Train the Trainers (T3) Conference

Sharon Milgram is a nationally recognized leader in biomedical research training, workforce development, and organizational culture, with more than 30 years of leadership experience in academia and government. She most recently served as Director of the Office of Intramural Training & Education at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where she led programs supporting the career development and well-being of intramural fellows. Prior to her NIH role, Sharon was a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. There she led a federally funded research program, founded the Office of Postdoctoral Services, dramatically expanded the Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences graduate program, and served as PI on multiple NIH and NSF training grants.

Sharon founded the Resilient Scientist Series for trainees and a parallel mentor training program for faculty and staff. Collectively these programs have reached tens of thousands of participants while driving a national dialogue about well-being, resilience, mentorship, and civility in research environments. Her work has shaped national approaches to trainee development, research culture, inclusion, and leadership in research groups. Sharon recently retired from NIH and lives in the metro-DC area with her wife.

Annie Scheiner has been a well-being advisor at the NIH office of Intramural Training and Education (OITE) for more than 10 years. She works with PIs, staff and trainees to improve their individual and professional resilience and wellbeing and to enhance the culture of science through supportive mentoring, healthy research group dynamics, and improved communication. In addition to one-on-one advising, Annie has worked on program development at OITE, delivered talks and trainings, created written materials, run support groups, mentored wellbeing advisors and others, and provided wellbeing support as needed.

Annie is a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist and holds a MS in Couples and Family Therapy from the University of Maryland, a JD from George Washington University and a BA from the University of Michigan.

Laurie McNulty, LCSW-C is a licensed clinical social worker and Well-Being Advisor, and owner of a private therapy practice in North Bethesda, MD. Laurie has partnered with the NIH Office of Intramural Training & Education (OITE) since 2017 to develop and deliver programming that advances the wellbeing and success of scientific trainees across the research training continuum.

Laurie works extensively with mentors, principal investigators, training directors, advisors, deans, and staff scientists at NIH and institutions across the country to strengthen mentoring practices and create environments where trainees can thrive. Through program development, workshops, leadership development, and 1-1 consultation, she provides practical, evidence-informed strategies that help scientific leaders foster supportive mentoring relationships, improve communication, navigate challenging conversations, and promote trainee wellbeing while maintaining excellence in research and training.

Drawing on years of experience working with both trainees and scientific leaders, Laurie is passionate about equipping mentors with the tools and confidence to support the whole trainee, recognizing that healthy mentoring relationships are fundamental to developing resilient, engaged, and successful scientists.

Dr. Ulrike (Ulli) Klenke is the Director of the OITE Resilience Programs at the NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education. Ulli is interested in supporting various levels of biomedical trainees from undergraduate summer interns to postbac, graduate students and postdocs in their scientific journey. She specifically supports well-being and resilience programs and advises trainees in transition, visiting fellows, and parent scientists.

Ulli received her master’s degree in biology from the University of Oldenburg in Germany, followed by a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Maryland, College Park. She worked at NINDS as a visiting fellow (postdoc) and research fellow before starting her career in science training and education at OITE.

Sara Hunter is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and has served as a Well-being Advisor with OITE since 2020. She supports trainees’ well-being and professional growth through practical skill building that is strengths-based and solution-focused.

Daniel Birichi is a Well-Being Advisor at the NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education (OITE). He supports trainees' professional and personal well-being using a strengths-based approach. Before joining OITE in July 2024, Daniel provided psychological services in various settings, including university counseling centers, private practice, and community mental health. He was a staff psychologist and Assistant Director for Outreach and Consultation at American University Counseling Center, where he also trained and supervised psychology doctoral students.

Daniel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering from Northeastern University, a Master of Counseling from Arizona State University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology from the University of Miami.

Erica Shirley is a Well-Being Advisor in the Office of Intramural Training and Education (OITE) at NIH. She supports trainees’ professional and personal well-being as they navigate their professional journeys at NIH and plan their future careers. Before joining OITE, Erica provided psychological services in various settings including University

counseling centers and private practice. Prior to joining the OITE staff, Erica was a staff psychologist and Director of Training at Howard University’s counseling center and a staff psychologist and trauma specialist at Georgetown University’s counseling center.

Erica holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Virginia, an MA in Psychology in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Virginia.

Dr. Ulrike (Ulli) Klenke is the Director of the OITE Resilience Programs at the NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education. Ulli is interested in supporting various levels of biomedical trainees from undergraduate summer interns to postbac, graduate students and postdocs in their scientific journey. She specifically supports well-being and resilience programs and advises trainees in transition, visiting fellows, and parent scientists.

Ulli received her master’s degree in biology from the University of Oldenburg in Germany, followed by a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Maryland, College Park. She worked at NINDS as a visiting fellow (postdoc) and research fellow before starting her career in science training and education at OITE.

Kateri McRae, Ph.D. is a professor of psychology at the University of Denver. For the last 25 years, her research has focused upon the body and brain bases of multiple emotion regulation strategies. Much of this work has focused upon cognitive reappraisal, a powerful, internal way to change the way someone feels by changing the way they are thinking. Specifically, she has been a leader in identifying reappraisal tactics and separating generation of reappraisal tactics from their implementation. Her research has been supported by multiple federal agencies and private foundations, and she had the honor of serving as president of the Social and Affective Neuroscience Society. In recent years, she has been putting her knowledge of emotion regulation to work in leadership roles focused on faculty development and academic advising. She is also a lifelong theatre lover, collaborating with acting professor Anne Penner on a podcast and a book called “The Actor’s Mind,” exploring the psychology of acting.

Holly Rothrock is a licensed Clinical Social Worker who began her clinical career in 2001. She currently serves as a wellness advisor in the Office of Intramural Training and Education (OITE). Holly blends clinical therapeutic techniques with mindfulness and other relaxation tools to support trainees as they strive for wellness. Holly appreciates trainees’ openness to implementing these tools to achieve their unique goals. Holly develops psychoeducational material centered around individual growth and interpersonal development for group discussions. Holly is a certified yoga instructor with an interest in various movement and relaxation techniques designed to regulate our nervous system. For her wellness, Holly enjoys being in nature, spending time with her family and practicing yoga.

Laurie McNulty, LCSW-C is a licensed clinical social worker and Well-Being Advisor, and owner of a private therapy practice in North Bethesda, MD. Laurie has partnered with the NIH Office of Intramural Training & Education (OITE) since 2017 to develop and deliver programming that advances the wellbeing and success of scientific trainees across the research training continuum.

Laurie works extensively with mentors, principal investigators, training directors, advisors, deans, and staff scientists at NIH and institutions across the country to strengthen mentoring practices and create environments where trainees can thrive. Through program development, workshops, leadership development, and 1-1 consultation, she provides practical, evidence-informed strategies that help scientific leaders foster supportive mentoring relationships, improve communication, navigate challenging conversations, and promote trainee wellbeing while maintaining excellence in research and training.

Drawing on years of experience working with both trainees and scientific leaders, Laurie is passionate about equipping mentors with the tools and confidence to support the whole trainee, recognizing that healthy mentoring relationships are fundamental to developing resilient, engaged, and successful scientists.

Annie Scheiner has been a well-being advisor at the NIH office of Intramural Training and Education (OITE) for more than 10 years. She works with PIs, staff and trainees to improve their individual and professional resilience and wellbeing and to enhance the culture of science through supportive mentoring, healthy research group dynamics, and improved communication. In addition to one-on-one advising, Annie has worked on program development at OITE, delivered talks and trainings, created written materials, run support groups, mentored wellbeing advisors and others, and provided wellbeing support as needed.

Annie is a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist and holds a MS in Couples and Family Therapy from the University of Maryland, a JD from George Washington University and a BA from the University of Michigan.

Laurie McNulty, LCSW-C is a licensed clinical social worker and Well-Being Advisor, and owner of a private therapy practice in North Bethesda, MD. Laurie has partnered with the NIH Office of Intramural Training & Education (OITE) since 2017 to develop and deliver programming that advances the wellbeing and success of scientific trainees across the research training continuum.

Laurie works extensively with mentors, principal investigators, training directors, advisors, deans, and staff scientists at NIH and institutions across the country to strengthen mentoring practices and create environments where trainees can thrive. Through program development, workshops, leadership development, and 1-1 consultation, she provides practical, evidence-informed strategies that help scientific leaders foster supportive mentoring relationships, improve communication, navigate challenging conversations, and promote trainee wellbeing while maintaining excellence in research and training.

Drawing on years of experience working with both trainees and scientific leaders, Laurie is passionate about equipping mentors with the tools and confidence to support the whole trainee, recognizing that healthy mentoring relationships are fundamental to developing resilient, engaged, and successful scientists.

Daniel Birichi is a Well-Being Advisor at the NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education (OITE). He supports trainees' professional and personal well-being using a strengths-based approach. Before joining OITE in July 2024, Daniel provided psychological services in various settings, including university counseling centers, private practice, and community mental health. He was a staff psychologist and Assistant Director for Outreach and Consultation at American University Counseling Center, where he also trained and supervised psychology doctoral students.

Daniel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering from Northeastern University, a Master of Counseling from Arizona State University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology from the University of Miami.

Erica Shirley is a Well-Being Advisor in the Office of Intramural Training and Education (OITE) at NIH. She supports trainees’ professional and personal well-being as they navigate their professional journeys at NIH and plan their future careers. Before joining OITE, Erica provided psychological services in various settings including University

counseling centers and private practice. Prior to joining the OITE staff, Erica was a staff psychologist and Director of Training at Howard University’s counseling center and a staff psychologist and trauma specialist at Georgetown University’s counseling center.

Erica holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Virginia, an MA in Psychology in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Virginia.