Oral Scientific Presentations
description
Transcript of Oral Scientific Presentations
Oral Scientific Presentations
“Thriving, Not Just Surviving, as a Scientist” Workshop
Presented for Post-docs
of Baylor College of MedicineGayle Slaughter, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean of Graduate Education
Types of Oral Presentations
Lab meetings - variable length
Journal clubs - 30-50 minutes
Short scientific talks -10 minutes
National meetings, retreats
Research seminars - 50 minutes
Job talks
50 minute seminar; chalk talk
Types of Oral Presentations
Specific formats and strategies vary with type of talk, but principles are the same
Think
plan
prepare
practice, with feedback
Attitudes about Public Speaking
The # 1 fear of people is…
Attitudes about Public Speaking
The # 1 fear of people is…
not snakes
not roaches
not even driving on the 610 loop
Attitudes about Public Speaking
The # 1 fear of people is speaking in public
Even experienced speakers get nervous sometime or every time
Successful speakers are born, but also made
Everyone can improve their effectiveness with assessment and practice
Conquering Fear of Public Speaking
Keys to improvement: Guidance, practice, feedback
Mentor, other faculty, students, post-docs
Journal clubs, lab meetings, seminars
Medically Speaking Toastmasters
Tuesday at 5:30 pm at BCM, third floor Alkek
Group that focuses on speaking in public
Personal counseling: BCM has for employees (EPA)
General Structure of Successful Talks
Tell them what you’re going to tell them
Tell them
Tell them what you told them
Give an overview. Outline topics and goal(s).
Present the information.
Summarize the key points or conclusions.
I versus We
There are times when you need to differentiate between what you have done and what a group has done
The third person “we” is used in talks at national meetings where the science is the focus
The first person “I” is used if you are presenting at lab meetings, seminars where your contribution is being assessed (job interviews)
Always list collaborators in the last slideMay mention collaborators in talk (easier if a long talk)
Titles for Scientific Talks
Titles for talks or slides should convey punch line - the conclusion
What is your aim(s) or the question(s) you are answering; the goal(s)?
What is the most important thing you discovered?
What overall conclusion can you draw?
Components of Scientific Talks
What is the focus of your work, in general?
What is the significance of the work?
Background of lab or project
What is your aim(s) or the question(s) you are answering; the goal(s)?
May or may not be in hypothesis form
Components of Scientific Talks
How did you approach the problem?
May use word slide or a flow diagram to list general steps
Avoid bogging down in the details of the procedureGive enough information people can appreciate
your work how many variables did you test to optimize the assay? how many animals were tested? how many lines of computer code did you write?
Presenting Results
Focus on strategy and/ or what is plannedShow primary or interpreted data
convince people your observations are validexample of data that yields results
photos (with labeling), gels, data outputSummarize observations
graphs, tables, word slideUse statistics, if appropriateExplain results (walk people through results)
Components of Scientific Talks
Finishing your talk in a memorable way
What conclusions can you draw, if any?use short statementssay the same words that are on the slide
Include a model if appropriateFuture directions What experiments would you propose to continue
the work? (don’t give away too much)
Preparing a Presentation
Planning is important, but… Don’t obsess or spend ridiculous amount of time
Decide on key point(s). Build talk around it (them).Points to be covered will depend on the lengthDoes not have to be in chronological order. Make the
presentation logical and easy to follow.Acquire information that supports the point(s).Organize information in an effective way. Note cards, computer
Planning a Presentation
Decide on visual aids. Depends on audience, information, budget, equipment, resources
Handouts Chalk, marker board, flip chart Photographs TransparenciesPowerPoint Poster Videotape Music or audiotape Things; especially good with children
Planning a Presentation
Produce an effective summary of information
Word summaries (large font)
Graphs (usually easier to read than tables)
Pictures or graphics
Model (beginning and end possibly)
Making Effective Figures
Select right format to make the point
Make as simple as possible to tell the story
Use large, clear fonts (24-44 pt)
Use effective color schemes
Light on dark or dark on light
Label areas or highlight (fonts, color)
Be careful of overly busy backgrounds
Example of Short Scientific Talk(with notes attached)
From dissertation research
Conducted at Baylor College of Medicine
Anjelica Gonzalez, Ph.D.
SMART Program alumus
Research tied for first place SCBMB Program
Won Most Outstanding Ph.D. Award from the
Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies
3-D Leukocyte Migration in a Biomimetic Hydrogel System
A. Gonzalez, A. Gobin*, Z.Demou*, J. West*, C. Smith, L. McIntire*
Leukocyte Biology Dept., Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
*Institute of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX
Cell Adhesion and Migration
• Cells must attach and migrate to accomplish many normal and pathogenic functions
embryonic cells, cells that replace other cells, immune cells, cancer cells
• What molecules on the surface of cells are important for cell attachment and spreading?
• What components of the extracellular matrix are important for cell attachment and spreading?
Inflammatory Leukocyte Adhesion Cascade
PMN
Endothelium
Extracellular Matrix
1. Chemokinetic stimulation causes activation and upregulation of integrins
2. Initial capture and transient adhesion occurs 3. Firm adhesion and
shape change occurs 4. Finally, transendothelial migration
Chemoattractants
Using Neutrophils as a Model for Cell Attachment and Migration
• Develop a tissue engineering model that will allow for testing specific neutrophil integrin/ECM (extracellular matrix) interactions
• Determine parameters involved in extravascular neutrophil migration
Parameters to Measure
• Use the 3-D automated tracking system and defined biomimetic hydrogels to quantify and simulate leukocyte migration:
– Speed– Directionality and duration of motion– Turning frequency– Invasion depth
The Model
Soluble chemoattractant:
fMLF
Adhesive sequences: 1) RGDS 2) fibrino-peptide -chain 3) YIGSR
PMN
(Poly)ethylene Glycol Hydrogel
Integrin Inhibitors: 1) Anti-CD18 (2) 2) Anti-CD11a (LFA-1) 3) Anti-CD11b (Mac-1) 4) Anti-1 5) Anti-v3
Hydrophilic, non-protein absorbant, easily maniputable
Polymerizable Acrylate Group Adhesion Ligand (Poly)ethylene- glycol
= =
Adhesive peptide sequences:
•RGDS -ubiquitious
•TMKIIPFNRTLIGG -fibrino- chain
•YIGSR -laminin
= RGDS
Example copolymer:
Upon photopolymerization, PEG-peptide-diacrylate is crosslinked to form a hydrogel matrix
=
Methods for Forming Bioactive Hydrogels
Polymerizable acrylate group
(Poly)ethylene-glycol
===
=
3-D Cell Tracking System
The microscope chamber is maintained to 37°C and buffered at 5% CO2 for physiologic pH in the gels. The microscope is equipped with Hoffman Modulation contrast optics and a motorized stage that is computer controlled via an RS232 interface. Therefore, a sample gel mounted on the stage can be placed automatically at a series of desired X, Y, Z positions where images are acquired at 10X magnification. The heart of the system is a Pentium II IBM PC with Windows NT platform and the Optimas 6.2 image analysis software. Executed macros, written in the Optimas Analytical Language of Images, perform automatically: image acquisition, image analysis, cell trajectory reconstruction, and data analysis. The image analysis can be performed on or off line and CD back up is used for long term data storage.
fMLF Stimulated
Anti-CD11a Antibody - + - -
Anti-CD18 Antibody - - + -
Anti-CD11b Antibody - - - +
PMN Adhesion on 1.4Mol/ml TMKIIFNRLTIGG Blocked by CD18 and Mac-1 Inhibitors, but not LFA-1
* P<0.05
1.4Mol/ml RGDS + + + + -
Anti-1 Antibody - + - + -
Anti-v3 Antibody - - + + -
fMLF Stimulated
PMN Adhesion on 1.4Mol/ml RGDS Blocked by v3 and Combined v3 and 1 Inhibitors
* P<0.05
Sample of Results
• (Poly)ethylene glycol alone causes low level of neutrophil adhesion
• PMN adhesion to RGDS is not b2 dependent• PMN adhesion to fibrino-g chain peptide is
Mac-1 dependent• PMN adhesion to RGDS is largely dependent
on avb3
Pointers for Perfect Presentations
Write out the talk if…
you have a tight time frame, you’re really nervous, it is a critical presentation
Time the presentation. Eliminate time wasters
Practice the talk To yourself; looking in a mirror; with someone else
Revise talk to improve rough spots
Prepare an easy to follow written format Use letters you can read
Presentation SkillsAdvance Preparation
Get familiar with lighting, AV controls before talk
Decide if you will sit, stand or use a podium
Determined by size and style of audience
Use a podium if…you are unfamiliar with material and
need to refer to written text oftenyou are very nervous and need a crutch
Mentally Preparing for a Talk
Be aware of the type of mood you want to create: professional, convincing, reconciling
Be aware of your mental status
Match your mental status to the mood you needRelax if you need to be soothingRev up if you need to be stimulating
Visualize a successful presentation
Presentation Skills
Speak clearly. Practice difficult words. Use an appropriate volume.
Use pointers effectively; audience will not be familiar with your dataPoint to bands on gels, areas on photographs, etcBe careful to not overuse pointers
Be careful of distracting mannerisms Detect by videotaping practice or getting critique
Connecting with the Audience
Look at audience. Make eye contact with a variety of people; except if you are very nervous and it helps to look at one “friendly” listener.
Avoid coming across as a snob or apologetic
Don’t try to overwhelm audience with jargon
Answering Questions
Usually the most nerve racking part of the talkTry to anticipate questions and prepare
One of best ways is through practicingWhat questions do listeners ask?
Repeat the question, especially if in a large roomAnswer the question askedRefer to slide, if necessary
May return to a slide or have extra data slides
Handling Difficult Questions
You don’t know the answer
Handling Difficult Questions
You don’t know the answerAdmit it, but frame in professional way
The questioner is wrong about an issue
Handling Difficult Questions
You don’t know the answerAdmit it, but frame in professional way
The questioner is wrong about an issuePolitely state what you do know and why you believe it is true; your own work or others
Handling Difficult Questions
You don’t know the answerAdmit it, but frame in professional way
The questioner is wrong about an issuePolitely state what you do know and why you believe it is true; your own work or others
The questioner is hostile
Handling Difficult Questions
You don’t know the answerAdmit it, but frame in professional way
The questioner is wrong about an issuePolitely state what you do know and why you believe it is true; your own work or others
The questioner is hostileIt’s not your fault; there is a history or problemTry to respond calmly get it over; may need to say, “Let’s discuss this after the presentation”
Chalk Talks
Usually given when applying for a job; what will you do
Less formal than seminar, but just as important
Outline what you want to do without slides, only a “black, chalk, marker” board
Need to organize your thoughts, plan how to draw, usually don’t have notes
Practice before you present
Learning from Presentations
You learn a lot from organizing your thoughtsOften get ideas…
that ou needed to do something differentlyfor other experimentsfor how to relate your work to that of othersfor new lines of inquiry
Get feedback - what can you improve related to science or presentation skills
Benefitting from Presentations
Convey information to othersWorks both ways; may get ideas from other
Start conversations that lead to ideas
Create collaborations
Inspire others to do great science