BioGSA

BioGSA (Biology Graduate Students’ Association)

biogsa group photo

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

Officers

sara maynard

Sara Maynard
President

profile photo of ebi preh

Ebi Preh
Vice President

profile photo of haley bennett

Haley Bennett

Treasurer

Joseph Carr
Fundraising

profile photo of nop hansanant

Nop Hansanant
GRAC Representative

profile photo of merilyn bebee

Merilyn Bebee
Faculty Meeting Representative

profile photo of sam park

Sam Park
GPSG Senator

profile photo of nolan dittenhauser

Nolan Dittenhauser
GPSG Representative

profile photo of riley buhrow

Riley Buhrow
GPC Representative

prakruthi amar kumar

Pakruthi Amar Kumar
SPRC Representative

profile photo javier sanchez

Javier Sanchez
SPRC Representative

jorden holland

Jorden Holland
Diversity Committee

maureen hayden

Maureen Hayden
Diversity Committee

Resources

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.