the art of speaking science

I. Observation or Introduction to the Problem

II. History of Field or Background Information

III. Hypothesis or Objectives

IV. Methods of Study a. Techniques b. Experimental Design or Protocol

V. Results (4-6 slides)

VI. Summary (state the findings)

VII. Conclusions, Speculations and Plans

CHECK OUT THE ROOM IN ADVANCE

SIZE OF ROOMPODIUMPOINTERCOMPUTER HOOKUPMICROPHONESCREEN

• felt vs thought or believe• incidence vs prevalence• phenomenon(na)• parameter vs variable• constitute vs comprise (consist) • effects vs affects

#1 Mistake in Science Talks: The Assumption That the Audience Knows What You are Talking About

Keep it Simple: Explain!

Introduction- Observation

Keep it simple: engage the audienceSets up the rationale for studyAbstract talks: the first slide reflects titleLong talks: Historical basis of problem Current understanding Background information

Must have one and be able to state it

•Make no assumptions •Be specific

Tailor description to audienceSimplifyExplain methodsExplain abbreviations and jargonTime line must be clear

Methods

In order to measure isoprostanes, we first collected pig urine

Figures and Data Slides Declarative title Point to axes-describe 1 min per slide Speak to the slide Don’t over-interpret data Avoid tables!

Common Errors in Data Display and Graphing

Indexing/ProportionalityScalingReadabilityComplexityCredibility

After careful study, most investigators have concluded that tables generally stink as a way to portray information to an audience.

Summary

Conclusion

If you want to present a good talk, avoid tables.

Proportionality Problems: What is a Doubling?

Radius = 1 Area = r2 Volume = r3

r = 1Area = 1Volume = 3

r = 2Area = 4Volume = 8

r = 1.26Area = 1.6Volume = 2

100

50

0

mmHg

ETIME

…. ……….… SBP

…. … ………. Ppa

Pa Pressure Doubled After Endotoxin

30

20

10

0

Ppa

ETIME

Ppa Doubles After Endotoxin

X

100

0

PRE POST

…......

..

..

.

.

.

.…

..

..….

..…..

….....

….X Increased after Treatment

100

X

0PRE POST

. .

X Increased after Treatment

Substance P is a Potent Pressor

80

70

mmHg

PRE POST

100

0

mmHg

Substance P is a Mild Pressor

PRE POST

TGFb: Involvement in PPH Pathogenesis

•Cell proliferation, differentiation•Apoptosis•Morphogenesis•Organogenesis

Genetic Mapping

FamilyStudies

Chromosome Interval

Met A A Met T T G GVal G G Val T T C C Ser T T Ser C C A ALeu C C Leu T T G G Gln C T A A A APro C C C C G GCys T T G G T T

STOP

*

1. ESTs, unidentied

2. ESTs, unidentied

3. ESTs, highly similar to patched [Drosophila melanogaster]

4. Phosphofructokinase (PFK)

5. BMPR2 Positional & Functional candidate for PPH

6. ESTs, unidentied

7. Deleted in pancreatic cancer 1 (DPC1)

8. ESTs, unidentied

Genes in Interval

ComputerSearch

MutationDetection

CandidateGenes

DiseaseMutation

Linkage & Disease Gene Hunting 2000+

HGP

Summary: be concise statement of facts

Conclusions: meaning or lesson speculations

Problems and Plans: what is next what to fix

Oh, yes: finally

• you probably shouldn’t make every slide a different font and color