RESOURCES
Turn first-hand experience into a clearer next step.
Practical guides on applications, mentorship, fellowships, and career decisions—shared by community members who have lived them.
13 RESOURCES
Ph.D. Applications
Mindset, program selection, and the complete 2025–2026 panel series
PH.D. APPLICATIONS
Mindset Tips for Ph.D. Application Season
A candid account of uncertainty, rejection, alternate plans, and the habits that make a long application season more sustainable.
Read the complete resource ↗PH.D. APPLICATIONS · SERIES OVERVIEW
Ph.D. Application Experience-Sharing Series
An introduction to Biolà’s recurring panels on finding programs and labs, preparing application materials, requesting recommendations, and navigating interviews.
Read the complete resource ↗PH.D. APPLICATION SERIES · 2026 · 01
PhD Application Series 01 | Chemical Engineering × Biochemistry × Chemistry
Zhiyuan Jin shares school-selection, application, interview, and research-presentation strategies across chemical engineering, biochemistry, and chemistry programs.
Read the complete resource ↗PH.D. APPLICATION SERIES · 2026 · 02
PhD Application Series 02 | Oxford Clinical Medicine × UNC Quantitative Biology × BU Neuroscience
Three speakers compare successful U.S. and U.K. applications across clinical medicine, quantitative biology, and neuroscience.
Read the complete resource ↗PH.D. APPLICATION SERIES · 2026 · 03
PhD Application Series 03 | Weizmann Institute of Science
Jing Liu explains graduate study at the Weizmann Institute of Science, from program choice and research preparation to continuing into a Ph.D.
Read the complete resource ↗PH.D. APPLICATION SERIES · 2026 · 04
PhD Application Series 04 | Stanford CSI × MIT Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Eric Liu and Daiddx discuss applications in computational biology, systems biology, neuroscience, and adjacent fields.
Read the complete resource ↗PH.D. APPLICATION SERIES · 2026 · 05
PhD Application Series 05 | Applying for PhD Positions in Continental Europe
A practical guide to finding Ph.D. positions, preparing materials, and interviewing for doctoral opportunities in continental Europe.
Read the complete resource ↗PH.D. APPLICATION SERIES · 2025 · 01
PhD Application Series 01 | MIT Biology × Harvard Neuroscience
Two first-year students discuss program selection, application materials, interviews, and managing the emotional demands of the application cycle.
Read the complete resource ↗PH.D. APPLICATION SERIES · 2025 · 02
PhD Application Series 02 | UCLA Molecular Biology × Princeton Neuroscience
Runtian Wu and Amaranth compare direct-from-undergraduate and post-RA application paths, including research depth, recommendations, and communication of interests.
Read the complete resource ↗PH.D. APPLICATION SERIES · 2025 · 03
PhD Application Series 03 | Princeton Neuroscience × Johns Hopkins Neuroscience
Vivian and Angela discuss neuroscience program selection, research environments, application preparation, and interviews.
Read the complete resource ↗PH.D. APPLICATION SERIES · 2025 · 04
PhD Application Series 04 | USC Gerontology / Psychology × Vanderbilt BME
An interdisciplinary session spanning cognitive neuroscience, psychology, aging, biomedical engineering, and quantitative research paths.
Read the complete resource ↗PH.D. APPLICATION SERIES · 2025 · 05
PhD Application Series 05 | UMich PIBS × Baylor Cancer Cell Biology
Ella and Shiyi Wu share strategies for presenting broad interdisciplinary interests and focused cancer-biology experience in Ph.D. applications.
Read the complete resource ↗PH.D. APPLICATION SERIES · 2025 · 06
PhD Application Series 06 | NUS Synthetic Biology × NUS Virology
Two NUS doctoral students discuss applying in Singapore, changing research direction, selecting programs, and making application decisions.
Read the complete resource ↗02 RESOURCES
Research Assistant
Finding opportunities, approaching labs, interviewing, and choosing a team
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
A Comprehensive Guide to Applying for Research Assistant Positions in the U.S.
A practical framework for deciding whether an RA year is right for you, finding openings, evaluating labs, and making the experience count.
Read the complete resource ↗RESEARCH ASSISTANT · SERIES OVERVIEW
Research Assistant Application Experience-Sharing Series
An introduction to Biolà’s panels on finding labs, reaching out to PIs, writing cold emails and cover letters, planning timelines, and preparing for interviews.
Read the complete resource ↗02 RESOURCES
Industry & Career
Ph.D. planning, career exploration, and perspectives from biotech
CAREER PLANNING
Planning Your Ph.D.: Choosing a Lab, Exploring Academic and Industry Careers, and Preparing for the Future
A discussion guide for using the Ph.D. as a period of scientific growth, career exploration, and deliberate relationship-building.
Read the complete resource ↗INDUSTRY & BIOTECH · SERIES OVERVIEW
Biotech Industry Experience-Sharing Series
A new series featuring panelists who have entered biotech roles or founded companies, with perspectives from different scientific and professional backgrounds.
Read the complete resource ↗02 RESOURCES
Fellowships & Mentorship
Funding applications and sustainable mentoring relationships
MENTORSHIP
How to Build a Good Relationship with Your Mentor — and Stay in Touch After Leaving the Lab
Simple habits for building trust in the lab and sustaining a genuine professional relationship after you leave.
Read the complete resource ↗FELLOWSHIPS
Key Lessons for Fellowship & Scholarship Applications
A structured guide to eligibility, application materials, research proposals, recommendation letters, and finding funding opportunities.
Read the complete resource ↗