- Not that Kind of Network: Tales of Developing a National Reputation
I never really thought about networking and reputation as a graduate student or postdoctoral research fellow (postdoc), but rather was the beneficiary of respected mentors long established in the field and regular attendance at our society’s annual meeting. I always assumed the s...
- Another Human Subjects Proposal Change: Inclusion across the Lifespan
On the heels of the recent sea change in how PIs describe clinical trials in their grant applications, NIH is making another change to the grant proposal format for research involving human subjects. For applications going in on or after January 25, 2019, NIH’s Deputy Director f...
- What to Wear to a Conference (to Look Like the Pro You Are)
The Ultimate Mix-and-Match Fashion Guide
Match your outer awesomeness to your inner awesomeness
Conference season equates to visibility. Who you are in person is a key part of your personal brand. We hear often that early career researchers find the transition from invisible s...
- Angry Academics
Few things were more daunting to me when I started my lab than the sheer number of surly, sarcastic and downright angry academics. Folks who never smiled, waved, were happy to see you or hear about something you were excited about. Instead of collegial discourse, there was a stea...
- Not that Kind of Advice: It Is Never Too Early to Be a Mentor
The further I get into running my own research program, the more I realize the significant impact good mentorship has had on my career. My mentors have trained me scientifically, provided career advice, and supported work-life balance. A large impetus for starting this blog has b...
- MARCH MADNESS: Brackets Benefitting STEM Education. Play with Darwin’s Balls!
It's March which only means one thing here in Fighty Squirrel land!
Basketball and funding science for awesome kiddos!
March is hands down my favorite month because each year it gives academics a chance to give back to the wee scientists in training while having a blast see...
- A Big Step Forward in Standardizing Rules for Authorship
The Proceedings in the National Academy of Sciences just published the long awaited recommendations for peer reviewed paper authorship.
Tackling a number of issues such as 'gift' and forged authorships, a working group headed by National Academy of Sciences president and geoph...
- Questions for STEM Profs to Ask Before Filing Taxes
With the tax filing deadline a mere two months away, now is a fantastic time to drink nonstop for 7 weeks, leaving just enough time to run to H & R Block at the last minute with a bag of receipts and end up paying a huge amount in taxes. The benefits of this strategy are a) d...
- What I Wish I’d Known Before I Wrote My K
Three K awardees (K01, K08, K23) share the advice they wish they'd received before preparing career development awards. Writing your K? Listen up.
Training Plan and Mentors
Have an endgame, and goals to get there. In your training plan, you should be able to articulate your res...
- Which Study Section Should I Pick? Try the Assisted Referral Tool!
One important aspect of submitting grants to the NIH is selecting an appropriate study section. While the general descriptions on the CSR website can be helpful, they often require further investigation, which can (and should) include contacting SROs, talking to current or ...
