So, you want to be a scientist…. 1

Why not be a MD? 2 Graduate Rates for Medical School >95% Graduation Rates for PhD programs ~55-60% Why do we fail so often in training PhDs ?

What defines success in graduate school? 3

Basic Problem: Graduate School focuses on “winning” (publishing important paper) and not on skill development! 4

Developing Philosophy: 1. Development as scientist = development of certain skills. 1.Focusing on skill development improves training. 2.Skills are developed by attaining goals beyond your current level, but within reach. Two Corollaries: 1.Focusing on “big discovery” can be counter-productive to skill development and morale. (often beyond your control) 1.Still want to make big discoveries and do so by continuing to try to solve important questions. 5

To Develop a "Training Program" 1.Identify critical skills. 2.Identify methods/exercises/goals to train and develop those skills. 3.Integrate into program of scientific training. 6

The Eight Steps to Scientific Enlightenment 1.Basic KnowledgeRight Breadth (mile wide - inch deep) 2.Specific KnowledgeRight Depth (inch wide - mile deep) 3.Experimental KnowledgeRight Methods 3.Design, execute and problem Right Execution solve experiments in lab. 5.Read, evaluate and integrateRight Integration scientific literature. 6.Communicate in writing, Right Communication speaking. 6.Ability to Have New IdeasRight Creativity 7.Optimism Right Attitude 7

Goal: Basic Knowledge of Field (Mile Wide – Inch Deep) How to Develop: Undergrad classes Grad classes Read textbook (Actively!) Teach How to Maintain: Seminar Browse leading journals 8

Goal 2: Specific Knowledge in Your Field (Inch Wide – Mile Deep) How to Develop: Learn how to read and evaluate scientific paper Read papers in field Write summaries (Active Reading) How to Maintain: Continue to read in field Attend conferences in field 9

Goal 3:Basic Knowledge of Experimental Methods How to Develop: Classes Write summary of methods How to Maintain: Focus in seminars/reading for useful methods Browse leading methods journal 10

Goal 4: Design and Execute Experiments in the Lab To Develop: Do experiments in the lab Focus on: Understanding methods Critical controls Attention to detail Importance of statistics Importance of speed (cycle of discovery!) Importance of open eyes (See what is there, not what you expect) 11

Goal 5:Read, Evaluate and Integrate Scientific Literature Different Skill LevelsMethod A) Single Paper B) Group of Papers C) Portion of Field 1)Learn how to read scientific paper 2)Review manuscripts 3)Simple journal club 1)Realistic journal club 2)Write mini-review 3)Write introduction to manuscript 1)Write research proposal 2)Larger review 12

Skill 6:Have New Ideas Different Skill LevelsMethod A) Single Paper B) Group of Papers/Field C) New Novel Project 1)What to do next? 2)What next in seminars? 1)Identify issues 1 st, read 2 nd, think 3 rd 1)Write statement for proper choice for yourself. 2)Practice finding new projects/developing new technologies Sub-points:1) New ideas come from existing knowledge base and curiosity. 2) Creativity is a choice! 13

Skill 7: Clarity of Thought and Communication Develop: 1) Group meetings 2) Discussions with mentors 3) Journal clubs 4) Writing Manuscript reviews Mini-reviews Proposals Research manuscripts Writing summaries of papers "For me, writing is foremost a mode of thinking and, when it works well, an act of discovery." - Joseph Epstein 14

Skill 8:Optimism (with a dose of skepticism ) 15 “A pessimist see the difficulty in every opportunity, the optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” Winston Churchill n.com/my-optimism- abounds/

Integration into Path of Development Year 1Year 2Year 4Year 3 Develop basic knowledge classes, actively read textbooks Develop knowledge of methods (classes, individual effort) Rotate in labs – find intellectual home Do experiments, pay attention to detail, result interpretation Develop philosophy of how to choose a project – write your view Develop communication skills (rotation talks, lab meetings, J. club) Develop writing skills Maintain basic knowledge (Seminars, Journals) Maintain awareness of current technology Do experiments methods, attention to detail, result interpretation Develop communication skills (Rotation talks, lab meetings, J. club) Develop writing skills Develop creativity Maintain basic knowledge (Seminars, Journals) Maintain awareness of current technology Do experiments methods, attention to detail, result interpretation Develop communication skills (Rotation talks, lab meetings, J. club) Develop writing skills Develop creativity Maintain basic knowledge (Seminars, Journals) Maintain awareness of current technology Do experiments methods, attention to detail, result interpretation Develop communication skills (Rotation talks, lab meetings, J. club) Develop writing skills Develop creativity 16

Final Thought #1: What is interdisciplinary? 17 Having broad mind set of approaches Knowing enough biology/chemistry/physics to see connections and potentially dig into them

Final Thought #2: The Art of Digging 18 How to know when to dig?

19 Advice for Students: Take charge of your education. Identify what you need to learn and go about doing it. Choose a good mentor. Advice for Mentors: Work with your students. Identify the skills you think they need. Hold them accountable from Day 1!