Professional Development Committee

Responsible for planning the professional development component of the Annual Meeting and webinars, reviewing applications for Short-Term Visiting Scholarships, and providing oversight of related projects.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement professional development sessions at the Annual Meeting including recruiting participants, speakers, and workshop organizers.
Develop and implement professional development webinars.
Advance career networking and mentoring opportunities for members at Annual and Regional Meetings.
Generate enduring professional development materials and resources for distribution at meetings, workshops, and online.
Contribute to agenda item discussions during conference calls and at the Annual Meeting.
Volunteer for subcommittees of the PDC.
Review and score applications and select recipients for Short-Term Visiting Scholarships.

Qualifications

Be an active member in good standing
Have a vested interest in professional development and mentoring of members
Participation is required

Roster

Chair

Name	Company	Thru Date
Eustathia Lela Giannaris	UMass Chan Medical School	12/31/2024

Members

Name	Company	Thru Date
Hei Ching Kristy Cheung	University of Toronto	12/31/2025
Nicole DeVaul	George Washington University	12/31/2023
Jennifer Eastwood	Rush University	12/31/2025
Danielle Edwards	University of Alabama - Birmingham	12/31/2024
Wendy Lackey-Cornelison	University of Toledo	12/31/2023
Kimberly Latacha	University of Nebraska Medical Center	12/31/2025
Brandon Lowry	Colorado State University	12/31/2023
Jason Mussell	Louisiana State University - New Orleans	12/31/2024
Rebecca Pratt	Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine	12/31/2023
Joan Richtsmeier	Pennsylvania State University	4/30/2024
Ellen Robertson	Randolph-Macon College	12/31/2023
Aidan Ruth	Saint Louis University	12/31/2023

The Professional Development Committee is working to increase diversity on the committee. We seek members whose primary role is as a bench scientist and/or those who are in advanced stages of their career (mid and late). We also have a seat for a student/postdoctoral committee member. AAA members from underrepresented groups in STEM/academia are encouraged to apply when the Call for Volunteers opens in the fall.

Schedule

The committee meets monthly during 60 minute zoom meetings as well as meet during the Annual Meeting and at other such times as the business of the Association may require. 1-3 hours per month required.

Reporting

The Committee submits a report to the Board at its spring and fall meetings.

Composition

This committee shall consist of at least 10 members, plus representatives from the Educational Affairs Committee, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and the Program Committee.
One position is reserved for a student member.
The committee chair or representative will serve on the Program Committee as a liaison.
Members serve for 3 years; the chair serves for 2 years in this capacity.
The term follows the calendar year, beginning January 1 and continuing through December 31 in the year of expiration.

Application Process

Applications are solicited annually through a Call for Volunteers
Applications are reviewed and scored by the committee chairs and members; scores, demographics, needs of the committee, and comments from the reviews are taken into consideration when choosing new members
New committee members are chosen, and then reviewed by the Nominating Committee
The new committee members are approved by the full Board of Directors
After Board approval, notifications are sent out. Feedback is given if requested by the applicant