Spring Edition
Highlights and What's Next
As spring brings renewed energy, we’re excited to share highlights from the past year and recent events, along with updates on what’s coming next. From our most recently published annual report to the upcoming symposium, here’s a snapshot of our journey and the opportunities ahead for the GCB community.
- We’ve Hit 1,000 Followers on LinkedIn!
- GCB Symposium
- Meet our New Mentors
- Stay on Track: GCB Reminders
- Annual Report 2025
- Wellbeing Spotlight
We’ve Hit 1,000 Followers on LinkedIn!
Thanks to everyone who’s part of our LinkedIn community! If you would like to follow us, click on the button below.
GCB Symposium
Thursday 25 June, 2026 Save the Date!
This event is part of the doctoral training for students enrolled in doctoral program of the Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB).
Keynote Speaker: Nicole Coufal, MD, PhD. Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Neuroscience. University of California, San Diego. In 2026 we will have a career development session with a roundtable format. The panelists will discuss the versatility required by today's job market in an unpredictable research landscape. The session will be chaired by Prof. Dr. Carmen Faso (Institute of Cell Biology. University of Bern).
For more information click on the link below: https://event.fourwaves.com/gcb2026/pages
Meet our New Mentors
So far in 2026, we welcomed 10 new mentors to the GCB community. The mentor is a member of one of the five GCB expert committees and represents the GCB in the PhD thesis committee of the student for whom he or she is a mentor. A big thank you to each of the individuals below; we’re grateful for their time, expertise and commitment in guiding our doctoral students toward success. Prof. Ameet Alyangar Prof. Sarah Brüningk Prof. Ruben Michael Bill Dr. Katharina Grafinger PD Dr. Anne Gregor Dr. Julia Gutjahr PD Dr. Loretta Müller-Urech PD Dr. Ruiqing Ni Prof. Britta Lundström Stadelmann Prof. Christiane Zweier Dr. Sofia Karkampouna If you are interested in joining the GCB as a Mentor, please contact PD Dr. Monica Schaller, GCB Coordinator, at info.gcb@unibe.ch for more information, or you can learn more here.
Stay on Track: GCB Reminders
- Getting Ready to Print Your Thesis?
Remember to sign and include the new Declaration of Originality form, which now outlines our policy around the use of Artificial Intelligence in research, writing, and review. The form is available on our webpage here.
- Want to Change Your PhD Curriculum?
If you’d like to withdraw from a course or enroll in one not listed in your original Doctoral Agreement, your thesis committee – Supervisor, Co-Advisor and Mentor – must approve. For Mandatory Coursework: Submit a new Doctoral Agreement to the GCB with fresh signatures from your thesis committee, as well as revised date, highlighting any changes. Unless your committee states otherwise, all GCB PhD students must complete 6.0 ECTS of mandatory relevant coursework (31 ECTS for MD-PhD & DDS-PhD), with 3.0 ECTS having a graded exam with marks. Transferable skills courses cannot be used to fulfill any of the 6.0 mandatory ECTS.
- Want to see a list of current GCB courses and events?
Browse all current courses approved for GCB students, and events, on our GCB Website and in the ILIAS GCB101 News section – we’ll keep these pages updated – no more email blasts so your inbox stays happy!
Annual Report 2025
We’re excited to share our Annual Report (2025), highlighting our achievements, impact, and the people behind the numbers; read the full report here.
Wellbeing Spotlight
We know PhD work is demanding. That’s why this month, the GCB is highlighting the University of Bern’s wide range of wellbeing opportunities for doctoral students. After all, as scientist and Nobel laureate Santiago Ramón y Cajal reminds us, “All outstanding work, in art as well as in science, results from immense zeal applied to a great idea.”
Connect with other new university members and grab a free gipfeli at the next Welcome Center event, hosted by University of Bern’s Human Resources Office, scheduled for Wednesday 8 April 2026 (held in English). Meet with a Tandem partner, learn German or improve your academic English at the University of Bern’s Language Center. Get advice on career development through the Portal for Junior Academics. Reach out for individual support through University of Bern’s Counselling Centre
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