The UNMC Office of Postdoctoral Education is offering a workshop series titled “How to Run a Successful Academic Research Lab: A Diverse Perspective.”
Faculty members in different stages of their academic careers will share their philosophies, experiences and advice on lab management. Topics will include approaches to organization, outlook and preparation for writing grants, as well as the pleasures and frustrations in running a lab.
Iqbal Ahmad, PhD, associate dean and director of the UNMC Office of Postdoctoral Education, said that in a 2023 Nature survey, most postdocs indicated they planned to pursue a career in academia. Their entry into academic research, he said, is essential for maintaining scientific advancement and discoveries.
Dr. Ahmad said the workshop series will inform participants what it takes to establish an independent academic research lab and take it to a higher level of excellence through different stages of a career.
The first workshop, held Sept. 12, involved a presentation by Sandipan Brahma, PhD, assistant professor in the UNMC Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, on “Making the Most of Your Postdoc Training.”
Upcoming presenters will be:
- Matthew Van Hook, PhD, associate professor in the UNMC Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, on “A Values-Based Approach to Leading an Academic Research Group,” on Thursday, Sept. 19, from noon-1 p.m. in Durham Research Center 1, room 1005.
- John Davis, PhD, professor in the UNMC Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, on “Taking Advantage of Opportunities for Success,” on Oct. 3 from noon-1 p.m. in Durham Research Center 1, room 1004.
- Vimla Band, PhD, professor and chair of the UNMC Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy on “Life’s Lessons Learned in Postdoc Training,” on Oct. 10 from 11 a.m.-noon in Durham Research Center 1, room 1005.
National Postdoc Appreciation Week is Sept. 16-20.