Join us for the myHub Career Development Retreat on Thursday, October 2, 2025! This year’s theme, “From Data to Dialogue: Science Communication for the Real World,” features Dr. Aimee Pugh Bernard and Elaine Smolock, PhD who will lead interactive sessions on storytelling, combating misinformation, and expanding your reach through social media. Open to all graduate students and postdocs—come gain practical tools to make your science resonate with any audience!

The sessions include: 

1. Storytelling and Elevator Pitches

This session will provide practical communication strategies to communicate your science through storytelling and brief ‘elevator ride’ interactions

2. Strategies for Addressing Misinformation 

This session will review best practices for engaging in respectful, evidence-based public dialogue and myth-busting

3. Expanding Your Reach 

How to leverage platforms like LinkedIn, Substack, and Instagram to showcase your science and make networking connections

4. AI and writing

How to effectively – and ethically - navigate the use of AI in scientific writing

Bio for Aimee Pugh Bernard, PhD

Aimee Pugh Bernard, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Immunology and Microbiology and dedicated educator at the University of Colorado Anschutz medical campus. Aimee serves as the immunology content director for the CU School of Medicine (CUSOM) undergraduate medical curriculum and teaches immunology to students across the CU Anschutz campus, including medical, dental, physician assistant and graduate students. Aimee is a member of the CUSOM Curriculum Steering Committee and the American Association of Immunology (AAI) Teaching Interest Group. In August of 2023 she was 1 of 3 faculty selected by the Class of 2026 first-year medical students to receive the ‘Students Thanking and Recognizing’ Faculty STAR teaching award. In May of 2024 she was awarded the Chancellor’s Teaching Recognition award at the CU School of Medicine commencement ceremony.

In the context of her role as a science communicator, Aimee is the Director of the CU Anschutz Basic Science Departments Science Communication Program and a Co-Director of the Colorado Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CCTSI) ‘Communicating Your Science to the Public’ Workshop series. If you’re on social media, you can find her on TikTok and Instagram as ‘funsizeimmuninja’- a black belt martial artist and immunologist in a small (yet fully grown adult) package!

Aimee is passionate about pro-science advocacy and regularly testifies at the Colorado state legislature in support of pro-science legislation that strengthens public health. Aimee is also an active member of Immunize Colorado and the Colorado Vaccine Equity Task Force.

In all her roles, Aimee strives to serve as a positive influence on education, public health policy, and science communication.

Bio for Elaine Smolock, PhD

Elaine Smolock, PhD, is the Director of Writing Services and Training Grant Development and Director of the Summer Scholars Program at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Elaine has been part of the University of Rochester community since 2007, when she joined the Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute as a postdoctoral fellow. She later served as a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine. Her basic science research focused on the genetics of vascular remodeling in various cardiovascular diseases. She eventually transitioned to a career in research education.

In 2015, she joined the Office of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs as a Senior Associate Faculty member in collaboration with the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Over the past 10 years, she has led writing initiatives, developed programs centered on grant writing, and fostered expertise in research education mentorship.

Elaine has served on numerous committees, including as the first faculty advisor to the University of Rochester’s Three Minute Thesis Competition. She has also been a graduate education representative on committees for the Wilmot Cancer Institute and the University of Rochester Clinical and Translational Science Institute. Additionally, she has held multiple leadership roles related to institutional training grants and student organizations, and she was a founding executive board member of the University’s inaugural Postdoctoral Association. She has been honored twice with the Graduate Student Advocacy Award.

As Director of Writing Services and Training Grant Development, Elaine works closely with trainees on a variety of writing projects in one-on-one settings. She has created content for workshops, seminars, and asynchronous learning opportunities accessible to all trainees. She also leads grant writing clubs for predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows, where she teaches best practices for grant writing and offers personalized feedback.

Elaine has been invited as a guest speaker or panelist on a wide range of topics, including “AI in Writing and Publishing,” “Deaf Hub: Advocating for Researchers in Academia,” and “The Quick Pitch: Best Practices for Effectively Communicating Your Research Story.”