Funded by the NIH/NIGMS, the Weill Cornell Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (Weill Cornell IMSD) is a leadership development and community engagement program that aims to train the next generation of scientific leaders in biomedical research who prioritize meaningful community involvement.
IMSD supports PhD fellows across multiple stages of their training through comprehensive academic support, professional development, and community‑building opportunities. Fellows benefit from mentorship by a dedicated team of program directors and faculty committed to their success. Together, these elements foster scientific excellence, leadership development, and a strong sense of belonging throughout the PhD experience.
This T32 leadership program supports the participation of PhD students whose varied experiences are vital for scientific innovation. The program welcomes those who are the first in their family to attend college, have faced socioeconomic disadvantage, come from under-resourced educational backgrounds, live with disabilities, or bring lived or chosen experiences that reflect a strong commitment to marginalized and underserved communities. We also value the resilience of individuals who have overcome significant challenges in pursuit of graduate education. All candidates who identify with these experiences are encouraged to apply.
Trainees
2025 IMSD Fellows
2024 IMSD Fellows
2023 IMSD Fellows
2022 IMSD Fellows
2021 IMSD Fellows and Scholars
2020 IMSD Fellows
2019 IMSD Fellows
IMSD-Ex Fellows
Eligibility, Selection, and Timeline
The Weill Cornell IMSD program is designed for:
Incoming 1st year PhD students at Weill Cornell Graduate School
Individuals who can commit to the IMSD Early Start Program, beginning July 1st and ending on August 7th
- Individuals who are citizens or noncitizen nationals of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time of appointment, as per NIH Guidelines (PAR-21-025)
Eligible WCGS PhD students complete a short application to be considered for selection by the IMSD Admissions Committee, composed of IMSD program leadership and WCGS graduate program directors. A call for applications is sent to accepted students in late March. Deadline to apply is April 22nd. Four students are selected as IMSD fellows each year and notified in early May.
Benefits
IMSD Early Start Program
The IMSD Early Start Program allows for a smooth transition to Weill Cornell while adjusting to the city and participating in programming that helps the transition to the academic year.
Starting on July 1st, fellows will engage in programming that falls into three categories: Community Building, Academic Development, and Professional Development. IMSD Fellows will participate in professional development workshops, academic activities, and a social gathering. Fellows will take part in their first research rotation over the summer. Finally, fellows will participate in the IMSD Retreat, where the entire IMSD community will come together in a day of scientific and academic engagement and community bonding. At the end of this 6-week program (ending August 7th, 2026), the fellows will have formed a strong sense of community and feel equipped to address their academic and professional endeavors as a collective and supportive network.
Multi-tiered Mentorship:
IMSD fellows will receive mentorship from multiple sources: IMSD Faculty Mentors and IMSD Coaches. Much like an actual coach, IMSD Coaches will be expected to help students navigate graduate training. Coaches are not research mentors. Rather, they provide complementary focus and expertise to help fellows excel. Coaches will be especially skilled in helping fellows develop and achieve professional goals, and empower them to take ownership of their career development. IMSD Coaches will include senior postdocs, alumni, faculty, and professionals in sectors such as academia, industry/for-profit, and non-profit. All Coaches are based in the NYC area to allow for easy access and in-person mentorship.
Social Outings and the Esprit de Corps Community:
As part of the Weill Cornell IMSD, fellows will be integrated with the Esprit de Corps program, a community-building program for 1st-year PhD students from Tri-I community. Esprit de Corps hosts monthly workshops and social events such as dinners, bowling, game nights, and mixers.
Career Development and Leadership Training:
IMSD Fellows receive personal career counseling in all years of their PhD, along with leadership development training in their senior years in preparation for the post-PhD workforce. As part of the program, IMSD students are expected to register and actively participate in the leadership and professional development course IDPT9004 – Strategic Transition and Readiness, for the duration of the program.
IMSD fellows are expected to participate in all required IMSD activities.
Participating Faculty and Advisory Committee
Participating Faculty
Weill Cornell IMSD Internal Advisory Committee
Minkui Luo, Program Director, Pharmacology
Theresa T. Lu, Program Director, Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis
Teresa Milner, Program Director, Neuroscience
Dirk Remus, Program Co-Director, BCMB Allied Program
Lukas Dow, Program Co-Director, BCMB Allied Program
Partner Institutions
Program Leadership
WCGS IMSD Program Director:
Ethel Cesarman, M.D., Ph.D. (ecesarm@med.cornell.edu)
WCGS Assistant Dean of Access, Belonging and Student Success
Yazmin Carrasco, Ph.D. (ypc4001@med.cornell.edu)
WCGS Assistant Director of Access, Belonging and Student Success
Roxana Mesías, Ph.D. (rem4008@med.cornell.edu)