Finding a Postdoc
Thu, Jan 6, 1-2:30pm, 68-181
Alan Grossman, Ph.D., Praecis Professor of Biology
Bart Hendriks, Principal Scientist, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Post-doctoral Fellow, AstraZeneca (2003-2004)
Caterina Schweidenback, Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Michael Blower Laboratory at MGH (2008 - present)

Are you interested in doing a postdoc? Want to learn about an industry postdoc? Come hear about the details of interview/application from a professor, princple scientist and an MIT graduate who is currently a postdoc. Find out what makes a good postdoc candidate from a faculty perspective and what makes a good postdoc experience in industry or academia.

Time Management
Fri, Jan 7th, 1:30-3pm, 68-181
Joanne Kamens, Senior Director Research Collaborations, Board of Directors, WEST and HBA
Shoumita Dasgupta, Associate Professor Department of Medicine, Genetics Section, Assistant Dean of Admissions, Director of Graduate Studies, Genetics and Genomics, BU School of Medicine
Iain Cheeseman, Whitehead Member and Assistant Professor of Biology at MIT
Dennis Kim, Associate Professor of Biology, MIT

Being successful in careers in the life sciences largely depends on the ability to efficiently manage several tasks both at work and at home. Come learn from professionals and scientists in academia and industry their tactics to get the job done while maintaining a good work-life balance.

Finding a Faculty Position
Thur, Jan 13, 1-2:30pm, 68-181
Jonathan King, Ph.D., Professor of Biology
Amy Keating, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology
Mary Gehring, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology, Member, Whitehead Institute

Looking for that professorship is a daunting process. What do search committees look for? Where do you find information? What should you do at an interview? What are the pitfalls? Come find out from faculty at different career stages who have experienced all aspects of the process.

Biotechnology
Mon, Jan 10, 1:30-3pm, 68-181
Lamine Mbow, Unit Head, Immunology, Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics
Jennifer Leeds, Ph.D., Director-Antibacterial Discovery, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research
Sarah Calvo, Senior Computational Biologist, Broad Institute
Jason Kelly, Founder, Gingko Bioworks

Are you considering a job in industry, or perhaps starting your own company? What are the main differences between academic and industry labs? Are there labs that are “in between”? Join us for an exciting Q&A session with a panel of scientists who belong to different areas of industry, and decide whether industry is the right choice for you.

Law Careers Panel
Wed, Jan 26, 1:30-3:00pm, 68-181
John Van Amsterdam, Shareholder, Wolf Greenfield
Megan Gustafson, Science Advisor, Goodwin Procter
Aaron Schwartz, Technology Licensing Officer, MIT Technology Licensing Office
Ryan McQuade, Associate, Fish & Richardson

What kinds of opportunities exist in law-related professions? What are these careers like and are they right for you?

Science Education and Outreach
Wed, Jan 19, 3-4:30pm , 32-155
Dr. Melissa Kosinski-Collins, Asst. Professor of Biology, Protein Biochemistry and Biology Education, Brandeis University
Dr. Emily Miller, Science Teacher, Westwood High School
Dr. Megan Rokop, Director of the Broad Institute Educational Outreach Program, Broad Institute
Dr. Susan Heilman, Educator, Boston Museum of Science
Dr. Tamara Brenner, Associate Director of Life Sciences Education, Lecturer on Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University

Really enjoy TAing? Love sharing your passion for science with others? Come hear about careers in teaching science and sharing science education with the public.

Consulting/Venture Capital
Fri, January 21, 1-2:00pm , 68-181
Vineet Prabhu, Associate Consultant, Clarion Healthcare
Greg Hersch, Principal, Health Care Practice Area, The Boston Consulting Group
Jennifer Hou, Senior Life Science Specialist, L.E.K. Consulting
Kevin Forrest, Ph.D., Principal 5AM Ventures
Bruce Booth, Ph.D., Partner in the Life Sciences group Atlas Venture

The business of Biology is booming! This seminar features capitalists, who finance biological enterprises,
and consultants, who suggest the best way to merge Biology with business or non-profit. Come listen and speak with Ph.D.s who have made the transition from bench work to the business world.

Science Policy & Govt Jobs
Fri, Jan 28, 1-2:30pm, 32-141
Mark Fleury, Ph.D. AAAS Science & Technology Fellow (2009-2010), Legislative Assistant for Senator Claire McCaskill (2010-2011)
Jennifer Goodrich, Ph.D., Manager, Batelle National Biodefense Institute, Frederick, MD
Carrie McMahon, Ph.D.,Consumer Safety Officer, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Maria Lebedeva, Ph.D.,Presidential Management Fellow, Veterans Health Administration, Bedford MA (2010-2012)
Jessica Palmer, Ph.D., AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow at the National Institutes of Health (2007-2009 )
Harvard Law School, J.D. 2012 (expected)

Major decisions are made in Washington, D.C. that affect our research budgets, health care, and foods and drugs. As scientists we
can get involved in the federal policymaking process and provide valuable scientific expertise and analysis to some of the biggest questions of our day. Come meet PhDs who make science policy. Find out what steps to take and what programs are available for soon to be Ph.D.s that want to participate in policy decisions.

Reception to follow.

Science Writing & Communication
Mon, Jan 31, 1-2:30pm , 68-181
Dr. Sonal Jhaveri, Senior Research Scientist in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, Lecturer for the Program in Writing and Humanistic Studies, Science Program Director in the Postdoctoral and Graduate Student Affairs Office at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, MIT
Amanda Yarnell, Assistant Managing Editor for science, technology and education, Chemical & Engineering News
Dr. Karen Carniol, Scientific Editor, Cell, Cell Press

Are you a good communicator? Are you interested in a career in science publishing? Come hear about a variety of careers in science writing and communication.

Single-Particle Electron Microscopy
Dr. James Chen
Tue Jan 18, Thu Jan 20, Tue Jan 25 2:00–3:00pm in 68-181, and Thu Jan 27 2:00–3:00pm in 68-474
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up

Recent advances in single-particle electron microscopy (EM), and cryo-EM in particular, have enabled structural analysis of macromolecular complexes at sub-nanometer and even near-atomic resolution. Complementary to X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy, single-particle EM is unique in its capability to elucidate the structures of large molecular assemblies in their native states. In this seminar series, I will introduce the theoretical foundation as well as the basic experimental techniques of single-particle EM. The topics will include: the electron microscope instrument, sample preparation, data acquisition, image analysis, model reconstruction, and software hands-on practice. This course will emphasize on basic principles and concept (rather than on math and algorithms), and is open to the entire MIT biology research community (undergraduates, graduates, postdocs and faculty members).
Contact: Dr. James Chen, 68-480, x3-8688, jzchen@mit.edu

For Credit

 

Jan 10-13, 17-20, 23-24, 12:30-5:00pm, 68-089
Enter departmental lottery by: December 13, 2011
Do not Preregister on Websis.
Limited to 12 participants.
No listeners.

Prereq: 7.01x or AP Biology-This course is not a substitute for 7.02

Level: U 6 units Graded P/D/F Can be repeated for credit
Fee: $60.00
Download Application (linked file)

Contact: Dr. Mandana Sassanfar, 68-270A, x2-4371, mandana [at] mit.edu

 

Contact: Dr. Brenda Minesinger, 68-647 x3-4721, bminesin [at] mit.edu

For credit: Level: 6 units
Sponsor: Biology

"For me, the course was integral in finding a UROP. Before the course, I interviewed with many labs who were discouraged by my lack of experience. However, after the course, researchers that I met were impressed by many of the techniques I had learned (for example, CsCl ultracentrifugation) and confident that I could work independently in their labs. When I started UROPing, I felt comfortable with a wide base of skills to use and improve. After the course I started working in Alexander Rich Lab. I currently study the effect of genotoxins on Z-DNA-forming promoter regions within the human genome. I am planning on majoring in 10B." — Zachary Waxman '11

“I worked at a Pediatric Epilepsy Lab at MGH over the summer and am currently UROPing at the Constantine-Paton Lab at MIT. I definitely think that 7.391 was helpful for me to feel more comfortable in a lab setting for both these experiences. In 7.391 I learned how to work with other people in a lab and the proper conduct in a lab setting. I have even been complimented on my pipetting skills.” Camilla Caballero ‘13

“7.391 is one of the most worthwhile classes I've taken at MIT. I wanted to learn how to perform fundamental laboratory techniques, and the course taught exactly what I was looking for. Simultaneously I was able to use some really awesome laboratory equipment. I highly recommend this class to anyone without much laboratory experience who wants to learn basic technique before plunging head-first into a full-fledged regular-term laboratory class or UROP.”