HONING YOUR MESSAGE: HOW TO COMMUNICATE YOUR RESEARCH
Postdocs receive extensive training in presenting their data to their peers; however, even highly experienced scientists may find it difficult to explain their research to non-academic or non-expert audiences. This workshop/panel will focus on techniques postdocs can use to communicate their research effectively to fellow academics as well as industry professionals who may or may not have a related research background. Postdocs can use the techniques from this panel to hone their presentation and interview skills by focusing on communicating a clear, contextually appropriate and professional scientific message.
Tyler j. ford
OUTREACH SCIENTIST AND BLOG EDITOR AT ADDGENE
Tyler J. Ford received his PhD from Harvard Medical School where he worked on producing biofuels in bacteria. During graduate school, Tyler developed his science communication skills working with the student group Science in the News. Tyler is now an Outreach Scientist and Blog Editor at Addgene where he works hard to help researchers share lab reagents and information thereby accelerating their research. Tyler has participated in a variety of career and communication panels and encourages scientists to start thinking about their careers early in their training. You can follow Tyler on Twitter @Tyfordfever.
Burt LaFountain
PRINCIPAL AT THE BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP
Burt LaFountain is a Principal at The Boston Consulting Group (BCG). He resides in BCG'sBoston office and is on the core leadership team of BCG Gamma, the firm's Data Science and Advanced Analytics consulting team. Burt's client work focuses on using big data and data science to impact business strategy and operations, and to deliver bottom-line results. Examples of such work include increasing the economic return from marketing campaigns, predicting and improving customer retention, and developing strategies to ensure effective build of broadband infrastructure. A Mechanical Engineer by training, Burt earned his Master of Science from MIT's Department of Mechanical Engineering with a focus on new product development. He earned his MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management, where he was a Siebel Scholar and a Martin Trust Fellow.
crystal shih
INVESTIGATOR III IN THERAPEUTIC PROTEINS AT NOVARTIS INSTITUTES FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH, CAMBRIDGE, MA
Crystal Shih obtained her BS in chemistry from MIT in 2003. She then studied multistep electron transfer in proteins in the labs of Harry Gray at Caltech, for which she received her PhD in chemistry in 2008. As an NIH postdoctoral fellow working with JoAnne Stubbe at MIT, Crystal studied metallocofactor biosynthesis and regulation. She concluded her postdoctoral work in 2012 and has worked at Novartis ever since. Crystal works in the Biotherapeutic and Analytical Technologies department at the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research. She leads scientific and project teams in developing therapeutic proteins for the treatment of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Beyond chemistry and biology, Crystal enjoys reading, hiking, and watching baseball games.