape its future.
This year includes synchronous online sessions, complemented by a featured speaker, learning labs, and individual consultations.
Can't attend the live offering? Register anyway and get access to a recording!
Apr
21
Microbiology-Immunology Seminar Series: Dr. Shaeri Mukherjee, PhD
Chicago - 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
Title: “Pathogens as Cell-Biology Tools.”
Description: In the Mukherjee lab, we study Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaires’ disease. Legionella pneumophila employs an impressive arsenal of over 300 secreted effectors to subvert and manipulate nearly every fundamental eukaryotic cell biological process. For this reason, our research sits at the crossroads of mammalian cell biology and Legionella pathogenesis. We use Legionella and its effectors as tools to make fundamental discoveries in cell biology.
Apr
22
Fulbright ETA Info Session w/ Current Fulbrighter Helen Zhu (Taiwan)
Online - 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Information Session with Current Fulbrighter in Taiwan, Helen Zhu.
Fulbright English Teaching Assistants strengthen English-language instruction in over eighty countries world-wide. Applicants select one country of application. Host institutions range from elementary and secondary schools to university language departments. Some countries require host country language skills, others do not. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold an undergraduate degree by the time the fellowship begins. Undergrads apply just prior to their senior year for awards that begin shortly after graduation. Graduate students and alum are also eligible to apply. Awards are an academic year in length.
The 2026 campus deadline is September 1.
Apr
22
Fulbright Study/Research/Arts Awards Information meeting
Evanston - 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Interested in Fulbright Study/Research & Arts Awards? Attend this meeting to learn how Fulbright can transform your life and pursuits. You will hear about the history of the Fulbright program, understand the core values that animate the Fulbright competition, review various kinds of awards, and hear about the Northwestern University application process and timeline. Get all your Fulbright questions answered!
Campus Deadline – Tuesday, Sept. 1st, 2026
Apr
23
Fulbright ETA Info Session w/ Current Fulbrighters Alena Haney and Mariam Adesiji (Colombia)
Online - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Information Session with Current Fulbrighters in Colombia, Alena Haney and Mariam Adesiji.
Fulbright English Teaching Assistants strengthen English-language instruction in over eighty countries world-wide. Applicants select one country of application. Host institutions range from elementary and secondary schools to university language departments. Some countries require host country language skills, others do not. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold an undergraduate degree by the time the fellowship begins. Undergrads apply just prior to their senior year for awards that begin shortly after graduation. Graduate students and alum are also eligible to apply. Awards are an academic year in length.
The 2026 campus deadline is September 1.
Apr
23
April in the Isles: Oxbridge
Off-Campus - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Join Marshall Scholar Kaylyn Ahn SESP '25 and Gates Scholar Jane Clarke WCAS '24 for a discussion of graduate study at Oxford and Cambridge
Apr
23
Immunology Journal Club
Chicago - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Discussion of impactful and high-quality papers that will foster meaningful learning and discussion for all participants.
Apr
23
University Practicum | The Science of How Students Learn - Learning Lab: Decoding AI (2026 Spring)
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Selected by the campus community, this year’s University Practicum focuses on the science of how students learn. Participants will explore innovative, evidence-based strategies grounded in core learning principles—not only to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, but to shape its future.
This year includes synchronous online sessions, complemented by a featured speaker, learning labs, and individual consultations.
Can't attend the live offering? Register anyway and get access to a recording!
Apr
23
STEM tuition support fellowships for rising second-year graduate students
Online - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Are you currently completing your first year of a graduate program in a STEM field of study:? Will you be a second-year graduate student enrolled in a STEM focused graduate program at NU in Fall 2026? Join the Office of Fellowships to learn about fellowships to fund graduate studies. In this session we will review application guidelines for the NDSEG, Quad Fellowship, HHMI Gilliam, and the GFSD. These fellowships are open to second-year graduate students. Please register to attend.
Apr
24
Application Workshop -- Fulbright Study/Research/Arts Awards
Evanston - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Interested in pursuing research, study, or the arts abroad? Attend an application workshop to learn about the Fulbright application process at Northwestern. We will discuss application components and successful application strategies. You do not need a draft of your essays, but will benefit most if you have a clear vision of your project.
Campus Deadline – Tuesday, Sept. 1st, 2026
Apr
24
Fulbright ETA Info Session w/ Current Fulbrighter Divya Gupta (Spain)
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Information Session with current Fulbrighter in Spain, Divya Gupta.
Fulbright English Teaching Assistants strengthen English-language instruction in over eighty countries world-wide. Applicants select one country of application. Host institutions range from elementary and secondary schools to university language departments. Some countries require host country language skills, others do not. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold an undergraduate degree by the time the fellowship begins. Undergrads apply just prior to their senior year for awards that begin shortly after graduation. Graduate students and alum are also eligible to apply. Awards are an academic year in length.
The 2026 campus deadline is September 1.
Apr
24
bacterial Journal Club
Chicago - 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Speakers: Jennifer Sheridan and Jori Mills
Description: Bacteriology Journal Club is a forum for the presentation of original research-in-progress and for scholarly discussion of recently published papers in bacteriology
Apr
24
April in the Isles: Life & Law School after Oxford
Evanston - 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Join Rhodes Scholar Irena Petryk (WCAS'23) to learn about the transition from life among Oxford's dreaming spires to the milieu of a US law school.
Apr
27
Goldwater Scholarship information session
Online - 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Join the Office of Fellowships to learn more about the Goldwater Scholarship. The Goldwater Scholarship is the most prestigious national award given to undergraduate sophomores and juniors who plan to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering. In this info session we will review the award benefits, nomination process, and the application. Registration is required to attend.
Apr
28
Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Information Session
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Are you interested in teaching English abroad after graduation?
Fulbright English Teaching Assistants strengthen English-language instruction in over eighty countries world-wide. Applicants select one country of application. Host institutions range from elementary and secondary schools to university language departments. Some countries require host country language skills, others do not. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold an undergraduate degree by the time the fellowship begins. Undergrads apply just prior to their senior year for awards that begin shortly after graduation. Graduate students and alum are also eligible to apply. Awards are an academic year in length.
The 2026 campus deadline is September 1 @ 12:00 noon.
Apr
28
Microbiology-Immunology Seminar Series: Dr. Ya-Chi Ho, PhD
Chicago - 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
Title: BACH2 the Future - single-cell multiomic and spatial dissection of HIV in tissues and tumor microenvironment
Description: The gut maintains an immuno-tolerant environment to reduce excessive inflammation. We will discuss how BACH2, the effector-to-memory molecular switch, helps HIV to persist in tissues, making gut reservoir distinct from that in the blood. We will discuss how mechanisms of HIV persistence in lymph nodes are in some way similar to how non-Hodgkin lymphoma evade immune infiltration (immune excluded cold tumor).
Apr
28
Application Workshop -- Fulbright Study/Research/Arts Awards
Evanston - 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Interested in pursuing research, study, or the arts abroad? Attend an application workshop to learn about the Fulbright application process at Northwestern. We will discuss application components and successful application strategies. You do not need a draft of your essays, but will benefit most if you have a clear vision of your project.
Campus Deadline – Tuesday, Sept. 1st, 2026
Apr
30
University Practicum | The Science of How Students Learn - Learning Lab: Activating Metacognition (2026 Spring)
Online - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Selected by the campus community, this year’s University Practicum focuses on the science of how students learn. Participants will explore innovative, evidence-based strategies grounded in core learning principles—not only to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, but to shape its future.
This year includes synchronous online sessions, complemented by a featured speaker, learning labs, and individual consultations.
Can't attend the live offering? Register anyway and get access to a recording!
Apr
30
April in the Isles: Application Basics
Off-Campus - 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Join Dr. Pardoe for the ins and outs of UK Scholarship applications
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.northwestern.edu/fellowships/documents/british-scholarships-schedule-2026.pdf
May
01
Cancer Survivorship Symposium: Moving Toward Precision Cancer Survivorship
Online - 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
On Friday, May 1, 2026, the Cancer Survivorship Symposium will convene researchers, clinicians, and healthcare professionals to explore strategies for improving outcomes for cancer survivors. This year’s theme—Moving Toward Precision Cancer Survivorship: Shaping the Future of Personalized Care—will guide discussions on implementing best-practice models and advancing individualized approaches to survivorship.
May
01
Spring Chicago Cytoskeleton Meeting
Off-Campus - 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
The Spring edition of the Chicago Cytoskeleton Meeting will take place on Friday May 1st, 2026 at Loyola University Chicago’s Water Tower Campus.
The Chicago Cytoskeleton is a forum for cytoskeletal researchers from the greater Chicago area to meet, hear great talks, exchange ideas, and socialize. For additional information, please visit: https://sites.google.com/view/chicagocytoskeleton/home
May
01
Bacterial Journal Club
Chicago - 1:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Speaker: Selma Metaane
Description: Bacteriology Journal Club is a forum for the presentation of original research-in-progress and for scholarly discussion of recently published papers in bacteriology
May
04
Goldwater Scholarship information session
Online - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Join the Office of Fellowships to learn more about the Goldwater Scholarship. The Goldwater Scholarship is the most prestigious national award given to undergraduate sophomores and juniors who plan to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering. In this info session we will review the award benefits, nomination process, and the application. Registration is required to attend.
May
05
STEM tuition support fellowships for rising first-year graduate students
Online - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Are you planning to apply to or will be enrolled in a STEM focused graduate program in Fall 2026? If so, please join us to learn about fellowships that fund STEM graduate programs for first year graduate students. In this session we will primarily discuss application guidelines for the NSF GRFP, NDSEG and Hertz fellowships. These fellowships are open to undergraduate seniors, baccalaureate holders not currently enrolled in a graduate program, and first-year graduate students.
May
05
Pedagogical Innovations in STEM featuring Michael Horn
Online - 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Pedagogical Innovations is a scholarly exchange offered each quarter, showcasing leading-edge research that informs teaching and learning strategies.
This session will feature Dr. Michael Horn, a Professor with joint appointments in Computer Science and the Learning Sciences. He will discuss how he helps students prepare for future learning through (multi)literacy development in his computer science courses.
Recommended for those pursuing the CIRTL Certificate.
May
06
STEM tuition support fellowships for rising second-year graduate students
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Are you currently completing your first year of a graduate program in a STEM field of study? Will you be a second-year graduate student enrolled in a STEM focused graduate program at NU in Fall 2026? Join the Office of Fellowships to learn about fellowships to fund graduate studies. In this session we will review application guidelines for the NDSEG, Quad Fellowship, HHMI Gilliam, and the GFSD. These fellowships are open to second-year graduate students. Please register to attend.
May
06
The Salon: Exploring Contemplative Practices Inside and Outside of the Classroom
Evanston - 4:00 PM - 5:15 PM
We often watch but rarely see. We know how to hear but don’t always listen.
Explore the practice of Contemplative Cinema based on the ancient practice of lectio divina or sacred reading which invites interiority and reflection through a process of repetition and reflection. Together, we will watch a short film and be guided into deeper meaning and personal resonance through meditative viewings.
The Salon is a visionary gathering space curated by students, staff, and faculty to explore the intersections of learning and contemplative practices in higher education. All are welcome.
Light refreshments will be shared.
May
07
Supporting Neurodivergent Students: Reading Circle
Online - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
The Reading Circle is intended to deepen your understanding of inclusive teaching pedagogies and practices through engaged discussions with fellow educators.
This circle will be led by Dr. Elizabeth Norton, an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and a 2024 University Teaching Award Recipient. The featured article will focus on supporting neurodivergent students and will be disseminated to participants upon registration.
Recommended for those pursuing the CIRTL Certificate.
May
07
Immunology Journal Club
Chicago - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Discussion of impactful and high-quality papers that will foster meaningful learning and discussion for all participants.
May
07
Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Information Session
Online - 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Are you interested in teaching English abroad after graduation?
Fulbright English Teaching Assistants strengthen English-language instruction in over eighty countries world-wide. Applicants select one country of application. Host institutions range from elementary and secondary schools to university language departments. Some countries require host country language skills, others do not. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold an undergraduate degree by the time the fellowship begins. Undergrads apply just prior to their senior year for awards that begin shortly after graduation. Graduate students and alum are also eligible to apply. Awards are an academic year in length.
The 2026 campus deadline is September 1 @ 12:00 noon.
May
08
Application Workshop -- Fulbright Study/Research/Arts Awards
Online - 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Interested in pursuing research, study, or the arts abroad? Attend an application workshop to learn about the Fulbright application process at Northwestern. We will discuss application components and successful application strategies. You do not need a draft of your essays, but will benefit most if you have a clear vision of your project.
Campus Deadline – Tuesday, Sept. 1st, 2026
May
08
Bacterial Journal Club
Chicago - 1:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Speakers: Somalisa Pan and Casey Kellogg
Description: Bacteriology Journal Club is a forum for the presentation of original research-in-progress and for scholarly discussion of recently published papers in bacteriology
May
11
STEM graduate fellowship writing workshop: Personal Statements
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
This writing workshop will help you as you prepare applications for Fall 2026 graduate school funding fellowships. In this workshop you will learn strategies that will assist you as you write Personal Statements for STEM focused fellowships. NSF GRFP and NDSEG personal statements will be used as templates. This workshop is suitable for students who will be first- or second-year graduate students in Fall 2026. Students who hold or will hold a baccalaureate degree as of June 2026 and plan to apply to a STEM focused graduate program in the future are also welcome to attend. Registration is required.
May
12
Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Information Session
Online - 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Are you interested in teaching English abroad after graduation?
Fulbright English Teaching Assistants strengthen English-language instruction in over eighty countries world-wide. Applicants select one country of application. Host institutions range from elementary and secondary schools to university language departments. Some countries require host country language skills, others do not. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold an undergraduate degree by the time the fellowship begins. Undergrads apply just prior to their senior year for awards that begin shortly after graduation. Graduate students and alum are also eligible to apply. Awards are an academic year in length.
The 2026 campus deadline is September 1 @ 12:00 noon.
May
12
Student Experiences in STEM
Online - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Student Experiences in STEM is an evidence-driven reading circle focusing on students’ experiences, development, and their perceptions of commonly used learning practices and the classroom environment.
Recommended for those pursuing the CIRTL Certificate.
May
12
Goldwater open house Q & A
Evanston - 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Are you interested in applying to the Goldwater scholarship in Fall 2026? The Goldwater Scholarship is the most prestigious national award given to undergraduate sophomores
and juniors who are committed to pursuing research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering. Please join the NU Goldwater Campus Rep in the Office of Fellowships conference room to discuss any questions you may have about the application
process, including how to answer the questions in the application portal and strategies for the research statement. This is a drop in event, so feel free to stop by with your questions at any time from 12:00 – 1:30 pm.
May
15
STEM graduate fellowship writing workshop: Research Statements
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
This writing workshop will help you as you prepare applications for Fall 2026 graduate school funding fellowships. In this workshop you will learn strategies that will assist you as you write Research Statements for STEM focused fellowships. NSF GRFP and NDSEG research statements will be used as templates. This workshop is suitable for students who will be first- or second-year graduate students in Fall 2026. Students who hold or will hold a baccalaureate degree as of June 2026 and plan to apply to a STEM focused graduate program in the future are also welcome to attend. Registration is required.
May
15
Bacterial Journal Club
Chicago - 1:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Speakers: Kyle Rosinke
Description: Bacteriology Journal Club is a forum for the presentation of original research-in-progress and for scholarly discussion of recently published papers in bacteriology
May
19
5th Annual Robert D. Goldman Lecture Presents: Michael Rosen, PhD, UT Southwestern
Chicago - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
5th Annual Robert D. Goldman Lecture Presents:
Cosponsored by Walter S. And Lucienne Driskill Graduate Program Lectures in Life Sciences and Feinberg School of Medicine Department of Cell & Developmental Biology
Michael K Rosen, PhD
Professor and Mar Nell and F. Andrew Bell Distinguished Chair
Department of Biophysics
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, TX
Dr. Rosen is the Chair of the Department of Biophysics at UT Southwestern Medical Center and an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Dr. Rosen received undergraduate degrees in chemistry and in chemical engineering from the University of Michigan in 1987. He then spent a year in Alan Battersby’s lab in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge as a Winston Churchill Foundation Scholar. He received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Harvard University in 1993 under the direction of Stuart Schreiber, where he studied the structure and function of the FK506 binding protein, FKBP12. He was a Damon Runyon-Walter Winchell post-doctoral fellow in the laboratories of Tony Pawson and Lewis Kay at the University of Toronto, where he studied regulation of the signaling adaptor protein, Crk, and developed methods of selective methyl group labeling of proteins for NMR spectroscopy. Dr. Rosen started his independent laboratory in 1996 in the Cellular Biochemistry and Biophysics Program at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, and moved to UTSW in 2001.
About the Annual Robert D. Goldman, PhD:
Robert D. Goldman, PhD, is the Stephen Walter Ranson Professor Emeritus of Cell and Developmental Biology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, where he served as chair of the department from 1981-2019. Dr. Goldman earned his doctorate in biology from Princeton University, after which he trained as a postdoctoral fellow at Hammersmith Hospital in London and at the MRC Institute of Virology in Glasgow. He was appointed assistant professor of Biology at Case Western Reserve University in 1969 and moved to Carnegie Mellon University in 1977, prior to joining the faculty at Northwestern.
The annual lecture commemorates the accomplishments of Dr. Goldman and are a celebration of science and innovative discoveries in cell and developmental biology.
Contact cdb@northwestern.edu for more information or sign-up to our event listserv at https://forms.office.com/r/5X7DWBqXUq
Visit our department website to learn about how we are expanding the limits of scientific inquiry: https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/cdb/
May
20
OKRA National Forum: Biomarker-enriched Clinical Phenotyping of Acute Kidney Injury
Online - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
The Northwestern O'Brien Kidney Resource Center invites you to participate in the upcoming O'Brien Kidney Resource Alliance (OKRA) webinar series, designed to foster networking and learning.
Join us on Thursday, May 20th, to hear from Steven Menez, MD (Johns Hopkins University) as she discusses “Biomarker-enriched Clinical Phenotyping of Acute Kidney Injury”
Registration is required.
May
22
Bacterial Journal Club
Chicago - 1:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Speaker: Anna Liponska
Description: Bacteriology Journal Club is a forum for the presentation of original research-in-progress and for scholarly discussion of recently published papers in bacteriology
May
28
Application Workshop -- Fulbright Study/Research/Arts Awards
Evanston - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Interested in pursuing research, study, or the arts abroad? Attend an application workshop to learn about the Fulbright application process at Northwestern. We will discuss application components and successful application strategies. You do not need a draft of your essays, but will benefit most if you have a clear vision of your project.
Campus Deadline – Tuesday, Sept. 1st, 2026
May
28
Immunology Journal Club
Chicago - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Discussion of impactful and high-quality papers that will foster meaningful learning and discussion for all participants.
May
29
Bacterial Journal Club
Chicago - 1:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Speaker: Iryna Boika
Description: Bacteriology Journal Club is a forum for the presentation of original research-in-progress and for scholarly discussion of recently published papers in bacteriology
May
29
2026 James C. Houk Lecture in Motor Control: Motor Action Selection, Evaluation and Reinforcement by the Basal Ganglia - Bernardo Sabatini, MD, PhD
Chicago - 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
The Department of Neuroscience Presents:
2026 James C. Houk Lecture in Motor Control: "Motor Action Selection, Evaluation and Reinforcement by the Basal Ganglia"
Bernardo Sabatini, MD, PhD
Alice and Rodman W. Moorhead III Professor of Neurobiology
Harvard Medical School
Abstract
In order to survive in and adapt to changing environments, animals must choose appropriate actions to achieve their goals. This process depends on their past experience, internal state, and environmental conditions and must be be rapidly adapted based on the outcome of their choice. Here we discuss how circuits and synapses of the basal ganglia, an evolutionarily old and phylogenetically conserved set of subcortical nuclei, contribute to these processes in mice. We focus on specialized features of the basal ganglia circuit that uniquely contribute to action selection and reinforcement as well as the role of dopamine in these processes. Although we study mice, we believe our findings are likely relevant for understanding human behavior and disease.
About the James C. Houk Lecture in Motor Control
In 2020, the late James Houk, PhD, former chair and professor of Physiology (now Neuroscience), and his wife Antoinette established the Dr. James C. Houk Fellowship in Neuroscience through a bequest. Their gift provides funding for a graduate student or postdoctoral fellow training in the Department of Neuroscience at Northwestern and also supports the annual James C. Houk Lecture in Motor Control, delivered by a renowned neuroscientist whose work reflects Dr. Houk’s broad interests.
About James C. Houk, PhD
Dr. James C. Houk originally studied electrical engineering before receiving his PhD in physiology at Harvard University. As an assistant professor at Harvard, he studied Golgi tendon organs, muscle spindles and developed control models of muscle activation through neuronal circuits in the spinal cord.
Later, as an associate professor at Johns Hopkins Medical School, Houk began work on the central nervous system in behaving monkeys, work he continued at Northwestern University, after being recruited in 1978 as chair of the Department of Physiology (now Neuroscience). During this time, Houk also built a world-renowned systems neuroscience group within the department.
In 2001, after 23 years, Houk stepped down as chair to concentrate on multimodal approaches to studying how the nonlinear dynamics of microscopic modules in the brain give rise to its unique computational properties. He became particularly interested in the interplay between the basal ganglia, motor cortex and cerebellum.
Jun
02
Application Workshop -- Fulbright Study/Research/Arts Awards
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Interested in pursuing research, study, or the arts abroad? Attend an application workshop to learn about the Fulbright application process at Northwestern. We will discuss application components and successful application strategies. You do not need a draft of your essays, but will benefit most if you have a clear vision of your project.
Campus Deadline – Tuesday, Sept. 1st, 2026
Jun
03
Searle Center Community Celebration
Evanston - 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Mark your calendars!
Join us for the Searle Center Community Celebration, a joyful afternoon of connection, conversation, and appreciation for our vibrant teaching and learning community.
Enjoy food, drinks, and the chance to engage with colleagues, meet our Graduate Teaching Fellows, and explore highlights inspired by this year’s theme of Bolstering Student Success and Instructor Vitality.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you! 🌟
Jun
07
2026 Cancer Survivors' Celebration Walk & 5K
Off-Campus - 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
For 33 years, Lurie Cancer Center’s Cancer Survivors’ Celebration Walk & 5K has been a source of hope and inspiration for people who have faced or are facing cancer. Held in Chicago’s Grant Park, our community event is a unique opportunity for cancer survivors, supporters, scientists and health professionals to connect, celebrate milestones and make an impact on the future of cancer care.
We’re excited to run, walk and celebrate together on National Cancer Survivors Day! We strongly encourage you to register in advance. You must register by May 1 to receive your T-shirt before the event. If you register after May 1, you may pick up your T-shirt on the day of the event. T-shirts will not be mailed after the event.
Highlights include:
A non-competitive walk or chip-timed 5K race along the lakefront
A commemorative T-shirt
Music, entertainment, inspiring speakers and Dedication Wall
Refreshments and activities for families
Net proceeds and funds raised from our 33rd annual event will help to advance groundbreaking cancer research and treatment at Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. We hope you will join the donors, sponsors and fundraising teams who support our efforts by creating a personalized fundraising page when you register. Fundraising is optional, and no minimum is required.
Jun
10
Application Workshop -- Fulbright Study/Research/Arts Awards
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Interested in pursuing research, study, or the arts abroad? Attend an application workshop to learn about the Fulbright application process at Northwestern. We will discuss application components and successful application strategies. You do not need a draft of your essays, but will benefit most if you have a clear vision of your project.
Campus Deadline – Tuesday, Sept. 1st, 2026
Jun
16
20th Annual Pain & Palliative Care Conference
Chicago - 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
On Tuesday, June 16, 2026 the 20th Annual Pain & Palliative Care Conference will bring together physicians, nurses, social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, chaplains, and healthcare professionals to share research and clinical best practices to advance the field of palliative care and improve care for patients with serious illnesses and their loved ones.
Jun
18
Immunology Journal Club
Chicago - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Discussion of impactful and high-quality papers that will foster meaningful learning and discussion for all participants.
No events found. Please try again later.
Mar
31
Goldwater Scholarship information session
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Join the Office of Fellowships to learn more about the Goldwater Scholarship. The Goldwater Scholarship is the most prestigious national award given to undergraduate sophomores and juniors who plan to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering. In this info session we will review the award benefits, nomination process, and the application. Registration is required to attend.
Mar
31
Microbiology-Immunology Seminar Series: Dr. Akira Ono, PhD
Chicago - 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
Title: HIV-1 Assembly and Spread — Roles Played by Plasma Membrane Acidic Phospholipids and tRNAs
Description: HIV-1 particle assembly, driven by the viral structural polyprotein Gag, occurs specifically at the plasma membrane (PM). Localization of Gag to the PM is regulated by two negatively charged molecules, a PM phospholipid PI(4,5)P2 and tRNA, both of which bind the same region of Gag. In this seminar, I will discuss the mechanism by which the Gag-lipid interaction modulates the spread of progeny virions through incorporation of T cell transmembrane proteins such as CD43, CD44, and PSGL-1. In addition, I plan to discuss our recent findings on Gag binding to different classes of tRNAs, which also modulates the virion infectivity. Since the interactions of viral proteins with negatively charged molecules are commonly seen in assembly of a range of viruses, better understanding of these interactions may inform new and broad antiviral strategies.
Apr
01
Fulbright Study/Research/Arts Awards Information meeting
Evanston - 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Interested in Fulbright Study/Research & Arts Awards? Attend this meeting to learn how Fulbright can transform your life and pursuits. You will hear about the history of the Fulbright program, understand the core values that animate the Fulbright competition, review various kinds of awards, and hear about the Northwestern University application process and timeline. Get all your Fulbright questions answered!
Campus Deadline – Tuesday, Sept. 1st, 2026
Apr
01
CDB Trainee Seminar Series - Ajay Abraham
Chicago - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Cell & Developmental Biology (CDB) Trainee Seminar Series
"Mitochondrial complex-III and B cell responses"
Ajay Abraham,
Research Associate, Shukla Lab
12:00 - 1:00 PM
Simpson Querrey Auditorium 1-230
Simpson & Kimberly Querrey Biomedical Center
303 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
The department meets every first and third Wednesday from 12:00 to 1:00 PM to enjoy a presentation from a research trainee (postbacc, pre-, post-doctoral fellow, etc). Meetings usually take place at Simpson Querry Auditorium, with some exceptions.
Calendar invites with the meeting location are disseminated in advance. Please contact cdb@northwestern.edu for more information or sign-up to our event listserv at https://forms.office.com/r/5X7DWBqXUq
Apr
02
BMG Seminar: Bess Frost, PhD
Chicago - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
The Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics presents:
Bess Frost, PhD
Salame-Feraud Director, Center for Alzheimer's Disease Research
Professor of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry
Professor of Brain Science, Brown University
Presentation:
Retrotransposon Activation in Neurodegenerative Tauopathies: From Bench to Bedside
Abstract:
“Almost half of the human genome is composed of retrotransposons, viral-like genetic elements that are normally silenced by constitutive heterochromatin. Dr. Frost and colleagues have discovered that retrotransposons become activated in Alzheimer's disease and related "tauopathies," and that pathogenic forms of tau protein drive retrotransposon activation. This seminar will review the history of this discovery, ongoing work related to retrotransposon-induced innate immune activation in tauopathy, and data from a recent clinical trial targeting retrotransposon activation in participants with mild cognitive impairment due to suspected Alzheimer's disease.”
Host: Iris Titos-Vivancos, PhD
Refreshments will be served.
Apr
03
FCVRRI Research in Progress Seminar - Alex Choi and Annissa Aamoum
Chicago - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Talk title: Lumenal Flow is Necessary for Proximal Tubule Maturation
Apr
03
Bacterial Journal Club
Chicago - 1:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Speaker: Osamudiamen Ebohon
Description: Bacteriology Journal Club is a forum for the presentation of original research-in-progress and for scholarly discussion of recently published papers in bacteriology
Apr
07
Fulbright Study/Research/Arts Awards Information meeting
Evanston - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Interested in Fulbright Study/Research & Arts Awards? Attend this meeting to learn how Fulbright can transform your life and pursuits. You will hear about the history of the Fulbright program, understand the core values that animate the Fulbright competition, review various kinds of awards, and hear about the Northwestern University application process and timeline. Get all your Fulbright questions answered!
Campus Deadline – Tuesday, Sept. 1st, 2026
Apr
07
STEM tuition support fellowships for rising first-year graduate students
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Are you planning to apply to or will be enrolled in a STEM focused graduate program in Fall 2026? If so, please join us to learn about fellowships that fund STEM graduate programs for first year graduate students. In this session we will primarily discuss application guidelines for the NSF GRFP, NDSEG and Hertz fellowships. These fellowships are open to undergraduate seniors, baccalaureate holders not currently enrolled in a graduate program, and first-year graduate students. Registration is required.
Apr
07
University Practicum | Featured Speaker: Understanding and Amplifying Student Motivation with Mesmin Destin (2026 Spring)
Online - 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Understanding and Amplifying Student Motivation with Mesmin Destin
moderated by Veronica Womack
Drawing from field experiments and psychological theory, social psychologist and Northwestern professor Mesmin Destin offers insights into how educators can foster environments that embrace students' backgrounds to support their persistence and well-being.
This live virtual event (open to Northwestern University faculty, staff, postdocs, and graduate students) kicks off each iteration of the 2026 University Practicum on The Science of How Students Learn.
This event will NOT be recorded.
Apr
07
Microbiology-Immunology Seminar Series: Dr. Rahm Gummuluru, PhD
Chicago - 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
Title: How the innate immune system senses HIV-1 Infection and what the virus does to escape detection?
Description: In this seminar, I’ll focus on the innate immune mechanisms that detect late steps in the HIV-1 life cycle. I’ll discuss some recent findings from my laboratory that identify viral RNA expression and virion assembly as steps that are susceptible to innate immune sensing and will highlight virus innovations that result in virus evasion from these sensing mechanisms.
Apr
08
CDB Experts in the Field - Sua Myong, PhD.
Chicago - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
CDB Experts-in-the-field Seminar Series
“FUS in stress granule & FUS as nanoclusters”
Sua Myong, PhD.
Professor
Dept. of Pediatrics; Program for Cellular Molecular Medicine
Boston Children's Hospital; Harvard Medical School
https://biophysics.fas.harvard.edu/people/sua-myong-she-her-hers
Wednesday, March 8th, 2026
12:00pm to 1:00pm
Simpson-Querrey Auditorium 1-230
Simpson & Kimberly Querrey Biomedical Center
303 E. Superior St. Chicago, Illinois, 60611
Host:
Wilton Snead PhD
Assistant Professor, Cell and Developmental Biology
https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/cdb/faculty/profile.html?xid=65199
Calendar invites with event details are disseminated in advance. Contact cdb@northwestern.edu for additional details or sign-up for our listserv at https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/cdb/about/listserv.html#listserv
Apr
08
CDB Experts in the Field - Sua Myong, PhD.
No Location - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
CDB Experts-in-the-field Seminar Series
“FUS in stress granule & FUS as nanoclusters”
Sua Myong, PhD.
Professor
Dept. of Pediatrics; Program for Cellular Molecular Medicine
Boston Children's Hospital; Harvard Medical School
https://biophysics.fas.harvard.edu/people/sua-myong-she-her-hers
Wednesday, March 8th, 2026
12:00pm to 1:00pm
Simpson-Querrey Auditorium 1-230
Simpson & Kimberly Querrey Biomedical Center
303 E. Superior St. Chicago, Illinois, 60611
Host:
Wilton Snead PhD
Assistant Professor, Cell and Developmental Biology
https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/cdb/faculty/profile.html?xid=65199
Calendar invites with event details are disseminated in advance. Contact cdb@northwestern.edu for additional details or sign-up for our listserv at https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/cdb/about/listserv.html#listserv
Apr
08
April in the Isles: Warwick—where Shakespeare visits the "Silicon Spa"
Off-Campus - 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Join Fulbrighter Abe Ruben (WCAS '25) to hear about graduate study at the University of Warwick
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.northwestern.edu/fellowships/documents/british-scholarships-schedule-2026.pdf
Apr
09
University Practicum | The Science of How Students Learn (2026 Spring)
Online -
Selected by the campus community, this year’s University Practicum focuses on the science of how students learn. Participants will explore innovative, evidence-based strategies grounded in core learning principles—not only to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, but to shape its future.
This year includes synchronous online sessions, complemented by a featured speaker, learning labs, and individual consultations.
Can't attend all live offerings? Register anyway and get access to recordings!
This iteration begins on Thursday, April 9 and ends on Thursday, April 30.
Apr
09
Schwarzman Scholars at Tsinghua University
Evanston - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Meet Sarah Fischer, Global Outreach Associate for Schwarzman Scholars, and learn more about the fellowship program!
Schwarzman Scholars is an unparalleled graduate program, designed to ready the next generation of leaders to drive change. It is anchored in a fully-funded 10-month Master’s Degree in Global Affairs at Beijing’s Tsinghua University. The experience encompasses unique opportunities in and outside the classroom, providing Scholars with extensive leadership training, a network of senior mentors, opportunities to engage in high-level interactions with Chinese leaders and visiting speakers, optional internships, career development guidance, and travel seminars around China. Scholars learn about China’s importance on the global stage through a rigorous and dynamic core curriculum, delivered by world-class faculty and guest speakers. Schwarzman Scholars readies young leaders for careers in which they will join a growing alumni network of leaders who are working to foster dialogue and build global understanding.
Apr
09
University Practicum | The Science of How Students Learn - Synchronous Online Session: Deepening Connection (2026 Spring)
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Selected by the campus community, this year’s University Practicum focuses on The Sciene of How Students Learn. Participants will explore innovative, evidence-based strategies grounded in core learning principles—not only to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, but to shape its future.
This year includes synchronous online sessions, complemented by a featured speaker, learning labs, and individual consultations.
Can't attend the live offering? Register anyway and get access to a recording!
Apr
09
Spring Mingle
Evanston - 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Celebrate Graduate Student Appreciation Week with a lively gathering at the Searle Center! Enjoy festive seasonal snacks, games, and conversation starter decks designed to spark energizing discussions about learning and teaching.
This drop‑in event is an opportunity to meet Searle’s educational developers, connect with fellow graduate students, and enjoy a cheerful kickoff to spring quarter.
You’ll also have the chance to:
—Explore professional development opportunities that support your pedagogical growth.
—Receive feedback on your teaching materials through a one-on-one consultation.
—Enter a raffle to win our favorite books on learning and teaching.
Come enjoy good food, good conversation, and a vibrant spring celebration with the Searle Center community!
Apr
10
Bacterial Journal Club
Chicago - 1:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Speaker: Kyle Rosinke
Description: Bacteriology Journal Club is a forum for the presentation of original research-in-progress and for scholarly discussion of recently published papers in bacteriology
Apr
10
James C. Houk Lecture in Motor Control: "Surprises from the Basal Ganglia: Stop and Go Have New Meaning" with Ann Graybiel, PhD
Chicago - 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
The Department of Neuroscience Presents:
The James C. Houk Lecture in Motor Control: "Surprises from the Basal Ganglia: Stop and Go Have New Meaning"
Ann Graybiel, PhD
Institute Professor
Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
McGovern Institute for Brain Research
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
Every day is replete with occasions when ‘doing or not doing’, ‘going or not going’ decision-making is required. A wealth of evidence suggests that the basal ganglia underpin these daily behaviors. Yet a critical gap remains in understanding mechanisms underlying the modulation of motivated actions, both under normal conditions and in the wake of movement disorders. The basal ganglia are critical for this modulation. The canonical direct-D1 ‘Go’ and indirect-D2 ‘No-Go’ basal ganglia pathways are universally considered essential for these functions. Strong evidence and advanced models show that the direct-D1 and indirect-D2 pathway activities must be balanced for normal control. When they are out of balance, neurologic and neuropsychiatric disorders ensue, and pharmacologic and other treatments for Parkinson’s disease are largely based on these classical direct-indirect models of these circuits. Yet there is controversy about the degree to which the direct and indirect pathways act together or in opposition, as the classic models suggest. In our lab, we have found evidence strongly suggesting that extensions of these models are called for. By genetic engineering, we have delineated a pair of direct and indirect pathways that emerge from the striatum separately from the canonical pathways and that, unlike the classical pathways, target the dopamine-containing neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta. They receive input from cortical areas related to the limbic system, in contrast to the sensorimotor inputs to the canonical direct and indirect pathways. This newly delineated parallel pathway architecture of the basal ganglia at once suggests the need for talking account of this dual system in clinical settings and suggests a model whereby evolution provided a way to have behavioral state modulate the coordination of movement control and motivated action.
About Dr. Graybiel
Ann M. Graybiel is an Institute Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she and her laboratory are actively investigating neural circuits related to the basal ganglia and to a range of neurologic and neuropsychiatric disorders. Her work is centered on understanding the functions of circuits leading from mood-related parts of the frontal neocortex through the striatum to the dopamine-containing neurons of the midbrain. This work took its origin in her discovery of neurochemically distinct compartments in the striatum, which she named ‘striosomes’. These are now known to provide all or nearly all striatal input to the dopamine-containing neurons of the midbrain. These circuits strongly bias decision-making made under motivationally challenging conditions, as though inducing optimistic or pessimistic state changes. They can strongly modulate responses to stress and levels of engagement across age, and levels of reinforcement-based learning. Her group is now harnessing molecular and genetic markers in functional work of these and related circuits of the striatal matrix, with the goal of contributing to clinical medicine as well as to fundamental understanding of the brain.
About the James C. Houk Lecture in Motor Control
In 2020, the late James Houk, PhD, former chair and professor of Physiology (now Neuroscience), and his wife Antoinette established the Dr. James C. Houk Fellowship in Neuroscience through a bequest. Their gift provides funding for a graduate student or postdoctoral fellow training in the Department of Neuroscience at Northwestern and also supports the annual James C. Houk Lecture in Motor Control, delivered by a renowned neuroscientist whose work reflects Dr. Houk’s broad interests.
About James C. Houk, PhD
Dr. James C. Houk originally studied electrical engineering before receiving his PhD in physiology at Harvard University. As an assistant professor at Harvard, he studied Golgi tendon organs, muscle spindles and developed control models of muscle activation through neuronal circuits in the spinal cord.
Later, as an associate professor at Johns Hopkins Medical School, Houk began work on the central nervous system in behaving monkeys, work he continued at Northwestern University, after being recruited in 1978 as chair of the Department of Physiology (now Neuroscience). During this time, Houk also built a world-renowned systems neuroscience group within the department.
In 2001, after 23 years, Houk stepped down as chair to concentrate on multimodal approaches to studying how the nonlinear dynamics of microscopic modules in the brain give rise to its unique computational properties. He became particularly interested in the interplay between the basal ganglia, motor cortex and cerebellum.
THIS LECTURE WAS RESCHEDULED FROM SPRING 2025
Save the date for the 2026 Houk Lecture with guest speaker Bernardo Sabatini, MD, PhD.
Apr
10
DGP Student Thesis Seminar - Vivienne Fang Shaver - Dr. William Muller Lab
Chicago - 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Title of Presentation:
"The Role of Neutrophils and CCR2+ Myeloid Cell Transendothelial Migration in Diseases of the Retina"
This is a hybrid event. For Zoom access or more information, email rachael.hill@northwestern.edu.
Apr
13
Lurie Cancer Center Core Technologies & Applications Seminar
Chicago - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Advancing Drug Development: Translational Capabilities of the Developmental Therapeutics Core
Nayereh Ghoreishi, M.S.
Assistant Director, Developmental Therapeutics Core
Chemistry of Life Processes Institute
Northwestern University
*Lunch will be served
Apr
14
University Practicum | The Science of How Students Learn - Synchronous Online Session: Cultivating Attention (2026 Spring)
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Selected by the campus community, this year’s University Practicum focuses on the science of how students learn. Participants will explore innovative, evidence-based strategies grounded in core learning principles—not only to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, but to shape its future.
This year includes synchronous online sessions, complemented by a featured speaker, learning labs, and individual consultations.
Can't attend the live offering? Register anyway and get access to a recording!
Apr
14
Microbiology-Immunology Seminar Series: Heather Hirsch PhD Candidate
Chicago - 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
Title: Regulation of sporulation signaling by Rok in Bacillus subtilis biofilms
Description: Bacillus subtilis forms complex structured communities known as biofilms that confer protection against environmental stressors. Biofilms exhibit collective behaviors and emergent properties which arise from cellular heterogeneity across a clonal population. A key subpopulation within these biofilms consists of highly resistant, dormant spores that ensure long-term survival. My work aims to further our understanding of this developmental process by defining how the nucleoid-associated protein Rok regulates sporulation within biofilms.
Apr
14
Application Workshop -- Fulbright Study/Research/Arts Awards
Evanston - 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Interested in pursuing research, study, or the arts abroad? Attend an application workshop to learn about the Fulbright application process at Northwestern. We will discuss application components and successful application strategies. You do not need a draft of your essays, but will benefit most if you have a clear vision of your project.
Campus Deadline – Tuesday, Sept. 1st, 2026
Apr
15
Goldwater Scholarship information session
Online - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Join the Office of Fellowships to learn more about the Goldwater Scholarship. The Goldwater Scholarship is the most prestigious national award given to undergraduate sophomores and juniors who plan to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering. In this info session we will review the award benefits, nomination process, and the application. Registration is required to attend.
Apr
15
April in the Isles: Marshall Scholarship Summit
Online - 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Ahead of the launch of the Marshall Scholarship in late Spring, British Embassy Washington in conjunction with our key stakeholders in the US will be hosting a virtual Marshall Summit on 15 April 2026 for students. These sessions will provide more information about the application and selections processes.
Registration required:
Student session on 15 April 2026: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfmpO6XSd8RkoLFrelOIDoyDcEbFE8FsIy5r7EBGI3zd1atyw/viewform
For information on the Northwestern nomination process, contact Elizabeth Lewis Pardoe @ e-pardoe@northwestern.edu
Marshall Scholarship information here: MARSHALLSCHOLARSHIP.ORG
Apr
15
DGP Student Thesis Seminar - Lucy Luo - Dr. Alexander Misharin Lab and Dr. G.R Scott Budinger Lab
Chicago - 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
Title of Presentation:
"Immune aggregates associated with CXCL9+/10+ macrophages define a novel signature of acute lung transplant rejection"
This is a hybrid event. For Zoom access or more information, email rachael.hill@northwestern.edu.
Apr
15
Pedagogical Innovations in Writing and Editing featuring Mei-Ling Hopgood
Evanston - 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Pedagogical Innovations is a scholarly exchange offered each quarter, showcasing leading-edge research that informs teaching and learning strategies.
This session will feature Mei-Ling Hopgood, the William F. Thomas Professor of Journalism and a Clinical Professor in the Department of Journalism. She will discuss how she helps students explore the potential and limitations of large language models (LLMs) and consider critical and ethical uses of generative AI in her course on innovative editing.
Recommended for those pursuing the CIRTL Certificate.
Apr
16
OKRA National Forum
Online - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
The Northwestern O'Brien Kidney Resource Center invites you to participate in the upcoming O'Brien Kidney Resource Alliance (OKRA) webinar series, designed to foster networking and learning.
Registration is required.
Apr
16
University Practicum | The Science of How Students Learn - Learning Lab: Catalyzing Engagement (2026 Spring)
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Selected by the campus community, this year’s University Practicum focuses on the science of how students learn. Participants will explore innovative, evidence-based strategies grounded in core learning principles—not only to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, but to shape its future.
This year includes synchronous online sessions, complemented by a featured speaker, learning labs, and individual consultations.
Can't attend the live offering? Register anyway and get access to a recording!
Apr
16
April in the Isles: Bristol, Bath, & Beyond
Off-Campus - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Join Bristol alumna and Northwestern doctoral candidate Lauren Cole to discuss the educational and cultural landscape of the UK's Southwest!
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.northwestern.edu/fellowships/documents/british-scholarships-schedule-2026.pdf
Apr
17
Bacterial Journal Club
Chicago - 1:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Speaker: Ronnie Fulton
Description: Bacteriology Journal Club is a forum for the presentation of original research-in-progress and for scholarly discussion of recently published papers in bacteriology
Apr
20
Fulbright ETA Info Session w/ Current Fulbrighter Dena Cher-Fils (Vietnam)
Online - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Information Session with current Fulbright Teaching Assistant in Vietnam, Dena Cher-Fils.
Fulbright English Teaching Assistants strengthen English-language instruction in over eighty countries world-wide. Applicants select one country of application. Host institutions range from elementary and secondary schools to university language departments. Some countries require host country language skills, others do not. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold an undergraduate degree by the time the fellowship begins. Undergrads apply just prior to their senior year for awards that begin shortly after graduation. Graduate students and alum are also eligible to apply. Awards are an academic year in length.
The 2026 campus deadline is September 1 @ 12:00 noon.
Apr
20
Fulbright ETA Info Session w/ Current Fulbrighter, Breanna Hibbert (Spain)
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Information Session with current Fulbright Teaching Assistant in Spain, Breanna Hibbert.
Fulbright English Teaching Assistants strengthen English-language instruction in over eighty countries world-wide. Applicants select one country of application. Host institutions range from elementary and secondary schools to university language departments. Some countries require host country language skills, others do not. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold an undergraduate degree by the time the fellowship begins. Undergrads apply just prior to their senior year for awards that begin shortly after graduation. Graduate students and alum are also eligible to apply. Awards are an academic year in length.
The 2026 campus deadline is September 1.
Apr
21
Fulbright ETA Info Session w/ Current Fulbrighter, Tomas Gordo-Churchill (Morocco)
Online - 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Information Session with current Fulbrighter in Morocco, Tomas Gordo-Churchill.
Fulbright English Teaching Assistants strengthen English-language instruction in over eighty countries world-wide. Applicants select one country of application. Host institutions range from elementary and secondary schools to university language departments. Some countries require host country language skills, others do not. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold an undergraduate degree by the time the fellowship begins. Undergrads apply just prior to their senior year for awards that begin shortly after graduation. Graduate students and alum are also eligible to apply. Awards are an academic year in length.
The 2026 campus deadline is September 1
Apr
21
Fulbright Study/Research/Arts Awards Information Meeting
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Interested in Fulbright Study/Research & Arts Awards? Attend this meeting to learn how Fulbright can transform your life and pursuits. You will hear about the history of the Fulbright program, understand the core values that animate the Fulbright competition, review various kinds of awards, and hear about the Northwestern University application process and timeline. Get all your Fulbright questions answered!
Campus Deadline – Tuesday, Sept. 1st, 2026
Apr
21
University Practicum | The Science of How Students Learn - Synchronous Online Session: Demystifying Rigor (2026 Spring)
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Selected by the campus community, this year’s University Practicum focuses on the science of how students learn. Participants will explore innovative, evidence-based strategies grounded in core learning principles—not only to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, but to shape its future.
This year includes synchronous online sessions, complemented by a featured speaker, learning labs, and individual consultations.
Can't attend the live offering? Register anyway and get access to a recording!
Apr
21
Microbiology-Immunology Seminar Series: Dr. Shaeri Mukherjee, PhD
Chicago - 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
Title: “Pathogens as Cell-Biology Tools.”
Description: In the Mukherjee lab, we study Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaires’ disease. Legionella pneumophila employs an impressive arsenal of over 300 secreted effectors to subvert and manipulate nearly every fundamental eukaryotic cell biological process. For this reason, our research sits at the crossroads of mammalian cell biology and Legionella pathogenesis. We use Legionella and its effectors as tools to make fundamental discoveries in cell biology.
Apr
22
Fulbright ETA Info Session w/ Current Fulbrighter Helen Zhu (Taiwan)
Online - 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Information Session with Current Fulbrighter in Taiwan, Helen Zhu.
Fulbright English Teaching Assistants strengthen English-language instruction in over eighty countries world-wide. Applicants select one country of application. Host institutions range from elementary and secondary schools to university language departments. Some countries require host country language skills, others do not. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold an undergraduate degree by the time the fellowship begins. Undergrads apply just prior to their senior year for awards that begin shortly after graduation. Graduate students and alum are also eligible to apply. Awards are an academic year in length.
The 2026 campus deadline is September 1.
Apr
22
Fulbright Study/Research/Arts Awards Information meeting
Evanston - 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Interested in Fulbright Study/Research & Arts Awards? Attend this meeting to learn how Fulbright can transform your life and pursuits. You will hear about the history of the Fulbright program, understand the core values that animate the Fulbright competition, review various kinds of awards, and hear about the Northwestern University application process and timeline. Get all your Fulbright questions answered!
Campus Deadline – Tuesday, Sept. 1st, 2026
Apr
23
BMG Seminar: Christopher Cowan, PhD
Chicago - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
The Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics presents:
Christopher Cowan, PhD
Professor and Chair, Dept. of Neuroscience
Presentation:
Cell and Molecular Mechanisms Shaping Relapse-Like Drug Seeking
Abstract:
Host: Iris Titos-Vivancos, PhD
Refreshments will be served.
Apr
23
Fulbright ETA Info Session w/ Current Fulbrighters Alena Haney and Mariam Adesiji (Colombia)
Online - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Information Session with Current Fulbrighters in Colombia, Alena Haney and Mariam Adesiji.
Fulbright English Teaching Assistants strengthen English-language instruction in over eighty countries world-wide. Applicants select one country of application. Host institutions range from elementary and secondary schools to university language departments. Some countries require host country language skills, others do not. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold an undergraduate degree by the time the fellowship begins. Undergrads apply just prior to their senior year for awards that begin shortly after graduation. Graduate students and alum are also eligible to apply. Awards are an academic year in length.
The 2026 campus deadline is September 1.
Apr
23
April in the Isles: Oxbridge
Off-Campus - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Join Marshall Scholar Kaylyn Ahn SESP '25 and Gates Scholar Jane Clarke WCAS '24 for a discussion of graduate study at Oxford and Cambridge
Apr
23
Immunology Journal Club
Chicago - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Discussion of impactful and high-quality papers that will foster meaningful learning and discussion for all participants.
Apr
23
University Practicum | The Science of How Students Learn - Learning Lab: Decoding AI (2026 Spring)
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Selected by the campus community, this year’s University Practicum focuses on the science of how students learn. Participants will explore innovative, evidence-based strategies grounded in core learning principles—not only to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, but to shape its future.
This year includes synchronous online sessions, complemented by a featured speaker, learning labs, and individual consultations.
Can't attend the live offering? Register anyway and get access to a recording!
Apr
23
STEM tuition support fellowships for rising second-year graduate students
Online - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Are you currently completing your first year of a graduate program in a STEM field of study:? Will you be a second-year graduate student enrolled in a STEM focused graduate program at NU in Fall 2026? Join the Office of Fellowships to learn about fellowships to fund graduate studies. In this session we will review application guidelines for the NDSEG, Quad Fellowship, HHMI Gilliam, and the GFSD. These fellowships are open to second-year graduate students. Please register to attend.
Apr
24
Application Workshop -- Fulbright Study/Research/Arts Awards
Evanston - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Interested in pursuing research, study, or the arts abroad? Attend an application workshop to learn about the Fulbright application process at Northwestern. We will discuss application components and successful application strategies. You do not need a draft of your essays, but will benefit most if you have a clear vision of your project.
Campus Deadline – Tuesday, Sept. 1st, 2026
Apr
24
Fulbright ETA Info Session w/ Current Fulbrighter Divya Gupta (Spain)
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Information Session with current Fulbrighter in Spain, Divya Gupta.
Fulbright English Teaching Assistants strengthen English-language instruction in over eighty countries world-wide. Applicants select one country of application. Host institutions range from elementary and secondary schools to university language departments. Some countries require host country language skills, others do not. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold an undergraduate degree by the time the fellowship begins. Undergrads apply just prior to their senior year for awards that begin shortly after graduation. Graduate students and alum are also eligible to apply. Awards are an academic year in length.
The 2026 campus deadline is September 1.
Apr
24
bacterial Journal Club
Chicago - 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Speakers: Jennifer Sheridan and Jori Mills
Description: Bacteriology Journal Club is a forum for the presentation of original research-in-progress and for scholarly discussion of recently published papers in bacteriology
Apr
24
April in the Isles: Life & Law School after Oxford
Evanston - 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Join Rhodes Scholar Irena Petryk (WCAS'23) to learn about the transition from life among Oxford's dreaming spires to the milieu of a US law school.
Apr
27
Goldwater Scholarship information session
Online - 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Join the Office of Fellowships to learn more about the Goldwater Scholarship. The Goldwater Scholarship is the most prestigious national award given to undergraduate sophomores and juniors who plan to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering. In this info session we will review the award benefits, nomination process, and the application. Registration is required to attend.
Apr
28
Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Information Session
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Are you interested in teaching English abroad after graduation?
Fulbright English Teaching Assistants strengthen English-language instruction in over eighty countries world-wide. Applicants select one country of application. Host institutions range from elementary and secondary schools to university language departments. Some countries require host country language skills, others do not. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold an undergraduate degree by the time the fellowship begins. Undergrads apply just prior to their senior year for awards that begin shortly after graduation. Graduate students and alum are also eligible to apply. Awards are an academic year in length.
The 2026 campus deadline is September 1 @ 12:00 noon.
Apr
28
Microbiology-Immunology Seminar Series: Dr. Ya-Chi Ho, PhD
Chicago - 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
Title: BACH2 the Future - single-cell multiomic and spatial dissection of HIV in tissues and tumor microenvironment
Description: The gut maintains an immuno-tolerant environment to reduce excessive inflammation. We will discuss how BACH2, the effector-to-memory molecular switch, helps HIV to persist in tissues, making gut reservoir distinct from that in the blood. We will discuss how mechanisms of HIV persistence in lymph nodes are in some way similar to how non-Hodgkin lymphoma evade immune infiltration (immune excluded cold tumor).
Apr
28
Application Workshop -- Fulbright Study/Research/Arts Awards
Evanston - 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Interested in pursuing research, study, or the arts abroad? Attend an application workshop to learn about the Fulbright application process at Northwestern. We will discuss application components and successful application strategies. You do not need a draft of your essays, but will benefit most if you have a clear vision of your project.
Campus Deadline – Tuesday, Sept. 1st, 2026
Apr
30
University Practicum | The Science of How Students Learn - Learning Lab: Activating Metacognition (2026 Spring)
Online - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Selected by the campus community, this year’s University Practicum focuses on the science of how students learn. Participants will explore innovative, evidence-based strategies grounded in core learning principles—not only to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, but to shape its future.
This year includes synchronous online sessions, complemented by a featured speaker, learning labs, and individual consultations.
Can't attend the live offering? Register anyway and get access to a recording!
Apr
30
April in the Isles: Application Basics
Off-Campus - 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Join Dr. Pardoe for the ins and outs of UK Scholarship applications
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.northwestern.edu/fellowships/documents/british-scholarships-schedule-2026.pdf
May
01
Cancer Survivorship Symposium: Moving Toward Precision Cancer Survivorship
Online - 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
On Friday, May 1, 2026, the Cancer Survivorship Symposium will convene researchers, clinicians, and healthcare professionals to explore strategies for improving outcomes for cancer survivors. This year’s theme—Moving Toward Precision Cancer Survivorship: Shaping the Future of Personalized Care—will guide discussions on implementing best-practice models and advancing individualized approaches to survivorship.
May
01
Spring Chicago Cytoskeleton Meeting
Off-Campus - 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
The Spring edition of the Chicago Cytoskeleton Meeting will take place on Friday May 1st, 2026 at Loyola University Chicago’s Water Tower Campus.
The Chicago Cytoskeleton is a forum for cytoskeletal researchers from the greater Chicago area to meet, hear great talks, exchange ideas, and socialize. For additional information, please visit: https://sites.google.com/view/chicagocytoskeleton/home
May
01
Bacterial Journal Club
Chicago - 1:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Speaker: Selma Metaane
Description: Bacteriology Journal Club is a forum for the presentation of original research-in-progress and for scholarly discussion of recently published papers in bacteriology
May
04
Goldwater Scholarship information session
Online - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Join the Office of Fellowships to learn more about the Goldwater Scholarship. The Goldwater Scholarship is the most prestigious national award given to undergraduate sophomores and juniors who plan to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering. In this info session we will review the award benefits, nomination process, and the application. Registration is required to attend.
May
05
STEM tuition support fellowships for rising first-year graduate students
Online - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Are you planning to apply to or will be enrolled in a STEM focused graduate program in Fall 2026? If so, please join us to learn about fellowships that fund STEM graduate programs for first year graduate students. In this session we will primarily discuss application guidelines for the NSF GRFP, NDSEG and Hertz fellowships. These fellowships are open to undergraduate seniors, baccalaureate holders not currently enrolled in a graduate program, and first-year graduate students.
May
05
Pedagogical Innovations in STEM featuring Michael Horn
Online - 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Pedagogical Innovations is a scholarly exchange offered each quarter, showcasing leading-edge research that informs teaching and learning strategies.
This session will feature Dr. Michael Horn, a Professor with joint appointments in Computer Science and the Learning Sciences. He will discuss how he helps students prepare for future learning through (multi)literacy development in his computer science courses.
Recommended for those pursuing the CIRTL Certificate.
May
06
STEM tuition support fellowships for rising second-year graduate students
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Are you currently completing your first year of a graduate program in a STEM field of study? Will you be a second-year graduate student enrolled in a STEM focused graduate program at NU in Fall 2026? Join the Office of Fellowships to learn about fellowships to fund graduate studies. In this session we will review application guidelines for the NDSEG, Quad Fellowship, HHMI Gilliam, and the GFSD. These fellowships are open to second-year graduate students. Please register to attend.
May
06
The Salon: Exploring Contemplative Practices Inside and Outside of the Classroom
Evanston - 4:00 PM - 5:15 PM
We often watch but rarely see. We know how to hear but don’t always listen.
Explore the practice of Contemplative Cinema based on the ancient practice of lectio divina or sacred reading which invites interiority and reflection through a process of repetition and reflection. Together, we will watch a short film and be guided into deeper meaning and personal resonance through meditative viewings.
The Salon is a visionary gathering space curated by students, staff, and faculty to explore the intersections of learning and contemplative practices in higher education. All are welcome.
Light refreshments will be shared.
May
07
Supporting Neurodivergent Students: Reading Circle
Online - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
The Reading Circle is intended to deepen your understanding of inclusive teaching pedagogies and practices through engaged discussions with fellow educators.
This circle will be led by Dr. Elizabeth Norton, an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and a 2024 University Teaching Award Recipient. The featured article will focus on supporting neurodivergent students and will be disseminated to participants upon registration.
Recommended for those pursuing the CIRTL Certificate.
May
07
Immunology Journal Club
Chicago - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Discussion of impactful and high-quality papers that will foster meaningful learning and discussion for all participants.
May
07
Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Information Session
Online - 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Are you interested in teaching English abroad after graduation?
Fulbright English Teaching Assistants strengthen English-language instruction in over eighty countries world-wide. Applicants select one country of application. Host institutions range from elementary and secondary schools to university language departments. Some countries require host country language skills, others do not. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold an undergraduate degree by the time the fellowship begins. Undergrads apply just prior to their senior year for awards that begin shortly after graduation. Graduate students and alum are also eligible to apply. Awards are an academic year in length.
The 2026 campus deadline is September 1 @ 12:00 noon.
May
08
Application Workshop -- Fulbright Study/Research/Arts Awards
Online - 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Interested in pursuing research, study, or the arts abroad? Attend an application workshop to learn about the Fulbright application process at Northwestern. We will discuss application components and successful application strategies. You do not need a draft of your essays, but will benefit most if you have a clear vision of your project.
Campus Deadline – Tuesday, Sept. 1st, 2026
May
08
Bacterial Journal Club
Chicago - 1:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Speakers: Somalisa Pan and Casey Kellogg
Description: Bacteriology Journal Club is a forum for the presentation of original research-in-progress and for scholarly discussion of recently published papers in bacteriology
May
11
STEM graduate fellowship writing workshop: Personal Statements
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
This writing workshop will help you as you prepare applications for Fall 2026 graduate school funding fellowships. In this workshop you will learn strategies that will assist you as you write Personal Statements for STEM focused fellowships. NSF GRFP and NDSEG personal statements will be used as templates. This workshop is suitable for students who will be first- or second-year graduate students in Fall 2026. Students who hold or will hold a baccalaureate degree as of June 2026 and plan to apply to a STEM focused graduate program in the future are also welcome to attend. Registration is required.
May
12
Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Information Session
Online - 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Are you interested in teaching English abroad after graduation?
Fulbright English Teaching Assistants strengthen English-language instruction in over eighty countries world-wide. Applicants select one country of application. Host institutions range from elementary and secondary schools to university language departments. Some countries require host country language skills, others do not. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold an undergraduate degree by the time the fellowship begins. Undergrads apply just prior to their senior year for awards that begin shortly after graduation. Graduate students and alum are also eligible to apply. Awards are an academic year in length.
The 2026 campus deadline is September 1 @ 12:00 noon.
May
12
Student Experiences in STEM
Online - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Student Experiences in STEM is an evidence-driven reading circle focusing on students’ experiences, development, and their perceptions of commonly used learning practices and the classroom environment.
Recommended for those pursuing the CIRTL Certificate.
May
12
Goldwater open house Q & A
Evanston - 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Are you interested in applying to the Goldwater scholarship in Fall 2026? The Goldwater Scholarship is the most prestigious national award given to undergraduate sophomores
and juniors who are committed to pursuing research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering. Please join the NU Goldwater Campus Rep in the Office of Fellowships conference room to discuss any questions you may have about the application
process, including how to answer the questions in the application portal and strategies for the research statement. This is a drop in event, so feel free to stop by with your questions at any time from 12:00 – 1:30 pm.
May
15
STEM graduate fellowship writing workshop: Research Statements
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
This writing workshop will help you as you prepare applications for Fall 2026 graduate school funding fellowships. In this workshop you will learn strategies that will assist you as you write Research Statements for STEM focused fellowships. NSF GRFP and NDSEG research statements will be used as templates. This workshop is suitable for students who will be first- or second-year graduate students in Fall 2026. Students who hold or will hold a baccalaureate degree as of June 2026 and plan to apply to a STEM focused graduate program in the future are also welcome to attend. Registration is required.
May
15
Bacterial Journal Club
Chicago - 1:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Speakers: Kyle Rosinke
Description: Bacteriology Journal Club is a forum for the presentation of original research-in-progress and for scholarly discussion of recently published papers in bacteriology
May
19
5th Annual Robert D. Goldman Lecture Presents: Michael Rosen, PhD, UT Southwestern
Chicago - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
5th Annual Robert D. Goldman Lecture Presents:
Cosponsored by Walter S. And Lucienne Driskill Graduate Program Lectures in Life Sciences and Feinberg School of Medicine Department of Cell & Developmental Biology
Michael K Rosen, PhD
Professor and Mar Nell and F. Andrew Bell Distinguished Chair
Department of Biophysics
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, TX
Dr. Rosen is the Chair of the Department of Biophysics at UT Southwestern Medical Center and an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Dr. Rosen received undergraduate degrees in chemistry and in chemical engineering from the University of Michigan in 1987. He then spent a year in Alan Battersby’s lab in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge as a Winston Churchill Foundation Scholar. He received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Harvard University in 1993 under the direction of Stuart Schreiber, where he studied the structure and function of the FK506 binding protein, FKBP12. He was a Damon Runyon-Walter Winchell post-doctoral fellow in the laboratories of Tony Pawson and Lewis Kay at the University of Toronto, where he studied regulation of the signaling adaptor protein, Crk, and developed methods of selective methyl group labeling of proteins for NMR spectroscopy. Dr. Rosen started his independent laboratory in 1996 in the Cellular Biochemistry and Biophysics Program at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, and moved to UTSW in 2001.
About the Annual Robert D. Goldman, PhD:
Robert D. Goldman, PhD, is the Stephen Walter Ranson Professor Emeritus of Cell and Developmental Biology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, where he served as chair of the department from 1981-2019. Dr. Goldman earned his doctorate in biology from Princeton University, after which he trained as a postdoctoral fellow at Hammersmith Hospital in London and at the MRC Institute of Virology in Glasgow. He was appointed assistant professor of Biology at Case Western Reserve University in 1969 and moved to Carnegie Mellon University in 1977, prior to joining the faculty at Northwestern.
The annual lecture commemorates the accomplishments of Dr. Goldman and are a celebration of science and innovative discoveries in cell and developmental biology.
Contact cdb@northwestern.edu for more information or sign-up to our event listserv at https://forms.office.com/r/5X7DWBqXUq
Visit our department website to learn about how we are expanding the limits of scientific inquiry: https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/cdb/
May
20
OKRA National Forum: Biomarker-enriched Clinical Phenotyping of Acute Kidney Injury
Online - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
The Northwestern O'Brien Kidney Resource Center invites you to participate in the upcoming O'Brien Kidney Resource Alliance (OKRA) webinar series, designed to foster networking and learning.
Join us on Thursday, May 20th, to hear from Steven Menez, MD (Johns Hopkins University) as she discusses “Biomarker-enriched Clinical Phenotyping of Acute Kidney Injury”
Registration is required.
May
22
Bacterial Journal Club
Chicago - 1:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Speaker: Anna Liponska
Description: Bacteriology Journal Club is a forum for the presentation of original research-in-progress and for scholarly discussion of recently published papers in bacteriology
May
28
Application Workshop -- Fulbright Study/Research/Arts Awards
Evanston - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Interested in pursuing research, study, or the arts abroad? Attend an application workshop to learn about the Fulbright application process at Northwestern. We will discuss application components and successful application strategies. You do not need a draft of your essays, but will benefit most if you have a clear vision of your project.
Campus Deadline – Tuesday, Sept. 1st, 2026
May
28
Immunology Journal Club
Chicago - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Discussion of impactful and high-quality papers that will foster meaningful learning and discussion for all participants.
May
29
Bacterial Journal Club
Chicago - 1:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Speaker: Iryna Boika
Description: Bacteriology Journal Club is a forum for the presentation of original research-in-progress and for scholarly discussion of recently published papers in bacteriology
May
29
2026 James C. Houk Lecture in Motor Control: Motor Action Selection, Evaluation and Reinforcement by the Basal Ganglia - Bernardo Sabatini, MD, PhD
Chicago - 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
The Department of Neuroscience Presents:
2026 James C. Houk Lecture in Motor Control: "Motor Action Selection, Evaluation and Reinforcement by the Basal Ganglia"
Bernardo Sabatini, MD, PhD
Alice and Rodman W. Moorhead III Professor of Neurobiology
Harvard Medical School
Abstract
In order to survive in and adapt to changing environments, animals must choose appropriate actions to achieve their goals. This process depends on their past experience, internal state, and environmental conditions and must be be rapidly adapted based on the outcome of their choice. Here we discuss how circuits and synapses of the basal ganglia, an evolutionarily old and phylogenetically conserved set of subcortical nuclei, contribute to these processes in mice. We focus on specialized features of the basal ganglia circuit that uniquely contribute to action selection and reinforcement as well as the role of dopamine in these processes. Although we study mice, we believe our findings are likely relevant for understanding human behavior and disease.
About the James C. Houk Lecture in Motor Control
In 2020, the late James Houk, PhD, former chair and professor of Physiology (now Neuroscience), and his wife Antoinette established the Dr. James C. Houk Fellowship in Neuroscience through a bequest. Their gift provides funding for a graduate student or postdoctoral fellow training in the Department of Neuroscience at Northwestern and also supports the annual James C. Houk Lecture in Motor Control, delivered by a renowned neuroscientist whose work reflects Dr. Houk’s broad interests.
About James C. Houk, PhD
Dr. James C. Houk originally studied electrical engineering before receiving his PhD in physiology at Harvard University. As an assistant professor at Harvard, he studied Golgi tendon organs, muscle spindles and developed control models of muscle activation through neuronal circuits in the spinal cord.
Later, as an associate professor at Johns Hopkins Medical School, Houk began work on the central nervous system in behaving monkeys, work he continued at Northwestern University, after being recruited in 1978 as chair of the Department of Physiology (now Neuroscience). During this time, Houk also built a world-renowned systems neuroscience group within the department.
In 2001, after 23 years, Houk stepped down as chair to concentrate on multimodal approaches to studying how the nonlinear dynamics of microscopic modules in the brain give rise to its unique computational properties. He became particularly interested in the interplay between the basal ganglia, motor cortex and cerebellum.
Jun
02
Application Workshop -- Fulbright Study/Research/Arts Awards
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Interested in pursuing research, study, or the arts abroad? Attend an application workshop to learn about the Fulbright application process at Northwestern. We will discuss application components and successful application strategies. You do not need a draft of your essays, but will benefit most if you have a clear vision of your project.
Campus Deadline – Tuesday, Sept. 1st, 2026
Jun
03
Searle Center Community Celebration
Evanston - 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Mark your calendars!
Join us for the Searle Center Community Celebration, a joyful afternoon of connection, conversation, and appreciation for our vibrant teaching and learning community.
Enjoy food, drinks, and the chance to engage with colleagues, meet our Graduate Teaching Fellows, and explore highlights inspired by this year’s theme of Bolstering Student Success and Instructor Vitality.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you! 🌟
Jun
07
2026 Cancer Survivors' Celebration Walk & 5K
Off-Campus - 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
For 33 years, Lurie Cancer Center’s Cancer Survivors’ Celebration Walk & 5K has been a source of hope and inspiration for people who have faced or are facing cancer. Held in Chicago’s Grant Park, our community event is a unique opportunity for cancer survivors, supporters, scientists and health professionals to connect, celebrate milestones and make an impact on the future of cancer care.
We’re excited to run, walk and celebrate together on National Cancer Survivors Day! We strongly encourage you to register in advance. You must register by May 1 to receive your T-shirt before the event. If you register after May 1, you may pick up your T-shirt on the day of the event. T-shirts will not be mailed after the event.
Highlights include:
A non-competitive walk or chip-timed 5K race along the lakefront
A commemorative T-shirt
Music, entertainment, inspiring speakers and Dedication Wall
Refreshments and activities for families
Net proceeds and funds raised from our 33rd annual event will help to advance groundbreaking cancer research and treatment at Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. We hope you will join the donors, sponsors and fundraising teams who support our efforts by creating a personalized fundraising page when you register. Fundraising is optional, and no minimum is required.
Jun
10
Application Workshop -- Fulbright Study/Research/Arts Awards
Online - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Interested in pursuing research, study, or the arts abroad? Attend an application workshop to learn about the Fulbright application process at Northwestern. We will discuss application components and successful application strategies. You do not need a draft of your essays, but will benefit most if you have a clear vision of your project.
Campus Deadline – Tuesday, Sept. 1st, 2026
Jun
16
20th Annual Pain & Palliative Care Conference
Chicago - 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
On Tuesday, June 16, 2026 the 20th Annual Pain & Palliative Care Conference will bring together physicians, nurses, social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, chaplains, and healthcare professionals to share research and clinical best practices to advance the field of palliative care and improve care for patients with serious illnesses and their loved ones.
Jun
18
Immunology Journal Club
Chicago - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Discussion of impactful and high-quality papers that will foster meaningful learning and discussion for all participants.