Did you know that speakers who frequently pause for short periods are more persuasive than those who don’t? Or that not lingering on a date that’s going well can make a new relationship stronger? What about the fact that taking some time before apologizing causes the wronged person to view the apology as more sincere […]
My last meal with Susan Lindquist was almost a exactly year ago. She had just received one of my university’s highest prizes – The Vanderbilt Prize given annually to an outstanding female biomedical researcher. Susan was an expert in cell biology. She was a pioneer in thinking about how proteins acted in very ‘unprotein’ like ways. How proteins […]
It’s easy to spot when people are lying to themselves—like when a co-worker confidently starts a huge project at 4:30, but has a 5pm deadline. “Who’s he kidding?” you might chuckle. But when you’re telling lies to yourself—well, that’s another story. When it comes to productivity, you may think you have it mastered. You check […]
Starting with grants due January 25, 2017, the NIH will no longer allow most materials you might want to put in your appendix. No longer can information required for the peer review process hide in the back. And per the policy announcement, “Information that expands upon or complements information provided in any section of the […]
Have you ever received unsolicited, off-target advice? Some people just instinctually offer solutions when they see someone in need. But what if their understanding of what’s wrong is, quite frankly, wrong? Should you politely listen, or can you help them help you? From the Harvard Business Review: When the Help You Get Isn’t Helpful
Do you love going to events, but find yourself stranded during happy hour, tongue-tied and tucked in a corner? Initiating and maintaining conversations while networking is a necessary skill, and one you can easily improve with these simple tips. Mastering small talk will help you find common ground to create a mini-bond with new contacts. […]
A recent news feature in Nature highlighted challenges facing early career scientists, from pressure to publish to shrinking funding and the increasing length of time before reaching research independence. Early Career Researchers Need Fewer Burdens and More Support “New faculty members need more flexibility and support than established investigators with smoothly running groups, often staffed […]
Scientific and medical societies have been in existence for hundreds of years. At their best, they foster communication, collaboration, education and outreach. At their worst, they are slow moving exclusionary clubs that oppress outsider and new ideas. Virtually every young scientist in the US is a member of at least a few societies, but we rarely give thought […]
Ever feel like most time management advice is, well, crap? So do Maggie Berg and Barbara K. Seeber, authors of a recent article in the Chronicle with the provocative title “Take Your Time: The corporate university steals it–let’s grab it back.” Aghast at books that recommend reserving 12 hours on Sundays(!) for grading and class […]
Get a head start on fall by knowing what you want from undergrads and what they can expect from research experience. My 8-point listicle of making it a great experience.