Thriving in Academia

BME/Thriving in Academia

BME Summer Workshops @ Michigan 

Thriving in Academia: Flourishing in a Culture of Burnout

The goal of the BME Summer Workshops @ Michigan series is to establish the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor as a place to gather, learn, and network – each summer – on important research topics in BME. These workshops will provide a collaborative forum to present current research progress and discuss future research opportunities at the interface of engineering and medicine.

Confirmed speakers include:

  • Angie Farrehi, Ph.D., C.A.R.E. Center, College of Engineering, University of Michigan
  • Shayn Peirce-Cottler, Ph.D., Harrison Distinguished Teaching Professor and Chair of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia
  • Lisa Pruitt, Ph.D., the Lawrence Talbot Professor of Engineering, and Professor of Mechanical and Bioengineering, UC Berkeley

This one-day workshop will provide strategies for supporting positive well-being in academia. The day’s agenda will include mindfulness and yoga sessions, courtesy of Wendy Dolen-Morawa of MHealthy, as well as the opportunity for attendees to engage in an optional creative session of pour painting or a reflective self-guided nature walk.

Schedule of Events

  • 8:00-9:00 a.m. Breakfast and Registration
  • 9:00-9:15 a.m. Welcome
  • 9:15-10:15 a.m. Plenary: “Towards Holistic Well-being: Raising Awareness, Addressing the Challenges, and Building Resilience,” Angie Farrehi, Ph.D., College of Engineering C.A.R.E. Center
  • 10:15-10:30 a.m. Mindfulness with Wendy Dolen-Morawa (MHealthy)
  • 10:30-11:30 a.m. Plenary: “The Career-Long Skill of Developing Resilience as a Scientist & Engineer in Academia,” Shayn Peirce-Cottler, Ph.D., Harrison Distinguished Teaching Professor and Chair of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia
  • 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Lunch and Conversation
  • 1:00-2:00 p.m. Plenary: “Engineering Your Life: How to Create an Authentic Life Filled with Purpose and Joy,” Lisa Pruitt, Ph.D., the Lawrence Talbot Professor of Engineering, and Professor of Mechanical and Bioengineering, UC Berkeley
  • 2:00-2:15 p.m. Break
  • 2:15-2:45 p.m. Well-being Activities
    • Pour Painting (LBME Atrium) with U-M Artist Dallas Mcghee-Henry
    • Standing Yoga (Johnson Rooms) with Wendy Dolen-Morawa (MHealthy)
    • Guided Mindful Nature Walk led by Guided Mindful Nature Walk, led by Elizabeth (Beth) Kinney, LMSW, C.A.R.E. Center Senior Students Supports Case Manager
  • 2:45-3:00 p.m. Break
  • 3:00-4:00 p.m. Parallel Workshops–LBME
    • Workshop 1: Design to Thrive: Using Life Design to Increase Your Well-being At Work Facilitated by Justine Post, Ph.D.
    • Workshop 2: Supporting Graduate Student Well-Being (Grad Students and Postdocs Emphasis) Facilitated by Angie Farrehi, Ph.D.
    • Workshop 3: Coping with Stress & BurnoutnFacilitated by Taylor Pahl on behalf of the Campus Mind Works Wellness Groups, a Collaboration Between the Eisenberg Family Depression Center and College of Engineering C.A.R.E. Center
    • Workshop 4: “Cognitive Load and Attention: The Battle for Your Most Precious Resource Facilitated by Liz Harry, Ph.D., Chief Well-being Officer, Michigan Medicine
  • 4:00-5:00 p.m. Reception–LBME