The BGSA Community Outreach Committee is looking for VOLUNTEER JUDGES for the Mars Elementary Spring 2026 Science Fair on WEDNESDAY, March 11 from 6-8pm.

Judges will evaluate elementary school student science fair projects with a primary goal of encouraging the talents and efforts of all students to promote intellectual curiosity and scientific exploration of their interests. This is a great opportunity to promote and foster an interest in science to young students and be a role model as a professional scientist!

Food and drinks will be provided for judges during the fair and transportation will be organized via carpooling. If you would like to volunteer as a judge, please sign up using the following: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc_njsOr1ibOyyXCyw8xX-j2U7pmd0EJl9ARMsT9gQmV0YFOQ/viewform. You will also be asked if you need a ride to the event or if you are able to transport yourself or others.

Please contact Josh Holloway (jth95@pitt.edu) with any questions!

The BGSA Mental Health Liaison is bringing back Happy Headspace on Friday, February 28, 2026, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM at the Graduate Student Lounge.

This month’s Happy Headspace will be a community meet-up focused on creating a welcoming space where we can connect with one another, share our experiences, and support each other’s mental well-being. Whether you’re feeling stressed, looking for new coping strategies, or simply hoping to meet new people, this is a relaxed space to be heard, supported, and connected.

Join us as we come together to build stronger connections within our community and support one another through open conversation and shared experiences. Your presence matters, and we would love to see you there.

Looking forward to meeting you and learning more about the positive coping strategies that help you navigate daily challenges.

Hello BGSA Community,

The BGSA is excited to invite you to an afternoon of bowling at Arsenal Lanes in Lawrenceville on Saturday, February 21st from 12:00-3:00 PM! Light food and drinks will be provided. 

We have 18 spots available, so sign-ups will be first come, first served. Be sure to grab your spot soon! https://forms.gle/AhS3w422KFYABA7R6

The first Sip of Science @ Hazel Grove Brewing talk for 2026 will be on this Wednesday, February 18 starting at 6pm.  Our speaker for February will be Alex VanHelene who will discuss his AI-focused research.  Please see attached flyer for additional details and hope to see you there!

The BGSA Community Outreach Committee will be handing out student-made Valentine’s Day cards, bracelets, and care bags to patients at the Hillman Cancer Center on Friday, February 13 (the day before Valentine’s Day).

We will be making cards, bracelets, and preparing bags to give to patients the day before in the graduate student lounge – please see flyer below for details if you would like to make cards/bracelets or give them out to patients and their families!

https://forms.gle/TYTVuGUJrwMxXG527

Start of the semester practicing healthy habits like breathing techniques and chair-friendly yoga led by BGSA President Emmy Brown followed by crafts (supplies provided) and snacks/refreshments!

Please sign up using the QR code! We have room for ~25 people!

Hello BGSA Community,

The final BGSA's Sip of Science lecture for 2025 at Hazel Grove Brewing is TOMORROW, WEDNESDAY 12/17 at 6 pm. Alisa Omelchenko will discuss her research on computational methods for predicting immune diseases.  We hope to see you there for good drinks and a great talk!  

We are excited to invite you to join us on Saturday, November 15th at 9:45 AM for a guided 60-minute tour at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. This event offers a wonderful opportunity to explore one of Pittsburgh’s most renowned institutions alongside fellow members of the BGSA.

Following the guided tour, participants will have full access to the rest of the museum for the remainder of the day—so you can continue exploring exhibits at your own pace and enjoy all the museum has to offer.

Event Details:
Date & Time: Saturday, November 15th · 9:45 AM

Location: Carnegie Museum of Natural History - 4400 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Tour Duration: 60 minutes

Sign-Up Deadline: Friday, November 7th 

Admission Requirement: Pitt Student ID required for entry

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/2WcUqpuvNZq1BW9u8

This event is open to all Pitt Students. We look forward to seeing you there and sharing an engaging morning of discovery and conversation.

Take a break and join us for the SOM Graduate Studies Fall Social on Wednesday, November 5th at 4 PM in the Graduate Lounge (Scaife Hall, Room S240). It’s a great opportunity to connect, relax, and enjoy some refreshments together!

Hi all, the BGSA COC is hosting a Halloween @ Hillman patient event. We will be putting together Halloween bags with treats and care items to patients at the Hillman Cancer Center on OCTOBER 31 (Halloween). We will be preparing bags on OCTOBER 30 starting at 5pm in the Graduate Student Lounge in S240 and handing out bags on OCTOBER 31 at the Hillman starting at 9AM. Please see flyer below for sign up & additional details! Feel free to wear your costume and other Halloween duds and hope to see you there!

The BGSA and the Oncology Graduate Program invite you to join us at the Agnew Road trailhead (The end of Agnew Road in Baldwin) to hike in Hays woods and enjoy some local coffee/pastries! We will meet at approximately 10AM and begin hiking around 10:30, taking stops along the way to look at natural features and rest.We hope to see you there!

The ALS Association would love your assistance volunteering at this year’s Walk to Defeat ALS, which will take place Saturday, October 18th at Stage AE.You can help with set-up (on Friday 10/17 or Saturday 10/18), Walk Day activities (10/18), or tear down/truck loading&unloading (10/18). All help is greatly appreciated!Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0944ADAB2DA4FC1-58139052-walk#/ Fun facts about the Walk to Defeat ALS:

• The 2025 Pittsburgh Walk to Defeat ALS is on track to raise $450,000+ for ALS research, care, caregiver support, and advocacy.

• Nationally, ALS Walks have raised over $223 million since they officially debuted in 2000.

• The first Pittsburgh ALS Walk was in 1999, a year before other major cities got wind and started their own.

Volunteering at the Walk to Defeat ALS is a wonderful way to be a part of this legacy! This Walk means so much to pALS (persons with ALS), their loved ones, and all those honoring pALS who have passed.Look forward to seeing on at the impactful event!You can contact Dana (drj21@pitt.edu) or Emmy (eeb74@pitt.edu) with any questions.

Join us for Diwali, a celebration of the festival of lights, in the Frick Fine Arts auditorium on Friday, October 17th from 6-9pm. There will be a cultural program featuring Indian music and dance performances, followed by a delicious dinner from a local Indian restaurant.

Early Bird Tickets are live now. Please RSVP here

We are looking for volunteers and performers, please reach out to Nishant (nishant.panicker@pitt.edu) and Puja (puh5@pitt.edu) if you are interested in volunteering or performing! Volunteers will receive a free ticket

The BGSA Community Outreach Committee and Greater Hazelwood Neighborhood Commitment at Pitt are collaborating to bring a new student-driven lecture series to Hazel Grove Brewing this fall: Sip of Science. This series will provide graduate students with the opportunity to engage with residents of the Hazelwood neighborhood and communicate what scientists do and how their research contributes to improving human health in a concise, informal talk tailored for a non-scientific audience. The second talk will be given by Nathan Schneider next Thursday (October 16) at 6 pm at Hazel Grove Brewing. Hope to see you there!

The First Year Ambassador Program is hosting apple picking at Soergel’s Orchard on October 4th at 12:30pm. The first 40 people to sign up using the Google Form below will get a free bag to use for pick-your-own apples.

If you miss a slot, then feel free to come along anyways because apple picking only costs $7!

Please join us on Saturday, Sept 27th at 1 pm at the Southside Mix Candle Co. (2746 Sidney St) for a candle-pouring party! The first 16 people to sign up on Eventbrite (SOLD OUT) get a guaranteed slot and their candle paid for, but more folks are always welcome to join!

You can expect to be in the store for 30-45 minutes making your candles. After you are finished pouring candles, Mix Candle Co. will kindly ask you to explore the neighborhood for a bite to eat or drink while the candles cool down (~2 hours), allowing other guests to pour candles.

 Please visit their website for parking information, restaurant suggestions, and more. The store is BYOB, so you're welcome to bring your own wine or beer to enjoy while you create candles. However, food of any kind is not allowed. They provide cups and bottle openers for your convenience. They do ask that you limit your drinks to 2 per person.

Please reach out to Emily Wheelis (ELW171@pitt.edu), Eeshrita Jog (EEJ33@pitt.edu), and Goutham Nadarajan (GON7@pitt.edu) if you have any questions or concerns.

The BGSA Community Outreach Committee and Greater Hazelwood Neighborhood Commitment at Pitt are collaborating to bring a new student-driven lecture series to Hazel Grove Brewing this fall: Sip of Science.  This series will give graduate students the opportunity to engage with residents of the Hazelwood neighborhood and communicate what scientists do and how their research contributes to improving human health in a short, informal talk geared toward a non-scientific audience.
The first talk will be given by Ava Dou next Thursday (September 18) at 6pm at Hazel Grove Brewing.
We are currently looking for future speakers for Oct 16, Nov 20, and Dec 16 talks! 2nd year students and above with an interest in sharing their research and gaining valuable experience communicating science to a general, non-scientific audience can reach out to Josh Holloway (jth95@pitt.edu) for additional details.
Please see attached flyer for transportation information on how to get to Hazel Grove Brewing and hope to see you there!

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Fifth Annual Welcome Ceremony for the incoming PhD students 2025

Join the BGSA and the co-founders of Solutions Makers, Dr. Sara Farwell and Dr. Maciej Zatonski, for an interactive, brain-first workshop designed to help you prevent burnout from ever derailing your future, happening on September 9, 2025 (Tuesday), at 3785 Scaife Auditorium Room (in-person event). 

As graduate students, we often end up feeling drained, anxious, and stuck in cycles of procrastination or overthinking, rather than graduating with focus, motivation, and resilience. The BGSA feels this is a must-needed workshop for all of us. You will walk away with a clear plan to manage your mental well-being, new tools and techniques to improve your recovery and emotional resilience, and evidence-based methods to sustain your performance for the duration of your career.

It is free for all SOM graduate students! There are limited spots! Please RSVP here.