As part of an academic job search series, Guarini alumni Gilbert Rahme, PhD '17, hosted a virtual talk, sharing insights from his PhD journey at Dartmouth and offering advice for navigating the academic job market. Dr. Rahme highlighted taking advantage of the numerous professional development opportunities provided by Guarini staff and faculty mentors, whom he credits for building a supportive community.
Dr. Rahme received his PhD in molecular and cellular biology at Dartmouth and is currently an assistant professor at Stony Brook University.
What do you consider your hometown?
I lived most of my life in Beirut, Lebanon, but I am originally from Becharre, a town in North Lebanon. For context, Becharre is also the hometown of Gibran Khalil Gibran, the renowned Lebanese American writer, poet, and artist commemorated with a memorial plaque near the Boston Public Library.
Where did you earn your undergraduate degree?
I earned my undergraduate degree from the Lebanese University, a tuition-free public university in Lebanon.
Why did you choose Dartmouth for your graduate studies, and how did it influence your career path in academia?
After completing my undergraduate degree, I pursued a master's in cellular biology at the American University of Beirut. My passion for research led me to apply to graduate institutions in the U.S., a natural choice given that the US is the leader in life science research and biotechnology. I chose Dartmouth because of its reputation as an institution that is built for training outstanding graduate students. Its smaller, more intimate research environment offered personalized, rigorous training from world-class faculty. I also love cold weather, so institutions in the northeast were really attractive to me.
Being a Dartmouth alum has been instrumental in propelling my career! Apart from the outstanding training I received from my mentor Dr. Mark Israel, the extracurricular activities and training sessions I was involved in, particularly the seminar series that the Guarini personnel organized, were truly fantastic learning opportunities. My postdoctoral advisor was quite surprised that I had already planned a research trajectory and fellowship/transition award/faculty application timeline from day one. I could not have done that without the amazing mentorship of Dr. Israel, my PhD mentor, and the fantastic graduate studies team that prepared all grad students for a successful journey ahead. In brief, I owe my entire career to my roots at Dartmouth and my keen interest in cancer biology.
What is your area of research or academic focus?
My lab focuses on cancer biology, with special emphasis on epigenetics, the study of how genes are turned on and off while their DNA sequence is unaltered.
Beyond academia, what hobbies or interests do you enjoy in your personal life?
Having been deeply shaped by my experience at Dartmouth, I love spending time outdoors with my wife and two daughters. Since moving to Long Island, a summer haven for outdoor activities, we've replaced hiking with swimming and spending time on the beach.
Looking back, how did your involvement with Dartmouth's graduate community shape your experience, and what impact did it have on your career?
I was involved in so many extracurricular activities at Dartmouth. They have all equally shaped my experience and career. My involvement with the graduate student council taught me how to be patient and responsible with a budget. I now oversee grant budgets and employ a lot from the efficiencies I learned from overseeing multiple budgets in the graduate student council. My experience with the international graduate mentorship program allowed me to learn about different cultures and countries, some of which I didn't know existed. My participation in almost every event that DCAL and the Guarini team planned were integral in shaping my career choice and successful trajectory. My involvement with the Dartmouth graduate outing club taught me perseverance and survival skills that extend to everyday life. I can't be more thankful and proud of my time at Dartmouth.
What advice would you give to current or prospective Guarini students who are considering an academic career?
Work hard, establish connections with faculty and students alike, and attend every single event hosted by the Guarini team.
Do you have a favorite place or activity in Hanover that you still think about or revisit when you can?
The Dartmouth outing club dock by the river is where I used to visit to release stress. I got one of my most innovative ideas on the dock. I also spent a lot of time with my wife (then-girlfriend) there, so it's really a special place for us.
