TIBBS

June 2013

ErinHopper — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 18:59:24 +0000

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Upcoming TIBBS-sponsored events:
Biotechnology and Drug Development will share her years of experience advising students and postdocs about career opportunities in the life science industry. Learn about these topics:
•
Career paths in academia, industry and government—how they compare, what it is like to work in industry
•
Job search strategies and networking: finding a job in industry
•
How to make the transition from academia to industry
•
Tips for optimizing a resume for the life sciences industry
•
What to look for in a company
•
Job Hunting for Ph.D.s and Postdocs: How to Stand Out and Get Hired
•
How the current economy is affecting life science jobs
Please join us for a reception immediately following the presentation (approximately 4:00 pm). For more information and to register: http://tinyurl.com/orgvofn
TIBBS Smoothie Social: Thursday, June 27th at noon on the MBRB Lawn
Come out and enjoy some sun and refreshing fruit smoothies with your fellow graduate students! No registration is required, but please bring your One Card to be served.
Coming in July: a Career Networking Lunch with Dana Peles, PhD, Industrial Postdoctoral Fellow at GlaxoSmithKline, a manuscript-writing workshop with Banalata Sen, PhD, and a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream social!
TIBBS Summer Series: Certificate in Teaching: Starting Thursday, June 6
Are you interested in improving your teaching skills? Do you want to teach at the undergraduate or graduate level? This summer TIBBS is offering a series of workshops and panel discussions to help life science graduate students and postdocs learn how to:
•
Become an effective teacher
•
Design a course
•
Manage a classroom
•
Involve undergraduates in research
•
Get a job at a teaching-intensive institution
This series consists of eight workshops, seminars, and panel discussions. Students and postdocs who attend the first session and at least 5 of the 7 remaining workshops will earn a certificate. For more information, see the flyer on page 2 and the program website. To register: http://tinyurl.com/azxnaq8
Getting your foot in the biotech/pharma door – Inside advice for industry-facing students and postdocs (Presenter: Toby Freedman, PhD): Thursday, June 13 at 2:30pm in the Kirkland Auditorium in Koury Oral Health Sciences
Dr. Toby Freedman, Executive Recruiter and author of the book Career Opportunities in
Upcoming TIBBS-
Sponsored Events
Flyers: TIBBS Summer Series, Toby Freedman, PhD
CNL with Dr. Hinton
Research Spotlight
The GMO Debate
TIBBS Trivia
Pioneering Postdoc
Cheap Things
In this
issue:
The TIBBS Times Committee
Erin Hopper, PhD|Editor-in-Chief
Kennita Johnson, PhD|Senior Editor
Destiney Buelto|Contributing Author and Editor
Vicki Brings|Contributing Author and Editor
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Session 1 | Kickoff Workshop on Active Learning Thursday, June 6, 1:00-5:00 pm in Kirkland Auditorium in Koury Oral Health SciencesPresenters | Richard Felder, PhD Hoest Celanese Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering, NCSU Rebecca Brent, EdD, President of Education Designs, Inc. Highly sought-after speakers Drs. Felder and Brent have taught hundreds of workshops on effective teach-ing and mentoring methods. This in-depth workshop will cover the following topics and more: How can I get students actively engaged in learning, even with large class sizes?; How can I avoid common pitfalls?; What does research say about active learning?Session 2 | Designing a Syllabus Tuesday, June 11, 3:30-5:00 pm in MBRB G202Presenter | Jennifer Coble, PhD, Lecturer, Biology Department, UNCSession 3 | Learning Assessment Tuesday, June 18, 3:30-5:00 pm in Bioinformatics 1131Presenter | Ed Neal, PhD, President of Ed Neal and Associates, past Director of Faculty Development, UNCSession 4 | Managing the Classroom Thursday, June 20, 3:30-5:00 pm in Bioinformatics 1131Presenter | Todd Zakrajsek, PhD, Executive Director of the Center for Faculty Excellence, UNCSession 5 | Interactive Undergraduate Laboratories Tuesday, June 25, 3:30-5:00 pm in Bioinformatics 1131Presenter | Corey Johnson, PhD, Lecturer, Biology Department, UNCSession 6 | Responding to Feedback Thursday, June 27, 3:30-5:00 pm in Bioinformatics 1131Presenter | Donna Bailey, RN, PhD, Teaching and Learning Consultant, Center for Faculty Excellence, UNCSession 7 | Teaching our First Undergraduate Course Tuesday, July 9, 3:30-5:00 pm in Bioinformatics 1131Presenters | Panel of Past and Present Spire Fellows: Victoria Newton, PhD, Current SPIRE Fellow; Christina Swanson, PhD, Current SPIRE Fellow; Kim Monahan, PhD, Former SPIRE Fellow and Instructor of Biology at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics; Jason Andrus, PhD, Former SPIRE Fellow and Associ-ate Professor at Meredith College, Shannon Jones, PhD, Current SPIRE FellowSession 8 | Developing your Teaching Statement, Portfolio, and Application Materials Thursday, July 11, 3:30-5:00 pm in Bioinformatics 1131Presenter | Brian Rybarczyk, PhD, Director of Graduate Student Academic & Professional Development, UNCTIBBSSUMMER SERIES2013 Teaching Certificate SeriesStudents, postdocs, faculty, and staff who attend the first workshop and at least 5 of the remaining sessions will receive a certificate of completion. UNC graduate student certificate earners will receive a book. For more information and a registration link, visit tibbs.unc.edu.
Getting your foot in the biotech/pharma door – Inside advice for industry-facing students and postdocs June 13, 2:30-4 pm CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LIFE SCIENCES INDUSTRY Learn about these topics: •Career paths in academia, industry and government—how they compare, what it is like to work in industry •Job search strategies and networking: finding a job in industry •How to make the transition from academia to industry •Tips for optimizing a resume for the life sciences industry •What to look for in a company •How the current economy is affecting life science jobs Please join us for a reception following the presentation (4:00 pm). Register to attend at http://tinyurl.com/orgvofn Toby Freedman, PhD Dr. Toby Freedman, Executive Recruiter and author of the book Career Opportunities in Biotechnology and Drug Development Kirkland Auditorium, Koury Oral Health Sciences Building
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Biography: Dr. Shantá Hinton received a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned a PhD in Cellular and Developmental Biology from Howard University working with Dr. William Eckberg. Following graduate school, she completed a postdoc at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories, working with Dr. Nicholas Tonks and studying pseudophosphatases. Dr. Hinton’s first faculty position was as an Assistant Professor at Hampton University. Dr. Hinton has since changed institutions and currently teaches and leads a research laboratory with 10-12 undergraduate students and one graduate student at the College of William and Mary. Dr. Hinton’s research focuses on various functional characteristics of the pseudophosphatase map kinase serine/threonine binding protein (MK-STYX).
Dr. Hinton’s full biography can be found here: http://www.wm.edu/as/biology/people/faculty/hinton_s.php
Dr. Hinton spoke with a small group of students about her career in teaching and research at primarily undergraduate institutions. A summary of the conversation is detailed here:
Did you have any teaching training during your post-doc?
Dr. Hinton did not have any formal training in teaching. She remarked that Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories was an extremely competitive research environment that did not focus on teaching training. However, Dr. Hinton was assured that her research pedigree and good publications would make her attractive to teaching institutions and found this to be true. She remarked that at The College of William and Mary, candidates with high quality publications and research background will be hired even with little teaching experience as long as the individual has at least average teaching skills. The belief is that teaching can be taught and improved, but research experience and quality is more
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important.
Do you recommend a postdoc before pursuing a career in teaching and research at mostly undergraduate institutions?
Yes! Dr. Hinton believes that the postdoc is an extremely important time to develop both as a scientist and a person. When starting the postdoc, it is important to discuss your teaching goals and establish a development plan with your advisor. Be sure to pick your postdoc topic wisely so that it will lead to your own independent research funding. Research faculty at a primarily undergraduate institutions are still required to publish papers and obtain grant funding.
What is your teaching and research balance?
Dr. Hinton found that the balance between teaching and research depends on the institution. The College of William and Mary prides itself for strength in undergraduate research, and the faculty have a 50:50 balance between teaching and research. Currently there are no permanent teaching-only positions at The College of William and Mary. Depending on the course she is teaching, some semesters may permit more research time than others. For example, Dr. Hinton is currently teaching a seminar class that involves reading and discussing papers. This course does not involve a lab and is less time intensive, thus allowing more time for research. Other institutions may have a less equal balance between teaching and research. At Hampton University, Dr. Hinton was expected to teach many more classes and had very limited research time.
Was it difficult getting started at the College of William and Mary?
Dr. Hinton felt that setting up the laboratory was the hardest part about getting started. She was given the opportuBy
Rebecca Bauer
Continued on p. 8
Career Networking Lunch with Dr. Shantá D. Hinton:
Research and Teaching at a Primarily Undergraduate Institution
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Continued on p. 9
If you were to listen to an introductory neuroscience class in which synaptic transmission was being described, you would likely hear the terms “neurotransmitter receptor” and “postsynaptic cell” not more than a few words apart. This reflects the standard working schematic for electrochemical signaling in the brain, whereby neurotransmitter released by a presynaptic neuron diffuses across a synapse to bind to its cognate receptors on a nearby postsynaptic cell. The broad function of these receptors is quite clear- once neurotransmitter is bound, electrochemical changes in the postsynaptic cell confer information transfer in a unidirectional, feedforward manner.
Much less intuitively understood are the neurotransmitter receptors that exist on the presynaptic neuron, located at or close by the neurotransmitter release site. What function could these presynaptic receptors serve? What signaling mechanisms do they use?
Dr. Benjamin Philpot’s laboratory (UNC Department of Cell Biology and Physiology) has held a longstanding interest in a particular class of neurotransmitter receptors, known as NMDARs, which localize both pre- and postsynaptically. Although the postsynaptic NMDARs are very well studied, little is known about their presynaptic counterparts (preNMDARs). In a new report in The Journal of Neuroscience, Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Portia Kunz and colleagues in the Philpot lab probed the downstream signaling cascades through which these receptors may function. Their results point to a highly unexpected mechanism of action, answering several key questions about these enigmatic receptors.
The experimental setup for this research consisted of single cell electrophysiological recordings in a brain slice preparation. When neuronal firing was blocked in these cells, small electrical blips, known as miniature synaptic events, or “minis”, could be recorded. These minis reflected spontaneous neurotransmitter release, and thus provided a method for examining presynaptic activity.
A change in the frequency of minis indicated a change in the probability of neurotransmitter release, a mechanism by which the presynaptic component to the synapse could be strengthened or weakened. Thus, when the mini frequency was reduced by selective blockade of preNMDARs, it signaled to the authors that these receptors were acting to tonically promote transmitter release. This result provided the necessary means to examine the important signaling players downstream of preNMDAR activity. Under conditions in which preNMDARs cannot signal properly (such as blocking a downstream signaling cascade), the change in mini frequency normally seen with preNMDAR blockade should be reduced or absent.
Following verification that preNMDARs were present and functional in their preparation, the authors investigated the signaling cascades downstream of their activation. The major surprise came here, when calcium-dependent effects were examined. Calcium is frequently described as a universal signal transducer in synaptic physiology, necessary for neurotransmitter release and also important for many postsynaptic receptor effects. Looking for a calcium contribution to preNMby
Dan Albaugh
Research Spotlight
Uncovering the Signaling Mechanisms
of a Presynaptic Neurotransmitter Receptor
Pictured here are study co-authors Dr. Benjamin Philpot and Dr. Portia Kunz.
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The GMO debate: Ideology versus Science
By Amanda Natalizio
I admit that I am a left-leaning scientist who enjoys poking fun
at the climate change and evolution deniers of the right, but
the recent anti-GMO campaign driven by the left has led me
to more deeply contemplate how ideology can trump science.
Emotionally charged, politicized discourse about such science
topics swarms the internet via Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and
the ever-entertaining comment section of online articles. Unfortunately,
such forms of communication are often lacking
in scientific merit, and none more so than the hotly debated
GMOs.
Humans have been tinkering with plant and animal genetics
through selective breeding for thousands of years, but the
development of genetic engineering techniques enabled us
to manipulate an organism’s DNA at a level and rate that was
previously impossible. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
are a relatively new technology and have been on the market
since 1994. GM plants including soybeans, corn, and canola
are typically engineered to grow faster, be more resilient to
environmental extremes, enrich nutrients, be resistant to pesticides,
or exhibit other beneficial characteristics. With the use
of new technology comes fears of unknown consequences, but
what are these fears and are they warranted?
Public attention to GMOs has mainly focused on the risk side
of the risk-benefit equation. The concerns are broad: safety
issues, ecological concerns, and economic issues with regard
to intellectual property law. While I believe we should be addressing
all of these important topics, I want to focus on the
safety of GM food consumption as it relates to nutrition and
health. There is currently a lot of dialogue going on about
GMOs, but unfortunately, ideology clouds the discussion with
misinformation. Many of the concerns raised by both sides of
the story can be backed up with legitimate, fact-based arguments,
but science can provide clear answers.
Toxicity, allergenicity, instability of the inserted gene, and negative
nutritional impacts are potential GMO risks to human
health. These risks can be assessed and properly managed, but
consumers question the validity of risk assessments since the
FDA does not require biotech companies to do premarket safety
testing. The American Medical Association, a supporter of
GMO technology, also recommends mandatory safety testing.
Fortunately, every company that has brought a GM food into
the market has voluntarily complied, and hundreds of independent
studies are in support of the scientiﬁc consensus that
the genetically engineered crops currently on the market are
safe to eat. Even with such evidence, people are still particularly
concerned with the lack of evidence on long-term effects.
The reality is that GMOs already make up a large percent of
our diet. A recent poll conducted by the Food Policy Institute at
Rutgers’ Cook College revealed that while plant based GMOs
can be found in nearly 70% of the food currently stocked at
your local grocer, only 52% of Americans knew that GM foods
were sold in grocery stores, and only 26% believed they had
ever eaten them. Trillions of meals made with GM foods have
been consumed after nearly two decades of commercialization,
yet no adverse health effects have been associated with
genetically engineered crops. We’ve essentially had the evidence
right on our dinner plates. There is no need to be concerned
with the long- or short-term safety of GM foods currently
on the market, though one may rightfully argue that our
regulation system is flawed.
In addition to the lack of mandatory GMO safety assessments,
government employees that have jumped ranks from the crop
industry raise concerns about the objectivity of regulatory authorities
such as the FDA. Previous big crop industry employees
can be found in the FDA, the Supreme Court, and congress.
Although this apparent conflict of interest must be addressed,
The DHiOsWc uARsEs YiOoUn TO DSAeY?ction
– Thoughts and Opinions from UNC’s Graduate Students –
Photo Credit genetic experiment image by NiDerLander from Fotolia.com
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it should be pointed out that there is more evidence in support of GMO safety than climate change, yet many of the left-leaning climate change supporters advocate against GMOs.
Anti-GMO activists say they are leery of the published research on GMO safety because they believe that most of the studies were funded by the crop industry. This point can be easily dismissed, since all conflicts of interest and funding sources are listed in reputable scientific journals. Therefore, one can systematically weed out studies with conflicts of interest, and find that there remains an abundance of data in support of GM food safety. Where then does this anti-GMO sentiment come from if not supported by the science?
Anti-GMO activists often make the argument that GM technology tampers too deeply with nature, and thus, we do not know the consequences. This ideology is not based on scientific fact, and GMO opponents often skew the science in their favor. One or two studies, taken out of context in relation to an entire body of research do not make a strong case against GM food safety. Additionally, interpretation, especially by those with ideological or financial bias, is always a precarious thing. Peer reviewed research is highly respected, in part, because it dilutes the bias of one individual. Misrepresentation of science by those that can’t understand the primary literature is at the root of how ideology can trump science.
Ideological extremism can lead to anti-science no matter which end of the spectrum you occupy. We must all be aware of our biases and how our ideology may affect our communication and evaluation of scientific evidence, particularly scientific evidence we would prefer not to be true. Scientific priority is to contribute to the improvement of human and environmental health without compromising public safety. Considering the dynamic nature of the GM food debate, legislation and regulatory agencies recommendations are likely to continually evolve, and it is vital that we strive to base our assertions on facts rather than ideology.
It seems that GMOs are here to stay, so we must be more effective communicators of science, eliminate the propaganda, and establish proper regulatory standards to ensure we accurately balance the risk to benefit ratio of GM technology. Dogmatic rejection of the use of genetic modification in agriculture is an unwise ideology. In an age of over-population and global warming, we need every tool in the toolbox to ensure adequate food production. GMOs are likely to play a vital role in agriculture and other important resources, such as drugs and biofuels, so we must ensure that science always trumps ideology.
References:
Hallman, W. K., Hebden, W. C., Aquino, H.L., Cuite, C.L. and Lang, J.T.. 2003.
Public Perceptions of Genetically Modified Foods: A National Study of American Knowledge and Opinion. (Publication number RR-1003-004). New Brunswick, New Jersey; Food Policy Institute, Cook College, Rutgers – The State University of New Jersey.
About the author: Amanda Natalizio is a doctoral student in the Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and works in the laboratory of Dr. Greg Matera. Her research has focused on the import pathway of small nuclear (sn)RNPs in the Drosophila model system.
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nity to design a new laboratory from scratch, which took one year to establish and was a lot of work on top of teaching and research. Luckily, she had many eager undergraduate students who helped her set up the laboratory. She was fortunate that another faculty member provided research space for her lab so that she could continue her research while her new lab space was undergoing renovation.
How do the facilities at a mostly undergraduate institution differ from larger research institutions?
Dr. Hinton believes there is a misconception that all undergraduate institutions have poor facilities. In fact, Dr. Hinton believes that the College of William and Mary has great facilities, and she is currently working on establishing a proteomics core facility. She explains that if an institution really wants you, they will likely set you up with the facilities that you need. However, she warned that human research at undergraduate institutions is difficult as it is highly regulated and requires extensive paperwork.
How do you approach teaching undergraduate students in the laboratory?
Dr. Hinton currently mentors 10-12 undergraduate students in her lab and 1 graduate student, and she noted that other labs at The College of William and Mary may have upwards of 20 students. She encourages undergraduate students to start research as soon as possible and accepts students in her lab as early as the spring semester of freshman year. She also understands that some students are less certain about research and is willing to accept more advanced students even if they have no research experience. She finds that some students are more involved and committed to the research, while others may act as “floaters” who spend less time in the lab.
Dr. Hinton explained that she does not change her research focus or intensity to cater to undergraduate students. She expects that her students publish and pursue their own summer funding. A system that has worked well for her is dividing the undergraduate students into teams that focus on specific research areas.
How do undergraduate students differ from graduate students?
Dr. Hinton remarked that The College of William and Mary may differ from other institutions because it attracts a subset of students that are very driven and understand the importance of research. She has found that the undergraduate students have a better understanding of a research experience than graduate students who came from other institutions that were not as focused on research.
Any final advice?
Dr. Hinton’s final advice is to pick your institution wisely. If you wish to pursue a competitive research, be sure that the institution gives you plenty of research time so that you can continue publishing and applying for grants. If your institution does not provide you much research time, you may have trouble publishing and obtaining grants. Spend the time to seek out the environment that offers what you want.
About the author: Rebecca Bauer is a doctoral student in the Curriculum in Toxicology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and works in the laboratory of Dr. Ilona Jaspers. Her research is focused on understanding the mechanisms by which airway diseases and air pollution alter lung immunology.
Career Networking Lunch with Dr. Shantá D. Hinton:
Research and Teaching at a Primarily Undergraduate Institution
Continued from p. 4
TIBBS Trivia Contest: Name That Scientist!
Let’s exercise our brains with some TIBBS trivia! The first UNC graduate student with a correct response will win a UNC water bottle! Five runners up will receive a delicious candy bar! Here’s how to play:
1.
Like us on Facebook
2.
The trivia question will be posted on our wall a few minutes after distributing the TIBBS Times.
3.
Email your answer to erin_hopper@unc.edu. Good luck!
DAR activity made good sense, as the postsynaptic NMDA receptor is permeable to calcium, which is required for many of its downstream signaling actions.
To test for a role of calcium in the receptor’s activity, neurons were bathed in a calcium-free solution. If calcium is important for downstream preNMDAR signaling, then preNMDARs should not function in this nominal calcium preparation. Yet, this was not the observed result – preNMDAR blockade revealed functional receptors, even in the absence of calcium. This finding strongly suggested an unexpected, calcium-independent mechanism of preNMDAR action.
Although it may be that preNMDARs may normally operate in a calcium-dependent manner, the authors clearly showed some preNMDARs functions can continue even in the absence of calcium. How is it that these preNMDARs modulate presynaptic activity in the absence of calcium? In addition to altering ionic permeability, many neurotransmitter receptors promote synaptic changes through slower-onset biochemical changes. For example, protein phosphorylation can alter the sensitivity of the neurotransmitter release machinery, with direct consequences for synaptic function. When protein kinase activity was first inhibited, preNMDAR blockade no longer affected mini frequency. This was the first time the authors observed such an effect. Follow-up experiments revealed that Protein Kinase C (PKC) might be the downstream effector of preNMDAR action in this context, likely through calcium-independent actions.
The work of Kunz, et al. represents a major step forward in presynaptic receptor physiology, shedding light on the mechanisms by which the poorly understood preNMDARs function. The identification of an unexpected, calcium-independent mechanism of action is especially interesting, given the central role of this ion in the regulation of neurotransmitter release.
Yet the preNMDAR story is not complete, and many questions remain. What are the targets of PKC in the context of preNMDAR activity, and how do they contribute to the receptor’s presynaptic effects? More broadly, much is still to be learned about the role of these receptors in brain development, as well as sensory processing and cognition. Thanks to this new work, neuroscientists are now a step closer towards understanding these mysterious receptors.
Reference
Kunz PA, Roberts AC, Philpot BD (2013). Presynaptic NMDA receptor mechanisms for enhancing spontaneous neurotransmitter release. The Journal of Neuroscience 33(18): 7762-9.
Dan Albaugh is a 3rd year graduate student in the Neurobiology Curriculum. His current research focuses on the therapeutic effects of deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s Disease.
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Continued from p. 5
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Pioneering Postdoc Programs
BIOGEN IDEC POSTDOCTORAL PROGRAM, Cambridge, MA
Biogen Idec is pleased to announce the initiation of a postdoctoral fellow research program. The program aims to support highly promising young scientists for three years of research within Biogen Idec laboratories. We are seeking creative independent scientists with a significant scientific record and experience.
WHAT MAKES OUR PROGRAM SPECIAL:
•
Opportunities to do high quality, hypothesis-driven, fundamental research in a dynamic, fast-driving environment focused on drug discovery and development for serious human diseases. Work with Biogen Idec scientists on long-term scientific projects to bring novel cutting edge technology and gain expanded knowledge in the areas of mutual interest for postdoc and Biogen Idec.
•
In addition to scientists looking for a first postdoctoral training, we welcome applicants for a second postdoctoral research experience.
•
Potential for academic mentor.
•
Researchers completing the Biogen Idec postdoc program may be eligible for three years’ worth of start-up support as they transition to faculty positions.
FOR MORE INFORMATION & TO APPLY:
For more information about our Postdoctoral Fellow Program, contact: DL-postdoc.program@biogenidec.com

http://www.biogenidec.com/postdoctoral_fellow_program.aspx?ID=11451

Uncovering the Signaling Mechanisms
of a Presynaptic Neurotransmitter Receptor
Calendar
June
2013
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Click here to view seminars, workshops/events, and TIBBS events on our TIBBS calendar.
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Cheap Things
June
2013
Groupon
Groupon is a website that offers deals on things to do, services, and places to eat in your area.
Living Social
Offers one deal every day with discounts of up to 90% at local restaurants, bars, spas, theaters, and more.
Our Local Deals
Deals for the Greater Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County Communities
FATHER’S DAY EVENTS:
DURHAM JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION Multi-cultural event celebrating the ending of slavery with entertainment, vendors, food, health fair and children’s activities. FREE admission. CCB Plaza, Corcoran & Parrish Streets. 4-10 p.m. Durham. http://www.spectacularmag.com/NCJuneteenthCelebrationvendor.html
BULL CITY CHILI CHALLENGE Annual event featuring sampling and judging of a wide selection of tasty chili showcasing local restaurants and produce. The area’s first cookoff sanctioned by the Chili Appreciation Society International! Purchase a tasting kit for $4 and you’ll be able to sample chilis and salsas from someof the area’s best cooks! 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Durham Central Park. http://www.heraldsun.com/durhamherald/x1592159165/Central-Park-up-for-the-challenge
JUNE FOOD TRUCK RODEO DJ Piddipat (Pat Murray) will spin music from her prodigious music collection. Food Truck Rodeo will be at the park. Bring lawn chairs, blankets,picnics, or simply dance the night away. Pavilion at Durham Central Park. http://durhamcentralpark.org/event/food-truck-rodeo-june/
FAMILY FEATURE: DADDY AND ME GAME DAY June 16, 2013 from 2-3pm at the Crowder District Park in Apex. Take the family
Cheap Things
JUNE
2013
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for an afternoon of outdoor games and learn about fatherly neighbors in nature. All ages. http://www.carolinaparent.com/thingstodo/calendar/detail.php?Family-Feature-Daddy-and-Me-Game-Day-27962
SUPERHEROES AND SUPERDADS! June 16, 2013 from 9am-5pm at the Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh. Superheroes and their sidekicks show off their superpowers at Marbles’ Father’s Day celebration. Design a superhero cape and mask. Experiment with the power of flight and feature dad in his own comic book with comic adventures art. Catch Man of Steel 3D in IMAX. http://www.carolinaparent.com/thingstodo/calendar/detail.php?Superheroes-and-Superdads-28006
JUNE EVENTS:
Chapel Hill/Carrboro events:

http://chapelboro.com/calendar/

Playmaker’s Theater:

http://playmakersrep.org/

Chapel Hill Events this Month:

http://eventful.com/chapelhill/events

Chapel Hill Film Events this Month:

http://movies.eventful.com/chapelhill

Chapel Hill Concerts this Month:

http://eventful.com/chapelhill/concerts

LOCAL EVENTS CALENDARS
Chapel Hill Event Calendar:

http://events.triangle.com/search?city=Chapel+Hill&new=n&srad=50&st=event&swhat=&swhere=&swhen=Next+30+Days

http://www.visitchapelhill.org/calendar/events/index.php?year=2013&month=01&day=1

Durham Event Calendar:

http://events.triangle.com/search?city=Durham&new=n&srad=50&st=event&swhat=&swhere=&swhen=Next+30+Days

http://www.durham-nc.com/visitors/event_cal.php

Carrboro Citizen:

http://twitter.com/#!/CarrboroCitizen

http://www.carrborocitizen.com

Raleigh Carrboro Events

http://events.triangle.com/raleigh-nc/events/carrboro+events

Independent Weekly:

http://www.indyweek.com

http://twitter.com/#!/indyweek

ATHLETIC EVENTS
Full Schedules available for every sport: http://www.goheels.com/
Cheap Things
JUNE
2013
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UNC Campus Recreation Intramural Sports

http://campusrec.unc.edu/getting-involved

Runs:
For a complete list of local runs and races: http://runwellnc.com/
Fleet Feet in Carrboro has weekly free Pub Runs, yoga, and 4, 10, ½ marathon, and marathon training workouts: http://www.fleetfeetcarrboro.com/
Some races in Chapel Hill:
Father’s Day 5K Run/Walk. June 16, 2013 at 9am at The Streets at Southpoint in Durham. Maggiano’s Little Italy hosts a 5K run to benefit Make-A-Wish of Eastern North Carolina. Kids can enjoy a 1-mile fun run and 100-yard dash at 8:30am. Register online. http://www.carolinaparent.com/thingstodo/calendar/detail.php?Father-s-Day-5K-Run-Walk-28032
Chapel Hill Police Department’s Guardians of the Hill 5K, Benefitting N.C. Special Olympics. The inaugural Guardians of the Hill 5K, sponsored by the Chapel Hill Police Department, will benefit Special Olympics of North Carolina. The event will take place on Saturday, June 15th, 2013. Race day festivities will include informational booths set up by the CHPD, CHFD, Orange County Emergency Services and other public safety organizations. http://www.sportoften.com/events/eventDetails.cfm?pEventId=10569
THE ARTS AND SCIENCES
Carolina Performing Arts:

http://www.carolinaperformingarts.org/genres/all

Shows at Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro:

http://www.catscradle.com/schedule.html

UNC Music Department Performances and Events:

http://music.unc.edu/calendars/thecalendar

UNC Ackland Art Gallery Calendar:

http://www.ackland.org/OnView/current-exhibitions/index.htm

Morehead Planetarium
250 E. Franklin St, Chapel Hill
http://www.moreheadplanetarium.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page&filename=show_schedule.html. $6 for students and children.
Museum of Life and Science, Durham

http://www.ncmls.org/visit

$12.95 adults, $10.95 seniors 65+, $9.95 children (3-12)
DSI Comedy Theatre
Upcoming shows: http://www.dsicomedytheater.com/calendar/
Carrboro ArtsCenter:
Craft workshops, dance classes, and live music. http://www.artscenterlive.org/
Cheap Things
JUNE
2013
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Carolina Theatre’s “Retrofantasma” film series:
A monthly film series of double-features dedicated to bringing classic horror movies back to the big screen in 35mm! Created in 1998, RETROFANTASMA has developed a large dedicated audience of horror movie enthusiasts whose desire to see their favorite terror flicks is matched only by their willingness to cheer at the screen. Tickets: $7.

http://festivals.carolinatheatre.org/retrofantasma/

Varsity Theatre on Franklin St.
The Varsity Theatre has been a landmark of Chapel Hill and Franklin Street for over 50 years. Since the Sorrell building was built in 1927, it has always housed a movie theater, starting with the original Carolina Theater and then the Village Theater before becoming home to the Varsity.

http://www.varsityonfranklin.com/nowplaying.asp

https://twitter.com/#!/varsitytheatre

FOOD AND DRINK
Comprehensive list of food and drink specials, bar events in the area:
Carrboro Farmers’ Market
301 W. Main St., www.carrborofarmersmarket.com
Saturdays 7 a.m.-noon (year-round)
Wednesdays 3:30-6:30pm (starting April 13th)
Pick your own fruits and vegetables:
Check out these directories for local pick-your-own farms:

http://www.ncfarmfresh.com/Directory.asp?product=&county=region&region=2&PYO=yes&SearchType=farms&submit=Search

http://www.pickyourown.org/NCpiedmont.htm

CH Bar Specials:
Frequently updated nightly bar specials in Chapel Hill

https://twitter.com/#!/CHBarSpecials

The Stagger- Chapel Hill/Durham/Raleigh area drink specials. www.thestagger.com
Recession Tuesdays at ACME
Carrboro
All entrees $12.95 every Tuesday. Reservations highly recommended.

http://www.acmecarrboro.com/pages/news.htm

Tylers Taproom, Carrboro/Durham/Apex:

http://www.tylerstaproom.com/happenings

Rockfish Southpoint:
1/2 price bottles every Monday and Saturday
$2 all drafts and free glass for featured beer every Thursday at 6pm and free appetizers 9pm-11pm.

https://twitter.com/#!/RockfishNC

First Fridays, Downtown Raleigh
Art, Food, Music for free in downtown Raleigh

http://www.godowntownraleigh.com/first-friday-raleigh

Cheap Things
JUNE
2013
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Carolina Brewery:

http://www.carolinabrewery.com/carolina_brewery_news.html

City Beverage, Durham

http://www.citybeverage-durham.com/

Broadstreet Cafe, Durham

http://www.thebroadstreetcafe.com/events.html

Bull City Homebrew:

http://www.brewmasterstore.com/

Fifth Season Gardening Co., Carrboro:
Gardening, Home, and Beer/Wine making supplies

http://www.fifthseasongardening.com/

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
UNC Hospitals Volunteer Information

http://www.unchealthcare.org/site/volunteers/adult_volunteers

United Way:
Requires creating an account. Once registered, search by zip code for nearby volunteer events.

http://volunteer.truist.com/triangle/user/login/?return_url=%2ftriangle%2fvolunteer%2fhome%2f&type=&__flash_message__=The+page+you+are+trying+to+reach+requires+you+to+log+in+or+register&__hs___flash_message__=ad9b4f32ce0331b664cebef21caae8fd2ab92f46

Habitat for Humanity:
Orange County:

http://www.orangehabitat.org/volunteer/

Durham:

http://durhamhabitat.org/volunteer/volunteer-worksite.html

Orange County Animal Shelter:

http://www.co.orange.nc.us/animalservices/volunteers.asp

2013 TIBBS Summer Series: Certificate in Teaching

ErinHopper — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:28:38 +0000

It’s time for our Summer Series on Pedagogy! Students, postdocs, faculty, and staff who attend the first workshop and at least 5 of the remaining sessions will receive a certificate of completion. UNC graduate student certificate earners will receive a book.

Click here for the official flyer. To register, visit http://tinyurl.com/azxnaq8

Session 1 | Kickoff Workshop on Active Learning
Thursday, June 6, 1:00-5:00 pm in Kirkland Auditorium in Koury Oral Health Sciences

Presenters | Richard Felder, PhD Hoest Celanese Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering, NCSU and Rebecca Brent, EdD, President of Education Designs, Inc.

Highly sought-after speakers Drs. Felder and Brent have taught hundreds of workshops on effective teaching and mentoring methods. This in-depth workshop will cover the following topics and more:

How can I get students actively engaged in learning, even with large class sizes?
How can I avoid common pitfalls?
What does research say about active learning?

Session 2 | Designing a Syllabus
Tuesday, June 11, 3:30-5:00 pm in MBRB G202

Presenter | Jennifer Coble, PhD, Lecturer, Biology Department, UNC

Session 3 | Learning Assessment
Tuesday, June 18, 3:30-5:00 pm in Bioinformatics 1131

Presenter | Ed Neal, PhD, President of Ed Neal and Associates, past Director of Faculty Development, UNC

Session 4 | Managing the Classroom
Thursday, June 20, 3:30-5:00 pm in Bioinformatics 1131

Presenter | Todd Zakrajsek, PhD, Executive Director of the Academy of Educators in the UNC School of Medicine, UNC

Session 5 | Interactive Undergraduate Laboratories
Tuesday, June 25, 3:30-5:00 pm in Bioinformatics 1131

Presenter | Corey Johnson, PhD, Lecturer, Biology Department, UNC

Session 6 | Responding to Feedback
Thursday, June 27, 3:30-5:00 pm in Bioinformatics 1131

Presenter | Donna Bailey, RN, PhD, Teaching and Learning Consultant, Center for Faculty Excellence, UNC

Session 7 | Teaching our First Undergraduate Course
Tuesday, July 9, 3:30-5:00 pm in Bioinformatics 1131

Presenters | Panel of Past and Present Spire Fellows

Victoria Newton, PhD, Current SPIRE Fellow
Christina Swanson, PhD, Current SPIRE Fellow
Kim Monahan, PhD, Former SPIRE Fellow and Instructor of Biology at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
Jason Andrus, PhD, Former SPIRE Fellow and Associate Professor at Meredith College

Session 8 | Developing your Teaching Statement, Portfolio, and Application Materials
Thursday, July 11, 3:30-5:00 pm in Bioinformatics 1131

Presenter | Brian Rybarczyk, PhD, Director of Graduate Student Academic & Professional Development, Lecturer, Department of Biology, UNC

Career Networking Lunch with Dr. Amy Rawls, Recruitment and Talent Development Manager at American Journal Experts

ErinHopper — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:34:10 +0000

By Megan Meyer

Biography: Dr. Rawls works for American Journal Experts (AJE) serving as the Recruitment and Talent Development Manager. AJE is a company that offers author-oriented solutions to the obstacles international researchers face during the publication process, offering editing, translation, and formatting services. In addition to employing full-time staff, AJE also provides opportunities for graduate students and postdocs to gain experience in scientific editing, translation, or formatting by serving as contractors with AJE. Dr. Rawls has worked at AJE since 2010, starting as a Managing Editor (ME) and transitioning to a Team Leader (managing multiple MEs) before assuming her current position.

Summary: Dr. Rawls provided the audience with a comprehensive look into the culture and working atmosphere of scientific editing companies. She imparted knowledge regarding the philosophy and structure of AJE as well as what is needed to secure jobs at AJE or in the field of scientific editing. She also discussed various ways to obtain experience in both writing and editing.

Points of interest:

Structure of AJE:

Contract Editors (CEs): CEs are hired on a part-time, contract basis to edit articles one at a time and are only assigned articles that are targeted to the CE’s area of expertise. CE positions are a great way for graduate students and postdocs to gain experience in science editing while working full-time at the bench.To become a contract editor, you must fulfill requirements established by AJE (http://www.journalexperts.com/en/about-us/editors), which include a past or present affiliation with an AJE-approved academic affiliation (UNC is one such approved university), a completed or in-progress post-graduate (MS or PhD) degree, a writing sample, and proof of native English proficiency. Once you have passed the initial test editing exercise, training and resources will be available to aid in future editing projects. This position does not guarantee a set number of articles per week, as client needs and article submissions fluctuate. However, CEs are able to limit how many articles can be assigned to them per week.
Managing Editors (MEs): MEs are full-time AJE employees who oversee the work of CEs to ensure that the clients’ expectations are met. MEs also can provide editing services beyond grammar, such as helping with sentence structure, logic flow, and overall organization. These positions are full time, but the schedule is highly flexible. Work hours can range from 40-50 hours per week, but many MEs are able to work in blocks of time during the day and night to accommodate busy family schedules.
In-house Editors (IEs): IEs are high volume editors that can work remotely. The position can be either full-time or part-time.

Flexibility of work schedule:

AJE has won many awards, such as the 2012 Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility, highlighting AJE’s commitment to flexible work schedules.
AJE is a “results only” company, which means that work hours are not monitored, but client deadlines and quality expectations must be met.
AJE has a central office in Durham, but employees are only required to go to the office two times per month for team meetings and a company-wide lunch. Employees generally work from home or any other location with wireless Internet access.

Employee development:
AJE is committed to helping its employees develop professional skills relevant to their positions. The company provides the following programs:

Job-related training
“On boarding”: Introduction to company practices and environment for new employees
Buddy system: Junior and senior employees act as mentors to new employees to give them a chance to ask questions and gain hands-on experience.
Management 101: Series designed to introduced and develop management skills.
Book Academy: A book club in which AJE employees read and discuss relevant business texts to understand and implement business concepts.
AJE University: General development around areas of broad interest, e.g., marketing skills.
Coaching: Use of personnel and other resources (e.g., Strengths Finder assessment) to understand how people work in a team and how to cultivate individual strengths.

Ways to be competitive for a ME position:

Demonstrate experience in editing, even if it is volunteered or unpaid editing. Copy editing will also suffice.
Develop a strong cover letter indicating skills and contributions to the company.
Demonstrate leadership roles and qualities.
Create an organized CV that emphasizes communication skills (presentations) and writing skills (publications).

Areas of expertise currently in demand for CE positions:

Geosciences
Engineering
Physics
Business
Veterinary/Agricultural Sciences
Medicine
Life Sciences positions are less difficult for AJE to fill, but often still available

The bottom line: If you are a scientist who really likes to stay up-to-date on current research but does not wish to remain at the bench, a science editing position could be a great fit. These positions can be very rewarding for self-motivated individuals who love science and are looking for a flexible work schedule.

About the author: Megan Meyer is a doctoral candidate in the department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and works in laboratory of Ilona Jaspers. Her research interests involve understanding how nutrition and respiratory conditions modify the innate immune response to influenza infection.

Career Networking Lunch with Dr. Shantá D. Hinton: Research and Teaching at a Primarily Undergraduate Institution

ErinHopper — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:33:06 +0000

by Rebecca Bauer

Biography:Dr. Shantá Hinton received a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned a PhD in Cellular and Developmental Biology from Howard University working with Dr. William Eckberg. Following graduate school, she completed a postdoc at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories, working with Dr. Nicholas Tonks and studying pseudophosphatases. Dr. Hinton’s first faculty position was as an Assistant Professor at Hampton University. Dr. Hinton has since changed institutions and currently teaches and leads a research laboratory with 10-12 undergraduate students and one graduate student at the College of William and Mary. Dr. Hinton’s research focuses on various functional characteristics of the pseudophosphatase map kinase serine/threonine binding protein (MK-STYX). Dr. Hinton’s full biography can be found here: http://www.wm.edu/as/biology/people/faculty/hinton_s.php

Dr. Hinton spoke with a small group of students about her career in teaching and research at primarily undergraduate institutions. A summary of the conversation is detailed here:

Did you have any teaching training during your post-doc?

Dr. Hinton did not have any formal training in teaching. She remarked that Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories was an extremely competitive research environment that did not focus on teaching training. However, Dr. Hinton was assured that her research pedigree and good publications would make her attractive to teaching institutions and found this to be true. She remarked that at The College of William and Mary, candidates with high quality publications and research background will be hired even with little teaching experience as long as the individual has at least average teaching skills. The belief is that teaching can be taught and improved, but research experience and quality is more important.

Do you recommend a postdoc before pursuing a career in teaching and research at mostly undergraduate institutions?

Yes! Dr. Hinton believes that the postdoc is an extremely important time to develop both as a scientist and a person. When starting the postdoc, it is important to discuss your teaching goals and establish a development plan with your advisor. Be sure to pick your postdoc topic wisely so that it will lead to your own independent research funding. Research faculty at a primarily undergraduate institutions are still required to publish papers and obtain grant funding.

What is your teaching and research balance?

Dr. Hinton found that the balance between teaching and research depends on the institution. The College of William and Mary prides itself for strength in undergraduate research, and the faculty have a 50:50 balance between teaching and research. Currently there are no permanent teaching-only positions at The College of William and Mary. Depending on the course she is teaching, some semesters may permit more research time than others. For example, Dr. Hinton is currently teaching a seminar class that involves reading and discussing papers. This course does not involve a lab and is less time intensive, thus allowing more time for research. Other institutions may have a less equal balance between teaching and research. At Hampton University, Dr. Hinton was expected to teach many more classes and had very limited research time.

Was it difficult getting started at the College of William and Mary?

Dr. Hinton felt that setting up the laboratory was the hardest part about getting started. She was given the opportunity to design a new laboratory from scratch, which took one year to establish and was a lot of work on top of teaching and research. Luckily, she had many eager undergraduate students who helped her set up the laboratory. She was fortunate that another faculty member provided research space for her lab so that she could continue her research while her new lab space was undergoing renovation.

How do the facilities at a mostly undergraduate institution differ from larger research institutions?

Dr. Hinton believes there is a misconception that all undergraduate institutions have poor facilities. In fact, Dr. Hinton believes that the College of William and Mary has great facilities, and she is currently working on establishing a proteomics core facility. She explains that if an institution really wants you, they will likely set you up with the facilities that you need. However, she warned that human research at undergraduate institutions is difficult as it is highly regulated and requires extensive paperwork.

How do you approach teaching undergraduate students in the laboratory?

Dr. Hinton currently mentors 10-12 undergraduate students in her lab and 1 graduate student, and she noted that other labs at The College of William and Mary may have upwards of 20 students. She encourages undergraduate students to start research as soon as possible and accepts students in her lab as early as the spring semester of freshman year. She also understands that some students are less certain about research and is willing to accept more advanced students even if they have no research experience. She finds that some students are more involved and committed to the research, while others may act as “floaters” who spend less time in the lab.

Dr. Hinton explained that she does not change her research focus or intensity to cater to undergraduate students. She expects that her students publish and pursue their own summer funding. A system that has worked well for her is dividing the undergraduate students into teams that focus on specific research areas.

How do undergraduate students differ from graduate students?

Dr. Hinton remarked that The College of William and Mary may differ from other institutions because it attracts a subset of students that are very driven and understand the importance of research. She has found that the undergraduate students have a better understanding of a research experience than graduate students who came from other institutions that were not as focused on research.

Any final advice?

Dr. Hinton’s final advice is to pick your institution wisely. If you wish to pursue a competitive research, be sure that the institution gives you plenty of research time so that you can continue publishing and applying for grants. If your institution does not provide you much research time, you may have trouble publishing and obtaining grants. Spend the time to seek out the environment that offers what you want.

About the author: Rebecca Bauer is a doctoral student in the Curriculum in Toxicology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and works in the laboratory of Dr. Ilona Jaspers. Her research is focused on understanding the mechanisms by which airway diseases and air pollution alter lung immunology.

April 2013

ErinHopper — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:36:18 +0000

Join the TiBBS community!
Follow us on Facebook
+ Twitter
p.1
Upcoming TIBBS-sponsored events:
Thurs./April 4th at 5:30 pm in Bondurant G030: Equality for Women in Science Discussion
Women in science often face unique challenges throughout their career. Many of these issues have been front-page news in the past year. Please join us for a lively discussion of three articles. To register: http://tinyurl.com/a5chps6
Fri./April 5th at noon on the MBRB Lawn: Graduate Student Appreciation Week Social
In celebration of Graduate Student Appreciation Week, join us for a delicious ice cream sundae social! We’ll have a variety of ice cream flavors and loads of toppings! UNC faculty members will be dishing out ice cream to show their appreciation for all of your hard work. No registration is necessary, but please bring your One Card to participate.
Wednesday, April 10th from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at the Courtyard Marriott, Chapel Hill: 4th Annual Postdoc Boot Camp
Are you less than two years from graduation? Are you starting to think about where to do your postdoc? Are you in the middle of your postdoc search? Wherever you are in the process, the 4th annual TIBBS Postdoc Boot Camp will put you on the path to success. You’ll learn the following:
•
How to plan strategically for a postdoc that will get you on the right path to your preferred career.
•
How to best apply for advertised and unadvertised positions.
•
How to effectively navigate your postdoc so you finish on your own chosen timeline.
Registration for this event is limited to 45 graduate students. To register: http://tinyurl.com/cns8qmx
Thurs./April 18 at noon in Bondurant 2035: Career Networking Lunch with Dr. Amy Rawls
Interested in science editing? Join us for a Career Networking Lunch with Amy Rawls, PhD, Head of Recruitment and Talent Development at American Journal Experts. Amy will discuss career paths in science writing and editing, share ways that graduate students can prepare now for these career opportunities, and answer any other questions that participants have. To register: http://tinyurl.com/cb8nw9o
Thurs./April 18 from 8:50 am to 3:45 pm in the Koury Oral Health Sciences Building: 2013 Translational Medicine Symposium
This symposium will showcase the translational research that is being conducted by UNC graduate, post-doc, medical, dental, public health, and undergraduate students. The symposium is co-sponsored by the HHMI-funded Program in Translational Medicine (PITM) and the NCI-funded Cancer Cell Biology Training Program (CCBTP). We will have distinguished researchers from UNC and other institutions speaking about their translational research. Registrants are encouraged to present a poster, regardless of the nature or success of their research project. Once registered, a confirmation email will be sent along with information about abstract submission. If you have any questions, please email kewoodard@unc.edu. To register: http://tinyurl.com/transmed2013
Upcoming TIBBS-
Sponsored Events
Flyers: WinS Disscussion, Postdoc Boot Camp, Translational Medicine Symposium
Research Spotlight
PhD Comic
TIBBS Trivia
Pioneering Postdoc
Cheap Things to do Around Town in April
In this
issue:
The TIBBS Times Committee
Erin Hopper, PhD|Editor-in-Chief
Kennita Johnson, PhD|Senior Editor
Destiney Buelto|Contributing Author and Editor
Vicki Brings|Contributing Author and Editor
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Equality for Women in Science: A Discussion & Dinner Co-hosted with Graduate Women in Science April 4,2013 5:30-7:00pm Bondurant Hall,Room G030 Women
in
science
often
face
unique
challenges
throughout
their
career
–
many
of
these
issues
have
been
front-‐page
news
in
the
past
year.
Please
join
us
for
a
lively
discussion
of
the
articles
posted
below.
A
casual
dinner
will
be
served.
The
articles
we
will
discuss
include:
Article
1:
Science
Faculty’s
Gender
Biases
Favor
Male
Students
Article
2:
Why
Women
Still
Can’t
Have
It
All
Article
3:
Gender
Differences
In
The
Salaries
of
Physician
Researchers
Space is limited! Register at http://tinyurl.com/a5chps6 All genders are encouraged to attend.
UNC Women in Science Supporting and Promoting Women Scientists at UNC
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Agenda at a Glance Keynote address “A
goal
without
a
plan
is
just
a
wish”
Philip
Clifford,
PhD,
Professor
of
Anesthesiology
and
Physiology,
Associate
Dean
for
Postdoctoral
Education,
Medical
College
of
Wisconsin
Postdoc Panel Panelists
from
academia,
industry,
government,
and
teaching
postdocs
share
their
advice.
Faculty Panel
PIs
answer
your
questions
about
how
they
interview,
how
they
hire,
and
what
makes
a
successful
postdoc.
Workshops:
•Thinking
strategically
about
your
postdoc
training
•Crafting
effective
cover
letters
&
CVs
Lunch provided PM networking reception When?
April
10,
2013
8:30
am
–
4:30
pm
Where?
Courtyard
Marriott,
Chapel
Hill,
NC
How?
Registration
requires
two
steps.
Go
to
TIBBS.unc.edu
for
a
registration
link
and
information
about
submitting
your
CV.
Registration
cap
is
45.
TIBBS 2013 Postdoc Boot Camp Training Initiatives in Biomedical and Biological Sciences
p.4
Translational Medicine SymposiumKoury Oral Health Sciences BuildingThursday, April 18, 2013To register for the symposium and to submit an abstract, please visit http://tinyurl.com/transmed2013 or scan the barcode.9:30-10:30Dr. Franck Maucais-JarvisDiabetes & translational endocrinology Distinguished speakers – Kirkland AuditoriumStudents speakers – Kirkland AuditoriumPoster session – AtriumInformational sessions1:00-1:30Dr. Cam PattersonCardiovascular medicine 2:15-3:1510:45-12:004:00-4:30Dr. Leisa JohnsonCancer drug development & mouse modelsTranslational medicine training program – G605Advice for undergraduates seeking careersin medicine – Kirkland Auditorium9:00-9:30Adam Friedman, Pharmaceutical SciencesRebecca Bauer, Toxicology1:30-2:00Mariko Weber, NeurobiologyKate Hacker, Genetics
p.5
Glioblastoma (GBM) is not a word you want to hear from your doctor. This type of brain cancer, or glioma, has a 5-year survival rate of less than 10%,1 compared to cancer as a whole at 68%.2 One of the reasons for this extremely low survival rate is that >95% of all drugs do not cross the blood-brain barrier and are thus ineffective against this disease.3 Fortunately for us, Dr. Shawn Hingtgen is focused on solving this problem using stem cells.
A stem cell is a special type of cell that can be programmed to differentiate into any cell type in the body, allowing a single fertilized egg to grow into an adult. Current stem cell technology lets scientists take tissue from an adult and create induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). Typical iPS cell research is aimed at growing new organs or repairing injured tissue, a field known as regenerative medicine. However, research into unconventional uses for stem cells uncovered an interesting observation: stem cells have a natural ability to “home” or target to sites of injury or disease, including solid tumors.
What Dr. Hingtgen seeks to do is to arm them with various cancer-fighting weapons so that they are able to target the difficult-to-reach brain tumors and deliver a tumor-killing therapy. The weapons of choice are toxic fusion proteins, such as TRAIL or other pro-death and anti-growth proteins. When given alone, these proteins would not be very effective due to short circulation time and an inability to get into the brain. Dr. Hingtgen seeks to harness armed stem cells to target the therapeutic to the brain tumor, where they would continuously manufacture the therapeutic protein locally.
In order to arm the stem cell with his therapy of choice, Dr. Hingtgen turns to molecular biology and lentiviruses. Lentiviruses are used to engineer stem cells to express a desired protein as well as a fluorescent protein. Manipulating the cells in such a way gives Dr. Hingtgen the ability to track the location of the armed cells by using an animal imaging method known as intravital microscopy. Exciting preliminary data suggest that tumor growth can be stopped for at least two weeks with just a single injection of stem cells in the brain.
In addition to pushing the boundaries of therapeutic agents, Dr. Hingtgen also seeks to create a more translational mouse model. In clinical practice, standard treatment involves surgical resection followed by chemotherapy and radiation. However, current mouse models have no surgical component to them, making it difficult to translate successful mouse therapies into human ones. “Our ultimate goal is to move our treatments into patients. In speaking with neurosurgeons, we identified several significant issues that needed to be addressed before this could be accomplished. However, traditional mouse models of GBM could not provide the answers we needed so we utilized our expertise to create more relevant models that could answer these questions,” explained Dr. Hingtgen.
Using fluorescence-guided microdissection, >95% of a mouse tumor is thought to be resected, as measured by MRI and luminescence. The mouse tumors re-grow 18 days post resection, mimicking the same recurrence problem seen by clinicians. Using this model, Dr. Hingtgen found that the stem cells are not retained very well in the brain following surgery, negatively impacting the success of the stem cell treatment. To improve stem cell retention, Dr. Hingtgen has begun to collaborate with biomaterials scientists and neurosurgeons in developing an implantable-gel system to provide his stem cells a protected base from which to attack.
A recent junior addition to the Molecular Pharmaceutics division of the Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Dr. Hingtgen is part of a growing number of translational researchers at UNC and is in a unique position to bring together disparate tools to solve the complex problem of glioma and develop the next generation of drug treatments. His future work will involve improving the efficacy of his protein weapons, finding new weapons, and developing his gel-based implantation method.
References
1.
Li, J. et. al. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2011 Nov; 81(3):623-30.
2.
US Department of Health and Human Services. Cancer Fact Sheet, viewed March 25, 2013. < http://report.nih.gov/nihfactsheets/viewfactsheet.aspx?csid=75>
3.
Partridge, WM. Drug Discov Today. 2007 Jan; 12(1-2):54-61.
About the author: Luke Roode is a graduate student in the Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics in the School of Pharmacy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research is focused on understanding the interplay between PRINT Nanoparticle properties and their resulting biodistribution.
Dr. and Mrs. Shawn Hingtgen at Eagle Lake in Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, ME.
by Luke Roode
Research Spotlight
Pioneering Postdoc Programs
p.6
TIBBS Trivia Contest: Name That Scientist!
Let’s exercise our brains with some TIBBS trivia! The first UNC graduate student with a correct response will win a UNC lunch bag! Five runners up will receive a delicious candy bar! Here’s how to play:
1.
Like us on Facebook
2.
The trivia question will be posted on our wall a few minutes after distributing the TIBBS Times.
3.
Email your answer to erin_hopper@unc.edu. Good luck!
PhD Comic
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF MICROBIOLOGY COLLOQUIUM FELLOWSHIP
The American Academy of Microbiology (Academy) is accepting applications for its next Colloquium Fellow. This is a one-year fellowship for a recent microbiology Ph.D. recipient to develop skills in science policy and communication. Applicants for the fellowship should have a broad interest in the field and a willingness to learn about topics outside their own area of expertise. The fellowship will provide salary and some benefits.
In addition to academic researchers and clinicians, the field of microbiology needs individuals who are skilled in science communication and public outreach. The goal of the AAM Colloquium fellowship is to provide an opportunity for a recent microbiology Ph.D. graduate to develop these skills. Each year the Academy convenes five to six colloquia to address critical issues in microbiology. The fellow will work closely with the Academy Director on the colloquium program, participating in the entire process from choosing appropriate topics through proposal development and fund-raising to writing colloquium reports to publicity and dissemination.
Applications are due May 15, 2013. Please visit here for a full job description, and here for application instructions.
Calendar
APR
2013
p.7
Click here to view seminars, workshops/events, and TIBBS events on our TIBBS calendar.
————————-
Cheap Things
APR
2013
Groupon
Groupon is a website that offers deals on things to do, services, and places to eat in your area.
Living Social
Offers one deal every day with discounts of up to 90% at local restaurants, bars, spas, theaters, and more.
Our Local Deals
Deals for the Greater Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County Communities
APRIL EVENTS:
Sustainability Center and Solar Stage at UNC Science Expo
Saturday, April 13, 2013
10am-3pm
UNC Campus
As part of this year’s NC Science Festival, the Town of Chapel Hill is sponsoring a Sustainability Center and Solar Stage to educate and encourage making environmentally responsible decisions in our lives. www.townofchapelhill.org/scienceexpo
5th Annual Scrapel Hill Art Exhibit
University Mall, April 29 thru August 23
Scrapel Hill is an annual exhibit dedicated to make people think creatively about reuse, and features works created from discarded objects and materials. Scrapel Hill is an ongoing partnership between the Town of Chapel Hill’s Public and Cultural Arts Office and University Mall. Local and regional artists are invited to submit works that help educate and promote the value of
Cheap Things
APR
2013
p.8
recycling.
The two top place winners will receive $2,000 and $1,000 respectively. New this year is a special $500 award for best interactive artwork. A People’s Choice Award of $500 will also be awarded. Artists are eligible to win more than one award. University Mall may select pieces for purchase or to remain onsite for a longer period.
For more information on the exhibit and artist application materials, visit http://www.townofchapelhill.org/index.aspx?page=1702
Chapel Hill/Carrboro events:

http://chapelboro.com/Calendar/9470615

Playmaker’s Theater:

http://playmakersrep.org/

Raleigh Festivals this Month:

http://eventful.com/raleigh/events/categories/festivals_parades

Triangle Film Events this Month:

http://eventful.com/raleigh/events/categories/movies_film/this-month

Thorough List of Local Events by Category:

http://eventful.com/raleigh/events

LOCAL EVENTS CALENDARS
Chapel Hill Event Calendar:

http://events.triangle.com/search?city=Chapel+Hill&new=n&srad=50&st=event&swhat=&swhere=&swhen=Next+30+Days

http://www.visitchapelhill.org/calendar/events/index.php?year=2013&month=01&day=1

Durham Event Calendar:

http://events.triangle.com/search?city=Durham&new=n&srad=50&st=event&swhat=&swhere=&swhen=Next+30+Days

http://www.durham-nc.com/visitors/event_cal.php

Carrboro Citizen:

http://twitter.com/#!/CarrboroCitizen

http://www.carrborocitizen.com

Raleigh Carrboro Events

http://events.triangle.com/raleigh-nc/events/carrboro+events

Independent Weekly:

http://www.indyweek.com

http://twitter.com/#!/indyweek

ATHLETIC EVENTS
Full Schedules available for every sport: http://www.goheels.com/
Cheap Things
APR
2013
p.9
UNC Campus Recreation Intramural Sports

http://campusrec.unc.edu/getting-involved

Runs:
For a complete list of local runs and races: http://runwellnc.com/
Fleet Feet in Carrboro has weekly free Pub Runs, yoga, and 4, 10, ½ marathon, and marathon training workouts: http://www.fleetfeetcarrboro.com/
Some races in Chapel Hill:
2013 Heels 4 Homes 5K, Saturday, April 6 at 8 am in Kenan Stadium: Join UNC Football Coach Larry Fedora and Rameses for the first annual Heels4Homes 5K at UNC Chapel Hill. All proceeds go to support Kenan-Flagler’s Habitat for Humanity partnership – helping ‘raise the roof’ for deserving families in Orange County! Race kicks off and finishes inside Kenan Memorial Stadium, and Rameses will be on hand for photos at the finish line! $20 registration includes race tee-shirt, post-race refreshments & more! For more information: https://extranet.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/MBAclubs/habitat/Pages/Heels4Homes5K.aspx
Color the Hill 5K Fun Run: The Color the Hill 5K and Fun Run is the wackiest time you can have on a cross country course! Make sure you show up at the start line as a blank canvas – white attire is best. Then run, walk, skip or dance your way to the finish line while you move through a rainbow of fun. All ages, skills, sizes and shapes are welcome and having a blast at the Color the Hill event is what it’s all about. By the finish line, you’ll look like a Jackson Pollock painting! For more information: http://www.colorthehill.com/
Tar Heel 10-Miler: Join Us! The 6th annual running of the Tar Heel 10 Miler presented by CEP Compression Sportswear and the Fleet Feet Sports 4 Mile Run. All happening Saturday April 20th 2013 at UNC’s Kenan Stadium – showcasing UNC campus, Downtown, Chapel Hill, and the most beautiful neighborhoods in North Carolina! This year’s field is limited to the first 5000 runners. For more information: http://tarheel10miler.com/
THE ARTS AND SCIENCES
Carolina Performing Arts:

http://www.carolinaperformingarts.org/genres/all

Shows at Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro:

http://www.catscradle.com/schedule.html

UNC Music Department Performances and Events:

http://music.unc.edu/calendars/thecalendar

UNC Ackland Art Gallery Calendar:

http://www.ackland.org/OnView/current-exhibitions/index.htm

http://www.ncmls.org/visit

$12.95 adults, $10.95 seniors 65+, $9.95 children (3-12)
Cheap Things
APR
2013
p.10
DSI Comedy Theatre
Upcoming shows: http://www.dsicomedytheater.com/calendar/?year=2011&month=6
Carrboro Artcenter:
Craft workshops, dance classes, and live music
Carolina Theatre’s “Retrofantasma” film series:
A monthly film series of double-features dedicated to bringing classic horror movies back to the big screen in 35mm! Created in 1998, RETROFANTASMA has developed a large dedicated audience of horror movie enthusiasts whose desire to see their favorite terror flicks is matched only by their willingness to cheer at the screen. Tickets: $7.

http://festivals.carolinatheatre.org/retrofantasma/

http://www.varsityonfranklin.com/nowplaying.asp

https://twitter.com/#!/varsitytheatre

FOOD AND DRINK
Comprehensive list of food and drink specials, bar events in the area:
Carrboro Farmers’ Market
301 W. Main St., www.carrborofarmersmarket.com
Saturdays 7 a.m.-noon (year-round)
Wednesdays 3:30-6:30pm (starting April 13th)
These fruits and veggies are in season: Belgian Endive, Brussels Sprouts, Butternut Squash, Cactus Pear, Cardoon, Cherimoya, Chestnuts, Clementines, Collard Greens, Date Plums, Dates, Delicata Squash, Grapefruit, Kale, Kiwifruit, Leeks, Mandarin Oranges, Maradol Papaya, Oranges, Passion Fruit, Pear, Persimmons, Pummelo, Red Banana, Red Currants, Sharon Fruit, Sweet Dumpling Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Tangerines, Turnips
Pick your own fruits and vegetables:
Check out these directories for local pick-your-own farms:

http://www.ncfarmfresh.com/Directory.asp?product=&county=region&region=2&PYO=yes&SearchType=farms&submit=Search

http://www.pickyourown.org/NCpiedmont.htm

CH Bar Specials:
Frequently updated nightly bar specials in Chapel Hill

https://twitter.com/#!/CHBarSpecials

The Stagger- Chapel Hill/Durham/Raleigh area drink specials. www.thestagger.com
Recession Tuesdays at ACME
Carrboro
All entrees $12.95 every Tuesday. Reservations highly recommended.

http://www.acmecarrboro.com/pages/news.htm

Tylers Taproom, Carrboro/Durham/Apex:

http://www.tylerstaproom.com/happenings

Cheap Things
APR
2013
p.11
Rockfish Southpoint:
1/2 price bottles every Monday and Saturday
$2 all drafts and free glass for featured beer every Thursday at 6pm and free appetizers 9pm-11pm.

https://twitter.com/#!/RockfishNC

First Fridays, Downtown Raleigh
Art, Food, Music for free in downtown Raleigh

http://www.godowntownraleigh.com/first-friday-raleigh

Carolina Brewery:

http://www.carolinabrewery.com/carolina_brewery_news.html

City Beverage, Durham

http://www.citybeverage-durham.com/

Broadstreet Cafe, Durham

http://www.thebroadstreetcafe.com/events.html

Bull City Homebrew:

http://www.brewmasterstore.com/

Fifth Season Gardening Co., Carrboro:
Gardening, Home, and Beer/Wine making supplies

http://www.fifthseasongardening.com/

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
UNC Hospitals Volunteer Information

http://www.unchealthcare.org/site/volunteers/adult_volunteers

United Way:
Requires creating an account. Once registered, search by zip code for nearby volunteer events.

Habitat for Humanity:
Orange County:

http://www.orangehabitat.org/volunteer/

Durham:

http://durhamhabitat.org/volunteer/volunteer-worksite.html

Orange County Animal Shelter:

http://www.co.orange.nc.us/animalservices/volunteers.asp

March 2013

ErinHopper — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 19:55:00 +0000

Join the TiBBS community!
Follow us on Facebook
+ Twitter
p.1
Upcoming TIBBS-sponsored events:
In this
issue:
Upcoming TIBBS-
Sponsored Events
Flyers: Peter Fiske, PhD and DNA Day 5K
The Discussion Section
Doing Science in a Gov’t Lab
Bioscience Reunion
Trivia/Pioneering Postdoc
Cheap Things
The TIBBS Times
Committee
Erin Hopper, PhD|Editor-in-Chief
Kennita Johnson, PhD|Senior Editor
Destiney Buelto|Contributing Author and Editor
Vicki Brings|Contributing Author and Editor
Fri./March 8 at 12 pm in Bondurant G030: Tips and Tricks for using Microsoft Word to Format Your Dissertation
For most graduate students, the Ph.D. dissertation is the single largest document you have ever created, and learning to format and lay out a 200+ page document can suck up hours and even days of your precious time. Fortunately, there are a number of features and tricks in Microsoft Word that can make the task more manageable.
In order to get the most out of this workshop, please bring a laptop computer running MS Word. Dr. Patrick Brandt, Director of Science, Training, and Diversity, will lead the workshop. You can work along with Patrick on your own dissertation, or if you prefer, he will provide a practice file that you can use. Register for this event.
Wed./March 13: One-on-One Career Coaching Sessions with Dr. Denise Saunders
Confused about career options? Life’s got you down? Struggling in the lab or at home? Denise has been helping graduate students and postdocs at UNC, NIEHS and NIH for years. She is available to help with concerns such as work-life balance, dealing with setbacks, mentor relationships, choosing a career path, depression, and changing labs.
Please email Erin Hopper (erin_hopper@unc.edu) to request a 45-minute appointment.
Thurs./March 21 at 2 pm in Genome Sciences Building GS100: Peter Fiske: Put Your Science to WORK! Practical Advice and Proven Techniques to Land the Job of Your Dreams
Dr. Peter Fiske is the author of 22 technical articles and a former member of the technical staff of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. See the flyer on the next page for more information. Please join us for a reception in the courtyard after the presentation. Register for this event.
Fri./March 22 at 9:30 am in Bondurant G010: WinS Panel Discussion Forks in the Road: Choosing Your Career Path
One degree. Many opportunities.
Join the second WinS event of the year to explore the vast career opportunities that await you after completion of your PhD degree! Bring your questions to stimulate discussions among a diverse panel of representatives from various areas of industry, government, and academia.
Coffee and breakfast refreshments to be served.
All genders are encouraged to attend, and we welcome grad students, faculty, postdocs, and staff. Seats are limited, so register now! Register for this event.
Thurs./March 28 at 4pm on the MBRB lawn: TIBBS Spring Egg Hunt
This event is a grad student favorite! Bring your running shoes and get ready to hunt for prize-filled eggs on the MBRB lawn. We’ll have loads of candy and fabulous prizes! No registration is necessary.
Saturday, March 30 at 10am on the MBRB Lawn: TIBBS Family Egg Hunt
Join us for a special egg hunt for kids! Bring your children, nieces/nephews, friends, grandkids, etc. for a great time and a visit from the amazing unicycling TIBBSter Bunny! Grad students, postdocs, faculty, staff, and families are all invited!
p.2
Put Your Science to WORK March 21, 2 pm PRACTICAL ADVICE AND PROVEN TECHNIQUES TO LAND THE JOB OF YOUR DREAMS Young scientists in nearly every field are finding today’s job market a confusing and frustrating place. Learn about these topics: •Current and future employment trends and your options •An overview of effective career planning and job hunting •The TRUE breadth of career opportunities for PhDs •Sought-after skills and experience •Developing a compelling CV, resume and cover letter, and more! Please join us for a reception in the courtyard at 3 pm. Register to attend at http://tinyurl.com/aowpxam Peter Fiske, PhD Dr. Peter Fiske, CEO of PAX Mixer, Inc. and the author of Put Your Science to Work: The Take Charge Career Guide for Scientists Genome Sciences Building Room GS100
Run to Support Science Outreach and Education in NC 9:00 AM on Saturday, May 18th 2013 $5.00 off Promo Code: Run4Fun Register at http://ncdnaday.org/5K or use the QR code below Biosciences in Motion: Moving Research from Lab to Your Life Learn more about the research going on here in NC 10:00 AM on Saturday, May 18th 2013 Carolina Student Union UNC Chapel Hill http://ncdnaday.org/festival
p.4
How are you today? Seems like a simple question, with a simple
answer. Good! Great! Grand! Fine. Only it is not so simple
if you are lying because you are trying to put on a good face.
Maybe you are a first-year student, a long way from home,
missing friends and family. Or you are a fifth-year “All But
Dissertation”, with a slew of failed projects and data leading
nowhere. It does not matter. Mental health issues can strike
anyone, anytime, anywhere. Whether it is anxiety, depression,
bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, your mental health in
graduate school is a serious concern.
A 2004 survey at the University of California, Berkley found
that 46% of graduate students felt hopeless.1 A more recent
2008 survey reported that 15% of graduate students
reported having depressive symptoms compared to 6.4% of
the general population.2 A longitudinal study of nursing students
demonstrated a correlation between length of time in
education and depressive symptoms.3 And even the soldiers
serving in our armed forces, who one would assume are the
strongest among us, have seen a 54% rise in suicides since
2007, a total amount surpassing combat deaths4 of US forces
in Afghanistan for 2012.
If you have mental health issues, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. I think
everyone at some point in their graduate career has issues
with depression, severe anxiety, and hopelessness. In some
ways, it is the nature of graduate school. Academic pressures,
limited financial means, and long work hours can all have an
impact on the health of the graduate student. Though it is not
easy to fit into a graduate student’s schedule, eating right,
exercising regularly, and getting adequate sleep can help. In
fact, just talking to someone can be the best medicine. Maybe
that person is a therapist available here at campus health,
your general practitioner, a therapist in private practice, or
even just a friend. It could even be your PI. All you really need
is someone willing to listen, as simply talking can be as effective
as medication over the long term.5
If you have a problem and do not think anyone is willing to
listen, call 1-800-GRAD-HLP (472-3457), a helpline solely for
graduate students run by the Kristin Brooks Center, a nonprofit
suicide prevention organization. Or if you are having
suicidal thoughts, please call 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433), a
national suicide prevention hotline.
If you are a friend and see someone in need, reach out. Be
willing to take the time to carefully listen and have an open,
supportive conversation. If you find yourself in a situation and
do not know what to do, you can call Counseling and Psychological
Services (CAPS) here at UNC, either at 919-966-3658
during work hours (8-5, M-F) or at 919-966-2281 for urgent
needs after hours or on weekends. CAPS offers free first-time
walk-in appointments, and CAPS keeps all reports completely
confidential. This can be a good initial on-campus resource;
however, please be aware this CAPS resource will be limited
to 6-8 visits.
For a more permanent solution, an available psychiatrist/
psychologist/social worker/mental health counselor in private
practice may be a better choice. Many of these offer payment
using a sliding scale based on income (see list on p. 7)
and accept graduate student health insurance. A fantastic
additional resource available through CAPS is the graduate
student counseling group, offering a group setting in which to
talk about your problems.
And if medication is needed, psychiatrists on staff at UNC
can help manage your medications, which may be available
for $10 at the campus health pharmacy. Unfortunately, as
a graduate student, you may not have a whole lot of extra
money in your pocket, so take advantage of the free services
UNC can offer or seek out one of the mental health workers
who uses a sliding fee scale.
If you think you have a problem, do not ignore it. Ignoring it
may lead you down a destructive path of coping mechanisms:
excessive alcohol, drug use, or even self-injury. There is no
shame in asking for help. Just like with your experiments,
asking for help does not demean you. It only strengthens you
and helps put you on a successful path. So do not be afraid to
answer truthfully when someone asks how you are and say,
“I am not doing okay. I think I need help.” Just taking that first
step can be the most important decision you will ever make
in graduate school.
About the author: Luke Roode is a graduate student in the Division
of Molecular Pharmaceutics in the School of Pharmacy
at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research
is focused on understanding the interplay between PRINT
Nanoparticle properties and their resulting biodistribution.
Additional Resources are listed on page 7.
The DHiOsWc uARsEs YiOoUn TO DSAeY?ction
– Information and Opinions from UNC’s Graduate Students –
How are you today? By Luke Roode
p.5
Her path to NIEHS: Dr. Mercedes Arana is a Biologist at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). After completing her undergraduate degree at Florida State University, she was unsure if she wanted to go to graduate or medical school. She ended up working as a research associate with her bachelor’s degree, but she reached a point in that career path where she knew her four-year degree would allow her to progress no further. This was when she decided it was time to apply to graduate school. She completed her PhD at the University of Miami in molecular biology and biochemistry and then landed a postdoc position at NIEHS in Research Triangle Park. She chose this position due to the opportunities at NIEHS and in RTP. After her postdoc ended she was offered a position in the same lab. She decided that she liked the stability a government job offered her, so she remained there and has now been at NIEHS for three years. She is a scientist working on a number of projects, helping others in the group or within NIEHS and taking care of day-to-day business in the lab. Now she is learning bioinformatics and gene expression analysis.
Incorporating science outreach: Dr. Arana is passionate about science outreach and her supervisor at NIEHS allows her to pursue this interest. He is flexible and allows her to participate in outreach activities. Not all PIs may be as understanding, so she recommends talking with your PI about your interests before joining the lab.
Postdoc opportunities at NIEHS: Very early in Dr. Arana’s postdoc at NIEHS, there was little educational support for trainees. Since then, NIEHS has developed a postdoctoral program that offers opportunities to do outreach, get teaching experience by guest lecturing at local universities, participate in committees, and more. Having this in place for postdocs allows them to explore career paths beyond the bench. It is important to ask about such opportunities when interviewing for postdoc positions because the postdoc experience needs to prepare you for what you ultimately want to do.
Advice on finding a postdoc: Writing to PIs to ask about available positions is often helpful. Some may require you to fill out an application, and others may require that you already have funding. It is important to speak with other members of the lab you are interested in joining and demonstrate your enthusiasm for their work. You may need to be flexible with your start date, as some may want you to start right away while others may want you to wait. The start date is not always negotiable, so be sure to have a backup plan.
If you are up to the challenge, Dr. Arana recommends learning something completely new in your postdoc rather than sticking with research similar to your graduate work. Dr. Arana has seen many postdocs come through her lab who were new to the field and quickly learned new techniques. Usually people in the lab will help you out and teach you. However, you need to be motivated to learn on your own and get things done. Stepping outside your comfort zone or doing something different will give you a larger skill set, and that will set you up for success in your career.
Staff Structure at NIEHS: Dr. Arana works under the head of the lab PI. Within the lab there are staff scientists, biologists, and postdoctoral fellows. The biologists and staff scientists may start projects and hand them off to postdocs. The PI leads the direction of the research.
Working environment at NIEHS: The culture in a lab setting like NIEHS is not very different from what you will find in academia. In both you may be assigned to lab chores, and you may share expensive equipment with other labs or access it in a core facility. One big difference is that NIEHS staff completes the glassware chores. Government funds are sometimes available to buy large equipment that a lab might use often. There is an online request system you can use to get media and plates. Generally, the atmosphere is more open, and PIs are more willing to collaborate with each other, perhaps because they don’t have to compete with each other for grant money. People are very friendly and willing to share equipment and materials.
Publishing at NIEHS: Publishing papers at NIEHS is not much different from how the process works in academia. However, you are required to have two internal reviewers of your manuscript before it is submitted.
Continued on page 7
By Dana Walsh
TIBBS Career Networking Lunch with Mercedes Arana, PhD: Doing Science in a Government Lab
Art of Science Competition sponsored in conjunction with Carolina Biosciences Alumni Reunion and Symposium
The School of Medicine Office of Graduate Education (OGE) and the Biological Biomedical Sciences Program (BBSP) are sponsoring a campus wide reunion for biosciences graduate alumni on May 16 and 17, 2013. The 14 BBSP member PhD programs, including bioscience programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Medicine, School of Pharmacy and School of Dentistry, are inviting alumni back for reunion activities on May 16.
On May 17th the OGE is sponsoring campus wide activities such as an alumni networking event for current biosciences graduate students, and a scientific symposium open to faculty, staff, students and alumni. There also will be an afternoon symposium open to the public focusing on personalized medicine. In conjunction with the event the OGE is sponsoring an Art of Science competition open to any UNC staff, student or faculty member. Additionally, graduate students have organized a 5K run and a science symposium for alumni and members of the local community which will be held on Saturday May 18th.
We hope everyone in the UNC biosciences community can join us to celebrate graduate training at UNC, past and present. For more information about the Alumni Reunion event, to register to attend a session or to find out about the Art of Science Competition please visit our website at http://biosciencesreunion.web.unc.edu/. Questions and comments should be sent to Anna O’Connell at aboconnell@unc.edu.
Carolina Biosciences Alumni Reunion and
Symposia slated for May 16 – 17, 2013
The novelist Vladimir Nabokov is famously quoted as saying “there is no science without fancy and no art without fact”. There is no doubt that both science and art are creative processes. And nature is certainly beautiful. From the golden ratio seen in the head of a daisy to the intricate pattern formed by tracings of neuronal connections, scientists have a unique view of the world.
We would like to celebrate the intersection of art and science by asking the UNC community: What do you see when you look through the microscope? Who is the face of the disease you study? Do the cells you work on move in synchronicity? How does your tiny organism look when viewed larger than life? We challenge you to look at your research through a creative eye and capture the art of your science.
We are hosting this competition as part of the 2013 Carolina Biosciences Alumni Reunion and winners will have their artwork displayed at the Ackland Art Museum for a reception open to the public. The competition is open to all UNC students, staff and faculty. Deadline for entries is March 22, 2013. For information about the competition rules and the entry form please visit http://biosciencesreunion.web.unc.edu/art-of-science-competition/. Questions and comments should be sent to Anna O’Connell at aboconnell@unc.edu.
p.6
p.7
How are you today?, cont. from page 4
Additional resources:
————————-
————————-
Qualifications for a biologist position: The skill level for the biologist position varies. You can apply for a position without a postdoc, and some positions require only a BA or BS degree. The specific degree requirements depend on the particular job.
The future of bioinformatics: NIEHS has a bioinformatics core that is staffed by contractors. Dr. Arana’s lab is incorporating some bioinformatics work into their research, and she is working closely with the core to learn microarray data analysis. This is a growing field, and developing skills in it will enhance your competitiveness for postdocs and jobs. Dr. Arana strongly encourages graduate students and postdocs to learn bioinformatics and programming skills.
Getting a job after a postdoc: The postdocs in Dr. Arana’s lab have gone on to secure a wide range of jobs including PI positions and positions in industry and government. Some postdocs outside of Dr. Arana’s group have become directors and managers at different companies and some have gone
OPC Screening, Triage, Access & Referral (STAR) (919) 913-4100 or Toll Free: 1-800-233-6834 Freedom House (919) 732-1150
Click on the 2011 mental health resource directory at http://www.co.orange.nc.us/healthycarolinians/Publications.asp
Listed providers who have a sliding scale: Laura Gillom, Ph.D.; E. Scott Warren, Ph.D., LPC; Nicole Amundsen, MSW; Angela Annas, M.Ed., MSW; Elizabeth Anton, Psy. D.; Jennifer Baddour, LCSW; Elissa Baldwin, MSW; Ruth Bard Rampel, Ph.D.; Tyler Beach, MSW; Lauren Bradley, LCSW; Paul Brinich, MA, Ph.D.; Alice Carlton, MSW; Tiffany Castellanos, LCSW; Patricia Catanio, MSW; Linda Cherney, LPC; Anne Coleman, LCSW; Nancy Ciocci, LCSW; M. Avery Cook, LCSW; David Donlon, MSW; Nancy Durham, LCSW; Renee Flam, LCSW; Bonnie Gilliom, MA, MS; Marilyn Grubbs, LPC; Michelle Johnson, LCSW; Michael Jokich, LCSW; Ellen Junker, LPC; Stephanie Anderson Ladd, LPC; Audrey Layden, MS; Irene Lazarus, Ph.D., LMFT; Miriam Lieberman, LPC; Lou Lipsitz, LCSW; Michael David Loven, Ph.D.; Sally Maslansky, MFTA; Elizabeth McElhinny Hayden, LCSW; Denise Mitchell, LCSW; Judith Tashner Morse, LCSW; Steevie Jane Parks, Ph.D; David Rademacher, MA; Margaret Rhee, LCSW; Carol Ross, MA; Melanie Roskin, LCSW; Barry Selman, LCSW; Donna Stanley, LCSW; Merideth
Career Networking Lunch, cont. from page 5
into postdoc support positions. It is important to realize that there are opportunities beyond being a PI and becoming an academic faculty member. Preparing for this variety of jobs requires a variety of experiences, making it advantageous to do a postdoc that is different from what you did as a grad student and that gives you a different set of skills. The ability to network and work as a team will also enhance your competitiveness.
Please understand that these are the views and opinion of Dr. Mercedes Arana and do not necessarily represent those of NIEHS.
About the author: Dana Walsh is a graduate student in the Curriculum in Toxicology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research is focused on understanding the effects of air pollution on the airway microbiota and its role in modulating the immune response.
Tomlinson, PhD; Joyce Tennison, LPC; Janet Urman, LCSW; Sibyl Wagner, LCSW; Ann Waldon, LCSW; Jay C. Williams, LCSW, Ph.D.
USA Self-Injury Help by S.A.F.E. (Self Abuse Finally Ends) Phone number: 1-800-DONT-CUT (1-800-366-8288)
References
1.
Hyun, J. et. al. J Am Coll Health. 2007 Sep-Oct;56(2):109-18.
2.
Price, Michael. Gauging graduates gloom. Science Careers [Online] 2012, http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2012_10_05/caredit.a1200111 (accessed February 26, 2013).
3.
Christensson A, et al. BMC Public Health. 2010 Jun 15;10:343.
4.
Murphy, Kim. Army calls for mental health ‘resilience’ training. Chicago Tribune [Online] 2013. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/la-na-nn-army-secretary-mental-health-20130204,0,7550391.story (accessed February 26, 2013).
5.
Siddique J. et. al. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2012 Dec;80(6):995-1006.
Pioneering Postdoc Programs
————————-
TIBBS Trivia Contest: Name That Scientist!
Let’s exercise our brains with some TIBBS trivia! The first UNC graduate student with a correct response will win a UNC water bottle! Five runners up will receive a delicious candy bar! Here’s how to play:
1.
Like us on Facebook
2.
The trivia question will be posted on our wall a few minutes after distributing the TIBBS Times.
3.
Email your answer to erin_hopper@unc.edu. Good luck!
p.8
The Howard Hughes Program for Innovation in Undergraduate Science Education at Iowa State University invites applications for a Post-doctoral Science Teaching Fellow in the field of biology. This is a 2-year position beginning as early as 1 June 2013. The Fellow will develop inquiry-based labs on ecology and/or biodiversity for an introductory biology course in coordination with science faculty. Over the second year, the Fellow will link these lab-based active-learning topics with the associated lecture course.
The Fellow will join a large team of approximately 60 science faculty working on the HHMI project at Iowa State University. The overall project annually impacts approximately 8000 1st and 2nd-year science students in all our science departments. The program provides students the chance to experience the excitement of discovery and to develop their broader scientific skills. The Fellows will also have the opportunity to join a research group, providing additional opportunities for scholarship, publication, and professional development in biology. Our two most recent Fellows are now tenure-track faculty at liberal arts colleges.
Required qualifications are a Ph.D. in biology or life-science education, and a strong interest in developing excellence in science education scholarship. Success in this position requires excellent organizational and interpersonal communication skills as well as teaching experience. A recent annual report of the HHMI-ISU project can be found at www.bit.ly/WANtQo
For questions regarding this position, please contact Prof. Ogilvie at cogilvie@iastate.edu. To apply, send the following to cesmeestaff@iastate.edu:
1) a cover letter briefly summarizing qualifications,
2) curriculum vitae,
3) a statement of scholarly interests and expertise, and
4) arrange for three letters of reference to be sent to cesmeestaff@iastate.edu.
To ensure consideration, submit application by 15 March 2013. Review of applications will continue until a suitable candidate has been identified.
Howard Hughes Program for Innovation in Undergraduate Science Education
————————-
Calendar
MAR
2013
p.9
Click here to view seminars, workshops/events, and TIBBS events on our TIBBS calendar.
————————-
Cheap Things
MAR
2013
Groupon
Groupon is a website that offers deals on things to do, services, and places to eat in your area.
Living Social
Offers one deal every day with discounts of up to 90% at local restaurants, bars, spas, theaters, and more.
Our Local Deals
Deals for the Greater Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County Communities
MARCH EVENTS:
Things to Make Sure You Do in 2013-

http://www.visitchapelhill.org/images/uploads/pages/Top_13_Things_to_Do_in_2013.pdf

Playmakers Theater presents “Vision Series- Cabaret”
This hugely popular series invites you to join us in the Paul Green Theatre for some delicious hors d’oeuvres and the chance to learn about a production in process. Meet the director and get a behind-the-scenes look at the design and vision for our shows. These events are free and begin at 6:30pm. For more information: http://www.playmakersrep.org/outreach/series.aspx?id=65844FCD-3978-45A7-BFCF-51110A65F278

http://www.playmakersrep.org/

Cheap Things
MAR
2013
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Chapel Hill/Carrboro events:

http://chapelboro.com/Calendar/9470615

Playmaker’s Theater:

http://playmakersrep.org/

Raleigh Festivals this Month:

http://eventful.com/raleigh/events/categories/festivals_parades

Triangle Film Events this Month:

http://eventful.com/raleigh/events/categories/movies_film/this-month

Thorough List of Local Events by Category:

http://eventful.com/raleigh/events

Carolina Union Activities Board:
Different activities organized by the CUAB. Free films are shown during the school year.

http://cuab.web.unc.edu/category/films/

ST. PATRICK’S DAY EVENTS:
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Come see the largest parade in Raleigh! March 16th in downtown. For more information: http://www.raleighstpats.org/
WRAL events list: http://www.wral.com/entertainment/out_and_about/blogpost/10832854/
St. Patrick’s Day weekend events:

http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/goaskmom/blogpost/10851329/

EASTER EVENTS:
Children’s Egg Hunt Celebration
Saturday, March 23, 2013, 9:30am until 12 Noon, Hank Anderson Park in Carrboro
All skilled egg hunters ages 2 to 10 are invited to participate in the annual Community Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 23st from 9:30 to Noon. This free event, packed full of live entertainment, games, prizes, and a visit from the Easter Bunny will take place in Carrboro at Hank Anderson III Community Park, located on Highway 54, west of Carrboro past Carrboro Plaza, on the right. http://www.townofchapelhill.org/index.aspx?page=1980
Triangle Egg Hunts, Bunny Visits, and Spring Crafts: http://www.carolinaparent.com/thingstodo/seasonal/seasonal.php?Spring-Family-Fun-in-the-Triangle-4
WRAL listing of mall bunnies and egg hunts: http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/goaskmom/blogpost/7190712/
Easter Brunch at Carolina Inn: http://www.carolinainn.com/hotel-events/chapel-hill-event-calendar.php
LOCAL EVENTS CALENDARS
Chapel Hill Event Calendar:

http://events.triangle.com/search?city=Chapel+Hill&new=n&srad=50&st=event&swhat=&swhere=&swhen=Next+30+Days

http://www.visitchapelhill.org/calendar/events/index.php?year=2013&month=01&day=1

Cheap Things
MAR
2013
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Durham Event Calendar:

http://events.triangle.com/search?city=Durham&new=n&srad=50&st=event&swhat=&swhere=&swhen=Next+30+Days

http://www.durham-nc.com/visitors/event_cal.php

Carrboro Citizen:

http://twitter.com/#!/CarrboroCitizen

http://www.carrborocitizen.com

Raleigh Carrboro Events

http://events.triangle.com/raleigh-nc/events/carrboro+events

Independent Weekly:

http://www.indyweek.com

http://twitter.com/#!/indyweek

ATHLETIC EVENTS
Full Schedules available for every sport: http://www.goheels.com/
UNC Campus Recreation Intramural Sports

http://campusrec.unc.edu/getting-involved

Runs:
For a complete list of local runs and races: http://runwellnc.com/
Fleet Feet in Carrboro has weekly free Pub Runs, yoga, and 4, 10, ½ marathon, and marathon training workouts: http://www.fleetfeetcarrboro.com/
Some races in Chapel Hill:
Run for the Oaks
The 2013 version of the Run for the Oaks will be the 31th annual running of this event. Over 780 runners signed up for this race in 2012. David Roche won the race in 15:17. Kimberlie Fowler Lee won the women’s title in a course-record 17:52. Brent Ferrell (14:51) holds the course mark for the men. The 5K race starts and finish on Person Street next to Moore Square at the City Market located at 214 East Martin Street in downtown Raleigh. For more information: http://www.active.com/running/raleigh-nc/run-for-the-oaks-2013
Heels for Healing 5K
The University of North Carolina’s Association of Nursing Students (UNC ANS) will be holding its second annual Heels for Healing 5K and kid’s fun run. The beneficiary of the race will be BounceBack Kids, a Triangle nonprofit organization that serves children with life-challenging medical conditions as well as their families and caregivers. Other proceeds from the event will support UNC nursing students who wish to attend state and national nursing conferences as well as other ANS needs. We are delighted to support our local community through BounceBack Kids as well as our nursing students here on campus. For more information: http://www.sportoften.com/events/eventDetails.cfm?pEventId=9754
THE ARTS AND SCIENCES
Carolina Performing Arts:

http://www.carolinaperformingarts.org/genres/all

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MAR
2013
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Shows at Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro:

http://www.catscradle.com/schedule.html

UNC Music Department Performances and Events:

http://music.unc.edu/calendars/thecalendar

UNC Ackland Art Gallery Calendar:

http://www.ackland.org/OnView/current-exhibitions/index.htm

http://www.ncmls.org/visit

$12.95 adults, $10.95 seniors 65+, $9.95 children (3-12)
DSI Comedy Theatre
Upcoming shows: http://www.dsicomedytheater.com/calendar/?year=2011&month=6
Carrboro Artcenter:
Craft workshops, dance classes, and live music
Carolina Theatre’s “Retrofantasma” film series:
A monthly film series of double-features dedicated to bringing classic horror movies back to the big screen in 35mm! Created in 1998, RETROFANTASMA has developed a large dedicated audience of horror movie enthusiasts whose desire to see their favorite terror flicks is matched only by their willingness to cheer at the screen. Tickets: $7.

http://festivals.carolinatheatre.org/retrofantasma/

http://www.varsityonfranklin.com/nowplaying.asp

https://twitter.com/#!/varsitytheatre

FOOD AND DRINK
Comprehensive list of food and drink specials, bar events in the area:
Grand Opening of Mellow Mushroom- March 4th on Franklin Street

http://www.visitchapelhill.org/newsroom/item/new-restaurants-on-franklin-street

Wild Food and Herb Market- March 10th

http://www.visitchapelhill.org/newsroom/item/carrboros-wild-food-herb-market

Carolina Inn: http://www.carolinainn.com/
Carrboro Farmers’ Market
301 W. Main St., www.carrborofarmersmarket.com
Saturdays 7 a.m.-noon (year-round)
Cheap Things
MAR
2013
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Wednesdays 3:30-6:30pm (starting April 13th)
These fruits and veggies are in season: Artichokes, Arugula, Asparagus, Avocados, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage , Carrots, Cauliflower, Chives, Collards, Endive, Garlic, Grapefruit, Guavas, Kumquats, Leeks, Lemons, Limes, Mandarins, Mint, Onions, Oranges, Parsley, Parsnips, Potatoes, Radishes, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Strawberries, Tangerines, Turnips, Spinach, Walnuts
Pick your own fruits and vegetables:
Check out these directories for local pick-your-own farms:

http://www.ncfarmfresh.com/Directory.asp?product=&county=region&region=2&PYO=yes&SearchType=farms&submit=Search

http://www.pickyourown.org/NCpiedmont.htm

CH Bar Specials:
Frequently updated nightly bar specials in Chapel Hill

https://twitter.com/#!/CHBarSpecials

The Stagger- Chapel Hill/Durham/Raleigh area drink specials. www.thestagger.com
Recession Tuesdays at ACME
Carrboro
All entrees $12.95 every Tuesday. Reservations highly recommended.

http://www.acmecarrboro.com/pages/news.htm

Tylers Taproom, Carrboro/Durham/Apex:

http://www.tylerstaproom.com/happenings

Rockfish Southpoint:
1/2 price bottles every Monday and Saturday
$2 all drafts and free glass for featured beer every Thursday at 6pm and free appetizers 9pm-11pm.

https://twitter.com/#!/RockfishNC

First Fridays, Downtown Raleigh
Art, Food, Music for free in downtown Raleigh

http://www.godowntownraleigh.com/first-friday-raleigh

Johnny’s of Carrboro
Live music and Food Truck schedule:
Johnny’s Monthly Event Calendar
Carolina Brewery:

http://www.carolinabrewery.com/carolina_brewery_news.html

City Beverage, Durham

http://www.citybeverage-durham.com/

Broadstreet Cafe, Durham

http://www.thebroadstreetcafe.com/events.html

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MAR
2013
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Bull City Homebrew:

http://www.brewmasterstore.com/

Fifth Season Gardening Co., Carrboro:
Gardening, Home, and Beer/Wine making supplies

http://www.fifthseasongardening.com/

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
UNC Hospitals Volunteer Information

http://www.unchealthcare.org/site/volunteers/adult_volunteers

United Way:
Requires creating an account. Once registered, search by zip code for nearby volunteer events.

Habitat for Humanity:
Orange County:

http://www.orangehabitat.org/volunteer/

Durham:

http://durhamhabitat.org/volunteer/volunteer-worksite.html

Orange County Animal Shelter:

http://www.co.orange.nc.us/animalservices/volunteers.asp

TIBBS Career Networking Lunch with Dr. Mercedes Arana: Doing Science in a Government Lab

ErinHopper — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 14:16:42 +0000

By Dana Walsh

Her path to NIEHS: Dr. Mercedes Arana is a Biologist at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). After completing her undergraduate degree at Florida State University, she was unsure if she wanted to go to graduate or medical school. She ended up working as a research associate with her bachelor’s degree, but she reached a point in that career path where she knew her four-year degree would allow her to progress no further. This was when she decided it was time to apply to graduate school. She completed her PhD at the University of Miami in molecular biology and biochemistry and then landed a postdoc position at NIEHS in Research Triangle Park. She chose this position due to the opportunities at NIEHS and in RTP. After her postdoc ended she was offered a position in the same lab. She decided that she liked the stability a government job offered her, so she remained there and has now been at NIEHS for three years. She is a scientist working on a number of projects, helping others in the group or within NIEHS and taking care of day-to-day business in the lab. Now she is learning bioinformatics and gene expression analysis.

Incorporating science outreach: Dr. Arana is passionate about science outreach and her supervisor at NIEHS allows her to pursue this interest. He is flexible and allows her to participate in outreach activities. Not all PIs may be as understanding, so she recommends talking with your PI about your interests before joining the lab.

Postdoc opportunities at NIEHS: Very early in Dr. Arana’s postdoc at NIEHS, there was little educational support for trainees. Since then, NIEHS has developed a postdoctoral program that offers opportunities to do outreach, get teaching experience by guest lecturing at local universities, participate in committees, and more. Having this in place for postdocs allows them to explore career paths beyond the bench. It is important to ask about such opportunities when interviewing for postdoc positions because the postdoc experience needs to prepare you for what you ultimately want to do.

Advice on finding a postdoc: Writing to PIs to ask about available positions is often helpful. Some may require you to fill out an application, and others may require that you already have funding. It is important to speak with other members of the lab you are interested in joining and demonstrate your enthusiasm for their work. You may need to be flexible with your start date, as some may want you to start right away while others may want you to wait. The start date is not always negotiable, so be sure to have a backup plan.

If you are up to the challenge, Dr. Arana recommends learning something completely new in your postdoc rather than sticking with research similar to your graduate work. Dr. Arana has seen many postdocs come through her lab who were new to the field and quickly learned new techniques. Usually people in the lab will help you out and teach you. However, you need to be motivated to learn on your own and get things done. Stepping outside your comfort zone or doing something different will give you a larger skill set, and that will set you up for success in your career.

Staff Structure at NIEHS: Dr. Arana works under the head of the lab PI. Within the lab there are staff scientists, biologists, and postdoctoral fellows. The biologists and staff scientists may start projects and hand them off to postdocs. The PI leads the direction of the research.

Working environment at NIEHS: The culture in a lab setting like NIEHS is not very different from what you will find in academia. In both you may be assigned to lab chores, and you may share expensive equipment with other labs or access it in a core facility. One big difference is that NIEHS staff completes the glassware chores. Government funds are sometimes available to buy large equipment that a lab might use often. There is an online request system you can use to get media and plates. Generally, the atmosphere is more open, and PIs are more willing to collaborate with each other, perhaps because they don’t have to compete with each other for grant money. People are very friendly and willing to share equipment and materials.

Publishing at NIEHS: Publishing papers at NIEHS is not much different from how the process works in academia. However, you are required to have two internal reviewers of your manuscript before it is submitted.

Qualifications for a biologist position: The skill level for the biologist position varies. You can apply for a position without a postdoc, and some positions require only a BA or BS degree. The specific degree requirements depend on the particular job.

The future of bioinformatics: NIEHS has a bioinformatics core that is staffed by contractors. Dr. Arana’s lab is incorporating some bioinformatics work into their research, and she is working closely with the core to learn microarray data analysis. This is a growing field, and developing skills in it will enhance your competitiveness for postdocs and jobs. Dr. Arana strongly encourages graduate students and postdocs to learn bioinformatics and programming skills.

Getting a job after a postdoc: The postdocs in Dr. Arana’s lab have gone on to secure a wide range of jobs including PI positions and positions in industry and government. Some postdocs outside of Dr. Arana’s group have become directors and managers at different companies and some have gone into postdoc support positions. It is important to realize that there are opportunities beyond being a PI and becoming an academic faculty member. Preparing for this variety of jobs requires a variety of experiences, making it advantageous to do a postdoc that is different from what you did as a grad student and that gives you a different set of skills. The ability to network and work as a team will also enhance your competitiveness.

Please understand that these are the views and opinion of Mercy Arana and do not necessarily represent those of NIEHS.

About the author: Dana Walsh is a graduate student in the Curriculum in Toxicology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research is focused on understanding the effects of air pollution on the airway microbiota and its role in modulating the immune response.

February 2013

ErinHopper — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 15:02:04 +0000

Join the TiBBS community!
Follow us on Facebook
+ Twitter
p.1
Upcoming TIBBS-sponsored events:
In this
issue:
Upcoming TIBBS-
Sponsored Events
Flyers: Career Blitz, WinS, DNA Day 5K, DNA Day Festival
TIBBS Trivia
Pioneering Postdoc
PhD Comic
Cheap Things to do Around Town in Feb
The TIBBS Times
Committee
Erin Hopper, PhD|Editor-in-Chief
Kennita Johnson, PhD|Senior Editor
Destiney Buelto|Contributing Author and Editor
Vicki Brings|Contributing Author and Editor
Fri./February 8th at noon, location TBD: Translational Medicine Lunch & Learn
Join program alumna Dr. Kim Carpenter (PhD, 2010, Belger lab) and a UNC clinical researcher to talk about how doing a postdoc in an MD’s research lab can provide a unique training experience.
Kim is currently a postdoc in an MD’s lab at Duke. She leads the neuroimaging portion of the Duke Center for Developmental Epidemiology Learning About the Developing Brain study, which is a longitudinal study of early brain development and preschool anxiety disorders. To register: http://tinyurl.com/b9y9q5e
Wed./February 13th, 10:00am to 11:00 am in Genome Sciences 1377: Survival of the Fittest: How Successful Scientists Balance Work and Life
The newly re-launched UNC Women in Science (WinS) group is hosting its first event of the year! Our first event will be an informal discussion-oriented event with faculty who will be sharing different perspectives on their work-life experiences. Panelists span a variety of academic environments and personal backgrounds and will include Billy Kim, MD, Jean Cook, PhD, Lorrie Cramer, PhD, and Kim Rathmell, MD, PhD. Join us for this event and learn tips to help you navigate your work and life successfully. We welcome participation from all genders, as these topics are relevant to all!
To register: http://tinyurl.com/b2b8ao9
Thurs./February 20th at noon in the MBRB atrium: TIBBS Cupcake Social
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, enjoy some sweet treats while basking in the company of great graduate student minds. Please bring your One Card to be served, but no registration is necessary.
Wed./February 27th, 3 – 5:30 pm: The Third Annual TIBBS Career Blitz!
Register now for our most popular yearly TIBBS event! This year, we will have 25 PhD-trained scientists from 12 different career tracks on hand to informally answer your questions about what they do, how they got where they are, and how you can follow in their footsteps. Enjoy light refreshments while you speak with just a few scientific career ambassadors or all of them during the 2.5 hour come-and-go event.
Scientists will be present to represent careers such as science writing/editing, higher education, government, science policy, science administration, business development, industry research, regulatory affairs, science outreach, patent law, and more!
Detailed event location and room assignments will be provided to those who register. Career profiles can be found here: http://tibbs.unc.edu/2013-career-blitz/ Click here to register: http://tinyurl.com/amdeth2
Wednesday, February 27, 3 – 5:30 pm Genetic Medicine Building Atrium and Conference RoomsInformal Q&A sessions and networking opportunities from 3 – 5 pm, followed by a 30-minute general networking sessionTIBBSCAREER BLITZWhere will your degree take you? View career profiles and register at tibbs.unc.edu You’ll meet 25 scientists from these career tracks: Science Writing/EditingResearch Roles in AcademiaHigher EducationGovernmentScience OutreachScience Policy/AdministrationPatent LawBusiness DevelopmentBig PharmaSmall BiotechClinical Research/Regulatory AffairsNon-Profits
Visualize Your Future & Take Action Survival of the Fittest: How Successful Scientists Balance Work and Life When?
February
13,
2013
at
10
am
Where?
Genome
Sciences
1377
What?
A
panel
of
male
and
female
faculty
will
be
available
to
answer
questions
about
their
daily
life
in
and
out
of
work,
having
a
family,
and
being
successful.
Forks in the Road: Choosing Your Career Path When?
March
22,
2013
at
9:30
am
Where?
Bondurant
G010
What?
A
panel
of
PhD
and
MD
representatives
from
various
careers
such
as
industry,
government,
academia,
and
postdoctoral
fellowships.
Time to Change: A Discussion on the State of Women in Science When?
April
4,
2013
,
5:30-‐7:00pm
Where?
Bondurant
G030
What?
A
journal
club
discussion
on
recent
articles
about
Women
in
Science,
cosponsored
by
Graduate
Women
in
Science
(GWIS).
Meet Your Match: Scientific Speed Networking When?
May
10,2013
(time
TBA)
Where?
Location
TBA
What?
In
time
for
spring,
let
us
take
science
outdoors
and
meet
faculty
from
campus.
UNC Women in Science Refreshments will be served!
Survival of the Fittest: How Successful Scientists Balance Work and Life February 13, 2013 at 10 am Genome Sciences Building, Room 1377
Join
us
for
an
informal
discussion
with
faculty
from
a
variety
of
personal
and
professional
backgrounds
and
learn
tips
to
help
you
navigate
your
work
and
life
successfully.
Billy
Kim,
MD
Lorrie
Cramer,
PhD
Jean
Cook,
PhD
Kim
Rathmell,
MD,
PhD
We
welcome
participation
from
all
genders,
as
these
topics
are
relevant
to
all!
Light breakfast/refreshments will be served! UNC Women in Science Light Refreshments Will be Served Supporting and Promoting Women Scientists at UNC
REGISTER FOR THE FIRST ANNUAL DNA DAY 5K ON May 18th!
Race
Informa,on
Start
,me:
9:00am
on
Saturday,
May
18th
2013.
(Kid’s
fun
run:
line
up
at
9:45am)
Line
up
loca,on:
Raleigh
Street
across
from
the
Carolina
Student
Union
on
UNC
Chapel
Hill
campus.
Join
us
for
the
1st
annual
run
to
support
science
outreach
and
educa,on
in
North
Carolina.
All
funds
raised
from
this
event
will
support
North
Carolina
DNA
Day
–
an
annual
event
to
inspire
and
educate
the
next
genera,on
of
scien,sts,
to
support
North
Carolina
science
teachers,
and
to
bridge
the
gap
between
NC’s
leading
research
enterprises
and
high
school
science
classrooms.
Each
year,
NC
DNA
Day
scien,sts
visit
over
100
high
schools
statewide
to
share
their
passion
for
science
and
to
present
an
interac,ve,
hands-‐on
lesson
about
gene,cs
and
biotechnology.
Visit
our
website
at
hYp://ncdnaday.org
Register
with
SPORTo^en
at
hYp://ncdnaday.org/5K
or
use
the
QR
code
below
A^er
Race
Science
Fes,val
Biosciences
in
Mo,on:
Moving
Research
from
Lab
to
Your
Life
This
fes,val
will
feature
booths
with
hands
on
science
demonstra,ons,
fun
science
related
ac,vi,es
with
prizes,
and
researchers
discussing
the
latest
discoveries
in
biomedical
research.
BIOSCIENCES IN MOTIONmoving research from the lab to your lifeMay 18 • 10a-12pUNC Student Union • Great HallFor more information andto sign up for a booth, visit:hp://ncdnaday.org/festival/EXHIBITORS NEEDEDfor our upcoming Science Festival!Design a demonstration, experiment,or activity for high school studentsrelating your research to their lives.
Pioneering Postdoc Programs
The Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics at Brigham and Women’s Hospital Department of Medicine and Harvard Medical School invites applications for a new postdoctoral fellowship in pharmaceutical law and health services research. Areas of focus include regulation, intellectual property, and comparative effectiveness, as well as the development, approval, and evidence-based use of drugs, devices, vaccines, procedures, or diagnostics.
Applications are invited from scholars with doctoral degrees (M.D., J.D., Ph.D., Pharm.D., or equivalent) or who will complete such training by July 2013. Fellows will have an appointment at Harvard Medical School, receive close mentorship from faculty members in the Division, and engage in one or more projects intended to start their careers in law and public health research. Appropriate candidates will also be able to enroll in the Harvard School of Public Health summer Clinical Effectiveness Program with the option to pursue a Master’s degree in public health. Deadline is March 1, 2013. Email Aaron Kesselheim, M.D., J.D., M.P.H. at akesselheim@partners.org for more information.
Harvard Medical School/Brigham and Women’s Hospital Fellowship in Pharmaceutical Law and Health Services Research
————————-
PhD Comic
————————-
TIBBS Trivia Contest: Name That Scientist!
Let’s exercise our brains with some TIBBS trivia! The first UNC graduate student with a correct response will win a UNC cap! Five runners up will receive a delicious candy bar! Here’s how to play:
1.
Like us on Facebook
2.
The trivia question will be posted on our wall a few minutes after distributing the TIBBS Times.
3.
Email your answer to erin_hopper@unc.edu. Good luck!
————————-
p.7
Calendar
FEB
2013
p.8
Click here to view seminars, workshops/events, and TIBBS events on our TIBBS calendar.
————————-
Cheap Things
FEB
2013
Groupon
Groupon is a website that offers deals on things to do, services, and places to eat in your area.
Living Social
Offers one deal every day with discounts of up to 90% at local restaurants, bars, spas, theaters, and more.
Our Local Deals
Deals for the Greater Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County Communities
FEBRUARY EVENTS:
Valentines in the Village
Visit all of the participating Southern Village businesses to get treats, gifts, refreshments & surprises for your children. It’s like Halloween trick-or-treating, but with a Valentines theme. More details will follow.

http://www.southernvillage.com/events.htm?view_events=past&event_year=2013

Playmakers Theater presents “Clybourne Park” and “A Raisin in the Sun”
Debuting in 1959 and nominated for multiple Tony Awards, A Raisin in the Sun was the first play written by a black woman to be produced on Broadway. In this groundbreaking drama proceeds from a life insurance policy give the Younger family hope for a better life. Can their “dreams deferred” be realized by moving into a home in an all-white neighborhood when they are confronted with conflicting desires within the family and racial prejudice outside their door? Written in 2009, Clybourne Park takes up where Raisin leaves off, in 1959 with a white couple selling their home to the Youngers and causing uproar among their middle class neighbors. The second act fast-forwards 50 years with neighborhood demographics radically shifted and the first family of gentrifyCheap
Things
FEB
2013
p.9
ing whites about to move into what is now a predominantly black community. Times have changed, but what about the no-holds-barred conversation about race and the politics of community?

http://www.playmakersrep.org/

Carolina Union Activities Board:
Different activities organized by the CUAB. Free films are shown during the school year.

http://www.unc.edu/cuab/events.shtml

Valentines Events:
List of Most Romantic Restaurants

http://raleighdurham.about.com/od/diningandnightlife/tp/The-Most-Romantic-Restaurants-In-Chapel-Hill-And-Carrboro.htm

Valentine’s Day Dinner – Carolina Inn
Treat your sweetheart to an evening they’ll remember with Carolina Crossroads Restaurant in Chapel Hill. Enjoy an exceptional 4-course meal created by Executive Chef James Clark, share a romantic desert by Pastry Chef Sara Thomas and celebrate with a champagne toast. Dinner includes a rose for your one and only to make the evening complete. $75 per person. Call for reservations at 919-918-2735. http://www.carolinainn.com/chapel-hill-valentines-dinner-menu.php
Valentine’s Day Guide to the Triangle

http://raleighdurham.about.com/od/holiday/tp/Valentines-Day-Guide-For-Raleigh-Durham-And-Chapel-Hill.htm

Chapel Hill/Carrboro events:

http://chapelboro.com/Calendar/9470615

Playmaker’s Theater:

http://playmakersrep.org/

Raleigh Festivals this Month:

http://eventful.com/raleigh/events/categories/festivals_parades

Triangle Film Events this Month:

http://eventful.com/raleigh/events/categories/movies_film/this-month

Thorough List of Local Events by Category:

http://eventful.com/raleigh/events

LOCAL EVENTS CALENDARS
Chapel Hill Event Calendar:

http://events.triangle.com/search?city=Chapel+Hill&new=n&srad=50&st=event&swhat=&swhere=&swhen=Next+30+Days

http://www.visitchapelhill.org/calendar/events/index.php?year=2013&month=01&day=1

Durham Event Calendar:

http://events.triangle.com/search?city=Durham&new=n&srad=50&st=event&swhat=&swhere=&swhen=Next+30+Days

http://www.durham-nc.com/visitors/event_cal.php

Carrboro Citizen:

http://twitter.com/#!/CarrboroCitizen

http://www.carrborocitizen.com

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Raleigh Carrboro Events

http://events.triangle.com/raleigh-nc/events/carrboro+events

Independent Weekly:

http://www.indyweek.com

http://twitter.com/#!/indyweek

ATHLETIC EVENTS
Full Schedules available for every sport: http://www.goheels.com/
UNC Campus Recreation Intramural Sports

http://campusrec.unc.edu/getting-involved

Runs:
For a complete list of local runs and races: http://runwellnc.com/
Fleet Feet in Carrboro has weekly free Pub Runs, yoga, and 4, 10, ½ marathon, and marathon training workouts: http://www.fleetfeetcarrboro.com/
Some races in Chapel Hill:
2013 KE Caring Community 5K: This is a 5K walk/run. We welcome individuals, teams, families, and pets!!!!!
All proceeds will go to the Caring Community Foundation- https://www.signmeup.com/site/online-event-registration/88545/SMUCalendar
20th Annual Shamrock ‘N’ Run 5K: The 20th annual Shamrock ‘N’ Run 5K benefits the prevention of child abuse by supporting the Durham Center for Child and Family Health and Prevent Child Abuse America. http://www.sportoften.com/events/eventDetails.cfm?pEventId=9776
THE ARTS AND SCIENCES
Carolina Performing Arts:

http://www.carolinaperformingarts.org/genres/all

Shows at Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro:

http://www.catscradle.com/schedule.html

UNC Music Department Performances and Events:

http://music.unc.edu/calendars/thecalendar

UNC Ackland Art Gallery Calendar:

http://www.ackland.org/OnView/current-exhibitions/index.htm

http://www.ncmls.org/visit

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$12.95 adults, $10.95 seniors 65+, $9.95 children (3-12)
DSI Comedy Theatre
Upcoming shows: http://www.dsicomedytheater.com/calendar/?year=2011&month=6
Carrboro Artcenter:
Craft workshops, dance classes, and live music
Carolina Theatre’s “Retrofantasma” film series:
A monthly film series of double-features dedicated to bringing classic horror movies back to the big screen in 35mm! Created in 1998, RETROFANTASMA has developed a large dedicated audience of horror movie enthusiasts whose desire to see their favorite terror flicks is matched only by their willingness to cheer at the screen. Tickets: $7.

http://festivals.carolinatheatre.org/retrofantasma/

http://www.varsityonfranklin.com/nowplaying.asp

https://twitter.com/#!/varsitytheatre

FOOD AND DRINK
Comprehensive list of food and drink specials, bar events in the area:
Carrboro Farmers’ Market
301 W. Main St., www.carrborofarmersmarket.com
Saturdays 7 a.m.-noon (year-round)
Wednesdays 3:30-6:30pm (starting April 13th)
These fruits and veggies are in season: Belgian Endive, Brussels Sprouts, Butternut Squash, Cactus Pear, Cardoon, Cherimoya, Chestnuts, Clementines, Collard Greens, Date Plums, Dates, Delicata Squash, Grapefruit, Kale, Kiwifruit, Leeks, Mandarin Oranges, Maradol Papaya, Oranges, Passion Fruit, Pear, Persimmons, Pummelo, Red Banana, Red Currants, Sharon Fruit, Sweet Dumpling Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Tangerines, Turnips
Pick your own fruits and vegetables:
Check out these directories for local pick-your-own farms:

http://www.ncfarmfresh.com/Directory.asp?product=&county=region&region=2&PYO=yes&SearchType=farms&submit=Search

http://www.pickyourown.org/NCpiedmont.htm

CH Bar Specials:
Frequently updated nightly bar specials in Chapel Hill

https://twitter.com/#!/CHBarSpecials

The Stagger- Chapel Hill/Durham/Raleigh area drink specials. www.thestagger.com
Recession Tuesdays at ACME
Carrboro
All entrees $12.95 every Tuesday. Reservations highly recommended.

http://www.acmecarrboro.com/pages/news.htm

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Tylers Taproom, Carrboro/Durham/Apex:

http://www.tylerstaproom.com/happenings

Rockfish Southpoint:
1/2 price bottles every Monday and Saturday
$2 all drafts and free glass for featured beer every Thursday at 6pm and free appetizers 9pm-11pm.

https://twitter.com/#!/RockfishNC

First Fridays, Downtown Raleigh
Art, Food, Music for free in downtown Raleigh

http://www.godowntownraleigh.com/first-friday-raleigh

Johnny’s of Carrboro
Live music and Food Truck schedule:
Johnny’s Monthly Event Calendar
Carolina Brewery:

http://www.carolinabrewery.com/carolina_brewery_news.html

City Beverage, Durham

http://www.citybeverage-durham.com/

Broadstreet Cafe, Durham

http://www.thebroadstreetcafe.com/events.html

Bull City Homebrew:

http://www.brewmasterstore.com/

Fifth Season Gardening Co., Carrboro:
Gardening, Home, and Beer/Wine making supplies

http://www.fifthseasongardening.com/

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
UNC Hospitals Volunteer Information

http://www.unchealthcare.org/site/volunteers/adult_volunteers

United Way:
Requires creating an account. Once registered, search by zip code for nearby volunteer events.

Habitat for Humanity:
Orange County:

http://www.orangehabitat.org/volunteer/

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Durham:

http://durhamhabitat.org/volunteer/volunteer-worksite.html

Orange County Animal Shelter:

http://www.co.orange.nc.us/animalservices/volunteers.asp

2013 Career Blitz

ErinHopper — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 19:59:43 +0000

The 2013 TIBBS Career Blitz is coming up on February 27, 2013 from 3 – 5:30 in the Genetic Medicine Building.

Read the career profiles posted below to learn about the visiting scientists and their careers. To view an event schedule and building map, click here. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/amdeth2

If you have any questions about the Career Blitz, please contact Erin Hopper (erin_hopper@unc.edu)

Career Representatives

Science Writing: Ann Winter-Vann, PhD, Medical Writer and Consultant, Whitsell Innovations, Inc.
Science Writing: Pratibha Hebbar, PhD, Senior Medical Writer, Synchrony Medical Communications
Research Roles in Academia: Eric Brustad, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, UNC
Research Roles in Academia: Jennifer Marks, PhD
Research Roles in Academia: Peter Gilligan, PhD, Director of Clinical Microbiology-Immunology Laboratories and Phlebotomy Services, UNC Hospitals; Professor, Pathology-Laboratory Medicine and Microbiology-Immunology, UNC School of Medicine
Higher Education: Shanta Hinton, PhD, Assistant Professor, College of William and Mary
Higher Education: Brian Rybarczyk, PhD, Director, Academic and Professional Development, The Graduate School, UNC
Government: Aimen Farraj, PhD, Principal Investigator/Research Biologist, EPA
Government: Lars Pedersen, PhD, Staff Scientist, Head of the Collaborative Crystallography Group, NIEHS
Science Outreach: Amanda Marvelle, PhD, Biology Instructor & Director of Digital Media Learning at Research Triangle High School and Founder of Research Triangle High School
Science Outreach: Julie Urban, PhD, Assistant Director, Genomics & Microbiology Laboratory, Nature Research Center, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Science Policy/Administration: Nisha Cavanaugh, PhD, Director of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, NC State University
Science Policy/Administration: Subhashini Chandrasekharan, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy, Duke University
Patent Law: Jeff Sunman, PhD, Patent Agent, Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Patents group, Alston & Bird LLP
Patent Law: Timothy Meigs, Senior Intellectual Property Counsel, Becton, Dickinson and Company
Business Development: Joel Shaffer, PhD, Pharmaceutical Consultant, Entrepreneur-in-Residence, UNC
Business Development: Brandy Salmon, PhD, Innovation Advisor/Business Growth Manager, Center for Technology Applications, Center for Agricultural and Environmental Biotechnology, RTI
Big Pharma: Matt Nelson, PhD, Director, Statistical Genetics, GlaxoSmithKline
Big Pharma: Joe Watts, PhD, Senior Research Scientist and Team Leader, Syngenta
Small Biotech: Rochelle Mikkelsen, PhD, Study Director, Burleson Research Technologies
Small Biotech: Heather Horne, PhD, Downstream Process Development Scientist I, KBI Biopharma
Clinical Research/Regulatory Affairs: Megan Kendellen, PhD, Proposal and Strategy Developer, Quintiles
Clinical Research/Regulatory Affairs: Lena Randhawa, PhD, Clinical Research Scientist (Medical Writer), Impact Pharmaceutical Services
Non-Profits: Suraj Dhungana, PhD, Biomarker Discovery Scientist, RTI International
Non-Profits: Karen Cranston, PhD, Training Coordinator and Bioinformatics Project Manager, NESCent

January 2013

ErinHopper — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 19:32:02 +0000

Join the TiBBS community!

+ Twitter

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Upcoming TIBBS-sponsored events:

In this

issue:

Upcoming TIBBS-