MAPS RTP

The WIB-RTP Mentorship, Advisors, Peers, and Sponsorship (MAPS) group mentoring program is for members only. Participants represent a range of careers and experience levels. The MAPS program aims to cultivate mentoring relationships, create supportive networks, and offer opportunities to develop and improve professional leadership skills so that members can reach their fullest professional potential. Participants include a range of careers in life sciences with varied levels of experience.

Our current programs include:

Peer Groups

Peer Groups are local, informal meetings of six to ten women who are interested in discussing topics of common professional interest and providing each other with consistent support, advice, and encouragement. There are currently four groups in the NC chapter that meet in person, and are typically a mix of seniority, roles, and types of life science companies. Meetings are self-directed, with the group deciding when, where, and how often to meet. Some groups may choose to meet over breakfast or lunch, and others may meet in the evenings or for dinner or wine tastings. Ultimately, every Peer Group will develop its own character that reflects the personalities, interests, goals, and schedules of its members.

• Midtown RTP Peer Group is a group that meets in person near the Midtown/North Hills area. 

• South RTP Peer Group is a group that meets in person near the Cary/Apex/Holly Springs area.

• Durham Peer Group is a group that meets in person in the Durham/Chapel Hill area.

• Wilmington Peer Group is a group that meets in person in the Wilmington area.

• Virtual Peer Group is a virtual group offered via Zoom or Teams for attendees who cannot commit to in-person meeting times. It provides the flexibility to attend group meetings from your home, no matter where you live in the NC area.

• Transition Peer Group is for academic researchers who seek mentorship, support, and peer support during their transition from academia to the biopharmaceutical/biotech industry. This is especially helpful for all participants who seek advice on early career development and opportunities to venture into new avenues compared to academic clinical research. Participants will be assigned to a group, and each group will commit to attending one-hour monthly meetings for a period of six months. All sessions will be conducted virtually. At the end of the program, you will be better prepared to take on new roles and challenges as you fly out of the academic nest. 

To join one of the WIB-RTP Peer Groups, you must be a WIB member (join here). Once you are a member of WIB, reach out to rtpmaps@womeninbio.org and note the specific group that best meets your professional needs. A MAPS Committee member will respond to your request and match you to the appropriate MAPS Program Lead.