Biophysical Society Bulletin | October 2024

Career Development

Making Your Research Stand Out

Network your ideas. Before sending your research ideas out into the world by submitting a grant proposal or research article, you should seek input from colleagues. Often, you can receive remarks that appear frustrating, but these are often the comments that will enhance your research. Net working will provide diverse viewpoints, opening avenues for your research. Brainstorming with colleagues will also assist in identifying optimal solutions to problems by integrating unique perspectives, enabling you to be more productive with fewer resources. This provides opportunities for collaboration, which can reshape your research and allow for new questions to be asked. Trust your gut. Imposter syndrome is rampant in academia, leading to many researchers doubting their skills and, worse, their own ideas. Because research is at the forefront of human knowledge, research topics are unique and untested and are accompanied by widespread uncertainty. Because of the inherent novelty of research ideas, others may attempt to reject or downplay their importance; however, some of the most innovative ideas have come despite initial criticism. Ultimately, you will work on a research project that gets you excited. Therefore, trust your excitement and take other people’s comments seriously. You will work on your research program for years or decades, so you should follow your am bitions and interests. Use your network, use the portfolio you have developed, develop an idea that integrates your influ ences, and your research will speak for itself. In summary, building a distinct and impactful research program requires a combination of creativity, resilience, and strategic networking. By integrating influences thoughtfully, diversifying your skill set, seeking input from colleagues, and trusting your instincts, you can develop a research program that not only stands out but also withstands the challenges of the academic landscape. Remember, the strength of your research lies in its originality and your passion—stay true to your ideas, and your work will leave a lasting impact. — Molly Cule

Having a distinct and impactful re search program is a crucial factor for job applications, submitting grants and papers, or networking. Developing a re search program requires strong resolve, because you must go out on a limb to tell the world what problems excite you and how you plan to tackle them. To formulate your research program, criti cal strategies will help you differentiate yourself from others. Below are ideas

on how you can strengthen your research program. Integrate ideas. It is impossible for research to take place in a vacuum; therefore, influence and inspiration are inevitable. If not used wisely, this influence can subconsciously affect your research, sometimes negatively. To overcome this issue, be acutely aware of your influences and use aspects of them in your research but ensure that your own thoughts and creativity are at the forefront. Leverage methodologies you have learned and apply them to novel biological problems or formulate new approaches to solve longstanding questions. In either case, you will have produced something new while leveraging your influences effectively. Diversify your portfolio. Generating a research program is fa cilitated by a diverse portfolio of techniques at your disposal. An ideal time to develop this portfolio is during your academic training. When transitioning from undergraduate to graduate to postdoc, you have an opportunity to evolve and learn about emerging techniques or research topics. With online resourc es, you can identify which labs match your research interests and meet with heads of research groups worldwide. Use this to your advantage to identify the best opportunities and broaden your horizons.

Join the BPS PUI Network Are you looking to connect with other PUI faculties or interested in obtaining academic positions at Primarily Undergraduate Institution (PUIs)? Join the BPS PUI Network. The network creates opportunities for current PUI faculty to network and share experiences with one another. Members of the Network exchange tips and ideas such as teaching strat egies, latest trends in education technology, online teaching, and more. Graduate students and postdocs interested in obtaining academic positions at PUIs are encouraged to join. Questions can be directed to Ethan Rogers-Yosebashvili at eyosebashvili@biophysics.org. www.biophysics.org/PUI-Network

October 2024

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