Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics
ITMAT Education and Training

Advancing Scientific Careers and Enhancing Professional Development (ASCEND)

Program Overview

The ASCEND (Advancing Scientific Careers and Enhancing Professional Development) Program is a structured, two‑year professional development curriculum designed to support the development and retention of scientists pursuing careers in clinical and translational science (CTS). ASCEND is intentionally designed to complement mentored research training by developing competencies that are essential to scientific success but typically not addressed in traditional disciplinary curricula.

Program Purpose and Goals

ASCEND aims to:
  • Build essential professional skills while promoting self-efficacy, resilience, and personal accountability
  • Encourage collaboration, creative thinking, and strong leadership, communication, and team science practices
  • Support career decision-making and help trainees stay engaged in long-term research career

Program Components

  • Program Structure

    ASCEND is built around monthly 90‑minute interactive sessions and additional speed mentoring events, career panels, career fairs, and networking opportunities.

  • Session Leaders

    Session leaders include faculty and professionals from multiple career stages and sectors, both within and outside Penn, bringing varied perspectives to CTS career development.

  • Participation Model

    A distinguishing feature of ASCEND is its cross‑career stage participation model, which brings together MSTR and MSRS students, predoctoral T32 and postdoctoral T32 trainees, K12 scholars, and CTTP trainees. While ASCEND provides a shared curriculum across programs, select sessions are tailored to specific career stages.

  • ASCEND Integration

    • Team‑based mentoring structures within your training or academic program
    • Use of Individual Development Plans (IDPs) via the Customized Career Development Platform
    • Ongoing reflection on career goals, skill gaps, and next steps

ASCEND Content Domains

Career Exploration and Transition Support

ASCEND includes structured opportunities for career exploration and individualized guidance, such as:
  • Career panels with participants from academia, industry, government (e.g., NIH, FDA, CDC), and nonprofit organizations
  • Sessions focused on navigating career transitions and job markets

As participants approach program completion, ASCEND is complemented by individualized career transition support provided through ITMAT Ed, program mentors and sponsors, and program leadership.

Leadership & Administration

Megan Maxwell, MSW | Senior Associate Director, ITMAT Ed | mmaxwell@upenn.edu

Elizabeth Hexner, MD , MSTR | Associate Program Director, ITMAT Education | EHexner@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Judith Hagans, MBA | Education Coordinator, ITMAT Education | Judith.Hagans@PennMedicine.upenn.edu