A1258586667rDzPE

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WHAT IS SCIENCE? Any system of knowledge that is
concerned with the physical world and its
phenomena and that entails unbiased observations
and systematic experimentation.
IN GENERAL Science involves a pursuit of
knowledge covering general principles or the
operations of fundamental laws.
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A DESIRABLE END WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR
A YOUNG CAREER SCIENTIST?
HOW DO YOU MEASURE YOUR PROGRESS TOWARDS THIS
CAREER GOAL?
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LETS DISCUSS CHARACTERISTICS OR TRAITS LIKELY
REQUIRED TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL SCIENTIST
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TRAIT DEFINITIONS
Confidence (Constantly challenging oneself to set
goals and to meet them will bring
self-confidence) Passion for science (knowing
that this is what you REALLY want to do with your
life) Mental and physical toughness (ability to
withstand criticism and prejudices, the physical
toughness to work hard and meet tough
schedules) Open-mindedness (ability to entertain
new possibilities, to bring fresh perspectives to
old questions and not be hindered by blind
assumptions or dogmas) Critical evaluation of
data Efficiency and organization (in ones
professional and personal life ability to
discern when to focus and when to spread
out) Continued
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A shrewd scientific timing (ability to discern
what scientific questions will become very
important in the near or far future)
Communication and persuasion (ability to
communicate clearly and concisely in writing as
well as speech ability to communicate with a
wide-ranging audience, from a layperson to a
fellow expert in the field the ability to
promote ones project in order to get it funded
ability to build a consensus among people of
differing opinions) A sense of social
responsibility (be a leader outside of the
scientific community as well) Ability to work
with people (setting up collaborations
relegating responsibilities maximizing
productivity) Untouchable idealism (pride in
knowing that we work for something much bigger
than improving just our individual lives)
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ALBERT THE PHYSICIST OF ALL AGES!
Einstein discovered light quanta by pondering
experiments on particles discovered only a few
years earlier.
Einstein's new general theory of relativity
predicted that when a ray of light passes near a
massive body, the ray should be bent e.g.,
starlight passing near the sun should be
deflected by its gravity.
"Dear Mother, -- Good news today. H.A. Lorentz
has wired me that the British expeditions have
actually proved the light deflection near the
sun."
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CHARLES DARWIN SCIENTIST WITH IMMENSE PERCEPTION!
I have called this principle, by whicheach
slight variation, if useful, is preserved, by the
term Natural Selection. Charles Darwin from
"The Origin of Species"


Darwin was the first evolutionary biologists, the
originator of the concept of natural selection.
His principal works, The Origin of the Species by
Means of Natural Selection (1859) and The Descent
of Man (1871) marked a new epoch. His works
were violently attacked and energetically
defended.
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age 7 age 30 age 49 age 55
age 65 age 71
Evolution or God, natural selection or divine
intervention? Almost 200 years after his birth,
the debate over Charles Darwins origin of our
species still rages, said Time magazine in a
recent article.
The Church of England issued an apology for
having misunderstood Darwins work. Two hundred
years from your birth, the Church of England owes
you an apology for misunderstanding you and, by
getting our first reaction wrong, encouraging
others to misunderstand you still, it said.
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SCIENTISTS SHOULD BE GREAT PHILOSOPHERS
"What I see in Nature is a magnificent structure
that we can comprehend only very imperfectly, and
that must fill a thinking person with a feeling
of humility. This is a genuinely religious
feeling that has nothing to do with mysticism."
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A SUCCESSFUL SCIENTIST MUST BE A CLEAR/CRITICAL
THINKER!
Synthesize knowledge see the big picture
formulate insightful testable hypotheses
discipline training to design pivotal
experiments ability to critically
impartially evaluate both your work that of
others
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Coaching/Mentoring is FUNDAMENTAL to YOUR SUCCESS
Practice makes for perfection! Set this as YOUR
GOAL
In the HOLE!!
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An Example from my Own Training

1. Select a paper from a top journal
2. Cut paste the FIGURES TABLES into a blank
   document
3. Read the MATERIALS METHODS
4. Write your OWN RESULTS Section
5. Compare your version with that of the authors.
   No Cheating Allowed!!
6. With EXPERIENCE Try the Discussion

Remember Practice Makes PERFECT
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Commonly Asked Question How Do I Get to be a
GOOD SPEAKER?
Follow Some Simple RULES
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1. Prepare your lecture well in advance last
   minute deals are generally disappointing for you
   your colleagues (notes provide a good
   guideline)
2. Know your subject Builds SELF CONFIDENCE
3. Practice, practice, practice
4. Learn to speak clearly (generally requires
   opening your mouth!)
5. Learn to PROJECT your VOICE
6. Always ENGAGE your colleagues LOOK DIRECTLY at
   members of the AUDIENCE
7. Always convey your EXCITEMENT for the SUBJECT

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IMPORTANT DECISIONS AFFECTING YOUR SUCCESS
A Choosing a Field Specialty is Very Important
Topic MUST Overlap with Your Passion Be
Courageous, NOT TIMID!! Be a LEADER, not a
FOLLOWER Self Confidence is a MUST!!
Failures Along the Way are to be EXPECTED Can
be a great LEARNING EXPERIENCE ADVICE is Good,
but it is YOUR CAREER!
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IMPORTANT DECISIONS AFFECTING YOUR SUCCESS
B Your Institution can be most Important
Faculty and Infrastructure MUST be Current
Visionary Breadth of OPPORTUNITIES is
critical!! Be AGGRESSIVE NEVER STOP LEARNING
NEW APPROACHES Collegial Atmosphere is a
MUST!! PEERS Become Life-Long COLLEAGUES
Location to GOOD housing RELAXATION Facilities
are a big Bonus
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IMPORTANT DECISIONS AFFECTING YOUR SUCCESS
C Your Work Must be PUBLISHED in the RIGHT
Journal(s) How Do YOU PLAN Your PAPER?
When Should You SELECT the JOURNAL? Be
AGGRESSIVE AIM for the Very BEST How Can You
GUAGE Your IMPACT i.e., Successful
Contribution, YES or No? Citation Indices
What Can They Tell YOU?
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First Things FIRST Take TIME to Become an
EXPERT on the TOPIC of Interest! NEXT STEP
FORMULATE the QUESTION Develop the Scientific
HYPOTHESIS (Must be TESTABLE!) IMPORTANT STEP
Designing Experiments Time Lines CONDUCT A
SELF-TEST Are You READY to WRITE the
Introduction for the PAPER (YES or No)?
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ONE SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME