Agenda

The Sleep Research Program for Advancing Careers (SOAR) and the Young Investigators Research Forum (YIRF) are joining forces to offer trainees an exciting opportunity to advance their careers in sleep and circadian science. This collaborative event will provide hands-on training in grant review, expert feedback on research ideas, and practical advice for navigating the academic research environment. Trainees will also explore funding opportunities from government and non-profit agencies, with the chance to engage directly with program officials. Additionally, participants will network with peers, faculty, and senior investigators, fostering connections and collaborations to support their professional growth.

The in-person meeting is April 23-25, 2025, at The Bethesdan Hotel.

Location
The Bethesdan Hotel
Bethesdan AB Ballroom
8120 Wisconsin Ave

Day 1: April 23, 2025
Time (EDT) YIRF Activity SOAR Activity
12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Welcome SOAR Fellows and YIRF Trainees
1:15 pm Speed Networking
2:45 pm Presentation: Getting the Most out of the Mentor/Mentee Relationship
Speaker: Mary Carskadon, PhD		 Full Grant Review: Mock Study Section
3:15 pm Presentation: Diversity and Inclusion in Sleep Research
Speaker: Dayna Johnson, PhD
4:00 pm Presentation: Navigating the (Bumpy) Path to Early Career Awards
Speaker: Stacey Simon, PhD
4:30 pm Presentation: How To Give a Great Talk
Speaker: Raj Dedhia, MD, MSCR		  
5:00 pm Break
6:30 pm Dinner

Day 2: April 24, 2025
Time (EDT) YIRF Activity SOAR Activity
7:30 am Breakfast
8:15 am Overview of Funding Agency Day
8:30 am Funding Agency Panel
10:30 am Meet and Greet with Funding Agency Representatives
12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Grant Proposal Blitz: Specific Aims Small Groups Funding Agency Representative 1:1 Meetings
4:00 pm Break
5:30 pm Off Site Dinner and Transportation

Day 3: April 25, 2025
Time (EDT) YIRF Activity SOAR Activity
7:30 am Breakfast
8:00 am Mock Grant Review Study Sections Panel/Q&A: Budget, Biosketch, Letters of Support Review Session
11:00 am Break
11:05 am Presentation: Thriving as a Whole Person
Speaker: Kelly Baron, PhD
11:35 am Presentation: Negotiating and Renegotiating for an Academic Position
Speaker: TBD
12:05 pm Working Lunch
12:10 pm Presentation: Importance of How and When to Say No
Speaker: Sairam Parthasarathy, PhD		 Panel/Q&A: Career Development Plan
12:40 pm Presentation: Thriving in Academia
Speaker: Galit Dunietz, PhD
1:10 pm Closing Remarks and Adjourn

Additional Resources & Opportunities

The AASM Foundation has compiled several resources on sleep research funding agencies. You are strongly encouraged to review any resources and pre-recorded webinars for any funding agencies you are interested in before the in-person meeting.

Sleep Research Resources

The SLEEP meeting provides evidence-based education to advance the science and clinical practice of sleep medicine, disseminates cutting-edge sleep and circadian research, promotes the translation of basic science into clinical practice, and fosters the future of the field by providing career development opportunities at all levels. There is simply no other gathering of sleep professionals anywhere of this scale. The conference is attended by thousands of individuals from all around the world, all connected by their interest and/or expertise in sleep medicine. Many of these attendees are pioneering leaders in the field. If you are looking to network, you must attend SLEEP.

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Date and Time:
Sunday, June 2, 2024
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

This in-person inclusive leadership session provides attendees leadership development, strengths-based assessment activities, and experiential learning opportunities to enhance inclusion efforts within sleep research and application. Attendees will participate in individual reflection activities and case study exercises and be introduced to inclusive leadership as a best practice.

Required Prerequisite:
All attendees must take the CliftonStrengths Top 5 assessment before the workshop. Attendees must purchase the assessment on their own here: https://store.gallup.com/p/en-us/10108/cliftonstrengths-top-5?c=1

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