BioGSA (Biology Graduate Students’ Association)
Biology Graduate Students’ Association acts as a platform for graduate students to address issues that are of concern and advocates for student needs at the department, college and university level. The group also facilitates in the expansion and improvement of the department of Biology by aiding in the recruitment of new students, helping in the annual department research symposium, administering travel awards and selecting student speakers at the department seminars, among other activities.
Event Calendar
| Name | Description | Occurrence |
| Welcome Social | A Social gathering for new graduate recruits to hang out with their peers | Before the beginning of Fall semester |
| Fall student speaker selection | Selection of student speakers for dept. seminar through voting for the best abstracts | Aug.- Sept. |
| Fall Fundraising | Selection of T-shirt design via polling of collected designs; Administering T-shirt/jacket/other merchandise sales | Sept.-Dec. |
| Fall Town Hall | Discussion on student concerns and seek suggestions for future events esp. professional development | After student seminar – end of Oct. |
| Professional Development | Establish a program catered for the students/postdocs; organize events, invite speakers to discuss various career paths for students | Dec. – April |
| Spring International Festival | A BioGSA fundraiser where groups of students showcase their country/region/state by presenting traditional/typical foods and/or drinks, customs, clothing, art, and music. | Mid-January |
| Spring student speaker selection | Selection of student speakers for dept. seminar through voting for the best abstracts | Jan.-Feb. |
| Spring Travel award selection | Assessing criteria for Travel awards and finalizing the selection | Feb.-Mar. |
| Spring Town Hall | Discussion on student concerns and seek suggestions for future events | April |
| Officer elections and transition | Holding elections for the incoming panel of BioGSA officers and arranging officer transition meetings | April-May |
Nopakorn Hansanant
- Graduate Student, Smith Lab
- GRAC Representative, BioGSA
- Email: nhansanant@bio.tamu.edu
Merilyn Beebe
- Graduate Student, Sorg Lab
- Faculty Meeting Representative, BioGSA
- Email: mbeebe@bio.tamu.edu
Prakruthi Amar Kumar
- Graduate Student Dulin Lab
- SPRC Representative, BioGSA
- Email: pamarkumar@bio.tamu.edu
Javier Sanchez
- Graduate Student, Paredes-Sabja Lab
- SPRC Representative, BioGSA
- Email: jsanchez@bio.tamu.edu
Maureen Hayden
- Graduate Student, Wicksten Lab
- Diversity Committee, BioGSA
- Email: mhayden@bio.tamu.edu
Resources
Deb Bell-Pedersen
BioGSA Advisor
March 2023 Agenda and Minutes
September 2022 Agenda and Minutes
March 2022 Agenda and Minutes
February 2022 Agenda and Minutes
January 2022 Agenda and Minutes
December 2021 Agenda and Minutes
November 2021 Agenda and Minutes
October 2021 Agenda and Minutes
Biology Travel Awards criteria
BioGSA has been asked to administer the allocation for departmental travel funds in the Spring Semester of each academic year. We have introduced a two-tier ranking system to maintain fairness in distribution of funds. Amounts may vary every year depending on the total allocation.
Lower Tier Criteria (awards up to $300):
- 50% attendance in Tuesday seminars (will need to personally sign in at each seminar attended)
- One of the following department events —
- Full day attendance of SPRC and performance of assigned duties for arrangements (or virtually hosted equivalents)
- Attend recruitment party at Matt Sachs’ house (or alternative pandemic-appropriate event)
- Attend 25% of BioGSA Friday seminar/professional development events
Upper Tier Criteria (awards up to $750):
- Fulfillment of the Lower Tier and any one of the following:
- Present a poster or give a talk at SPRC
- Submit an abstract to be considered as a speaker for Tuesday Seminar
- Participate in at least one outreach event of the department per academic year
- Be a mentor for incoming graduate recruits
- Give a presentation/lead a discussion at a BioGSA graduate student seminar event
Exceptions can be made for religious reasons, time conflicts with a registered TAMU class, or TA duties
All of these criteria are designed to encourage overall student involvement in the graduate program and to enhance your learning experience.
Funding Resources
2020 Grants and Scholarships Opportunities for Graduate Students