2. Resilience: positive ways to deal with a changing environment—research direction/boss/life? Jennifer S. Pollock, PhD Professor University of Alabama at Birmingham pollockj@uab.edu

3. Science and Careers: Challenges and Solutions How we learn from our experiences is critical in determining our future progress. My examples of learning to solve challenges Challenges are all relevant to others Know yourself and how you fit

4. Challenges: Early Career Young + Love = Naïve! Challenge #1: Money

5. Two PhD Family “On Hold”? Solution: Get a job, but don’t put anything “on hold” Research Assistant in the day Masters of Science, non-thesis degree program in the evening

6. Putting each other through Graduate School David M. Pollock BS: University of Evansville; Biology major PhD: University of Cincinnati; Physiology Post-doctorate: University of North Carolina Jennifer S. Pollock BS: University of Evansville; Biology major MS: University of Cincinnati; Chemistry PhD: University of North Carolina; Biological Chemistry Post-doctorate: Children’s Hospital/Harvard and Abbott Laboratories

7. Challenge #2: Coordinating the “Next Phases” Best PhD program Best Post-doctoral Fellowship Best Job What’s “Best” Solution: Have the best possible qualifications; “Two or none” Rule

8. Challenge #3: Real Jobs and Reality What if your “First Choice” turns out to be a BAD CHOICE for your spouse? What if you find out that you are PREGNANT? What if your spouse wants to accept a position in a DIFFERENT City ? What if all this happens in 1 year? Solution: Trust in Each Other; New Opportunities are Knocking!

9. Parenthood and Science “When is a good time to start a family?” Motherhood and Fatherhood can be very different or NOT Optimum Family Efficiency Parenting vs Caregiving Mentors in Science Support System

10. Challenge #4: 3 babies in 4 years Scientific Environment Am I a better person being a “scientist mom”? Solution: Some MEN get it and some MEN don’t

11. Solutions for balancing: Love Science and Love your family “Weaned” myself back to work Your life is ruled by “The Schedule” FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS on the important tasks Efficiency is Key

12. Curriculum vitae building is our own responsibility GPA in undergraduate and graduate school As high as possible Fellowships and Awards Apply and re-apply Publications It is often more difficult getting a paper published than doing the initial studies. Keep submitting. Grant Funding Learn the skills of scientific writing early and practice often. Evaluations and Promotion “Don’t give them reasons to deny you advancement.”

13. Resilience is cultivated Changes in the work environment are inevitable Reflect on these changes as a form of helpful feedback Who is the person who first comes to mind when you think of a person who persevered in spite of adversity? What characteristics are possible for you to imitate ? Scientists are Problem-Solvers

14. Know yourself Understand the people around you better Reduce stress/frustration/conflict Get more done for yourself and others Communicate more effectively

15. Take the time to know yourself and how you adapt: Team science Vertical axis: Proactive or reactive Horizontal axis: Expression of feelings

16. Be the Best We Can Be

17. Jennifer S. Pollock, Ph.D. School of Medicine, Division of Nephrology pollockj@uab.edupollockj@uab.edu Dr. Jennifer S. Pollock, Professor, at University of Alabama at Birmingham earning her PhD from UNC- Chapel Hill with postdoctoral training under Dr. Ferid Murad, 1998 Nobel Laureate. She began her academic career at Georgia Regents University serving as the Director of the MD/PhD Program director and received several research and teaching awards. In 2014, Dr. Pollock relocated her lab to UAB. Her research career involves cardio-renal research focused on the NO and endothelin pathways with her lab instrumental in deciphering mechanisms of early life stress and translating this research to humans. Dr. Pollock has authored over 170 publications with funding from NIH and AHA serving in leadership positions in several societies during her career and mentoring over 75 trainees.