The Science Innovation Hub is excited to announce our interdisciplinary workshop series for Spring 2020!
Each month we will be hosting 3 workshops from a different category. Click the icon below to check out what the categories are and what we will be covering each month! All workshops will be hosted over WebEx.
Q&A with the SIH Advisory Hub
Have an idea floating around that you have questions about? We've moved our once-a-month Q&A sessions to a more open format: feel free to connect with our Advisory Hub at any time via email! You can find out more about our panel of expert advisors below:
Meet the SIH Advisory Hub
Dr. Roderick Slavcev
Roderick Slavcev serves as the Director of Translational Initiatives and has been integral in developing and shaping the Science Innovation Hub. With real-world experience in entrepreneurship - he’s co-founded two phage-based startups - Roderick is our specialist in biotechnology management and commercialization.
In his other capacities, Roderick serves as an associate professor within the School of Pharmacy and is a member of key UWaterloo groups such as the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology and Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology.
Dr. Kashif Memon
Prior to becoming a much-loved lecturer within the Science and Business program, Kashif Memon spent years in renowned international organizations such as the World Bank and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
He comes to us as an expert in globalization with a particular focus on providing guidance to our students on navigating global business, social, and cultural challenges.
Kashif has won a number of teaching awards including the University Distinguished Professor and Excellence in Science Teaching Award, reflecting his widespread success within the University of Waterloo community as an educator and mentor.
Dr. Okechukwu (Okey) Igboeli
Okey Igboeli is our resident advisor for research commercialization. Having founded his own company, True Spring Pharmaceuticals Inc., Okey brings years of experience and tried and true guidance for practical entrepreneurship with particular expertise within the drug discovery realm.
Outside of the Science Innovation Hub, Okey teaches several Science and Business courses and was instrumental in founding the multi-disciplinary, pro-bono management consulting group Watsolve.
Skills Development with the Science Coordinator
Looking to up your science game? Every month will feature a topic to help you further the critical scientific soft skills that will set you apart in graduate school and beyond. Make sure to RSVP to recieve the WebEx meeting.
May 13, 2020 @ 3 PM EST: Science and the Media
Key Concepts:
- Effect of communications strategies on understanding science
- Identifying and dissecting reporting bias and appropriate expert representation
- Things to keep in mind as scientists who will need to engage with media and public-facing communications teams to ensure your information is conveyed properly
June 10, 2020 @ 3 PM EST: Understanding a Paper
Key Concepts:
- Role of figure formatting and story order in ease of understanding data
- Determining validity of conclusions based on presented data
- Accessibility and validity of papers (peer review versus open-source)
July 29, 2020 @ 3 PM EST: Figure Making 101
Key Concepts:
- A brief tutorial on how to use Adobe Illustrator for general figure making
- Understanding journal’s guidelines on figure formatting
- Importance of data organization in figure creation
August 12, 2020 @ 3 PM EST: Scientific Project Planning
Key Concepts:
- Time management when working with several changing variables
- Managing data acquisition and documentation
- Determining scope and feasibility of deliverables with relation to data rigour
Science Innovation Hub Presents
The Science Innovation Hub is very excited to host a group of esteemed scientists to share their diverse experiences and expertise! Each month a guest speaker will provide a talk on one of their areas of expertise. Topics will cover scientific entrepreneurship, science around the world, effective communication, and publishing your work!
Scientific Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Dr. Joseph Bondy Denomy
May 28, 2020 @ 2 PM EST
We’re excited to have the Faculty of Science 2019 Young Alumni Award recipient Dr. Joseph Bondy-Denomy sit down to chat with us about his journey as a scientist at the very forefront of a red hot field and how he’s managed to balance a bustling lab with entrepreneurship.
Science Around the World: Dr. Senjuti Saha
June 26, 2020 @ 10 AM EST
Fantastic scientific work happens all across the globe, but it is not always accessible for those who wish to conduct it. We’re honoured to have Dr. Senjuti Saha speak with us about how she’s been moving the efforts to address vaccine-preventable diseases in Bangladesh forward and the importance of understanding and acknowledging intersectionality and inequity in science and beyond.
Effective Scientific Communication: Dr. Betty Zou
July 15, 2020 @ 10 AM EST
Doing research is one thing, communicating your results effectively is another. We’re grateful to have Dr. Betty Zou take the time to chat with us about the importance of effective public-facing scientific communications and some essential tips on how we can all achieve that.
Publishing Your Discoveries: Dr. April Pawluk
August 26, 2020 @ 2 PM EST
Getting published is a milestone most scientists work towards, but the path isn’t always easy. We’re excited to have the Faculty of Science 2018 Young Alumni Award Dr. April Pawluk speak to us about the ins and outs of the publication process and what it takes to have an effective, impactful manuscript.
