Graduate Student Association

The Graduate Student Association membership includes all students pursuing post baccalaureate degrees in the Graduate College at University of Oklahoma Health Campus. The organization's mission is to improve student academic conditions and create an organization of the local, regional, and national graduate student community.

2026-2027 GSA Officers

Name	Program	Office
Katherine Dempsey	Cancer Biology	President
Kaitlyn Pipkin	Cell Biology	VP/Secretary
Lauren HerrNeckar	GPIBS	Treasurer
Nada Saleh	Cell Biology	Community Service Chair
Isra Khan	GPIBS	Social Chair
Michaela Vance	Cell Biology	PR Chair
Siva Sai Chandragiri	Pathology	GREAT Chair
Brototi Chakrabarty	Pharmaceutical Sciences	GREAT Vice Chair
Dorsa Hosseininasab	Health Promotion Sciences	Pre-GREAT Workshop Chair
Swati Choudhary	Pharmaceutical Sciences	GREAT Career Development Chair
Angelina Akomea	Pharmaceutical Sciences	IDPE Chair
Honieh Sowdagar Anne Kapka	Epidemiology Epidemiology	GSA Senator GSA Senator
Dr. Brent Richards	Graduate College	Graduate College Faculty Representative
Jasmine Cartwright	Graduate College	Graduate College Staff Representative

Goals

To further the academic and career development of all graduate students on the OUHC campus.
To provide graduate students with an opportunity to provide input into the governance of the Graduate College
To provide a forum for graduate students to present their research results and to obtain travel funds to attend scientific meetings through the Graduate Research Education and Technology Forum and GSA sponsored travel awards.
To provide a social and support network for graduate students on the OUHC campus.

Governance

Governance is vested in the Graduate College Student Board composed of elected representatives for each of the six professional colleges who serve for one academic year. Meetings, open to all Graduate students, are held monthly on the first Thursday each month at noon.

Annual Events

Orientation & Welcome Event

The 2025 Welcome Event will be held on August 28th in the Inasmuch Foundation Atrium at the Bird Library. This orientation event is open to all new and existing graduate students and postdocs and serves as an opportunity to hear from campus partners and student organizations along with our Dean. Trainees can learn more about the Graduate College and campus resources while also enjoying the opportunity to meet with peers. All new graduate students will receive their Graduate College hoodie, marking the beginning of their graduate journey which will ultimately end with them being hooded at convocation.

International Student Lunch & Fall Check-In

The International Student Lunch & Fall Check-In will be held on October 14th in the Inasmuch Foundation Atrium of the Bird Library. This event is open to all new and existing graduate students and postdocs and serves as an opportunity to hear from International Student Services and HSC Student Affairs. This also serves as an open Q&A and an opportunity to share concerns and ideas for how we can best support our International students.

Fall Festival

This event will be held on November 18th in the Inasmuch Foundation Atrium of the Bird Library and is open to all new and existing graduate students and postdocs. Fall Festival is a pure social event filled with fun, games, and prizes.

Winter Festival

The Winter Festival will be held on December 16th in the Inasmuch Foundation Atrium of the Bird Library. Refreshments and games provided for all graduate students and postdocs.

Graduate Research Education and Technology Symposium (GREAT)

GREAT is an acronym for Graduate Research Education And Technology Symposium hosted by the OU Health Sciences Graduate College and the OU Health Sciences Graduate Student Association. For the past 50 years, students at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences have showcased their original research at the GREAT Symposium. Students and postdoctoral fellows compete for travel grants to present their research at national scientific meetings. Students can also participate in the Flash Talk Competition and enjoy other GREAT events including pre-GREAT workshops which emphasize communication and presentation skills along with featured speakers and the Keynote Address.

SAVE THE DATE: GREAT 2026 - April 6-8, 2026