A workshop for junior biostatistics researchers, co-sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, will be held from 5:00 pm Friday, March 19, 2010 to 9:00 pm Saturday, March 20, 2010, immediately preceding the ENAR/IMS Meeting. The workshop is aimed at promoting the career development of junior investigators by bringing them together with a prestigious panel of senior investigators (editors of journals, leaders in Statistics and Biostatistics, and Departmental Chairs). The format includes four theme sessions providing important information on academic growth. Each session will consist of presentations by the senior researchers followed by open discussion between the junior researchers and panel members. Interaction among all workshop participants will be highly encouraged. The workshop includes short research presentations by participants the evening prior to the workshop, roundtable luncheons discussing different aspects of professional life, and a concluding dinner.
Panelists: Panelists of the workshop include Marie Davidian (Professor of Statistics at North Carolina State University), Xihong Lin (Professor of Biostatistics at Harvard School of Public Health), Hal Stern (Professor and Chair of the Department of Statistics in the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences at University of California, Irvine), Rocky Feuer (Chief of the Statistical Research and Applications Branch at National Cancer Institute), Michelle Dunn (Program Director for Statistical Methodology Grants at National Cancer Institute), Misrak Gezmu (Mathematical Statistician and Program Officer at National Institutes of Health/NIAID), Lisa LaVange (Professor and Director of CSCC at University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill), Patrick Heagerty (Professor of Biostatistics at The University of Washington - Seattle), Frank Harrell (Department Chair and Professor of Biostatistics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center), Roderick Little (Professor and Chair of Biostatistics at University of Michigan), Lance Waller (Professor of Biostatistics at Emory University Rollins School of Public Health) and Jane Pendergast (Professor of Biostatistics at University of Iowa).
Session Themes:
Publishing: Publication of original articles in peer-reviewed journals provides the forefront of statistical knowledge and is essential for the academic growth of a junior researcher. Panelists will discuss how to transform innovative ideas into published research articles. Discussion will also focus on the peer review and editorial process.
Grant Writing: Grant writing is generally considered a step toward the academic growth of a junior/mid-level faculty. Panelists will discuss the NIH grant application and review process as well as other potential funding sources for statistical research. Discussion will also focus on strategies for developing a high-quality grant, including advice regarding the formulation of specific aims, the breadth and depth of coverage in the research plan, and writing strategies.
Interdisciplinary Collaborations: Establishing high quality interdisciplinary collaborations can have a tremendous impact on the career of a junior researcher. Panelists will discuss how to make an interdisciplinary collaboration successful, including how to make an impact in other scientific fields, and how to determine an appropriate balance between long and short-term collaborative work and methodological development.
The Promotion Process: Being promoted represents success in academia but can also generate a sense of anxiety. Panelists will discuss how to increase the chance of being promoted (while maintaining a sane lifestyle). They will provide important information on the promotion process and typical promotion criteria, while recognizing that expectations vary across institutions, and also on how to grow academically and be recognized by your own institution.
Workshop Application Procedure: Applicants must have a doctoral degree awarded no earlier than 2004. ENAR membership is not required, although it is encouraged. Participation will be limited to 45 junior researchers, with priority given in order of receipt of application. A short application form is available online at the website below. Travel support up to $500 will be provided. Women and minorities are especially encouraged to apply.
The deadline for receipt of applications is 3:00 pm EST, Saturday, October 31, 2009. For more details or questions, please e-mail planning committee chair, Yi Li (yili@jimmy.harvard.edu). |
