 Welcome, everyone. We're just waiting for everybody to join us, and then we'll go ahead and get started. Hello to everyone who's joined us and welcome to our international panel for the Harvard Medical School Master of Science in Bioethics program. My name is Rebecca Brandell, and I'm the director of the Center for Bioethics and also the director of the Master of Bioethics program. I'm joined by several members of our wonderful education team this morning to make this webinar happen and to help answer all of your questions. Let me introduce you to Jesse Tucker, who so many of you have been in touch with regularly as you apply to the program. He's our recruitment and admissions coordinator. We're also joined by Sam Picken, our education program administrator, and by Joni Bishansky, our associate faculty director of the virtual program and co-director of our Capstone experience, and you'll be hearing a lot more from Joni and the panelists in just a few minutes. Let me start to say by saying that from the very beginning of the Master of Bioethics program, we imagined that one of the goals would be to create an international community of people doing work in bioethics. And we're so thrilled to have so many of you joining us today. We are now in the process of beginning admissions for our 10th entering class. And so over a decade, it's been an amazing opportunity to reflect upon what we've done at the Harvard Medical School Master of Science and Bioethics program over this time. We have had students from every continent on the globe that's inhabited by humans. We still have not brought penguins into the fold, but we really are delighted that the community continues to grow. And in particular, the Master of Science and Bioethics program is a rich experience for international students because of the diversity of viewpoints back there in terms of their life experience. And in our virtual and in-person classrooms, we have students from around the world who come together to learn, share, and reflect on the most pressing issues facing us globally and internationally. But coming to this wonderfully vibrant classroom, as you'll hear from our students in just a short moment, is really just the beginning. Because the relationships that are formed and built in the course of the program continue for a lifetime, not just between faculty and mentors and students, but between students themselves who are already out in the world leading in the global bioethics community. And once students come to the program, even just today, you'll begin to experience what that global community is like. So just to give you a sense of some of the things our graduates are doing, we have graduates all over North America who are working in bioethics programs and clinical ethics and research ethics across the US and Canada. And then abroad, outside of North America, we have students who have graduated in or in Japan leading in technology, health, law, and medicine. We have students who are teaching reproductive law and ethics in Australia, running clinical trial ethics in Liberia, developing clinical ethics programs across the globe from Saudi Arabia and Malaysia to Mexico and beyond. We have students who are advancing human rights in New Zealand and students who are doing work in clinical ethics industry, technology and research in the UK and across Europe. There's literally no corner of the world that's untouched. And now with Zoom, as we're all experiencing now, and we continue to work with our students, we've had ethics programming bringing together faculty and students from Harvard with students around the world. In case we have anyone joining us from Hong Kong today, in addition to our current student, a wonderful relationship over the past number of years with Hong Kong University and medical students. And the list goes on and on and on. So you're not here to hear me today, but really to hear from the stars of our show, which are our current students who can tell you the most about experiencing the master of science and bioethics program at Harvard Medical School. And with that, and no further ado, it's my great pleasure to introduce the associate faculty director of the master of science program and associate director of the virtual master's program, Joni Vashansky, who will bring on our panel and get started off. Thanks for being here. Thanks, Joni. Great. Thanks, Becca. And I want to welcome everyone to this session and we really look forward to caring for my panelists. I want to also thank you all who submitted questions ahead of time and our goal is to hopefully address all those and really it's not going to be me speaking, it's going to be the panelists and I have a set of questions for them and I think you will hopefully get all the answers that you want that you've asked us previously. And again, I thank you for that. And then at the end, we will share some specifics about the program and applying and if there's still time, we'll answer any additional questions that you can put into the Q&A. And we'll add this to the list. But let's get started. And the first thing I'm going to ask each of you to do is to introduce yourself, including your name and where you're from. And then very specifically, what motivated you to apply to the graduate program to a graduate program in the United States, which sometimes might seem daunting to many of you who are joining. And then were there specific factors perhaps or features of the program that attracted you. So, Abdulrahman, why don't we start with you. Yeah, for sure. Thank you so much. So my name is Abdulrahman Harbi. I'm joining from Saudi Arabia. I am second year virtual students. So my experience so far was great. Actually, I joined the program after completing two years of my career in National Committee of Bioethics. So I decided this is the time to develop my knowledge, develop my skills in bioethics. So while I was searching for the specific master, I kind of look out to Hartford because, to be honest, bioethics field is not as any other science field that only a path. So there's many, there's many, there's many perspectives to be considered. So I want a program that can have special diversity, special knowledge, special perspective. So Hartford kind of give me that opportunity, especially with the virtual opportunity kind of working and splitting and completing my education with great, great participant, great classmates from all around the world. So that the main goal that I choose this program. Great. Thank you. And Ardita, I see you agreeing and you're in person. So maybe you could introduce yourself. Thank you for the opportunity journey. So hi everyone. My name is Ardita and I'm a physician from Indonesia. The reason why I wanted to join the bioethics program in Harvard, especially in person is because I'm taking a capstone about genomics and being in Boston, especially in Cambridge. I think it's the best place to discover new technologies, especially in health because there's so many health startups and opportunities around Harvard and around Boston itself. Great. Thanks. And Roger, you're joining from yet another place. Hi everybody. I'm Roger Chung. I am joining from Hong Kong. It's 11pm right now over here. So good evening everybody. And yes, I joined the Harvard program online because I am a full time associate professor at the School of Public Health and Primary Care at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. My research focused on health equity and of life care. And also social determinants of health, which have very strong underpinning ethical underpinning. So, you know, when I was researching around, so obviously Harvard MBA program was one of the top choices and I know that there will be, you know, the people who are signing up for this MBA program will be intelligent. They are definitely intellectually curious. And I know that, you know, we're going to have very good discussions in class. So this is one of the major reasons why I chose the Harvard MBA program. And I'm also myself running a center for bioethics at my own university, which is really quite new. This is a burgeoning field in Hong Kong right now. So I would like to learn from the best of the best. Thank you. Thank you. And certainly you're bringing a lot to the program based on what you do and such and you know that does help create lots of differences and coming certainly an online aspect of things and Felix, please introduce yourself. I'm from Boston, so about 10am, so 11 hours earlier than in Hong Kong. So I was born in Germany, lived actually most of my life in Switzerland, and I had my last job in Australia. And that's also the main motivation for me to do bioethics because I just saw in my work that there are so many bioethical questions which we don't really know how to address or we address them in a really poor way. And I felt that the master of science and bioethics really gives me the skill set to be better at my work and also to drive maybe some impact in the field. So what it also that makes it distinctive is I think the capstone program because through the capstone you do exactly that. So you choose one topic and you combine the academic view with like a real world application. And I think that really made it unique and was the reason for me to apply for it. That's great and as Becca mentioned I'm one of the co directors of the capstone program and one of the things we'll make sure that we highlight for all the attendees today is a little more detail about the capstone so thanks for at least introducing that Felix at this point. Let's start with you again, you and our data being in person and ask you the following question. Were there any specific challenges perhaps that you faced, or highlights perhaps, rather than challenges, you know, as you sort of arrived here in the US and started a program. So Felix why don't you continue. Yes, so I think the first real challenge or topic I faced was finding housing, and it actually started in May and the MBE community really helped with that because we had a call for the initially admitted students, and I met two really nice MBE students I didn't know them back then but we all had the same problem we were internationals or at least not from Boston, and we didn't have housing. So we all ended up living together actually because we did the housing and together and now we have the, what we call the MBE fun house as we became roommates so actually, I would say the first challenge I faced. Well, certainly that can be a challenge and I'm glad that it worked out the way that it did. What about you. My challenge is probably just being in the US alone because I'm very long way from home. And sometimes as international student, especially being the first time. So my challenge for my education abroad is feeling homesick and you really try to find your own community in the US and I found my classmates are very, very helpful, especially when I'm living Cambridge, the other part of Boston, I think from Boston to Cambridge itself has been so fun, because in our bioethics program we have classmates over in Cambridge and we kind of try to get together, just talking about, you know, class and life and bioethics classmates are like my family now so it's been challenging but I'm really grateful for all the faculty and classmates I have met. And, you know, I'll start with you, Roger you're in one time zone and Abdul Rahman is in another time zone, completely opposite. And so that might be one of the challenges here but what things can you describe as certainly even facing an online program, and that perhaps this was the first online program, each of you ever did Roger want to comment on that. Yeah, sure. Well, as I said, you know, because I have a full time job I have to be very committed to my, my own job so this is really probably the only option that I have that I have to do it on my not in person. But I, well, if you're talking about challenges, I would say that it could be quite challenging. I still remember the first two weeks that I have to really kind of adopt to that. You know, learning environment that is going to be online but at the same time you're you're really juggling with your own, you know, teaching duties and research and, you know, all the things that you have to do, you know, with a full time job so I feel like you know this is also another huge, you know, thing in my in my own life. You know, while you're actually trying to finish all the different things in your own work. And then the foundations course was the first was my first exposure to this program is a fantastic course. As I said, there's a lot of readings and and if you really put the time to it, then you really do learn a lot, I have to say and then you can you can really be engaged in very thought provoking discussions. This is what I try to do right so I try to finish all my readings did all my homeworks and all that stuff but I would say it is. It could be quite challenging doing it part time, but is extremely rewarding. So, this is what I have to juggle with and sometimes some classes may happen during funny hours for me. But I, you know, when I sign up for it I, I have already expected that so, you know, I mentally prepare for these challenges so that's, I think what people have to do they have to be psychologically mentally be prepared for what's to come. I think you're right and time management is a huge part of taking any kind of program but certainly an online program and making time to get all your readings done and such and that prep work upfront before you are in classes is critical and then you get more out of it. But you do adjust and as long as you know that going in as you said then you know you make that commitment and you continue. Abdulrahman why don't you sort of take that from here what what is your take on how you've adjusted to this. Fortunately, I think we are kind of all versus especially from outside the US can have the similar challenges which are working full time and the timing if you are kind of all in time zone that can difficult classes. I think that's one of the most difficulty that you face. But to be honest, I thought it would be much harder after the next first two weeks, three weeks you can use to it and to be honest sometimes when the configuration you kind of missed it. You can start your schedule, so you kind of get used to it but I think with time with commitment you kind of you have to go through it and there is no journey with a challenging course with which you see the reward of what you kind of get from that experience that journey I think it's much, much higher than effort and the challenges that you are facing. You sort of answered kind of the next question I was going to ask about what pleasantly surprised you and it sounds like you know you adapted well and that you were able to get to that place where you're you know it's just sort of automatic and I love that you said that you know then you missed that time period of when you're not doing it so I think that that's that's great. So, I let sort of open to anyone who wants to comment on this but any other differences you noticed other than what we've already highlighted of being a student in your own country versus being a student in the states and maybe, you know, our data Felix since you're you know here and grant, you know, on campus and such. Any comments you have about that. I would say it's like 100% different than it used to be for me in Switzerland. And the main reason being it is way more personal, even though you might think like Harvard is one of the biggest and best units and like thousands of students there so it will be like impersonal and he will just be a number in a way, but it's the direct opposite so everyone knows your name you engage with your professors you engage with your classmates it's really a sense of community, and that is very different to like studying one of the big programs either be like medicine or law or business or whatever it is in Europe. At least for me in my experience we were always in a way a number for final written exam, and it's very different here. I think that's a great way to describe our class, because even though there's almost 38 or 40 people, I guess in our class it still feels very personal, even through the questions that the faculty gave us through our tasks. So I think it's really, really a pleasant surprise for me because I thought bioethics we're only going to talk about theories and the fundamentals of like four principles of BNC, but it's more of a self reflection. So I think for people that's going to apply, you don't have to worry about your knowledge about bioethics because honestly when I was in medical school is very closed, and I thought coming to this program. I would have, I would fall fall in behind but the faculty really makes us feel comfortable and not being sort of pressure and stuff so it's really really great. It's great to hear that as a as a faculty as one of the leaders in the department as well that I feel like we're all doing our job then that our faculty are doing their job and that bringing in the right complement of students to so that everyone does feel supported and encouraging others and making that environment. So that's some that's really, you know, great to hear. I don't know Roger of Dubois and any other comment on it or, you know, just throw that back to you. I have to agree to be honest, the structure of the rainbow versus this master can be amazing. It's not only a passive process that lecture you can, some good information on your student and you can just take it and learn it. But it's a thoughtful interaction process, you have to share and learning by sharing and discussions. So that's very interesting to see multiple perspective from all the kids from all different to the world. To kind of see everyone have different perspective how do you can see this issue how do they tackle this issues. That to be honest the most interesting and thoughtful and working experience you have. That's great. Roger what about the online interactions and such you know that can be very different. What's that really like, maybe you could share that with the people that are attending. Yeah, I think what surprised me is that I think everyone is very engaged during class I like that the, a lot of the classes are very structured. And, you know, a lot, you know, for example, I'll just give an example in the introduction for clinical ethics, the class. It usually starts off with, you know, a little bit of a lecture, not not a whole lot about some theories and principles but then you'll then introduce a case for you guys for the for the students to discuss, and then we'll be in breakout rooms. I like it that I like it because you know in the breakout rooms, you know, which is smaller you have like around three or four people really deep diving into the particulars of the cases and, and you know we all have our chances to share our own opinions and it is a very safe place for us to share all our own opinions, you know, it's, and then, you know, hearing the diverse perspectives from all the different people from around the world it's just, I think it's an amazing and eye opener for me, an amazing experience for me, I really like that. Yeah. That's great. Our data can you comment on how you break out into the different sections in foundations and what that's like because that will kind of compliments I think what what Roger said, I know you have smaller groups as well. Yes, so in foundations we do have small group discussion and I think it's really great because listening to our peers, talking about one of the, I think foundations honestly is one of the challenging subjects, because it is foundations by itself, but listening to our peers and talk about our small group it's really simplifies the subject itself because our classmates are really trying hard to incorporate their own experience with their own language. So having listening to our peers, talking about philosophy, it is so so helpful for me at least because I have never had exposure about philosophy like can or you utilitarian principle so it's really helpful. That's great. Felix is that the same experience you had or 100% agrees so I think these breakout discussions normally like groups of four and you have probably two MDs one person with a non medical background either business or law or something else and then yeah probably another like medical related role and you are from all over the world and you discuss the same case and issue it feels like every class is its own consortia. So it's really exciting to be part of that. You know, yeah, go ahead Roger. Yeah I just want to say, even outside of the classrooms we have office hours we have facilitated facilitated learning groups. I think those are very helpful. Because you know when you you want to clarify some concepts that maybe you don't have time during class to clarify then you know office hours is just a perfect time for you to clarify that and also the FLGs as I've mentioned. You know you really do get to know people in a different way and I'm sure you all have separate other groups that you create outside of the actual classes. You know, I know that students create their own individual Google groups so that you can have other communications and continue some of the discussions. And I think that that also helps engage everyone and you know take a little bit outside of the classroom and get to know that way as well and know that everyone is there to to help you. The other thing is what you highlighted, certainly Elix is we're coming together from all different walks of life and I know individuals I looked at all the individuals that registered for this panel presentation and they are lawyers and physicians and nurses and researchers and people from all over the world who have signed up for this so I think having you comment on that is certainly very very helpful and really demonstrates that everyone comes together and everyone comes with different levels of experience, Ardita just as you said, you know, and I understand that first and foremost. So, and this sort of takes us to maybe just another thing, sort of student life and networking. You know, we try as a center we have many other kinds of events that we have hosted platforms so that you know there's some social integration but also networking so that you can figure out maybe what you're going to do next or that you're in this program and you get to know a lot of people but they stay part of your network, but maybe some of the things that we've offered that you've all attended and Abdulrahman I know you attended an event last week as a matter of fact, maybe you could start and comment on the other things that we really try to have available to you across the university as well. Yeah, that's also one thing that I really like about the program. It's not only start in the class to kind of offer some additional activity as some informal activities. The last or the thing last week or the before we have some virtual event that can be conducted by the centers and can allow us to sit to one person with one of the faculty and one of the experts. I can discuss what you're going to do with your life, what your goals, what your thoughts, so it can expand in your personal working area and what your thought about the experience. Also, you can have some feedback on your work, especially for the capstone, etc. So you can imagine that the many thoughts, many experiences that can take from the informal or formal activity that the center offer. And others have you participated. I know our data I've seen you at lots of events. And how is that played for you and your overall experience. Thank you journey yes. It's been really exciting for me to go to all of these events, even the virtual ones. And I also want to highlight that we also have classes together with the virtual students. I know you before this panel because we've been through research ethics class together. So it's been really good. The faculty have done a great job to incorporate not only virtual students but also makes us together between the virtual and in person so we don't miss anyone. So it's been great. And that's a great point. Go ahead Felix. I'm maybe just looking at the schedule right now of university events organized just like in the last weeks and it looks like every second day is another one. So I think Harvard, like in general has so many events so it's really about prioritizing to your time and figuring out which one you want to attend. I was challenging from like a couple of weeks ago I went to the healthcare innovation summit which you can think of it's like a panel discussion and the career fair afterwards. There is the very famous gay lecture where it's more about content import and dinner and like there are so many different events that it's really about prioritizing and choosing which one you have time to attend. Yeah, yeah, sometimes it could get overwhelming because you can't go to every single one of them so you try to pick and choose. Roger, have you been able to take advantage of any of the virtual online events. I actually haven't really had time to participate in those events. Yeah, I apologize but you know I, I, you know kept in touch with quite a number of classmates, you know through personal contacts and, you know, yeah, and that that was great because you know when I this summer I traveled to America and Canada and I met up with some of my fellow classmates and that's good. That's great. And please no apologies for not attending. You know, many things we record want everyone to know that and we try to share and, and sometimes with busy schedules it's difficult to, to attend them and, you know, we completely understand understand that so definitely know. When I got this invitation, when I got this invitation I, I, you know, I immediately wanted to participate. Yeah, well we were delighted that you could join us today. We're delighted that all of you can join us today. It's, it's really great. Great conversation. I know I was going to ask specifically about housing but I think we kind of covered that. And so, our data is there anything you would want to add about housing, are you living in the housing that's applied by the university. Yeah. Oh yeah so I am living in under Harvard housing apartment so it has been also a challenge for me because we needed to do the lottery process and have to keep in contact with the Harvard housing even when before moving to Boston so the time zone will be quite challenging. But it's a process that we that we have to go through. I know it's going to be hard. I don't want to sugarcoat the housing process as Felix said, but it's going to be a great experience. And I think my tip would be to always start early for the application and always keep your eye on the Harvard University housing graduate website. So that's great. Yeah, it is it's starting early and it's paying attention right the main things, obviously. So let's shift a little I know we got several questions ahead of time about courses and we've already kind of talked about foundations a little bit and clinical ethics. But let's sort of go in another direction. There's lots of electives we offer. And some of you have been able to sort of start already taking electives but maybe go around and comment on what electives that you've gotten to take or at least pick one that someone else doesn't pick and comment on it and up to Robin I know one of the courses you took was neuro ethics so maybe you could highlight that. Yeah, it was once I didn't know the topic for taking the classes but I think it was very interesting to see the complexity of that course. And especially it was only one month was comprehensive but I think give us many both of you many I would like to think about that when challenging that this technology or this area of technology that can face and what is the dilemma that kind of currently facing what optional solution what option I thought that can be so so I think neuro ethics one of the most interesting class that I took over the this master. Roger what about you what what some of your perhaps even you know favorite or less favorite classes that you've taken. I really enjoyed. Well, besides foundations and clinical ethics but but I have to say I really enjoy those two. My favorites, but I also poke global health ethics, animal ethics and also neuro ethics as as electives and probably I will take the ethics of AI in the coming semester, also as an elective. Yeah, I have to say I really enjoyed all the classes all the readings I feel the reading lists are very helpful for me to really gain a foundational knowledge of the literature that are important to know in in the respective fields. And the, again, the in class discussions are always very engaging very fruitful. And it's just very great to hear the perspectives the international perspectives from other people around the world because you know one thing that we learn in bio ethics is that you know everyone has a blind spot right and we are only looking at certain case or certain subject matter from our own vantage point and therefore we need other people to kind of, you know, not only supplement but you know really to to point out the limitations of your own of your own perspective and learn from them and, and and that is really, you know the robust pluralism of bio ethics. I could say any better than you just did so that's great and you certainly highlighted key elective courses that we offer there's so many and so many coming up. Felix, what have you been able to take advantage of and take and how has it worked for you. So I actually took advantage of the cross registration for my elective so in addition to the bio ethics electives you can also cross register to MIT to other Harvard schools and I think it's about 12,000 courses in the canvas system you can choose. So it's really again prioritizing what you really want to do. And I took entrepreneurship of life science, which is offered by HBS, and it was really a very interesting conversation because you have three CEOs joining each week. And they introduced a company in the life science field they introduced what they are doing. And then you can also challenge them from a bio ethical perspective engage with them ask them like how do they think about bio ethical issues in their work. And I think that that really complemented the bio ethical education in the core courses with just let's say a bit more the business perspective of some of these distinctive leaders and asking them on their perspective what they think are the pressing issues. So that has been really interesting. Yeah, you bring up an excellent point, not only in the business school but MIT, you can take classes, their school of public health, medical school law school, and that really does increase the number of choices that you have so there's a lot of choices. Ardita, what have you taken or plan to take coming up. So this semester I haven't had the chance to take any electives because I took the consortia the research ethics consortia. And I really want to take a moment to have give a shout out to in so he and Lauren Walsh, because through the research ethics consortia. Not only it introduces to all of these new technology in the industry but also giving us the real life perspective like how does bio ethics apply in everyday life, especially in new technology and new advances. And they both really brought topics there are mind blowing and I've never even had the chance to know about for example, prolonging a dog's life or by your preservation and even we talked about organ transplantation and health equity through research ethics consortia. So it was so it was really great not only theories but also the application of bioethics bioethics which is very much important I guess for me for after graduating the bioethics program and how would we navigate through the career plans and stuff so I think the research ethics consortia was really great. And for the upcoming semester. There have been a lot of courses, even in bioethics that I really want to take them all but unfortunately for credit limits, but I'm planning to take ethics and genomics, which is correlate to my capstone. A hot topic. Certainly and I'm going to come back to that. I want to just describe a little bit the research consortia how that works with the other aspect of it that you attend. Yes, so every month we have research ethics consortia which is joined with the Museum of Science in Boston so for the in person student we get to travel to Museum of Science. And it was really great because the topics that we talked about is really the new emerging technologies, but for example, in the next semester we're going to talk about meat, artificial meat, which is maybe we thought about things like, is this topic really really correlates with bioethics, but the course directors really imposes philosophical questions and bring up these industry research ethics, research ethicists and industries experts to talk about their own work in research ethics. So, and we also, I think the highlight of the research ethics consortia we visited MIT Jamal Clinic, which is like the center of the AI. So if you're interested in the intersection of AI, biotechnology, please, please, please take this research ethics consortia because the experience you get through these this consortia is something that is very valuable and I don't think I could get it if I did not attend, especially in Harvard Medical School Research Ethics Program. Yeah, yeah, well, thanks for further explaining that it's a very unique opportunity that you've taken advantage of and that's great. You know, the other course and you've all kind of alluded to and this is sort of a question all the time that people ask is about the capstone. And what is this capstone and you know this, what does it really mean and how does it play out and, you know, when do I find a mentor right up front or not and I'll just sort of introduce this as you know it is a big component of our program as as everyone knows and there's a survey that goes out initially to all of the applicants and to all of interested parties and being a mentor for the program and as you all know the survey is that you all have individual mentors and such. But as far as topical and how it all comes together and we call it the capstone experience right it's not necessarily a research project although it can be. It depends on things and it depends on you know who you are and what your interests are and who you end up working with and many time it is about identifying a mentor and being open minded to who your mentor is and learning from them they may or may not be content experts. You certainly have the vast faculty and hospitals across the city and all other individuals that they know and can introduce you to. That's my introduction to that. Abdullah Oman, why don't you talk about a little your capstone and how it's worked so far and maybe mention at least the topic of it and then we'll go around and get everyone's input on this. The capstone is very interesting because I think about it as the practical part of the masters kind of choose whatever the topic that you are listening in and you kind of focus in and choose a mentor that you are that will help you. So, for example, I was interested in the gene editing, especially in German, so that's what my capstone field would be around. So with my mentor, Dr. So actually, even he is specialized in philosophy, he kind of have the opportunity to expose me to many people that specialize in this in this area, and also because my part of my capstone will be conducting interview. And he also kind of do me too many to be able to have the talk with them to kind of see their perspective in that work. So I think the capstone experience. It's sometimes kind of seem too much, but I think it's the most interesting Bob kind of not only taking the learning to the next steps to kind of see what they are kind of learning by a practical and can emphasize your learning and do it. That's great. Thank you. And yeah, INSU is who Ardita was referring to. So being an online student, you just get that you also get to participate with the person over at the Museum of Science, even though you're online. Great. And, and certainly from looking at gene editing and go to you Ardita next just because of somewhat related of, you know, your genomics interest and such but talk a little bit about your capstone and what the experience has been like for you. So my capstone is about genomic data sharing and how do we address the public concerns and the deliverable that I would like to have for my castle is to actually recommending strategies and policies to Indonesia because Indonesia is just starting to get into the genomic data sharing how to bring genomic to public health. And even though that I'm taking the energy perspective, I think so far my experience with my capsule mentor and faculty has been really, really good. As in they really make sure that I bring my Indonesian perspective, although they're not Indonesian. So they really reminded me that, you know, this capstone is about not only for yourself but also your country and throughout my experience, which is fascinating because I've learned so much about my country well. I'm not there and through my faculty and my mentors. So it's really touching for me to that the faculty and my mentors really pay attention to you and wants to work together with you, which is very different the environment. And back in medical school where it's very, very rigid and firm, but with the capstone experience, it's made enjoyable because they make sure of you to get that experience and that you understand yourself and your capstone and throughout the capstone sessions. Obviously it was very surprising because throughout the capstone, we talk about not only our projects but other peers projects and how do we navigate our biases. So it's been like a personal journey. That's nice. That's great. And Felix, as you comment, maybe you can mention a little bit more about the seminar which is part of your overall experience in the capstone as well. So my capstone is actually the very highlight of the program and it's like one of the most fascinating topics I ever learned of in my life. So I'm really interested in medical technology and clinical trials. And my advisor and I, we are looking into brain-based visual proteases. So these are neuronal implants which help blind people see again. And we are asking like what are the ethical implications of running a clinical trial with such an invasive but also potentially helpful technology. And it really started about two weeks before the semester began. So my mentor reached out to me. We had one-on-one discussions and just like drafted what we wanted to do. And then every week on Tuesday, we are also meeting in class, get some additional input from Adita and like three other classmates. So it's always very small and intimate breakout session where you discuss with your classmates about how you research or your topic and whatever your capstone is then evolving. But we also have like a professor there giving out further expert input like when you're designing an interview questionnaire because you do interviews with maybe patients or researchers or whatever your capstone is. And they're also really supporting you there and helping you to prioritize because I mean it's just one year. And at the end of that year, your capstone is probably not really finished depending on what you are doing. So it's also setting the groundwork on how you continue that lifelong journey afterwards in a way. So it's been really exciting. It's a good point. It does continue because it goes by very fast and it's sort of setting the stage for perhaps what you can do next. So it's great to hear you say that. And Roger, any comment on the capstone from your perspective? I actually haven't started my capstone yet because right. Yes, because, well, and I would like to highlight this too if that's okay because I start off as a two year part time student. Because of my, you know, to say at least, you know, onerous workload with my own full time job so I decided to extend it to a three year program and, you know, and Harvard MBA program allowing me to do that and I'm very thankful for that and you know it just make my life a lot easier. And to be honest, I can then focus on really learning the stuff, right, you know, really putting the time to do the readings, to have, you know, to really kind of think through, you know, the discussions and the topics. And, you know, a lot of times when you have to really learn something and you want to learn it good, you need time, you need effort, and that, you know, this option for me to extend it to a three year study really allows me to, you know, put in more time and effort to to the stuff that I'm doing so I'll be starting my capstone next next year. Yeah. So, thanks and, you know, and that's right you hadn't started yet and I did know that and one of the things is that, you know, in the two year part time program, you know, the first year you don't do it in the second but there are options and there are, you know, a handful of individuals such as yourself that do go on for a program so we do try to be, you know, flexible in all of these aspects so so I think I think that's terrific. Thanks for bringing that up and look forward to working with you on your whole capstone program certainly so you know one of the things I just want to tell you that for all of you you've just touched upon the key elements and I can't thank you enough we at the center can't thank you enough for for joining us today I think you presented the program in such a way that it really does give the attendees a full picture of what it's like to be in this program coming from, you know, whether it's the online virtual program living in different parts of the world or coming to campus from other countries and living here for the first time and and what that is like and that's why we, you know, wanted the four of you to join us so we're just truly really grateful for, you know, joining us for this time and answering all the questions we've really attempted to answer all the questions that came into to us ahead of time and you've done just a great job at that. And, you know, I just want to say, you know, a special thank you thank you from, you know, everyone here at the center, and what I'm going to do now is. Thank you all and we look forward to enjoy your break and I'm going to turn this back over to Jesse, who is going to just do some summary wrap up comments to some of the individuals that are joining us today I'm sure some things that we're wondering, worrying or wondering about whether it's, you know, finances or you know who's really in the program so Jesse I'll turn it back over to you I know you have some slides to share, but again thank you to the four panelists. You've just done a great job so we really appreciate it. Thank you johnny yes and thanks to the panelists as well. Can you all see the presentation. Just a reminder to everybody that's here. We do have the Q&A section of zoom and so we've been answering some of your questions throughout. And our panelists have the ability to see that as well so I know some of you just asked a few and they're going to kindly type those out okay. Here I'm just going to run through some quick slides and I wanted to mention that you know currently we have 122 students and about 40% of those are international. So just today we saw students from Hong Kong, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Germany. But when you're actually in the classroom right we have many more over the years we've had students from 27 different countries. Right and those are like Japan into Pakistan to Philippines Canada the Dominican Republic and many more so there's really a global perspective when when we're having discourse in the classroom. Now these are the tuition and fees for the current academic year. So if you apply the program and you're accepted these will likely rise by a little bit. Of course, for the part time program right it's the same as as the full time costs just split into two academic years. Okay. So if you've done some research, you know you'll see living expenses listed out and sometimes it can be a little confusing but of course if you're applying for the part time online program. You don't need to take into account those living expenses. You know many folks do have questions about the health insurance if you're coming to the program and you want to keep your own insurance you can wave that health insurance costs. Okay. Next many people of course are interested in financial aid and especially what that looks like as an international student. So after the session will send out a whole bunch of resources and links that we think you'll find helpful maybe you've already seen them. Maybe you haven't. There is something called the Harvard committee on general scholarships and what you can actually do there is look through this website. And see, you know, does your home country specifically have any scholarships that are listed that you can apply to, or is there something related to your institution or your career. We also really encourage you to look at funding just from your home country. In general right go to your local government or the federal government they might have scholarships and so I just encourage you to do a lot of research on that. Also with your own employer right human resources very well may might might have something that that can help you go study somewhere maybe your job will help to pay for it so really just explore all the resources that are open to you. Also at HMS is the dean's scholarship, and this is financial need based, but anybody is welcome to apply to this and so I encourage anyone who has been accepted to the program that you apply to the dean's scholarship and that's a 15% tuition reduction. Here I would like to note that if you are an international student here with us, a prospective international student today, and you want to come study full time. There is a requirement that you have to show proof of funding in US dollars now. And so that's the tuition, as well as the cost of living. And if you're accepted to the program will reach out and start this process and help you get all of your materials together. There's even resources for local banks that HMS works with if you need to open an account to actually show those funds in US dollars but really just, you know, if you're interested in this program. And you want to come study full time international start thinking about getting those funds together and being ready to submit your materials, because that is how you're going to get your I 20. And once we send the I 20, that's how you're going to get the visa interview at your local consulate or embassy. Okay. Well, here's our admissions process it's a totally online application of course any institution in your application that you've marked you've attended we will need to see an unofficial transcript from. And so that can be a PDF or a really clear image and updated CV clear and easy to read. And also a statement of purpose and we'll touch more on that in a little bit. Three letters of recommendation. These should come from colleagues or professors or supervisors someone that can speak to the body of your character and why it makes sense that you should come get a degree in bioethics. If you are curious about English proficiency scores, you only need to provide that score or that test, if you have a degree from an institution where the primary language of instruction was not English. So if you did go to school and the language of instruction was not English at any place you went. Then you will have to submit these scores and if you haven't done one. And now you're learning you do have to submit it. Don't worry. You know, we're a little close to the deadline but do a lingo actually makes it really easy to do this. You know you'll take that exam and they'll just send you your scores in a day or two. So here is the statement of purpose and, you know, this should really be a thoughtful narrative of why you want to study bioethics, why it's important to you and why at Harvard so if you kind of follow these four questions these these guidelines that we have here and you can see this on the website then, you know you should be able to produce a really good a statement of purpose for our admissions committee to read. So if you have any recommendations there usually professors or teachers supervisors or colleagues. If you're interested in applying now definitely start speaking with them soon. But I do want to highlight that though the deadline is January 5 we know that, you know, during the holidays getting this all together can be tough so there is some leeway around January 5 if you are just getting, if those letters are still coming in. Okay, right, we'll work with you to make sure that we can read your application if you're interested in studying for the in person program. Now, I know many of our panelists talked about housing. Thank you. Yes, this can be tough so I really, you know, encourage you to look at this, even now, even if you haven't been accepted to start to start looking at the info that we have here again I'll send links out after the session but they are really wonderful resources. And so, you know if you're looking to live right here near the medical campus right you're going to try for Vanderbilt Hall, but if you want to live in Cambridge that's totally okay too. This this HU housing link that will help you live in Cambridge as well, or if you want to live in any of the surrounding area right there's a whole resource just for living off campus. So, again, I'll be sending this to you soon. And as for what's next. January 5 is that in person deadline, but of course you know some leeway just communicate with us and we'll help you. We'll help you out if you have to submit things a little bit late okay March 1 for the online program you have a bit more time there but still, start looking at your funding and start asking for letters of recommendation. You know we have a newsletter and we've got a whole slew of social media so if you want to keep up to date on anything with the center. Please feel free to do so so. Thank you everybody for coming today. Thank you Dr. Brindale for opening the session. Thank you Dr. for moderating and thank you Roger Abdul Rahman Felix and our detail very much. I think we had a great conversation. And this has been wonderful so I wish everybody a good day. Bye everyone.