CHALLENGES in Biomedical Research in Academic Institutions Gen-Sheng Feng, Ph.D. Associate Professor The Burnham Institute and UCSD

Challenge I. Have a Meaningful Ph.D. Degree Rotate through 3 labs; Choose a right project; Learn more than your own projects; Get good publications.

Challenge II. Do a Successful Post-doc Find a good lab for postdoc; Not a bad idea to do two postdocs; Think more about the future directions.

Challenge III. Find a Faculty Position Look for a job when ready; Highly recommend Mid-west areas; Good Opportunities in Asia.

Challenge IV. Grant Writing Face the challenge; No rush to submit the 1st grant; Don’t give up!

Challenge V. Hiring Lab Fellows Talk directly with the former boss; Let candidates meet with your lab fellows; Don’t have a big lab at the beginning.

Challenge VI. Coaching Your Students Recognize the difference among students; Give time for adaptation to a new environment; Switch from a beginner to an expert.

BE A WINNER The winner is always part of the answer; The winner always has a program; The winner says “let me do it for you”; The winner sees an answer to every problem; The winner sees a green near every sand trap; The winner says “it may be difficult but it’s possible”. The loser is always part of the problem; The loser always has an excuse; The loser says “that’s not my job”; The loser sees a problem for every answer; The loser sees 2 or 3 sand traps near every green; The loser says “it may be possible but it’s too difficult”.

Challenge VII. Initiate Your Lab Projects Focus, focus, and focus! Keep contact with former boss; Find your own research arena.

Challenge VIII. Teaching Enjoy teaching; Rewarding job; Learn teaching skills as a pre-doc and a post-doc.

Challenge IX. Committee Service All levels needed; Learn to say NO; NIH grant review.

Challenge X. Promotion and Tenure This is not the goal; Stand up for yourself; Interact with industry.

Have Fun in Life!

BEST WISHES FOR ALL OF YOU and HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND