Five doctoral students from Missouri University of Science and Technology will participate in a development program designed to prepare them for their professional careers.

The five were selected to take part in the Graduate Professional Development Program, a semester-long initiative by the University of Missouri System and the four UM System campuses.

“This program is designed to equip master’s-level and doctoral students with the high-demand skills that employers seek across academic, business, government, nonprofit and industry sectors,” says Dr. Venkata Allada, vice provost for graduate studies at Missouri S&T. Topics to be covered through the program include project management, conflict resolution, data-driven decision making, problem solving, entrepreneurship and team work.

The program is modeled after two leadership development programs offered by the UM System for faculty and staff: the President’s Academic Leadership Institute for faculty and the Administrative Leadership Development Program for staff.

Each campus selected a team of five students to enroll in the program. These twenty students will participate in monthly programming on their campus as well as travel to the other campuses for an overnight visit and extended training. The program begins Feb. 13-14 with a meeting in Columbia.

Missouri S&T doctoral students participating are:

• Elizabeth Black of Rolla, who is pursuing a Ph.D. in physics.
• Derek King of St. James, who is pursuing a Ph.D. in ceramic engineering.
• Carlo Salvinelli of Rolla, who is pursuing a Ph.D. in geological engineering.
• Manish Sharma of Rolla, who is pursuing a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering.
• Nima Lotfi Yagin of Rolla, who is pursuing a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering.