iBioSketch.com is
an innovative, customizable, web-application developed by our team that tracks the career progress trainees within the sciences.
The iBioSketch prototype was first put in place
in January 2009 as a tool to aid in the evaluation of biomedical research
training grants. To date, the program has been used successfully in tracking
the career progress of trainees in the biomedical sciences ranging from high
school through postdoctoral scholars. However, iBioSketch is designed to track
career progress of trainees or program graduates in any science career field.
The iBiosketch.com site offers two types of accounts to accommodate the types of users it currently serves: trainees and program leaders. Below are details on the features for each type of account that separate this Web application from the standard Excel sheets and surveys that most institutions are using to track trainees’ career progress.
The iBiosketch.com site offers two types of accounts to accommodate the types of users it currently serves: trainees and program leaders. Below are details on the features for each type of account that separate this Web application from the standard Excel sheets and surveys that most institutions are using to track trainees’ career progress.
Existing Features for Students/Trainees
Username and
Password-Protected Access – The system requires every registered trainee to enter
their username and password for access to the system.
Interface allowing for entering demographic and career progress data – The system enables users to enter key demographics and career progress across 6 different levels (pre-college, undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, graduate school, postdoctoral fellowship, and career). Storage and Date Stamping – All career progress data are date stamped and stored securely. A trainee never has to re-enter any data that has already been provided, but can continually edit and update existing data. |
Résumé-generating feature – The site automates the creation of an NIH, NSF, or self-designed biographical sketch. Biosketch sharing feature – Trainees can download their biosketch or share via hyperlink. The hyperlink dynamically updates, meaning that as trainees add new career progress to the site, the link automatically updates to reflect the changes. |
Existing Features for Program Leaders
Reports on Trainees’ Login Status – The iBioSketch system includes a report that lists all trainees that were ever selected to be part of the grant or in a department. The screen displays their cohort/date of entry, active status, and the last date on which the trainee logged in to review or edit his or her profile.
Data Editing/Verification Capabilities – The system allows program leaders to access progress data stored by each trainee in their program. Program leaders are able to verify, edit, delete, and/or add to trainees’ records to ensure the data are accurate prior to downloading them for their progress reports. The edit/verification feature further strengthens the data set by helping to ensure that the data submitted by trainees are accurate.
Summary of Demographics – The system includes a summary of the demographics of all trainees that have been part of the program. Storing of these variables in the same system as longitudinal career progress data enables program leaders to better monitor trainees considered “at-risk,” and to report outcomes specifically for trainees underrepresented in the biomedical sciences.
Pre-Designed Reports of Trainees’ Progress – The iBioSketch system includes several pre-designed reports for program leaders to review trainees’ progress and demographics. Any of the reports below can be filtered to show only the trainees who are currently active in the program.
Reports on Trainees’ Login Status – The iBioSketch system includes a report that lists all trainees that were ever selected to be part of the grant or in a department. The screen displays their cohort/date of entry, active status, and the last date on which the trainee logged in to review or edit his or her profile.
Data Editing/Verification Capabilities – The system allows program leaders to access progress data stored by each trainee in their program. Program leaders are able to verify, edit, delete, and/or add to trainees’ records to ensure the data are accurate prior to downloading them for their progress reports. The edit/verification feature further strengthens the data set by helping to ensure that the data submitted by trainees are accurate.
Summary of Demographics – The system includes a summary of the demographics of all trainees that have been part of the program. Storing of these variables in the same system as longitudinal career progress data enables program leaders to better monitor trainees considered “at-risk,” and to report outcomes specifically for trainees underrepresented in the biomedical sciences.
Pre-Designed Reports of Trainees’ Progress – The iBioSketch system includes several pre-designed reports for program leaders to review trainees’ progress and demographics. Any of the reports below can be filtered to show only the trainees who are currently active in the program.