Winter 2020
Winter 2020
Feature Stories
As a GSAS alumni, you are, I know, keenly aware of the importance of effective advising and its centrality to the successful completion of a graduate student’s education. A positive experience can lead to meaningful lifelong professional and personal connections. But not feeling supported by an advisor or empowered in conducting research can contribute to a host of negative effects for the student, including loss of momentum, lack of progress toward the degree, stress, and mental health issues. While GSAS surveys have shown that a majority of students are satisfied with their advising, a troubling—and consistent—number are not.
Alumni Interviews
Give Them the Freedom to Explore
Invest in emerging scholars. Make a gift today to be part of a community of alumni donors whose support is critical to our outstanding graduate students.
Cristina Popa PhD ’16 came to Harvard intrigued by particle physics. Today, she works as a quantitative researcher at Two Sigma. The training she received from faculty mentors and the freedom to sample different subjects at GSAS led to a career she loves. “The problem solving aspect of my job is very similar to physics research,” she says. “I read papers, come up with mathematical models, and run computer simulations to test them.” A native of Romania, Popa gives annually to the Graduate School Fund. “I had such a great opportunity to follow my dreams and pursue my interests. I want to do my part to make it possible for other students to explore careers they’re passionate about and realize their potential.”
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