Nurturing Achievements: The Darwinian Path to Research Success

1. Developing A Research Portfolio A Darwinian ApproachMarch 14, 2007Charlotte (Toby) TateDean

2. Darwin says: • Survival of the fittest for research: • Situate the individual in a supportive • environment with just enough • pressures for success….

3. Environment of the Research Scientist

4. Darwin meets Dr. Westie Jake

5. Westhighland Jake, PhD Pedigree: degrees from major research universities

6. Stages of Dr. Jake’s Academic Career Launch: independent scientist Emergence: scientist/administrator Convergence: administrator

7. Dr. Jake’s Personal Characteristics • Critical thinker • Clever • Risk taker • Excellent communicator • Independent, yet collaborative • Isn’t afraid of failure

8. Dr. Jake’s Professional Attributes • Published or close to publishing • Focused on one area within expertise • Pushes the boundaries of knowledge • Likely to develop an independent, • sustainable scientific career • Will train the next generation of scientists

9. Stages of Dr. Jake’s Academic Career Launch: independent scientist Emergence: scientist/administrator Convergence: administrator

10. Front runner: Marathon

11. Out of the blue, a major university calls: We like your research. Come for a visit.

12. Metamessage: We’re not serious

13. X X They said… Jake thought….

15. Start up funds? Institutional investment?

17. I don’t think so.

18. The next place that called…. Major Research University

19. Already constructed research labs

20. Start up funds? Institutional investment? • Start up funds appropriate to methods • Grants management infrastructure • Grant proposal development support • Secretarial/IT support • Core facilities (dept/college/campus)

21. Clusters of research strength

22. Mentoring at each stage of career

23. X X They said in time… Jake thought, cool.

25. A good place!

26. Benchmarks for success High but reachable P&T Jake

27. Yes!

28. Dr. Jake becomes the Sage on the Stage

29. A few….

30. Achieved! Jake

31. Stages of Dr. Jake’s Academic Career Launch: independent scientist Emergence: scientist/administrator Convergence: administrator

32. Front runner: Ultra-marathon

33. Dr. Jake as Academic Dept. Chair Dean’s goal: increase research $$

34. Evolution of the academic tribe: Individual by individual

35. Departmental Faculty

36. Some were….

37. Others were…

38. And some were…unfortunately.

39. Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and annoys the pig.

40. Differential Faculty Workload: Built on strengths, not weaknesses

41. Hired young scientists into an environment of success Result: Grants

42. Everyone headed in the same direction

43. Stages of Dr. Jake’s Academic Career Launch: independent scientist Emergence: scientist/administrator Convergence: administrator

44. Front runner: Iron-man

45. Dr. Jake as Academic Dept. Chair //////////////////// Dean Dean’s goal: increase research $$ ///////////// Provost’s

46. Evolution of the academic community: Tribe by tribe

47. Sailing silos…..

48. Department chairs…key to success

49. Start up funds? Institutional investment? • Start up funds appropriate to methods • Grants management infrastructure • Grant proposal development support • Secretarial/IT support • Core facilities (dept/college/campus)

50. Renovated laboratories….