Student Activities

The MIP Graduate Program and Department, and the Systems and Integrative Biology Training Grant, sponsor a wide variety of activities. These not only enhance professional development and promote leadership skills, they also provide opportunities for recreation and informal social interactions among students, faculty and staff. They are an important aspect of the overall MIP experience. 

MIP Monthly Pub Nights (Oct through May) Monthly, during the academic year, MIP students, faculty and postdocs are invited to gather at a local pub (Arbor Brewing Co., Buffalo Wild Wings, etc.) at the end of the day. These gatherings encourage social interactions and unstructured scientific and academic discussions in an informal and relaxed atmosphere.

Fall Welcome (September) Early in September, MIP holds an assembly to introduce the 2nd-year students matriculating from PIBS as well as the new recruits entering PIBS who are interested in MIP. Two awards are presented (the Bean Award for Academic Excellence and the Vander Teaching Award) and other achievements of MIP students are recognized.

Fall Picnic (September) Second-year students are responsible for organizing the annual MIP departmental picnic, usually held at one of the local Metro Parks on a weekend in late September. All faculty, students, staff, families and guests are invited. The Department provides some food and beverages and everyone is asked to bring a dish to pass. The annual faculty versus student softball game is the highlight of this event!

Annual Research Forum This event is held in the Spring of each year. It is sponsored by the MIP Graduate Program and the Systems and Integrative Biology Training Grant. Planning begins in the previous academic year when the students nominate and select a keynote speaker. Generally, a student in the 3rd year or above coordinates this event with the assistance of the Graduate Program Coordinator. The student host is responsible for extending an invitation to the keynote speaker, arranging faculty interviews, and escorting the visitor while in town. Other graduate students may be invited to attend a dinner with the speaker if time permits. All graduate students attend a lunch with the speaker. Selected 10-min presentations are given by finalists for the Davenport Research Award (winner announced at the session of the keynote address). All students and faculty are invited to participate in the poster session, but graduate students funded by the Systems and Integrative Biology Training Grant are required to submit an abstract and present their research. 

Holiday Party (December)
The Department hosts a holiday party for all faculty, students and staff (and their families and guests) in December. This event is coordinated by the office staff. Students and faculty frequently provide "entertainment".

Recruiting Weekend (January)
Recruitment of incoming students to MIP is coordinated by PIBS.  MIP faculty and students serve on the PIBS Admissions Committee, and MIP students host applicants invited during the recruiting weekend. All MIP students are heavily involved in recruiting weekend; this is highly important in helping our visitors to capture the spirit of MIP. Events of this weekend currently include a welcome dinner on Thursday evening with the visitors and their host student, one-on-one interviews with MIP faculty members, a Friday luncheon attended by all students in the Graduate Program, and a dinner reception Friday evening followed by a social outing organized by MIP graduate students. Saturday activities include a poster session with all PIBS programs and possible additional tours of research labs by faculty or graduate students, a visit to recreational buildings on campus or a tour of current graduate student housing choices for visitors.

Spring BBQ (May, June)
This is an informal gathering in a relaxed setting at the end of the academic year to enjoy each others company.

Lunches with MIP Seminar Speakers and Faculty Candidates The Department aims to host a seminar speaker every Wednesday. When the speaker is from outside of the University, he or she is invited to have lunch with the graduate students. The MIP Graduate Program expects students to make every effort to attend these lunches. This gives students the opportunity to interact with speakers as well as for the visitors to learn more about the Department and the Graduate Program. In addition, students are often invited to have lunch with candidates for faculty positions during their visits to MIP; this allows the candidate to gain appreciation for the quality and vitality of the MIP Graduate Program. 

MIP Sports Teams In the past, MIP students have organized various teams for intramural sports such as softball and broomball. All students are encouraged to organize and participate in an MIP sports team. A good time is always had no matter what the skill level.