I don’t know if it’s my curious nature, my scientific training, or just that I’m easily sidetracked while looking for journal articles, but I always seem to find myself drawn to bizarre, interesting, or bizarrely interesting research that’s taking place around this wonderful world of ours. This latest article I’ve come across is [...]]]>

I don’t know if it’s my curious nature, my scientific training, or just that I’m easily sidetracked while looking for journal articles, but I always seem to find myself drawn to bizarre, interesting, or bizarrely interesting research that’s taking place around this wonderful world of ours. This latest article I’ve come across is no different, but this time, for a much more serious reason. And the solution to this problem was so simple it blew my mind.

Were you aware that of the 3.7 million neonatal deaths and 3.3 million stillbirths each year, 98% occur in developing countries? Let me spell that out for you: NINETY-EIGHT PERCENT. I thought that the World Health Organization (WHO) had printed a type-o when I read that. But it turns out that this is, in fact, the truth. The major causes of these staggering statistics are asphyxia at birth, low birth weight, and prematurity. But here’s the rub: the WHO has estimated that low-cost interventions, such as training in neonatal resuscitation and “kangaroo” (skin-to-skin) care could possibly decrease perinatal deaths by up to 50%. I don’t think I need to spell that statistic out for you.

In order to combat these problems in developing nations, Dr. Waldemar Carlo and colleagues have recently established the “Essential Newborn Care Course”, and implemented it’s teaching in rural communities in six countries (Argentina, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, India, Pakistan, and Zambia). In results recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine (2010; 362: 614-623), Dr. Carlo has reported a significant reduction in the rate of stillbirth in these regions. So what was the crazy design of this study? What miraculous, new-wave birthing practices did they develop to save all these children? Simple education, that’s what. The authors used a simple “train-the-trainer” model, where local instructors trained birth attendants from these six countries routine neonatal care, resuscitation, thermoregulation, breast-feeding, and care for common illnesses. Basically, the same information that is offered to every parent in a first-world country. After following 62, 366 infants using a “before-and-after” implementation design, the authors found that the WHO’s Essential Newborn Care Course improved midwives’ skill and knowledge and significantly reduced neonatal deaths in the first 7 days after birth.

The phrase “knowledge is power” has never been so relevant. How can so simple an idea lead to such drastic changes? And more importantly, how can this study shed light on other problems faced in developing countries? Immediately, the HIV/AIDS pandemic comes to mind. It has long been thought that simple education-driven solutions could prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa, but so far too little has been done to combat this deadly disease. But the proof of the effectiveness of such programs is staring us in the face. The only question left to answer is, what are we going to do about it?

This is more of an informative post than anything. As graduate students, I would assume that most of us are life long learners and pride ourselves in our capacity to understand new things. Unfortunately for us, our education has been expensive. Even as graduate students, we somehow find $3500 a term disappearing from [...]]]>

This is more of an informative post than anything. As graduate students, I would assume that most of us are life long learners and pride ourselves in our capacity to understand new things. Unfortunately for us, our education has been expensive. Even as graduate students, we somehow find $3500 a term disappearing from our bank accounts for tuition.

Luckily enough for future generations, I think there may be a trend towards cheaper (or free), less formal education with the evolution of Web 2.0. For example, I recently came across a resource on the web, offering an entire Webinar on Technology Transfer for free. For those of you also interested in this career (or if you’re just interested in intellectual property and/or business for that matter) I would recommend checking it out.

You can find it here: http://bit.ly/axxIMa

Simply create a free account with a username and password and you`ll have access to the entire course which includes slides and audio lectures. It is offered by the National Council of Entrepreneurial Technology Transfer in the United States – Kudos to them. However, some of the intricacies of patent and business law discussed are different in the States, but most of the material applies here in Canada as well.

I had a discussion about this website with a friend and he mentioned there were a number of initiatives like it spearheaded by large academic institutions in the U.S. (and possibly in Canada?). I was curious about this, so I did a little digging and to my surprise- and probably to many of you- there are actually MANY full length courses, including video and audio (even assignments and tests!) posted online for FREE by colleges like Yale and MIT.

I think this is great and although most of the courses are basic first year classes, there are definitely some gems to be found.

Here is the link to the Yale open learning website : http://bit.ly/R2LFr
and MIT: http://bit.ly/33VIo

These sites are supplemented by iTunes libraries and YouTube channels. It appears that at least some academic institutions are embracing social media and web 2.0. I’m wondering, however, what exactly is their motivation for doing this? Do they believe that it will attract extra students because only the most basic courses are offered and they will want more? Is it in preparation for charging students for access? Are they going to adopt a “youtube” model of revenue (ie Ads) Or is this a truly altruistic act? Somehow I doubt it…
I’d love to hear some of your opinions.

I hope that I have been able to help some people discover a few more potential careers out there that don’t involve lab work. I’m going to discuss a few more that I have come across today and probably leave it up to you to find out the rest. I’m just [...]]]>

I hope that I have been able to help some people discover a few more potential careers out there that don’t involve lab work. I’m going to discuss a few more that I have come across today and probably leave it up to you to find out the rest. I’m just here to wet your appetite, ultimately you’ll need to discover your own path – I can only help push you in the right direction.

Technical Writer

These individuals design, write and edit product manuals, handbooks or application notes. There isn’t as much creativity involved here as some people may like, but this career will challenge you to communicate effectively in writing. If the protocol for doing something isn’t clear, it is the problem of the technical writer. For more information about this type of job check out this link. http://bit.ly/aBlb3D

Scientific Journalist

This career is somewhat self-explanatory – they write articles about scientific advancements or health care targeted towards the general public. You could work for a publication such as “Scientific American” or “Popular Science”. http://bit.ly/9VZvm7 http://bit.ly/9rwDQX

Scientific Illustration

Do you find yourself drawing rather than doing lab work? Have you ever considered being an artist? Well, scientific illustration might be for you. Most of those textbook diagrams and drawings are done by these individuals. The University of Toronto actually has a program specifically for this career. Check it out here:
Jobs in this discipline are a little hard to come by, but they are available. http://bit.ly/9agyxA

Technical Support

Technical support specialists can either give customers advice or assistance over the phone, or come in person to fix or troubleshoot an instrument. I recently called a support representative to find out about their organelle dyes and he steered me away from using them for co-localization studies – this just gives you an idea of their daily correspondence. If you are good with tools, you may consider being the one to fix centrifuges or other automated equipment onsite. Here is a sample job posting http://bit.ly/bucwPz

Science Policy Analyst

As a scientist involved in public policy, you would analyze, interpret or recommend changes to current policies dictating scientific research regulations and guidelines. If you work for the government in this role you could be instrumental in shaping its direction when it comes to all aspects of science. If you’re a policy analyst for a private company your main goal would be to ensure that policies being put in place would not have detrimental effects on the business. You would also recommend internal changes in order to adapt to new policies. Here is a link to a policy internship program in Ottawa http://bit.ly/9xt0lk

Well for now, I’m unfortunately out of ideas. If you have something in mind that you think people may be interested in feel free to make a comment or send an email. I hope my posts have been useful and that you’ve been interested in at least 1 of the careers that I’ve mentioned.

As a corollary I’m just going to list some online jobs sites here for you in no particular order- for once you are ready to start applying.

Workopolis
Monster
Petri Dish
Canada Job Bank
Yahoo Hot Jobs
MaRs Job Board
Craigslist Science Jobs in Toronto
Science Jobs
Career Builder
Career Owl

Have any more that you’d like to add? Let us know by leaving a comment!
p.s. Generally speaking if you have a particular company(s) in mind they will also post openings on their website so be aware of that.

If you missed them don’t forget to check out my previous posts Networking http://bit.ly/as0G7v Career search Pt1 and 2 bit.ly/9cSIf8 and bit.ly/dpam1b

I just read an interesting article on Globe campus about the lackluster performance of Canada in educating and graduating PhDs:

“Canada’s graduation rate of doctoral students is strikingly low compared with its performance on other measures of education completion (high school, college, and university) and compared with its peers,” the report states.

And if that [...]]]>

I just read an interesting article on Globe campus about the lackluster performance of Canada in educating and graduating PhDs:

“Canada’s graduation rate of doctoral students is strikingly low compared with its performance on other measures of education completion (high school, college, and university) and compared with its peers,” the report states.

And if that wasn’t enough to drive you to deep depression, here’s more from the article:

“There’s also less pay and employment incentive for Canadian students to pursue doctoral education … Compared to firms in the U.S., Canadian firms across most industries hire fewer Ph.D. graduates and pay them less.”

Do not despair PhD candidates across the country, we shall overcome!

You can read the rest of the article here.

As some of you may know, I’m a huge Olympic nut. Couple that to the fact that I call Vancouver, BC home has been a recipe for an unmitigated disaster for my productivity. I’d like to take this moment and reflect on all my favourite Olympic moments of Vancouver 2010. I’ve embedded YouTube [...]]]>

As some of you may know, I’m a huge Olympic nut. Couple that to the fact that I call Vancouver, BC home has been a recipe for an unmitigated disaster for my productivity. I’d like to take this moment and reflect on all my favourite Olympic moments of Vancouver 2010. I’ve embedded YouTube clips where available. Most of these are off memory alone, so please let me know if I get any of the facts horridly wrong and I’ll fix them ASAP!

Also, apologies for not having the videos Embedded but CTV has decided, in their infinite wisdom, to prevent embedding of videos!! Make sure to open the links in a new window so you can come back to the post….

10. National Anthem at Curling Match

Isn’t it an amazing feeling to hear your country’s national anthem played at home with the crowd singing along at full blast?

(Aside: I feel like fans were robbed of the opportunity to sing along to the Anthem during the opening ceremony because VANOC and Nikki Yanofsky decided to show off her vocal range instead of giving the audience the thrill of singing the anthem with her. Epic fail)

Now imagine the surprise and shock of the curlers at Vancouver Olympic Centre when the crowd stood up in unison and belted out O’ Canada in the middle of *THREE* curling matches!!! Funny thing is, this was completely spontaneous. The story gets better: Curling is not traditionally a sport that draws large throngs of patriotic Canadians. There’s also an unwritten (could be written for all I know) that the audience should be polite, and courteous when curlers are on the block and “communicating” to the skips and sweepers. Anyway, so when the raucous crowd began in song, all three matches were held as the embarrassed but proud Canadian curlers soaked it all in.

What a moment, have a watch: National Anthem at Curling Match(video)

This is one of two moments that I will call you out for being inhuman if you’re not touched. You see, Tessa Virtue (btw, great name no?) and Scott Moir were paired off and started Ice Dancing at the tender age of 7 and 9 respectively.

There isn’t much more to say about this but to provide some context. This pair represented the Maple Leaf at perhaps the best, and certainly the worst time. Just hours and days before, the mens short track speed skating team had been shut out of their quest for medals. That Saturday was perhaps the darkest day for Canadian Olympics because as many as 5 serious medal contenders were kept off the podium by what I had called then an “epic fail for Chokeanada”

Then, Virtue and Moir danced away all those troubles:

Compulsory Dance(video)
Free Dance (For the gold medal)(video)

If you haven’t seen the hopping Marianne St. Gelais on the podium or in the stands, you’ve really missed out on one of the cutesy stories of the Olympics. I won’t describe the moment in case I ruin whatever memory others have of this particular moment but it’s awesome and really makes my heart warm: Marianne St. Gelais and Charles Hamelin(video)

Ahh Johnny – he decided in 2002 he wanted to compete in the Olympics

And represent Canada. From a humble background working as an automobile auctioneer in his hometown of Russell, Manitoba, Montgomery had no idea which sport he would even be playing in, but he set out to compete in the Olympic Games in Vancouver, BC. Eight years later, and a skeleton sled he had bought online for $7000, Montgomery stood atop the podium at the Whistler luge track showing raw Canadian emotion, hooting and hollering at the fans as if he had just won his Stanley Cup.

Athletes are taught to be respectful, gracious and humble on the podium, and this attitude is instilled in Canadians by default from birth. I’m not saying Montgomery wasn’t humble or gracious, but his celebration was widely heralded in Whistler as the athlete most exciting.

Words can’t describe this:(video)

This is the second moment where if you don’t shed a slight tear, I revoke your license to be human. Rochette (figure) skated the short program of her life days after she found out her mother had passed away.  She eventually won the bronze medal and was Canada’s flag bearer at the closing ceremony.

This moment will stick out in my life as, one of the most gut-wrenching moments ever: Short program skate(video)

Canada’s first Gold medal on home ice… En route for Team Canada setting the record for most gold medals in the history of the Vancouver Olympics.

Podium=Owned(video).

Fail at the opening. the Great One lights the secret outdoor cauldron and then VANOC pokes fun at itself for the cauldron fail in the closing ceremonies.
Opening Ceremonies Cauldron: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78b_SSFE0O4

Closing Ceremonies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw1k540yTNA

This truly telling tale by Stephen Brunt had more than a few Canadians wiping away dripping tears.

A must watch(video).

You didn’t think I would leave hockey off this list did you? No, I decided to leave it for the end because I think Olympics hockey shouldn’t overshadow what our great amateur athletes have done this winter games.

Sidney Crosby’s game winning, gold-clinching, record breaking goal in Overtime against the United States (and other highlights)(video):

Honourable Mention: Ryan Kesler with probably the best open net goal in history…(video)

VANOC got a considerable amount of flack prior to the olympics for shoving this song down our throats before the Olympics began. But I really hope that Canadians have really embraced this set of songs as the Olympic theme songs. If the iTunes top 10 album and track list are an indication, that’s certainly the case. Nikki Yanofsky, Annie Villeneuve (french version singer) and Stephen something (composer) are at the top of both those lists and raking in the cash.

Congratulations to them!! But here’s a mashup they had for the closing ceremony in which the English and french were sung together.

Annie and Nikki(video)

Hope you enjoyed that as much as I did!

Cheers,

Go Canada Go!!

Firas

Congratulations Team Canada…what a way to end the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

(pictures courtesy of torontoist.com and blotTO.com)

(by Michelle Ladouceur-Wodzak)

Last Friday students and staff from the departments of MBP, Immunology, and Biochemistry hit the slopes Skiing and Snowboarding at Blue Mountain.  Our bus ride was filled with Starbucks coffee, Timbits and a Back to the Future movie marathon. The runs and weather were perfect. Many attempted snowboarding for the first [...]]]>

(by Michelle Ladouceur-Wodzak)

Last Friday students and staff from the departments of MBP, Immunology, and Biochemistry hit the slopes Skiing and Snowboarding at Blue Mountain.  Our bus ride was filled with Starbucks coffee, Timbits and a Back to the Future movie marathon. The runs and weather were perfect. Many attempted snowboarding for the first time while others showed off their skills. What made the day even better was finishing it off with a good old beaver tail and hot chocolate at the top of the mountain. (Immunology had free beer, but perhaps that could change for MBP next year. J ) Overall, it was an exciting day and by the end we were all exhausted. The bus was filled with sleeping students and life was good and stress-free for a little while.

[Show as slideshow]