Labwork to Leadership: Thriving in the Science Job You Weren't Trained For

Join Dr. Jen Heemstra, chemistry professor and chair at Washington University in St. Louis, for a candid conversation about her new book Labwork to Leadership: A Concise Guide to Thriving in the Science Job You Weren't Trained For. Through real stories from her own early missteps, Dr. Heemstra shares practical tools for the three critical challenges facing research leaders: managing yourself, leading your team, and mentoring the next generation. Discover how thoughtful leadership directly impacts lab culture, experiment outcomes, and whether your team actually wants to stay in research. These are essential considerations for graduate students, PIs, aspiring leaders, and anyone navigating the steep learning curve from emerging researcher to effective mentor. Dr. Heemstra currently serves as the Charles Allen Thomas Professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry at Washington University in St. Louis. Through chemistry and leadership, her work bridges biomolecular research and creating inclusive academic culture. Jen leads an interdisciplinary research lab funded by NIH, NSF, and DOD, and as co-founder of FLAMEnet and #MentorFirst, she advances both scientific discovery and mentorship. Her leadership journey, shaped by challenges and a commitment to empowering future researchers, reflects her dedication to fostering kindness and respect in the STEM community. Sponsored by the Office of Graduate Education.