RESOURCE: Post-doc Academy seminar series 2018

We are extremely pleased that the School of Biosciences Postdoc Academy is back for another year with a raft of new sessions and topics.

Below you will find the sessions that have been lined up as part of series which is co-hosted by the Bioconnect Seminar Series.

Everyone across the School is welcome to attend, and join the discussions around these sessions.

Developing a career in the biotech/industry

Jonathan Wood, Innovate U.K.
14/02/2018. 13:10-14:00
Sixth floor seminar room, Life Sciences Building (BIOSI3)

Manager for Wales at Innovate UK. Graduate of Cardiff University, and former Biosciences Postdoc. With a range of experience from the bench, to lecturing, into the biotech sector where he has been for the last eight years (with the last 4 at Innovate UK). In his current role he is tasked with facilitate this greater strategic engagement, working with key businesses, academic institutions, government, KTN and EEN and other stakeholders to ensure there is good alignment between local and national innovation strategies, but most importantly to help connect innovative Welsh businesses to the support they need.
[source linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanwood4/] Also see: Innovate UK blog “Innovation in Wales” https://innovateuk.blog.gov.uk/2016/11/15/innovation-in-wales/

The UK’s  £12 billion sector:  impact, engagement and opportunity through civil society

Prof Steve Ormerod
18/04/2017. 13:10 Time: Sir Martin Evans Building, 6th Floor Seminar Room

Staff profile – http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/people/view/81244-ormerod-steve

The UK’s charities contribute over £12 billion to the UK economy annually, with the largest organisations turning over more than £100-600 million for charitable purposes sitting squarely in the Biosciences domains of environment or biomedicine. Impacts range widely across research and its application to problem solving, opinion forming, lobbying for change, demonstration projects, volunteer mobilisation and resourcing crucial activities that touch many millions of lives for the individual and common good.

In this talk, Professor Steve Ormerod draws on his own experience to describe the work of this sector, and to outline opportunities for involvement as collaborators, supporters, volunteers, employees and in charitable governance.

His work has supported a range of charities for over three decades, including 14 years as a Trustee and Council Chairman of Europe’s largest wildlife conservation charity, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

[Description provided by the BIOSI school office team]

Life outside academia: Insights from Engagement and the Third Sector

Dr Alexa Bishop, Research Engagement Manager, Cancer Research UK.
09/05/2018.

Drawing from her own experience and career to date, Alexa will explore  the variety of opportunities that jobs within third sector and public engagement can offer to trained researchers.  She will also offer some hints and tips that will help in making the jump from academia.

Biography

Alexa Bishop completed her PhD in cell signalling in early breast cancer at Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Martrix Research at University of Manchester.  Whilst doing her PhD, Alexa sought a variety of experience in public engagement from Volunteering at Manchester Science Festival, being part of the Centre’s Engagement Committee and delivering science workshops at Manchester Museum. After finishing her PhD, Alexa took the position of Secondary Science Coordinator at Manchester Museum where she lead the Secondary Science Schools Programme.  She now works for Cancer Research UK, based in Cardiff University, leading research engagement in Wales and South West England.  Her role involves working with researchers and other organisations to bring cancer research to life for the public and Cancer Research UK supporters.

Medicines Discovery Catapult: re-imagining the future of drug discovery

Sally Price (Head of Cell & Translational Science, Medicines Discovery Catapult)
16/05/2018 @ 12.00.
Phys A Lecture Theatre, Sir Martin Evans Building

The traditional model of developing medicines is no longer fit for purpose – it’s been estimated that to take a new drug to a patient takes on average 13.5 years at an average cost of over £1.2 billion. Funded by Innovate UK, the Medicines Discovery Catapult is an independent not-for-profit company aiming to develop medicines more quickly and at lower cost without compromising patient safety.  To do this we are bringing together a fragmented UK sector of industry, academia, charities, technologists, services, finance companies, SMEs and start-ups who together can turn good science into new, high value products.  Our current science projects include developing humanised complex cell models, discovering novel biomarkers, assessing new methods of drug delivery and novel ways to validate drug targets and engagement.  We are actively seeking collaborations to achieve these goals. [description provided by Ian Horton and the BIOSI school office team]

Sally is also a former School of Biosciences post-doc, who was with the School for two years (2005-2007) researching “Discovery of novel biomarkers of nephrotoxicity using antibodies to unknown epitopes”. Follow her career path before and since that time via Sally Price on LinkedIn

Tips for designing a successful Final Year Project, including a Q&A about University teaching

Dr Steve Rutherford
30/05/2018. Time & location TBC

Deputy Head of Teaching / Deputy Director of Undergraduate Education with the School.

Staff profile – https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/people/view/81269-rutherford-stephen

The outside world doesn’t understand you: 25 years of trying to work with academia – a perspective now from within

Dr Simon Power, Water URI Institute manager.
postponed – new time & location TBA

These biographies and session details will be updated in due course

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