oral scientific presentations

Oral Scientific Presentations

“Thriving, Not Just Surviving, as a Scientist” Workshop

Presented for Post-docs

of Baylor College of MedicineGayle Slaughter, Ph.D.

Assistant Dean of Graduate Education

[email protected]

Types of Oral Presentations

Lab meetings - variable length

Journal clubs - 30-50 minutes

Short scientific talks -10 minutes

National meetings, retreats

Research seminars - 50 minutes

Job talks

50 minute seminar; chalk talk

Types of Oral Presentations

Specific formats and strategies vary with type of talk, but principles are the same

Think

plan

prepare

practice, with feedback

Attitudes about Public Speaking

The # 1 fear of people is…


The # 1 fear of people is…

not snakes

not roaches

not even driving on the 610 loop


The # 1 fear of people is speaking in public

Even experienced speakers get nervous sometime or every time

Successful speakers are born, but also made

Everyone can improve their effectiveness with assessment and practice

Conquering Fear of Public Speaking

Keys to improvement: Guidance, practice, feedback

Mentor, other faculty, students, post-docs

Journal clubs, lab meetings, seminars

Medically Speaking Toastmasters

Tuesday at 5:30 pm at BCM, third floor Alkek

Group that focuses on speaking in public

Personal counseling: BCM has for employees (EPA)

General Structure of Successful Talks

Tell them what you’re going to tell them

Tell them

Tell them what you told them

Give an overview. Outline topics and goal(s).

Present the information.

Summarize the key points or conclusions.

I versus We

There are times when you need to differentiate between what you have done and what a group has done

The third person “we” is used in talks at national meetings where the science is the focus

The first person “I” is used if you are presenting at lab meetings, seminars where your contribution is being assessed (job interviews)

Always list collaborators in the last slideMay mention collaborators in talk (easier if a long talk)

Titles for Scientific Talks

Titles for talks or slides should convey punch line - the conclusion

What is your aim(s) or the question(s) you are answering; the goal(s)?

What is the most important thing you discovered?

What overall conclusion can you draw?

Components of Scientific Talks

What is the focus of your work, in general?

What is the significance of the work?

Background of lab or project

What is your aim(s) or the question(s) you are answering; the goal(s)?

May or may not be in hypothesis form


How did you approach the problem?

May use word slide or a flow diagram to list general steps

Avoid bogging down in the details of the procedureGive enough information people can appreciate

your work how many variables did you test to optimize the assay? how many animals were tested? how many lines of computer code did you write?

Presenting Results

Focus on strategy and/ or what is plannedShow primary or interpreted data

convince people your observations are validexample of data that yields results

photos (with labeling), gels, data outputSummarize observations

graphs, tables, word slideUse statistics, if appropriateExplain results (walk people through results)


Finishing your talk in a memorable way

What conclusions can you draw, if any?use short statementssay the same words that are on the slide

Include a model if appropriateFuture directions What experiments would you propose to continue

the work? (don’t give away too much)

Preparing a Presentation

Planning is important, but… Don’t obsess or spend ridiculous amount of time

Decide on key point(s). Build talk around it (them).Points to be covered will depend on the lengthDoes not have to be in chronological order. Make the

presentation logical and easy to follow.Acquire information that supports the point(s).Organize information in an effective way. Note cards, computer

Planning a Presentation

Decide on visual aids. Depends on audience, information, budget, equipment, resources

Handouts Chalk, marker board, flip chart Photographs TransparenciesPowerPoint Poster Videotape Music or audiotape Things; especially good with children

Planning a Presentation

Produce an effective summary of information

Word summaries (large font)

Graphs (usually easier to read than tables)

Pictures or graphics

Model (beginning and end possibly)

Making Effective Figures

Select right format to make the point

Make as simple as possible to tell the story

Use large, clear fonts (24-44 pt)

Use effective color schemes

Light on dark or dark on light

Label areas or highlight (fonts, color)

Be careful of overly busy backgrounds

Example of Short Scientific Talk(with notes attached)

From dissertation research

Conducted at Baylor College of Medicine

Anjelica Gonzalez, Ph.D.

SMART Program alumus

Research tied for first place SCBMB Program

Won Most Outstanding Ph.D. Award from the

Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies

3-D Leukocyte Migration in a Biomimetic Hydrogel System

A. Gonzalez, A. Gobin*, Z.Demou*, J. West*, C. Smith, L. McIntire*

Leukocyte Biology Dept., Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX

*Institute of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX

Cell Adhesion and Migration

• Cells must attach and migrate to accomplish many normal and pathogenic functions

embryonic cells, cells that replace other cells, immune cells, cancer cells

• What molecules on the surface of cells are important for cell attachment and spreading?

• What components of the extracellular matrix are important for cell attachment and spreading?

Inflammatory Leukocyte Adhesion Cascade

PMN

Endothelium

Extracellular Matrix

1. Chemokinetic stimulation causes activation and upregulation of integrins

2. Initial capture and transient adhesion occurs 3. Firm adhesion and

shape change occurs 4. Finally, transendothelial migration

Chemoattractants

Using Neutrophils as a Model for Cell Attachment and Migration

• Develop a tissue engineering model that will allow for testing specific neutrophil integrin/ECM (extracellular matrix) interactions

• Determine parameters involved in extravascular neutrophil migration

Parameters to Measure

• Use the 3-D automated tracking system and defined biomimetic hydrogels to quantify and simulate leukocyte migration:

– Speed– Directionality and duration of motion– Turning frequency– Invasion depth

The Model

Soluble chemoattractant:

fMLF

Adhesive sequences: 1) RGDS 2) fibrino-peptide -chain 3) YIGSR

PMN

(Poly)ethylene Glycol Hydrogel

Integrin Inhibitors: 1) Anti-CD18 (2) 2) Anti-CD11a (LFA-1) 3) Anti-CD11b (Mac-1) 4) Anti-1 5) Anti-v3

Hydrophilic, non-protein absorbant, easily maniputable

Polymerizable Acrylate Group Adhesion Ligand (Poly)ethylene- glycol

= =

Adhesive peptide sequences:

•RGDS -ubiquitious

•TMKIIPFNRTLIGG -fibrino- chain

•YIGSR -laminin

= RGDS

Example copolymer:

Upon photopolymerization, PEG-peptide-diacrylate is crosslinked to form a hydrogel matrix

=

Methods for Forming Bioactive Hydrogels

Polymerizable acrylate group

(Poly)ethylene-glycol

===

=

3-D Cell Tracking System

The microscope chamber is maintained to 37°C and buffered at 5% CO2 for physiologic pH in the gels. The microscope is equipped with Hoffman Modulation contrast optics and a motorized stage that is computer controlled via an RS232 interface. Therefore, a sample gel mounted on the stage can be placed automatically at a series of desired X, Y, Z positions where images are acquired at 10X magnification. The heart of the system is a Pentium II IBM PC with Windows NT platform and the Optimas 6.2 image analysis software. Executed macros, written in the Optimas Analytical Language of Images, perform automatically: image acquisition, image analysis, cell trajectory reconstruction, and data analysis. The image analysis can be performed on or off line and CD back up is used for long term data storage.

fMLF Stimulated

Anti-CD11a Antibody - + - -

Anti-CD18 Antibody - - + -

Anti-CD11b Antibody - - - +

PMN Adhesion on 1.4Mol/ml TMKIIFNRLTIGG Blocked by CD18 and Mac-1 Inhibitors, but not LFA-1

* P<0.05

1.4Mol/ml RGDS + + + + -

Anti-1 Antibody - + - + -

Anti-v3 Antibody - - + + -

fMLF Stimulated

PMN Adhesion on 1.4Mol/ml RGDS Blocked by v3 and Combined v3 and 1 Inhibitors

* P<0.05

Sample of Results

• (Poly)ethylene glycol alone causes low level of neutrophil adhesion

• PMN adhesion to RGDS is not b2 dependent• PMN adhesion to fibrino-g chain peptide is

Mac-1 dependent• PMN adhesion to RGDS is largely dependent

on avb3

Pointers for Perfect Presentations

Write out the talk if…

you have a tight time frame, you’re really nervous, it is a critical presentation

Time the presentation. Eliminate time wasters

Practice the talk To yourself; looking in a mirror; with someone else

Revise talk to improve rough spots

Prepare an easy to follow written format Use letters you can read

Presentation SkillsAdvance Preparation

Get familiar with lighting, AV controls before talk

Decide if you will sit, stand or use a podium

Determined by size and style of audience

Use a podium if…you are unfamiliar with material and

need to refer to written text oftenyou are very nervous and need a crutch

Mentally Preparing for a Talk

Be aware of the type of mood you want to create: professional, convincing, reconciling

Be aware of your mental status

Match your mental status to the mood you needRelax if you need to be soothingRev up if you need to be stimulating

Visualize a successful presentation

Presentation Skills

Speak clearly. Practice difficult words. Use an appropriate volume.

Use pointers effectively; audience will not be familiar with your dataPoint to bands on gels, areas on photographs, etcBe careful to not overuse pointers

Be careful of distracting mannerisms Detect by videotaping practice or getting critique

Connecting with the Audience

Look at audience. Make eye contact with a variety of people; except if you are very nervous and it helps to look at one “friendly” listener.

Avoid coming across as a snob or apologetic

Don’t try to overwhelm audience with jargon

Answering Questions

Usually the most nerve racking part of the talkTry to anticipate questions and prepare

One of best ways is through practicingWhat questions do listeners ask?

Repeat the question, especially if in a large roomAnswer the question askedRefer to slide, if necessary

May return to a slide or have extra data slides

Handling Difficult Questions

You don’t know the answer


You don’t know the answerAdmit it, but frame in professional way

The questioner is wrong about an issue



The questioner is wrong about an issuePolitely state what you do know and why you believe it is true; your own work or others




The questioner is hostile




The questioner is hostileIt’s not your fault; there is a history or problemTry to respond calmly get it over; may need to say, “Let’s discuss this after the presentation”

Chalk Talks

Usually given when applying for a job; what will you do

Less formal than seminar, but just as important

Outline what you want to do without slides, only a “black, chalk, marker” board

Need to organize your thoughts, plan how to draw, usually don’t have notes

Practice before you present

Learning from Presentations

You learn a lot from organizing your thoughtsOften get ideas…

that ou needed to do something differentlyfor other experimentsfor how to relate your work to that of othersfor new lines of inquiry

Get feedback - what can you improve related to science or presentation skills

Benefitting from Presentations

Convey information to othersWorks both ways; may get ideas from other

Start conversations that lead to ideas

Create collaborations

Inspire others to do great science

oral scientific presentations

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