Medical College of Wisconsin Graduate Student Association

The Graduate Student Association (GSA) is a student-led governing body focused on supporting and uplifting the voice of graduate students at MCW. Led by an elected Representative Council, we work with faculty and staff to make positive social, academic, and financial changes within MCW. Our Representative Council is made up of representatives from each MCW graduate program, to ensure all voices are heard regardless of the size or length of the program. Participating in the GSA is also a great opportunity to build professional connections and to develop leadership skills.

All graduate students are welcome to join our monthly meetings, taking place on the first Wednesday of each month. If you are interested in learning more about the GSA or potentially being a part of the Representative Council, please reach out to gsa@mcw.edu for more information.

GSA Handbook

Review the GSA Handbook (PDF)

Follow the GSA:

• See our social media for more information
  • LinkedIn
  • Blue Sky
  • Instagram
  • X

Executive Board:

• Paul Sidlowski
• Aysan Hedayat Nazari
• Kira Mielke
• Taylor Rau
• Knisha Boswell

Representatives

• Biochemistry: Eve Roberts
• Biomedical Engineering: Brea Brennan
• Biophysics: Tyler Trask
• Biostatistics: Rajanya Dutta
• Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy: Allison Hall
• Clinical & Translational Science: Sarah Muth
• Genetic Counseling (MSGC): Karinne Brochu
• Global Health Equity: TBD
• Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Sciences (IDP): Alexander Armstrong
• Master's in Medical Physiology (MMP): TBD Fall 2026
• Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP): Brandon Adkins
• Microbiology & Immunology: Andrew Cao
• Neuroscience Doctoral Program (NDP): Luke Ehlert
• Pharmacology and Toxicology: Nasya Miller
• Physiology: Robert Aryee
• Precision Medicine (MS): Ongoing nominations
• Public Health: Noel Estrada-Merly

Monthly Meetings
Everyone is welcome to attend our monthly meetings. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month from 10-11 a.m. In-person and virtual attendance options are both available.

Looking to be an elected GSA Representative? Elections are held each spring, following student nominations. Look for a student-wide email from the GSA or check out the Graduate Student Handbook for information and eligibility requirements.

• Contact gsa@mcw.edu to learn about upcoming events.

Committees
Any student can get involved and serve on our committees.

Conference Presenter Travel Awards

• Graduate Student Conference Education Fund (The Travel Fund)
  The Travel Fund is designed to offset costs associated with graduate students presenting their research at regional, national, or international scientific meetings. With this award the Graduate School recognizes that presentation of research findings at an external meeting is an essential professional development opportunity for all graduate students and supports academic presentation skills, professional feedback, and networking.
  
  • Contact gradschool@mcw.edu for more information.
    
    
• Kayoko Ishizuka Award for Presentation at International Conferences
  This award was created in memory of Kayoko "Kay" Ishizuka, a 2010 graduate from the Biochemistry department at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Kay, a citizen of Japan, was the GSA Biochemistry department representative for several years while she earned her PhD. She then began her postdoctoral research at the University of South Florida. Unfortunately, Kay was the victim of a fatal hit and run accident one night after leaving the lab. In recognition of her participation in the GSA, this award will be available to all current graduate students who have earned the opportunity to travel to and present at an international conference. An international conference is defined as a conference held and located outside of the continental United States.
  • Contact gsa@mcw.edu for more information. To apply, please email all application materials to the Graduate School GSA Coordinator, Lindsey Hill, at lihill@mcw.edu.

Scientific Training Travel Awards

• Guy Berst Memorial Training Award for Advancing Scientific Training
  Guy Berst Worked at MCW for 15 years as associate director of recruitment and marketing. Guy was a strong advocate for all students and thoroughly enjoyed watching students' careers flourish into lifelong memory of Guy's support and advocacy. The GSA sponsors a training award to support students' travels to further their scientific training. Eligible training experiences include scientific workshops and/or travel to another lab to learn/improve a technique.
  • Contact gsa@mcw.edu for more information. To apply, email all application materials to the Graduate School GSA Coordinator, Lindsey Hill, at lihill@mcw.edu.
    
    
• Ravi Misra Training Award
  Ravi Misra, PhD, a distinguished biochemistry professor, served as the dean of the MCW School of Graduate Studies from 2010 to 2024. His leadership was characterized by a dedication to student welfare and academic excellence. Recognized for his visionary and thoughtful decision-making, he broadened opportunities, instituted awards, and cultivated a culture of student well-being. Beyond his role as Dean, Dr. Misra is an approachable and empathetic leader, empowering students to thrive, and leaving a legacy that has shaped MCW's future. The Ravi Misra, PhD, Graduate Student Training Award aims to support the scientific and professional development of graduate students at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Providing financial assistance for impactful workshops or training experiences, this award enhances recipients' educational journeys and contributes to their overall growth as early career researchers by supporting the gaining of technical knowledge. Eligible training experiences include scientific workshops and/or travel to another lab to learn/improve a technique.
  
  • Contact gsa@mcw.edu for more information. To apply, email all application materials to the Graduate School GSA Coordinator, Lindsey Hill, at lihill@mcw.edu.

Paper of the Season Award

This award is granted to an outstanding original research manuscript. Awards are granted 4 times per year – 1 for every season.
Contact GradSchool@mcw.edu for more information.

2026
Winter Paper of the Season Award Winner: Cade Rahlf | PhD candidate, Microbiology & Immunology

2025
Fall Paper of the Season Award Winner: Emma Bonniwell | PhD candidate, Cell & Developmental Biology
Spring Paper of the Season Award Winner: Raymundo Nuñez | PhD candidate, Biochemistry
Winter Paper of the Season Award Winners: Meera Krishna | PhD candidate, Cell & Developmental Biology and Erika Johansen | PhD candidate, Microbiology & Immunology

2024
Summer Paper of the Season Award Winner: Karina Bursch | MSTP candidate, Biochemistry
Spring Paper of the Season Award Winner: Dianise Rodriguez Garcia | PhD candidate, Cell & Developmental Biology

Awards for Graduating Students
Contact GradSchool@mcw.edu for more information on both awards below.

• Doctor of Philosophy Outstanding Dissertation Award
• Leadership and Community Engagement Award

Nominations for these awards are requested in the spring. Contact gsa@mcw.edu for more information.

Teacher of the Year
The Teacher of the Year Award recognizes MCW faculty who demonstrate exceptional teaching qualities, form great connections with graduate students, and demonstrate an outstanding ability to convey and impart knowledge to students.

2026 Teacher: Chelsea Weaver, PhD, assistant professor of physiology

Mentor of the Year
The Mentor of the Year Award recognizes faculty who have provided an outstanding learning environment throughout a student’s graduate career, and who has gone above and beyond to assist students in reaching their goals.

2026 Mentor: Julia Dickson-Gomez, PhD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral health

Looking to get involved? Below you will find a list of student organizations and clubs. Please note that these organizations and clubs are separate from the Graduate Student Association. Please make sure to reach out to the orgs or clubs directly to get involved.

Board Game Interest Group:
Description: Our mission is to provide a fun and welcoming space for students to relax and connect with fellow MCW graduate, medical, and pharmacy students while playing games. Whether you are a casual gamer or a heavy euro enthusiast, all are welcome to our monthly on-campus game nights! Basically, the name says it all for our group - we get together to play board games of all kinds (with plans to expand that to RPGs, Nintendo Switch games, etc)

How to Join: Members will be added to our email list and are welcome to attend any events as their schedule allows. Please reach out to Brandon Adkins (badkins@mcw.edu) or Ryan Bonate (rbonate@mcw.edu) if you are interested in joining our group or if you have any questions. Happy gaming!

Chess Club:
Description: Casual unofficial club that meets on Thursday lunchtimes in the MCW cafeteria for friendly games of chess.

How to Join: Email Dr. Neil Hogg (nhogg@mcw.edu) to join the email list.

COSS:
Community Outreach by Students in Science (COSS) strives to enhance the Community Engagement mission at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). To do so, COSS aims to connect MCW students and bring science to the greater Milwaukee area through education and advocacy around careers in science. A few examples of the work that COSS members have accomplished in pursuit of these goals is volunteering at Froedtert’s Kathy’s House and demonstrating hands on science experiments at the Milwaukee Academy of Sciences (MAS), a school founded by former MCW President T. Michael Bolger. Committee members also participate in judging local area STEM fairs for young students. Through this work, we share our personal scientific journeys with school age students to demonstrate the feasibility of careers in science-related fields. Each year the committee considers additional initiatives to broaden its’ impact. Consider joining us and making an impact today!

Please contact Jade Harris (jlharris@mcw.edu), Meera Krishna (mkrishna@mcw.edu), or Julie Arthur (jarthur@mcw.edu) for more information about the COSS Committee."

ESCC:
The mission of the Enhancing Scholarly Culture Committee (ESCC) is to provide an informal environment to engage students, post-docs, faculty, and staff in an inclusive, interactive, and inquisitive discussion of scientific topics, concepts, achievements, and events. The ESCC began as a small, student-led committee in 2016 with the goal to foster relationships among IDP students and staff by hosting “Science Socials”. Today, the committee has grown in number, and in reach. We are now represented by students from all basic science departments and extend Science Social invitations to students, postdocs, faculty, and staff. Our events are student-driven, with a focus on improving friendly and productive scientific communication. We also aim to provide scientific education with a strong focus on hands-on interaction and entertainment. Some examples of past events include: expert panel discussions, the science of beer brewing and tasting, catapult physics (followed by teams competing to build the best catapult), surviving a zombie apocalypse, and many more. These events are a great way to bring colleagues together in a relaxed setting to promote open and healthy communication about the subject we all love most… SCIENCE!

Please contact Mark Vanden Avond (mvandenavond@mcw.edu) for more information about the Enhancing Scholarly Culture Committee.

Links to Website/Socials: ESCC Instagram

MCW Orchestra:
Description: The purpose of the MCW Orchestra and its MCW Jazz Band is to provide opportunities for MCW and MCW affiliated institution faculty, students, and staff to form and strengthen relationships through the creation of music for the enjoyment of the Milwaukee community while also supporting local community charities. The MCW Orchestra further endeavors to provide performance opportunities to guest soloists and to welcome camaraderie and partnerships among the greater MCW and Milwaukee area musical community.

Any MCW faculty, student, or staff member, or MCW-affiliate institution faculty or staff member or other Milwaukee community members as determined by the MCW Orchestra Steering Committee, is eligible to participate in membership in the MCW Orchestra provided there is need for that instrument in the orchestra and the musician maintains a respectful and positive attitude. Auditions will not be required except in cases of oversubscription in a section, as determined by the MCW Orchestra Conductor or the Jazz Director, and agreed upon by the Steering Committee, or if needed to determine principal chair(s). Membership dues will not be required.

How to Join: We can be contacted at orchestra@mcw.edu for any further information or questions. We also have a website which has more information as well.

Social Media: MCW Orchestra Instagram & MCW Orchestra Facebook

SHIPP:
Description: SHIPP is the student organization that supports the curriculum development, logistics and delivery of programming for MCW’s pathway programs such as StEP-UP, Ignite, and the MCW Summer Programs. We work with MCW staff and faculty to provide opportunities for middle, high school and college students in the Milwaukee are who are interested in medicine and the biomedical sciences.

How to Join: For more information, or if you would like to join, please email us at shippmcw@mcw.edu.

Looking to have your org or club added to this list? Email gsa@mcw.edu and copy the Graduate School GSA staff liaison, Lindsey Hill, (lihill@mcw.edu).