Dr. Chris Heinen

Graduated with Ph.D. in 1999
Current Position: Assistant Professor at the University of Connecticut Health Center

Most of the folks in the department, including the faculty, were very friendly and approachable. That isn't the case everywhere. This atmosphere allowed me to develop the confidence to communicate with other scientists - even those who were my senior. Confidence and the ability to communicate mean a lot in this business............There was a real sense of camaraderie among the graduate students - that extended even beyond the department to other students in the Medical College. Whether it was G(raduate) S(tudent) A(ssociation) activities or summer softball, the social network that existed among students made graduate school a fun time. It also opened up doors scientifically as social friendships often facilitated scientific discussions and collaborations between labs............My time at UC took me from being a complete newbie with regard to lab work to one who published successfully, secured a strong postdoctoral position and now runs a lab of my own (as frightening as that might sound to some there).............Cincinnati is no San Francisco or New York...but then, I'm glad I didn't have to try and live in San Fran or New York on a graduate student stipend. As a grad student at UC, you won't have to live in a cockroach-infested dump. The attractive cost of living and easy ability to get around in Cincy remove some of the stress faced at other places. That way grad school can stress you out all of the time instead............. And when you are finished, you can come do a post-doc in charming Connecticut in my lab!