Category: Event Recap

An event co-sponsored by the BRI and MassBio

Why is networking important in an academic setting? Is it necessary? Can a self-proclaimed introvert successfully network and build relationships?

This panel discussion, moderated by Frank S. David, MD, PhD, illustrated why networking is a great way to create and maintain relationships that will provide professional and educational opportunities for months and even years to come. The panelists focused on the “how” and the “why” behind networking while imparting words of wisdom to the group, each adding their own unique perspective to the conversation.

Sandro Santagata, MD, PhD pointed out that while he does not consider himself a “networker,” he understands that it is crucial to be open and collaborative. Even introverts like himself can organically create strong relationships simply through working with others and maintaining an open mind.

Elena Aikawa, MD, PhD advised the crowd to join small societies because it offers people the chance to interact and make themselves visible among a tight-knit and potentially less intimidating group. Career development, promotion, and job changes will undoubtedly call for more than one letter of support and recommendation; it is critical to have a strong band of people to connect with and be able to rely on.

Erin McKenna, MBA emphasized the beauty of networking, in that you can never predict what may come from countless random, or planned, interactions. One simple conversation over the most trivial common interest has the potential to lead to a promotion, new career path, or partnership.

Natalie Artzi, PhD stated the importance of branching out and gaining exposure in every way possible. The more you do that, the more opportunity there will be. At the same time, remember to expand your network to those outside of your specific interests, fields, and studies. Find people that can compliment your skills and help you to grow.

The panelists made it clear that everyone needs mentors and sponsors; everyone needs someone to help them get places they never thought they could. Networking is essential in creating these types of opportunities. Any conversation, any connection no matter how small, can aid in career development and help to carry you through the next steps in life. Equally as important, these relationships must be maintained, groomed, and properly cared for over an extended period. Keep in touch, invite them to your lab space, send them an email or a letter. No matter how you do it, networking cannot live on its own. Without tending to it, the bonds will weaken, and the connections, and opportunities that go along with them, will be lost as quickly as they were gained.

Social media is one way to maintain these meaningful relationships. Br. David brought Twitter and LinkedIn into the conversation. These platforms offer a way to exemplify best qualities, demonstrate hobbies outside of the office or lab, and disseminate information to a relevant audience.

Before the Q&A and networking commenced, Dr. David ended the discussion by encouraging the audience to “be the change that they want to be.” Whether you are introverted, extroverted, struggle to connect to others, or shy away from social media, make the changes that will allow you to create opportunity, build lasting relationships, and develop your ever-growing career paths.

 
Friday, May 31st, 2:30 – 4:00pm in the Hale VTC Conference Room

(Above) BWH faculty members pose with officials from the Taipei Ministries of Science & Technology and Health, officers from the Taipei Economic & Cultural Offices (Boston/D.C) and other members of the recent Taipei delegation to Partners Healthcare

(Above) Dr. Dar-Bin Hsieh, Deputy Minister, Taipei Ministry of Science & Technology with Dr. Joseph Bonventre, Chief, Renal Division, BWH

(Above) Dr. Dar-Bin Hsieh, Deputy Minister, Taipei Ministry of Science & Technology with Dr. Joseph Bonventre, Chief, Renal Division, BWH

(Above) Dr. Joseph Bonventre, Chief, Renal Division, BWH talking about his research in regenerative medicine to members of the recent Taipei delegation to Partners Healthcare

On April 18^th, the BRI co-hosted a Science Slam with Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and other institutions that comprise the Harvard Health Innovation Network (HHIN). The event was held at Daedalus Restaurant and Bar and was part of the Cambridge Science Festival.

HHIN members, colleagues, friends and family gathered to hear several brave “slammers” test their skills as science and/or health care communicators by pitching their research and innovations to the crowd. A range of original and inventive topics from impassioned researchers populated the restaurant. Each presenter had just three minutes to grab the audience’s attention and engage them with their focus area. Yielding to the “no PowerPoint policy,” slammers were left to battle it out with just their brains, presentation skills and props, if they so desired.

Laura Kiesel, a freelance writer from the Harvard Health news blog, impressed the crowd with her thoughts on chronic pain, and won the Science Slam, receiving a fun prize pack from the hosts. Her work has made appearances in publications such as The Guardian, Salon and The Atlantic, and she is truly passionate about chronic pain and related health conditions. Her innovative ideas on the topic helped bring her to the top of the lighthearted competition, yet every slammer must be commended for the courage they had in pitching their ideas in such an unusual environment.

The BRI and HHIN hope to continue bringing researchers and their fascinating ideas forward to the public who may not hear them otherwise. Our goal is to raise awareness to the amazing research that takes place within our institutions and opening people’s eyes to all that goes on behind the scenes in the vast world of health care.

Wednesday, March 13, 10:00am – 12:30pm, Zinner Breakout Room

Over 40 registrants attended this second affinity group meeting for machine learning applied to radiological imaging. Made possible by the BRI NextGen awards, this event will occur quarterly to focus on machine learning methods as applied to research. The meeting began with formal talks from Tina Kapur, PhD, Kirti Magufa, MD, Irfanullah Haider, MD, and Jeff Duryea, PhD.  The speakers offered their expertise from their diverse scientific backgrounds on subject matter such as image-based deep learning, datasets, and predicting disease states.  Attendees and speakers talked freely of shared challenges and how they could collectively overcome them.

During the lunch and open discussion that followed, there was a strong desire for a common platform that would allow researchers currently applying machine learning to their work or those who are interested in doing so to better connect and collaborate with each other. Several audience members spoke positively of collaborations that came about because of the first affinity group meeting and wanted this trend to continue. Plans for future meetings are already in the works. If you were unable to attend this session, keep an eye out for the next quarterly gathering!

NOTE: If you are interested in becoming involved with this group, please contact Jeff Duryea, PhD, Dept. of Radiology (jduryea@bwh.harvard.edu) or Jamie Collins, PhD, Dept. of Orthopedics (jcollins13@bwh.harvard.edu)

Thursday, January 24^th, 3:00 – 5:00pm, Zinner Breakout Room

This is the third session in a series of panels co-hosted by the Brigham Research Institute and MassBio, during which panelists from renowned drug and device companies shared their knowledge on ways in which BWH investigators can obtain funding and in-kind support for their research. Frank S. David, MD, PhD, Innovation Strategist at the BRI, Founder and Managing Director of Pharmagellan moderated the event. The three expert panelists included Michal Preminger, PhD, MBA, Head, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, Chandra Ramanathan, PhD, MBA, BP & Head, East Coast Innovation Bayer, and Jeffrey Warmke, Senior VP of Global Business Development, Daiichi Sankyo Group.

After a brief introduction of the panelists, as well as those in the audience, Dr. David kick-started the discussion by asking the panelists to give a brief overview of the academic collaboration models in place at their respective companies and how they are different from their peers in the industry. The collaboration strategies described by the companies ran the gamut from the focus on niche areas with no-strings-attached grants at Bayer to a wide range of therapeutic domains and a focus on disease prevention across the early discovery to late stage development continuum at J&J. Irrespective of the approach used, the panelists all agreed that their ultimate goal is to find “good medicine” and help to move it forward through mutually productive collaborations with academia.

They offered a few pro tips to the audience of investigators before the networking session commenced. First, if you would like to collaborate, anytime is the right time in terms of reaching out to prospective drug and device companies. Even if someone brings an idea forward that is too early or too incomplete, industry experts can still offer direction, suggestions, and valuable feedback. Second, you must keep knocking on the door. If you don’t push forward seemingly crazy ideas, then you are limiting yourself as well as the world of healthcare. Lastly, they opined that the makings of a good academic collaborator include strong communication skills, openness to sharing ideas and information, and the willingness to sustain long-term relationships. Events like these are an invaluable resource to our investigators across the hospital and we hope that you continue to attend!

Featured image from left to right:

Frank S. David, MD, PhD (Moderator), Michal Preminger, PhD, MBA (Panelist, J&J), Chandra Ramanathan, PhD, MBA (Panelist, Bayer), Jeffrey Warmke, PhD (Panelist, Daiichi Sankyo