LSI 3MT

What is 3MT?

The Three Minute Thesis Competition is an academic competition that assists graduate students to develop effective presentation and communication skills. Participants have just three minutes to explain the breadth and significance of their research project to a non-specialist audience.

Why 3MT?

  • Supports the development of candidate’s capacity to communicate complex ideas successfully to a range of non-specialist audiences
  • The experience can help students ‘crystalize’ thoughts about their thesis and how they communicate their research
  • Opportunity for candidates to network both within Faculties and across UBC
  • Worthwhile prizes – UBC Finalist receive $1500, $750, and $300 for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place

UBC Semi-Finals

The 16 top judged presenters from across UBC will be presenting their 3 Minute Thesis on APRIL 27th. The Semi-Final aims to narrow down the 16 semi-finalists to advance just 6 finalists.

Representing the Life Sciences Institute are:

Leah Lim
MSc Candidate
Thompson Lab
Microbiology & Immunology Department

Sarah S. Chow
PhD Candidate
Accili Lab
Dept of Cellular & Physiological Sciences


John Shin
PhD Candidate
Loewen Lab
Dept of Cellular & Physiological Sciences
Leah Lim and John Shin will be presenting April 27th at the 1pm heat and Sarah Chow will be presenting at the 2:30pm heat.

Semi-Finals will be in the Ballroom, Graduate Student Centre, 6371 Crescent Road.

LSI Heat

10 fantastic presenters competed in the LSI heat on April 14th:

“Natural Killer Cell Targeting of Leukemic Stem Calls in an AML Mouse Model” – Laura Guillon
“Drug Combinations against Tuberculosis” -Leah Lim
“Sub-inhibitory Levels of Antibiotics Increase Gene Transfer in Rhodobacter capsulatus” – Rachel Bernelot Moens
“Enzymes in Tuberculosis” – Jenna Capyk
“Sponge Library Screens for Incretin Receptor Modulators” – Cathy Merchant
“Offsetting Nutritional Balance to Combat Bacterial Infections” – Carol Ng
“Why Fungus?” – Jennifer Geddes
“Fighting Cancer with Yeast” – John Shin
“Mending Broken Hearts: A novel approach to designing heart rate controlling drugs” – Sarah S. Chow
“How Immune Cells Remember” – Zinaida Tebaykina

Thank you to our wonderful judging panel:
Dr. Jennifer Gardy
Dr. David Ng
Bill Hanegraaf

A Microbiology & Immunology student also provided some live blogging from the event and photos are available here.

Coaching Session

Coach: Simon Clews, University of Melbourne

Simon Clews, our Coach, is the Director of the Writing Centre for Scholars and Researchers at the University of Melbourne, Australia, and was a judge in the OZ-NZ 3MT competition in 2010.  He has been visiting UBC to offer writing workshops through GPS and has kindly agreed to provide this coaching session to help UBC launch our inaugural competition.  Simon believes that learning to stand up and explain your research clearly is an essential skill. His message is “Laser pointers are for geeks!”   If you attend this session, you will be up on your feet and practicing to speak, so be prepared to leave your modesty at the door!

Notes available for download (pdf)

History of 3MT

3MT was an initiative of the University of Queensland in 2008 and is now run annually. In 2010, the University of Queensland hosted the Inaugural Australia and New Zealand 3MT competition. 33 universities competed in that competition, representing over 50,000 graduate students. UBC is one of the first Universities in North America to host a 3MT competition. Faculty Heats are beginning in mid-March leading to the semi-finals in April, and the final on May 10th.  Information about 3MT at UBC:

http://www.grad.ubc.ca/current-students/gps-graduate-pathways-success/three-minute-thesis

3MT Examples

Student Biotechnology Network’s 7th Annual Biotech Expo & Conference

Date: Tuesday March 1st 2011
Time: 6pm – 10pm
Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver ,BC

Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity!

  • Bring your RESUME to meet potential employers with over 25 booth exhibitions
  • A keynote address by Dr. Simon Pimstone, Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Xenon Pharmaceuticals “Where Does Opportunity Lie Within The Challenge?
  • Six breakout sessions with information about various areas of the life sciences industry
  • The opportunity to mingle with over 400 peers, industry leaders, investors, and mentors
  • A members-only meet & greet with select speakers
  • Access to BioPartnering North America from 2pm-6pm on March 1st 2010
  • Food & Drink at SBN Networking Reception

More information and registration at: http://thesbn.ca/Events/2010-11/biotech_expo

Link to the poster/download the attached poster: http://thesbn.ca/images/events/2010-11/Biotech%20Expo%20and%20Conference/Biotech_Expo_March1.jpg

SBN would not be possible without its generous sponsors:
[ PLATINUM ]  Genome BC, NSERC, STEMCELL Technologies, Technology Vision Group [ GOLD ] Centrifuge Media Lab, Gowlings, UBC Office of the VP Research, KPMG [ SILVER ]  AstraZeneca, BC Bioenergy Network, Cardiome, Centre for Drug Research and Development, GenomeDx, SFU Office of the VP Research, Pfizer, UBC University Industry Liaison Office [ IN KIND ] Discovery Parks, LIfeSciences BC

GPS: From Academic Researcher to Commercial Writer

From Academic Researcher to Commercial Writer

Graduate Student Centre, Point Grey Campus

Fee – Refundable Upon Completion

Facilitator: Simon Clews, University of Melbourne

Options for Participation:

Two Full Days: Tuesday, March 1st AND Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011 – Refundable Fee $50

(Priority will be given to graduate students registering for both days)

Day One Only, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm:  Tuesday, March 1st – Refundable Fee $25

(Introductory Level – See Description Below)

Day Two Only,            9:00 am – 4:00 pm: Wednesday, March 2nd — Refundable Fee $25

(Advanced Level – See Description Below)

During these workshops, you will learn about the process of communicating academic research to a general reader. Simon will share advice during interactive seminars which will focus on adapting your scholarly writing to achieve commercial success. Priority will be given to those who wish to attend both days.

Day One: This introductory workshop will cover all aspects of writing research-based, non-fiction for a non-specialist readership; everything from a piece in the daily paper through to an award-winning best seller will be discussed. Participants will examine their writing styles and develop an awareness of the reader. They will look at all the possible outcomes for their expertise in the popular media – including non-print formats – and consider the notion of becoming a public spokesperson in their field. This workshop is perfect for the academic researcher who wants to communicate with a general audience outside the Academy.

Day Two: This advanced workshop will continue on from the introductory workshop. Attendees for this day only will be asked to demonstrate they already have some background in writing outside academia.  The aim is to further develop participants’ skills in writing for the popular media. Analysis of potential markets and pitching to publishers will be discussed. Practical writing exercises will allow participants to test their newly acquired skills. The business of being an entrepreneurial writer and the practical steps required to set out on a parallel career in the commercial media will be examined. This workshop is designed for those researchers who are serious about establishing a name for themselves outside the Academy as well as within. Participants are required to bring with them one newspaper and one magazine (again: non-specialist as defined above) that they would like to write for.

The Facilitator: Simon Clews, returns to UBC for the second time to share his expertise. Simon is the Director of the Writing Centre for Scholars and Researchers at the University of Melbourne, Australia, as well as the Creative Program Director for Melbourne’s Writers at the Convent. He is a regular book reviewer and writer of newspaper articles.

Note: Participants are required to bring writing materials or a laptop to each session. Seats are limited to 24 participants. Restricted to UBC graduate students registered in the current academic session.

Refreshments: Light breakfast, refreshments and lunch will be provided.  Please bring your own mug.

Registration: Enter your registration information at: https://www.surveyfeedback.ca/surveys/wsb.dll/s/1gbe9

If you experience any difficulty using the online registration tool, please send a message to: gradgps@interchange.ubc.ca

Confirmation and Fee Payment:

You will receive notification of registration status by e-mail within 2 days. If you are accepted into the workshop you will receive instructions for making payment by 12 noon, Monday, Feb. 28th.  Fees will be refunded to students who complete the sessions.

The Faculty of Graduate Studies appreciates the support of the Graduate Student Society for this event.

Governor General’s Gold Medal

At the May 2011 Congregation ceremony, a gold medal will be awarded to the graduate student who has achieved the most outstanding academic record in the graduating class for the Doctoral degree. A second gold medal is awarded to the graduate student who has achieved most outstanding academic record in the graduating class for the Master’s degree with thesis.  In order to be eligible for nomination, students must have submitted the final copy of their thesis to the Faculty of Graduate Studies between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010.

Details regarding nomination procedures are posted on the Faculty of Graduate Studies website at: http://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/governor-generals-gold-medal

Nomination Deadlines
Graduate programs are asked to check with their Faculty Dean’s Office regarding their internal nomination procedures and deadline.  Graduate programs forward their nominations to their respective Dean’s Office for review, and Faculty Dean’s Offices may nominate up to two students to the Faculty of Graduate Studies, one for the Master’s medal and one for the Doctoral medal.  Nominations from the Faculties must be received by the Faculty of Graduate Studies by 4:00pm on Friday, March 18, 2011.

Rick Hansen “Man in Motion” Fellowships

The Rick Hansen “Man in Motion” Fellowships are made available by the University of British Columbia to honour the incredible determination and many personal achievements of Rick Hansen, Bachelor of Physical Education, 1986 and Doctor of Laws, honoris causa. His two-year world tour, Man in Motion, completed in 1987, changed public attitudes and the prospects for people with disabilities. Two fellowships, valued at $16,000 per year, are awarded each year.

Further details about this award are available on our website:
http://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/rick-hansen-man-motion-fellowship

Applications must be submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies by 4:00pm on Friday, February 11, 2011.

Please note that graduate programs should set their internal application deadline in advance of this date.

CAGS/UMI Distinguished Dissertation Award

The CAGS/UMI Distinguished Dissertation Awards recognize Canadian doctoral dissertations that make unusually significant and original contributions to their academic field. There are two awards: one for engineering, medical sciences and the natural sciences; and one for the fine arts, humanities and social sciences. The awards are granted by the Canadian Association for Graduate Studies (CAGS) and are sponsored by UMI (University Microfilms International). They include a $1,500 prize, a Citation Certificate and travel expenses of up to $1,500 to attend the CAGS Annual Conference.

Each UBC graduate program may nominate one dissertation to the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Nomination procedures are described on our website at:
http://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/cagsumi-dissertation-award

Deadline for nominations to be received by the Faculty of Graduate Studies: 4:00pm Friday February 11, 2011.

MSFHR – 2011 Funding

Competition information

2010 Trainee Competition

This trainee competition will take applications at the post doctoral level only. In early 2011, we will work with our Research Advisory Council to revise the graduate student component of the program in readiness for the next trainee competition in fall 2011.

LOI application deadline: March 1, 2011
Full application deadline: April 1,2011

Read more about the 2010-2011 Trainee Competition

2010 Career Investigator Competition

This competition will take applications for a revised scholar award only. The scholar award is now an eight-year award at an increased amount, with a rigorous review in year four to determine if recipients will receive the final four years of funding. MSFHR funding in years seven and eight declines to 50% and 25% respectively as host institutions assume responsibility for long-term funding of scholars. Establishment grants and the senior scholar award are discontinued.

LOI application deadline: January 28, 2011
Full application deadline: February 18, 2011

Read more about the 2010-2011 Career Investigator Competition

Complete Announcement available on MSFHR website

UBC Graduate Student International Research Mobility Award

URL: http://www.research.ubc.ca/gradfundingubc.aspx
Deadlines:
February 1, 2011 – for travel May 1st or later
June 1, 2011
October 1, 2011

The Office of the Vice President Research & International is pleased to announce an upcoming Request For Proposals for the UBC Graduate Student International Research Mobility Award. This program was established to build and enhance research collaborations between UBC and research-intensive universities, research institutes or related organizations in areas of mutual excellence. Since the program began in April 2009, 60 graduate students have received the award (58 PhD, 2 Master’s). See website for full list of awardees.

In partnership with the Faculty of Graduate Studies and UBC’s Go Global program, we invite applications from UBC graduate students who wish to participate in a research abroad opportunity at a leading institution outside the US and Canada. Priority is given to PhD students.

Value: $1500 stipend (+ Go Global fee, for students attending partner institutions). UBC students can also use the $400 FOGS Travel Fund towards an approved research abroad program.

Upcoming Deadline: February 1st deadline for travel May 1st or later.

NOTE: Students who are applying to do their research abroad program at a partner institution are required to also apply to the Go Global program (see below).

More information: For full program and application details, please review the award guidelines and the FAQ posted on the web (http://www.research.ubc.ca/gradfundingubc.aspx). For any additional questions, please contact Jacqueline Smit at jacqueline.smit@ubc.ca or 604.822.8136.

Other funding sources for research mobility are also posted at our website – advance planning is required for most external grants.

Go Global
URL: http://www.students.ubc.ca/global/index.cfm
Upcoming Deadlines:
December 9, 2010 (US and UK Leuven)
Jan 18, 2011  (Asia, Africa, Australia, NZ)
Jan 18, 2011 (Europe, Canada, Latin America)

Go Global, through its network of over 150 partner universities, offers graduate opportunities to study or research abroad, including short-term research programs. Go Global also administers over $1.4M in international learning awards available to UBC Master’s and PhD students on research abroad placement at a  partner institution.

Why should you participate?
–          Advancement of your Master’s or PhD research and thesis completion – skills, expertise, &  equipment

–          To become globally aware, to grow and develop as a person, and to gain cross-cultural understanding.

–          To connect meaningfully with the people in your host country; experience life abroad as a student, not just as a tourist.

–          To connect with colleagues engaged in parallel research and extend your network.

For more information, please visit Go Global – http://www.students.ubc.ca/global/index.cfm

Research Abroad: Benefits

Final Survey Results (Students who received a VPRI Mobility Award and completed a research abroad program as of June 2010)
–          95% of students felt that their research abroad program very significantly or significantly enhanced or enriched their dissertation.
–          90% of students expected to produce a publication or make a conference presentation as a direct result of their research abroad program.
–          76% of students were very satisfied and 19% were satisfied with their research abroad program overall.

Student Testimonials

“I felt that the research abroad activities contributed to a productive and enriching experience, which will be very useful to my dissertation research and my research program as a whole….I was able to work with experts in [my field] and was able to learn skills in techniques that I hope to apply to my dissertation work.”
“My research supervisor was outstanding. He provided a lot of specialized knowledge that I couldn’t have gained anywhere else… I received all the required training and left completely satisfied with the outcome. I am confident I’ll publish an excellent paper in a good journal as a result of this research experience.”
“I have been able to complete my dissertation fieldwork… The program gave me an opportunity to work in some of the best libraries in the country and interact with some of the top scholars and politicians.”
“The program provided a rewarding experience for me. Settling in the new city and finding my way around in the new cultural setting was a challenge at first. However, overall this experience was great and I think it will boost my academic career a great deal. This is not only because I was able to gain first-hand knowledge of the events I am studying but also because of the eye-opening experience of interacting with non-western scholars and hearing their perspectives on things we take for granted.”
“The most rewarding aspect of the research visit was to share and discuss my PhD research and directions with a large number of researchers with a wide array of backgrounds. Formal presentations and discussions led to a number of ideas that will improve the quality of my dissertation.”
1 Students who received a VPRI Mobility Award and completed a research abroad program as of June 2010.

Jacqueline Smit
Senior Officer, International Research Initiatives
Office of the Vice President Research & International
University of British Columbia

CAPI Advancing a National Dialogue Award

The Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI) Advancing a National Dialogue Awards Program is designed to elicit the views of graduate students on what should be the future government policies or models that will help Canada thrive in the emerging agri-food world, seeking out fresh ideas from graduate students on how to foster meaningful discussion on mid- to long-term policy issues facing the country’s agricultural and agri-food sector, and to develop policy ideas that enhance the profitability and competitiveness of the sector. There are three awards at the graduate level, with one award per category of: food and wellness connection; sustainability; viability.
Deadline: Monday, January 31, 2011
Value: One award of $10,000 and two awards of $5,000

CIFAR Junior Fellowship

The Junior Fellow Academy of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) offers unique opportunities for personal and professional growth through close collaboration with and mentorship from some of the best researchers in Canada and around the world. Held in conjunction with a university appointment, this fellowship is for a two year duration. Most typically, Junior Fellows work as postdoctoral fellows under the direct supervision of one or more CIFAR program members. In the social sciences and humanities disciplines, where postdoctoral fellowships are less common, Junior Fellows may hold a junior faculty position.
Deadline: Friday, January 21, 2011
Value: $50,000 to $70,000
Link: http://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/cifar-junior-fellowship