Biophysical Society Bulletin | October 2023

Career Development

Insights from PUI Network Meeting The Primarily Undergraduate Institution (PUI) Network is a group for members who are interested in or currently build ing their career at a PUI and hosts various events to connect like-minded peers. The PUI Network was proud to host a Catalyst Idea Mash, a recurring virtual networking event, on August 24, 2023. These sessions provide an informal space for peers around the world to meet and share ideas, triumphs, and frustrations related to a career at a PUI. At this session, attendees at all career levels shared tips on two topics that seemed to be relevant to PUI professors everywhere: “Scaf folding Experiments for Undergraduates” and “How to Have Difficult Conversations.” “Scaffolding Experiments for Undergraduates” was, as you might imagine, a discussion about how to effectively struc ture the lab experience for students who lack the foundation al knowledge of a graduate student. One effective approach involves experienced lab members gradually constructing experiment schematics on paper, progressively introducing layers of complexity throughout the semester. This provides students with a comprehensive visual guide, which can help students conceptualize the experiment as a whole. Even without the visual aid, structured weekly plans were empha sized as an important tool to keep students from becom ing overwhelmed. This approach has the added benefit of addressing the challenge of transferring knowledge and skills from one student to the next. Members also suggested writ ing protocols and using resources like the Journal of Visualized Experiments to demonstrate experiment execution. Another topic was the challenge of building enthusiasm for the less engaging but necessary parts of the research pro cess. Some attendees have seen success by incorporating game-like elements to increase student interest in data anal ysis and experimental outcomes. To encourage thorough un derstanding, reading logs and annotated bibliographies were also recommended. Collaborative tools like Google folders and Zotero were suggested for tracking relevant publications.

“How to Have Difficult Conversations” was centered on fostering open communication and addressing challenging subjects. No one truly wants to have these talks, but they are a necessary part of any long-term project. A recurring concern among educators was conducting career check-in meetings that allow for difficult conversations without singling out indi viduals. The approach discussed involved adopting the STAR method, as described here. Stop: Take a moment to pause and gather thoughts before proceeding. Remind yourself of the importance of addressing the issue professionally and respectfully. Think: Determine your objective for this conversation. Consider the best approach, along with the individual’s perspective. Act: Engage in intentional actions that promote constructive dialogue. For example, use “I” statements to express your observations and concerns, have the discussion in private, express your appreciation for the person’s contributions to the lab and their work so far, and allow them to share their perspective. Reflect: Listen actively to their response without interrupting. Assess the outcomes of the conversation and adjust future approaches as needed. Being an undergrad can be extremely stressful, so attendees also highlighted the importance of being mindful of a stu dent’s mental health. Although this would hopefully never be necessary, attendees also encouraged others to be aware of the methods for extending mental health checks to students through mechanisms like the CARE Team and Early Alert System. This practice ensures that students receive timely support when facing challenges. ATTEND THE NEXT EVENT! The PUI Network will host its next virtual idea-sharing event on November 8, 2023 at 2:00 PM USA Eastern Time . Registration is free for BPS members and only $15 for non-members. Register to save your seat by visiting the BPS Store at www.biophysics.org/store.

Be an inspiration to your community and help change the lives of those inter ested in or studying science. Sign up to be a mentor, K-12 classroom visitor, speaker, science fair judge, or student chapter sponsor. Access to the network is free for all BPS members and non-members. For more information, visit biophysics.org/get-involved. Use Your Expertise to Make a Difference!

October 2023

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