Wake Forest-Pittsburgh Consortium Fellows Council

The Wake Forest-Pittsburgh Consortium (WFPC) Fellows Council believes that:
● Graduate and Postdoctoral Fellows make invaluable contributions to the research enterprise.
●  Fellows share personal responsibility for the progression and outcomes of their careers.
●  Inequities within the fellow training community should be rectified to the maximum extent practicable, while recognizing the unique needs of each stakeholder
●  The WFPC AFIRM research community should make every effort to attract the best and the brightest men and women from all groups, including international scholars, under-represented minorities, and persons with disabilities.
●  It is upon these beliefs that we base our Mission, Vision, Values, and Diversity Statement.

Our Mission
The mission of the WFPC AFIRM Fellows Council is to advance the AFIRM research enterprise by maximizing the effectiveness of the research community and development of civilian and military research teams dedicated to treating our wounded service men and women and enhancing the quality of the training experience for all participants.

Our Vision
Working in collaboration with the WFPC AFIRM research community, the WFPC Fellows Council envisions positively enhancing the culture of the individuals and institutions engaged in the WFPC AFIRM consortium research enterprise so that the contributions of graduate and postdoctoral scholars are fully valued and recognized.

Our Values
The WFPC Fellows Council values:
● Participation in the decision-making process
● Professional satisfaction and meaningful career opportunities for graduate and postdoctoral scholars, which recognize the importance of balancing research work and personal professional development needs.
● Collaboration and dialogue to achieve consensus among all stakeholders on the best methods for addressing issues and obtaining desired outcomes for the graduate and postdoctoral community.
● Objective data to inform critical decision-making.

Diversity Statement
The WFPC Fellows Council seeks to promote diversity and ensure equal opportunity and inclusion for all graduate and postdoctoral fellows in the membership, leadership and activities of the WFPC AFIRM regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, disability, national origin, socio-economic status, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Position Expectations of a Council Member
● WFPC AFIRM Fellows/Young Professionals meetings will be held five times annually. Two of the meetings will be held “in person” (i.e., special breakout during annual meetings) and three of the meetings will be “virtual (i.e., via teleconference).  Members are expected to attend at least three out of the five meetings.  
● The WFPC AFIRM Executive Committee will provide oversight in the coordination of the activities of the Council and ensure alignment of these activities with the mission of the WFPC AFIRM consortium.  It will be composed of the Council Chair, Vice Chair, Chairs of the Committees and WFPC AFIRM contacts.
● Much of the work of the WFPC AFIRM Fellows Council will be carried out by “Directed Committees,” each designed to address a specific aspect of the strategic vision of the Council.  Committees may include: Research Cores, Special Events, Seminars and Scientific Sessions (i.e., Professional Meetings, IP Seminars, etc.), Career and Professional Development (including complementary training across WFPC AFIRM consortium institutes including USAISR), and Grant Writing/Fundraising
● Each member of the WFPC AFIRM Fellows/Young Professionals Council will be asked to either chair a Committee and/or be a Member of a committee, contributing what they are able to advance the mission of the WFPC AFIRM.  Committee meetings will be held as frequently as decided by the Chairs of the Committees and the Committee members, together with the WFPC AFIRM PIs and faculty/staff representatives.
● Within the context of Committees, members could be asked to: 
- Assist with the planning of special events, scientific sessions, professional development, fundraising and/or networking events,
- Act as POC/fellow liaison to other WFPC AFIRM consortium graduate and postdoctoral fellow trainees at their respective institute and/or within their respective research core
- Participate in community outreach events,
- Speak on behalf of the WFPC AFIRM at special events.
- Each Council member should be expected to serve as an ambassador for the WFPC AFIRM Consortium and, as such, be familiar and up to date with the WFPC AFIRM research (five cores) and happenings.
● Annually, the WFPC AFIRM Fellows/Young Professionals Council will be invited to attend the Annual RM Foundational Annual Meeting when the WFPC AFIRM Consortium Director(s)/Leadership will provide updates regarding vision and plan for coming year as well as at the cross-consortium “All Hands Meeting”

Council Members
Evangelia “Leah” Bellas
Tufts University
Bio

Kelly Chen-Leung
Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Institute for Regenerative Medicine 
Bio

Tracy Criswell
Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Institute for Regenerative Medicine 
Bio

Carmen Gaines
Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Institute for Regenerative Medicine 
Bio  

Michael Januszyk
Stanford University
Bio

Katie Megley
University of California, Berkeley
Bio

Won Hyuk Suh
University of California, Berkeley
Bio (coming)

Brent Uhrig
Georgia Institute of Technology
Bio (coming)