The IBiS Student Organization (ISO) was founded on the premise of creating a unified voice for the graduate students within IBiS and having an impact life science department procedures, as well as Northwestern University as a whole. It was initiated by students, with the help of Holly Falk-Krzesinski, who believe in bringing students in the departments under the IBiS umbrella together in the interest of developing an efficient and fruitful environment for the budding scientist.

ISO's missions are threefold: these include addressing academic and political procedures at Northwestern, research issues in the life sciences, and promoting social interaction. To this end, we have set the wheels motion for better health and dental care provisions, the addressing of parking issues, as well as improvements on the current course curriculum available to incoming graduate students. With respect to research, our goals currently include hosting prominent speakers from the scientific community, to which we have been very successful thus far. Likewise, the Graduate Student Seminar has provided an informal venue in which students can present their research to other students in the absence of faculty. These are held at 11:30 am on one Tuesday every month in Cook Hall 3118a/b. Finally, several social events are being planned to promote interactions outside of the lab, not only among IBiS students, but also graduate students from other departments. These include a monthly movie night, various outings in Chicago, and promotion of Graduate Student Association (GSA) sponsored events.

ISO meets once a month in Cook Hall 3118b to discuss current issues affecting IBiS students. We encourage everyone to bring ideas to that forum, or discuss them with others so their thoughts can be addressed. The success of this group depends on participation. We are proud of the achievements already made as a result of student efforts and very excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.

For further information, please contact:

Lisa Sharpe l-sharpe@northwestern.edu
Jaclyn Jansen j-jansen2@northwestern.edu