Boundless Discoveries: Opening Doors to Doctoral Education

On December 11, the Graduate School hosted a virtual conversation about its post-baccalaureate research education program (PREP). The panel discussion—featuring faculty members, GSAS deans, and current & former program participants—was part of the “Boundless Discoveries: Yale Scholars in Conversation” series.

The PREP program helps the most promising students become highly competitive applicants to graduate programs by giving them robust research experience. Participants spend one or two years at Yale taking graduate-level courses, conducting research with a faculty member, and being mentored alongside PhD students.

The program plays a critical role in shaping academic and professional trajectories, as pathways to PhD studies across the humanities, social sciences, biological and biomedical sciences, physical sciences, and engineering.  

GSAS Dean Lynn Cooley opened the event with a brief introduction, and Michelle Nearon, Senior Associate Dean for Graduate Student Engagement and Development and PREP program director, moderated the conversation.

Featured speakers included:

• Anthony Koleske 
  Ensign Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry and of Neuroscience
• Milette Gaifman 
  Andrew Downey Orrick Professor of Classics and History of Art; Department Chair, History of Art
• Brazil Bartholomew 
  National Institutes of Health PREP Scholar, and PhD Candidate, Immunology
• Aliyah Efotte 
  History of Art Two-Year Emerging Scholar Initiative PREP Scholar 

Learn more about the PREP program or watch the event recording below.