Sessions
Artwork that Didn't Work
Instead of a poster or a talk, we invite you to prepare a graphical abstract to present your research, and share a picture of “unexpected data” ("bad" data).
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Because our days as scientists are not boring, and sometimes experiments don’t go as we expect them to, our idea is to use these pictures as ice-breakers for you to meet your peers and then use the graphical abstract to explain to them the amazing science you do when you day goes really well!
For more details, please read carefully through the email sent to the registered participants!
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Your science may be win one of the amazing 5 awards kindly sponsored by FEBS and Santa Cruz!
The Do's and Don't's of Grant Writing
Exactly that! With experienced grant writers (and awardees), and grant reviewers.
Time Management and Leadership Skills
The workshop on ‘Management and Leadership for Postdocs’ will be presented by a team of postdocs from Instituto de Medicina Molecular. They will share the knowledge acquired during the “Leadership and Skills Course for Postdocs” given by hfp consulting, who typically run the EMBO Lab management workshops in Heidelberg.
The workshop will address questions such as:
How can I resolve conflicts; how can I improve my time management; how do I set priorities; how do I set goals; how can I delegate tasks more effectively; which leadership style is appropriate; how do I motivate my students; how can I be a good leader, will be addressed.
The goal is to improve and develop leadership and communication skills, which are essential to overcome today’s challenges in scientific work.
Hijacking Challenge
In one way or another, we all spend most of our time trying to figure out how things work.
From molecules, to cells and to the whole organism, we want to understand the intricacies of the biological systems that make up life as we know it. On the other hand, many of us are (also) intrigued by how such beautifully organized and complex systems can be hijacked by pathogens or virus, or even subverted in disease, such as cancer.
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In this “Hijacking Challenge” you will be part of a small group of participants. Each team will be as diverse in their backgrounds as possible so you can gain from different perspectives and expertise in this problem solving activity.
Part 1 of the “Hijacking challenge”: We will challenge each team to identify or speculate processes or systems that can be subverted by “bad cells”.
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Part 2 of the “Hijacking challenge”: Each group will then be challenged to come up with a solution (a.k.a. therapy) to address the “bad behavior” another group has come up with.
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The Grand Finale: Each team will pitch the “bad behavior” they were challenged with and present their solution to attack it and solve it!! There will be a prize for the most voted pitch!!
PhD. And then What?
We have all heard that there is life beyond academia. But what is it? What opportunities are there?
This year we invited one of the companies that is actively looking for new collaborators - including those that hold a PhD...! At the retreat you will have the opportunity to talk to Scientists from Hovione.
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“Hovione has over 50 years of experience in the development and compliant manufacture of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients and Drug Product Intermediates. Hovione offers branded pharmaceutical customers services for the development and compliant manufacture of innovative new drugs including highly potent compounds. For generic pharmaceutical customers the company offers niche generic API products. Hovione also offers all customers proprietary product development and licensing opportunities for drug products.
Due to the enormous growth observed in recent years, Hovione is interested in hiring new collaborators.
We believe in diversity. We know that the most exciting discoveries happen at the intersection of different disciplines, We set our own course and do not follow the herd. Expect Hovione to do things differently. We are looking for enthusiastic and confident people that have completed their PhDs and have experience in the pharmaceutical industry – Research & Development, Process Engineering, Production or other areas.
Feel free to bring your CV!”
Visit to Herdade da Comporta
Between Alcácer do Sal and Grandola, you come across a breathtaking landscape of white sandy beaches, crystalline sea coastline and dunes and pine trees irrigated by immense verdant rice paddies. Here it lies Herdade da Comporta.
Herdade da Comporta´s wines are the result of a commitment to a bold and modern-day wine producing concept which mixes cutting edge technology with traditional wine making in mechanized vats. Recognized for their quality the wines have won awards in several international competitions.
Adapted from: Herdade da Comporta website
In collaboration with Wine Tourism in Portugal, we will provide you with a visit to the Herdade da Comporta wine cellar with tasting of two types of wines.
Important: this activity is free of charge but pre-registration is mandatory (transportation is included).
Science Fundraising in Portugal
The Maratona da Saúde is a not-for-profit organization, which aims to promote science engagement campaigns in Portugal and create a funding alternative for biomedical research.
Following the example of a well-known international format, called telethon, that consists on a broad science awareness project that culminates on an annual fundraising television marathon dedicated to research, Maratona da Saúde has established a partnership with the RTP Media Group to promote a telethon-like program in Portugal. The 4th edition of the Maratona da Saúde is dedicated to the cardiovascular diseases, and previous editions were devoted to cancer, diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders, respectively.
The donations derived from the civil society support during each edition allowed the creation of the Maratona da Saúde biomedical research prizes that are already funding the work of scientists that develop their research in Portuguese institutions.