Notes from the Conway Chair…. January 2017
In 2017, the CBR looks to further reach out to the community, increasing awareness of the valuable work that is being done, and learning from those whom we aim to serve.
Swimming with Sharks: Predatory Open-Access Publishers
The open-access publishing (OAP) era offers many benefits to the public and scientific community, however, predatory publishers have the potential to destroy the purpose of open-access research.
Host Defense Peptides
Dr. Hancock’s lab published a review in Nature Reviews establishing that host defense peptides, in addition to having direct antimicrobial effects, also play an important role in immune modulation, wound healing, and diseases, such as cancer and autoimmune disorders.
“Learn by Doing”: Mutual Gains of Mentorship
Abhinav Ajaykumar, a PhD Student in Helene Cote’s Lab, was excited to discuss his experience of serving as a mentor to Sunny Park and Tea Yates, two Grade 10 students from the Prince of Wales Mini School, Vancouver.
UBC 3MT Runner-Up Calls for More Science Communications
Diana Canals never liked public speaking. “I panic, I get really stressed out, and I can’t sleep for days leading up to it.” As the runner-up prize winner of the UBC Three Minute Thesis (3MT) final competition held on March 10, the young researcher has certainly changed for the better.
CBR Members Help Build an Accepting, Empowered and Supportive Community
Deb Chen’s, a PhD Candidate in Dr. Devine’s lab and front-line volunteer with the Vancouver Crisis Centre, is raising funds for her Scotiabank Half Marathon Run, to combat mental illness.
The Spread of Zika Virus through the Americas and the Shield of Canadian Winter
Dr. Devine believes that researchers at the CBR have the expertise to determine “whether the technologies that are available to essentially sterilize blood products actually kill Zika virus.”
Networking that’s Right for You
One way to potentially lower this stress is to approach networking differently. Sweta Rajan, the Manager of Training Programs at the Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD), proposes that the goal of networking is not to “market” oneself to potential employers, but rather to discover. Networking can offer opportunities to learn about what certain jobs entail, as well as the types of jobs that even exist.
How to Become a Good Mentor
Being a good mentor gives one an excellent opportunity to grow and develop ourselves in several valuable skills like communication, leadership and management. Given that mentorship is so important, what are some of the attributes of a good mentor?
Don’t be a square – think outside the box!
In 1962 when Gross and Lapiere wondered what was responsible for the disappearance of a tadpole’s tail, they discovered collagenase – an enzyme responsible for degrading collagen. Following this, structurally similar enzymes were found that acted on collagens and other extracellular matrix proteins – they became known as the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family and the dogma was born…