Career Spotlight

vancouver hosts world’s largest science-fest

For the first time in more than 30 years, the American Association for the Advancement of Science held its annual conference in Canada.

Once annually, AAAS sponsors this four day conference, which includes symposia, lectures, seminars, workshops and poster sessions covering every area of science, technology and education. And while I didn’t have the pleasure of attending, everything I’ve heard and read indicates it was quite the spectacle.

In all, the event drew more than 8,000 researchers, policy makers and science communicators from over 60 countries. With the opportunity to showcase their work to the world, Canadian researchers and scientists turned out in full force, with more than 170 participating as lecturers and speakers.

Among them was Dr. Julio Montaner, director of the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS whose pioneering work in using highly active antiretroviral drugs (HAART) to treat those with HIV has had stunning results. Dr. Montaner told AAAS delegates that recent studies have shown this approach to be highly effective with the number of new HIV diagnoses per year in B.C. dropping more than 50 per cent since the HAART treatment program began in 1996. He was one of many Canadian scientists that demonstrated how highly regarded Canada is on the international stage of science.

The event had its share of controversy too, as allegations were made during one of the panel sessions of Canadian government censorship of Canadian scientists and rumblings of reporters being denied access to government scientists without the consent of media relations officers. Most of the disenchantment falls on current media-relations protocol requiring Canadian scientists working with government organizations to refer inquiries first to communications officers.

Whether it was by design or not, groups representing these scientists and science writers sent an open letter to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper calling for more transparent policy to allow scientists to respond in a timely manner to journalist requests. The letter was signed by several groups including the Canadian Science Writers Association, World Federation of Science Journalists, Canadian Journalists for Free Expression and the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada.

The group’s hope is that the Canadian government follows the lead set forth by our neighbors to the south, where the Obama Administration has opened up lines of communication between government scientists and media allowing for more transparency with the media and the public.

As demonstrated at this event, our country is highly regarded on the international scientific scene. It’s something we should be proud of, and our scientists should be allowed to speak proudly about it.

cAReeR sPoTlIGhT

Bio-economy Career Profile

Compiled by BioTalent Canada

Position: Senior Manager, Clinical Trial Operations Name: Laura Brodowski Company: ASKA Research Salary Range: $50,000 to $70,000 per year

What I do:

I work for ASKA Research in Vancouver as the Senior Manager of Clinical Trial Operations. ASKA Research is a Contract Research Organization (CRO) that provides clinical research outsourcing services to the investigational product development industry, specifically pharmaceutical, medical device and biotechnology companies. We “fill in the gaps” for companies that may be in any number of phases in the development of drugs and devices. ASKA’s specialty is monitoring and managing clinical trials, ensuring the data provided to the client is accurate and complete. ASKA Research also is contracted to provide educational workshops and assist with the development of training manuals, which provide industry-standard training modules. My role as a project manager is predominantly to manage resources. I am the conduit between the company and the Clinical Research Associates (CRAs) in the field who are providing services at the clinical trial sites. I report the project progress and updates to our client, I review CRA monitoring reports, and I assist in the collection and management of regulatory documentation from physicians involved in the clinical trials. A significant part of my job is to manage many moving targets, timelines and priorities without losing sight and perspective of the “big picture.” One particularly “regulatory” aspect of my role is to manage Trial Master Files that are essentially the auditable paper trail and may be examined by Health Canada or the FDA. My other duties include assisting with managing the training requirements for ASKA employees, and sourcing and contracting resources for the company as needed.

What education and skills do candidates need for this position?

At minimum you need a Bachelors of Science. It is not necessarily having a specialty that ASKA Research looks for, but the relevance of completing a degree illustrates skills and abilities such as diligence; organization; focus; and ability to establish priorities and work under, sometimes, extreme pressure. It is recommended that you have project management training or experience. Formal training isn’t necessary, but a comprehensive understanding of the basic processes and communication requirements is essential. You must be forward thinking, able to project or foresee consequences and mitigate them. Having an understanding and skills related to risk management is also important. Soft people skills are key to working in teams; this requires an understanding of the difference between leadership and management, and when each applies. Some of the traits that can assist you in this job include patience, especially since you work with so many diverse personalities. You need to understand your role in managing differences of opinion and perceptions. You also need to have attention to detail, but most importantly…you must be able to work efficiently under pressure and be willing to do what needs to be done regardless of your title and list of accountabilities. This industry is a remarkable example of teamwork and collaboration, and extended family.

What are the best parts of your job?

The most satisfying part of my job is the diversity of each day and project. I am not afraid of change, so I’m in the right environment! Also, I have experienced the result of a successful drug approval; knowing the rigorous effort that everyone made makes me proud to have contributed even a small portion.

5-year

warranty FREE! 40%

off second rotor

Purchase a 58xx series centrifuge package and qualify for a MixMate® at a reduced cost.

Performance you can count on!

FREE extended warranty on Eppendorf Centrifuge 5804/R and 5810/R packages

Eppendorf centrifuges 5804/R and 5810/R with their renowned quality and reliability offer you cost efficient solutions for your medium to high-throughput applications— now and in the future. Whether your applications require spinning many tubes at a time or centrifugation of larger volumes at high-speed, these multipurpose centrifuges with their variety of rotors and adapters cover virtually any application in tubes, flasks and microplates.

Choose the right model for your application:

l Compact multipurpose models 5804/5804 R— ideal for applications in deepwell plates or for high-speed centrifugation of volumes up to 100 mL.

l Versatile models 5810/5810 R—in addition to high-speed centrifugation of larger volumes these workhorses also accommodate large swing-bucket rotors to fulfill all high-capacity needs in tubes and plates.

Product features and benefits

l Large rotor selection and speed up to 20,800 x g (14,000 rpm) for a wide range of applications l Quiet operation to benefit your work environment l Low profile for ergonomic loading and unloading of rotors l Soft-touch lid closure for ergonomic lid locking l Maximum placement flexibility due to 120 V power supply l Saves up to 35 user-defined programs

Refrigerated versions 5804 R and 5810 R also feature:

l Environmentally friendly CFC-free refrigerant l FastTemp function for fast and accurate pre-cooling l Standby cooling keeps set temperature when lid is closed l ECO shut-off engages after 8 hours of nonuse to reduce energy consumption and extend compressor life l Built-in condensation drain to eliminate water accumulation l Patented, dynamic compressor control (DCC) for extended compressor life and energy savings