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Clement
Weinberger

Do scientists really need social networks?

The short answer is “yes.” Of course they do. But the best networks would probably not be Facebook clones. Why not? Well, because Facebook helps people find people. Scientists need networks that help people find information. The label “Scientists” is a very big one and includes a lot of ...


Wenny
Lin

Spinning a good story with all the facts

My PhD advisor was a creative and engaging storyteller. Negative results in our vaccine experiments were interpreted as “damaging to the immune system” or “dangerous in the clinic.” Positive observations meant that an experimental vaccine “worked like a charm” or “could save countl...


Reshma
Parmar

Pre-planning Your Immigration Case

In this week's blog, let's focus on laying the ground work for an extraordinary-ability or national-interest waiver case filing.  How can you pre-plan and position yourself to maximize your chances for a successful outcome?  Here are some tips: 1. My first request from clients is usu...


Marielena
Mata

The Top Ten Things I Hate About My Job

In reading my blogs, I notice that I have written about all the wonderful things I do, the great people I work with and the absolute satisfaction my profession brings into my life.  Yet, even I, little Miss Positivity, have my dark days and I’ve decided to put lay it all out in the open....


Clement
Weinberger

On social networks (yet)?

… or not on them? In fact, all of us are members of social networks. We have circles of friends and acquaintances, and we interact with professional colleagues and associates every day. That's true whether you are a basic or medical researcher, a physician or other healthcare provider, medical wri...


Peggy
McKee

4 Tips for Negotiating Salary During a Recession

Salary negotiations can be the most stressful part of the entire interview process for candidates.  Ask for too much and they may reconsider their offer; ask too little and you damage your own pocketbook.  And once you’ve given up a number, you can’t go back.  It’s important to ...


Ex Lab
Junkie

The Kitchen Wars - At Work

As I write this, dishes are piled high in the sink, almost falling on the floor, but I refuse to clean up the mess. I am mad enough to spit… yes, spit! Lazy husband? No. Distracted kids? No. Dysfunctional work-place family? In the wise words of Samuel L. Jackson — “Oh, hell yeah!” At w...


Todd
Pihl

Insanity

  Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. -Albert Einstein   Excuse me, but I feel the need to do a touch of ranting.  Over the last month, I've been spending a fair amount of time with postdocs who are out trying to navigate the...


Tony
Fox

Fear Is Funny

Fear is funny because it makes people do strange things.  It is strange to not pursue one’s ultimate goal in life.  It is odd to spend one’s time performing a job that yields no satisfaction.  Only a funny thing such as fear could result in such absurdity.  The most ironic as...


Larry
Petcovic

Be Sure to Bring All Three (3) of YOU to the Resume and Interview!

Yes, there are at least three of YOU that should be manifest on the resume and expressed during the interview.  We often forget that we as individuals play many different social roles in our lives. We often forget that a potential employer does not hire us, but rather the people working for ...