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CAIRIBU TRAINEE
NEWSLETTER
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In each issue of the CAIRIBU Trainee Newsletter, trainees have the opportunity to submit questions to be answered by CAIRIBU investigators from across the network. Along with expert advice, each issue also includes an overview of various NIH funding programs to help guide trainees through the research funding landscape.
This issue features insights from Postdoctoral Fellow Acacia White, PhD; Principal Investigator Gregory Tasian, MD, MSc, MSCE; and Team Science expert Whitney Sweeney, PhD.
Click the button below each article to read the full feature on our website.
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ASK A POSTDOC - Acacia White, PhD
Question: I’d like to do a postdoc in which I can learn new things. But I’m worried that I would be expected to already be an expert. Do you have insights for me?
Answer: PhD graduates, because they are trained to become experts in specific research niches, carry the necessary skills to learn new disciplines in a postdoctoral program. Postdoctoral positions are training-focused, giving investigators opportunities to gain further feedback and mentorship – what matters is not knowing everything, but a willingness to learn and grow. Read more in the full article.
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Surviving and Thriving in Uncertain Times - Feat. Whitney Sweeney, PhD
Topic: Collaboration in clinical and translational research.
Preview: On September 10, 2025, the Institute for Clinical and Translational Research at UW–Madison hosted a one-day event bringing together researchers and professionals across health-related fields. The day featured a keynote by Dr. Geoff Curren on values-driven research, collaboration, candidly about the lessons he learned over the course of his career including failures or roadblocks. Read more in the full article.
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ASK A PI - Gregory Tasian, MD, MSc, MSCE
Question: What skills are most critical to your success?
Answer: Success in research isn't about having all the answers. It's about cultivating key habits like recognizing knowledge gaps, fostering creativity, leading effective teams, and thinking with agility. These skills shape a meaningful career focused on solving real-world problems. From spotting overlooked trends in pediatric kidney disease to adapting study designs on the fly, progress comes from asking better questions and working collaboratively. Read more in the full article.
| | Hello CAIRIBU community! For this issue of the CAIRIBU Trainee Newsletter, I’d like to take the opportunity to introduce a new and very welcomed member of the NIDDK Urology Program, Dr. William Stuart (Stu) Reynolds. Dr. Reynolds comes to the NIDDK with a wealth of clinical and research expertise. Read more about Dr. Reynolds' background and goals for the NIDDK Urology Program and ultimately for broad urologic research and training in the full article. | | |
Postdoctoral Fellow in Urothelial and Cancer Biology
Postdoctoral Fellow in Urothelial and Cancer Biology at Columbia University in Dr. Cathy Mendelsohn’s lab, in the Department of Urology and Genetics & Development. Seeking a person to work on a new mouse model of bladder cancer. The research involves multiomics and whole exome sequencing of tumors from mice as well as tissue analysis and some experience using computational skills.
To Apply: Email CV, references, and cover letter to Dr. Cathy Mendelsohn
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Dr. Cathy Mendelsohn at Columbia University is looking to fill lab manager position at her laboratory. Education: Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline, such as biology, molecular biology, or a related field. Experience: A minimum of 1 year of laboratory experience. Candidates with experience in molecular biology, mouse models, and analysis of tissue highly preferred.
To Apply: Email CV, references, and cover letter to Dr. Cathy Mendelsohn
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UPCOMING TRAINEE FOCUSED EVENTS
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CAIRIBU Graduate Student Seminar
October 15, 2025
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm EDT
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ARCTICS Community Forum
November 12, 2025
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT
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CAIRIBU 2025 Annual Meeting
December 3-5, 2025
8:00 am CT
| | We want to hear from you! Use the short survey below to submit your question for a future issue of the CAIRIBU Trainee Newsletter. You'll also have the chance to share your thoughts on how we're doing and what you'd like to see in upcoming editions. | | |
Collaborating for the Advancement of Interdisciplinary Research in Benign Urology
CAIRIBU is a community of NIDDK-funded U54 and P20 Urology Centers and K12 Institutional Career Development Programs whose overarching objectives are to address gaps in knowledge related to epidemiology, etiology, development, progression, and expression of non-malignant urologic conditions and to train the next generation of leaders in urology research. The CAIRIBU Interactions Core is the central coordinating body for the CAIRIBU Community.
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Kristina L. Penniston, PhD, RD
PI, CAIRIBU U24 Interactions Core
(U24-DK127726)
penn@urology.wisc.edu
Dept. of Urology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
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