Happy Thanksgiving – #SciComm Style

Happy Thanksgiving! 

In the spirit of the holiday, I was thinking about the things that I’m thankful for that are related to science and science communication. Here is the list that came to mind:

1) I’m thankful to be a science writing fellow at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for a second year. 

I feel very lucky that I get to work towards my dream job of becoming a science writer as an NCI communications fellow. I am gaining skills and knowledge in interviewing, digital media, science writing, grants processes, cancer biology, and more that will help me on my career journey. I am also fortunate to work with great mentors who provide support and constructive feedback. I am excited to go into work every day.   

2) I’m thankful that I’m a member of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Fellows Editorial Board (FEB), which is helping me develop my editing skills. 

I am grateful to the current Senior Editor of the NIH FEB. I met her at a NCI Fellows and Young Investigators Steering Committee Meeting. She found out that I was a science writing fellow, and encouraged me to apply to become a member of the FEB. I sent in an application and was able to join around May. Now, I get to be a part of this group that provides a free document-editing service to NIH and FDA fellows.

3) I’m thankful that I was able to meet Dr. Douglas Lowy. 

This year, I met Dr. Douglas Lowy, and he even shook my hand. I was completely #starstruck that I was talking to this incredible scientist. He won the 2017 Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award with Dr. John Schiller for their work leading to the development of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines. I still can’t believe I actually got to talk to this reputable researcher.

4) I’m thankful for opportunities to write articles for the NIH Catalyst Newsletter and the NCI Fellows and Young Investigators (FYI) Newsletter. 

As a fellow at NCI, I was able to have an informational interview with Laura Carter, the Editor-in-Chief of the NIH Catalyst. She gave great information and advice about science writing. Additionally, she added me to list of volunteer writers for the NIH Catalyst. Over the past year, this gave me a chance to write Research Briefs (short descriptions about recent scientific findings), interview distinguished NIH researchers (including Andrew Johnson, Elisabeth Murray, and Thomas Waldmann), and learn more about NIH intramural research. Additionally, I have been able to develop my writing and editing skills as a member of the NCI FYI Newsletter Team.

 5) I’m thankful for great women role models in science and science communication at the NIH.

There are many amazing women scientists and science writers who inspire me as I pursue science writing. Some of the women I look up to include Erin Wetzel (Communications Manager of the NCI Division of Cancer Biology), Dr. Dinah Singer (the Director of the NCI Division of Cancer Biology), Chris Siemon (Scientific Program Specialist in the Division of Cancer Biology),  Dr. Nas Zahir (Associate Director of the NCI Division of Cancer Biology), Dr. Shannon Hughes (Program Director in the NCI Division of Cancer Biology, Dr. Joanna Watson (Program Director in the Division of Cancer Biology), Dr. Neeraja Sathyamoorthy (Program Director in the NCI Division of Cancer Biology), Laura Carter (Editor-in-Chief of the NIH Catalyst), Kandice Tanner (NCI Investigator), and Chanelle Case Borden (Program Manager in the NCI Center for Cancer Training).

6) I’m thankful for advice and interactions with other science communicators on social media.
It’s great to meet and talk to other science writers and scientists on Twitter (@cemccarthy02) and Instagram (clairem402).

It’s a great place to ask questions and find tips. Sometimes you even have the chance to meet people from your online network #IRL. For example, I interacted with Dr. Sandy Anderson, a cancer researcher at the Moffitt Cancer Center, on Twitter. Then, I got to meet him in person when we both attended an NCI workshop. It was so cool to talk to him since he does really exciting research using mathematical models to overcome therapeutic resistance. He is one of the nicest scientists that I’ve ever met, and I recommend following him @ara_anderson.

7) I’m thankful for the Technology Hub at the NIH Library where individuals can create podcasts and videos. 

I'm starting to plan a podcast; however, I have no experience whatsoever in making podcasts. I was lucky to find that the NIH Library has a Digital Production Studio within its Technology Hub. This space provides a studio and equipment, including a digital audio recorder, a video camera, headphones, microphones, sound-proofing, a green screen, and a lighting kit, for audio and video projects. There is also editing software available for use in the workstations outside the studio. Further, the librarian who manages the Digital Production Studio is very helpful.

8) I’m thankful for Wakelet.com that allows me to make libraries of weblinks.

This website has helped me keep track of social media posts about scientific meetings. It was also a useful tool when I was working on a visual display of information and needed to link an object in the graphic to multiple webpages.

9) I’m thankful to be a member of the D.C. Science Writers Association and the National Association of Science Writers.

These groups have a lot of great resources for new science writers and provide great training opportunities. I have also been able to set up informational interviews and network at events sponsored by these organizations.

10) Saving the best for last, I’m thankful for a great family that supports my pursuit of a career in science communication. 

Before I started my fellowship, they told me to follow my heart and do what makes me happy. I appreciate all of their encouragement as I work to become a science writer.

10 Things You Might Not Know About Me

I thought I'd share some interesting and fun facts about myself with all of you, so that you can get to know me better.

Fact #1: I have a twin brother.

I grew up with my twin brother, and we got along really well. We actually staid together through college. I even wrote a high school essay about how everyone needs a twin. I remember talking to my mom once about being a parent of twins. She said something like, "It is nice when you both were older, since I knew you could help each other with things. The hardest time was when you were babies. There's a lot to do and think about with two infants. Sometimes, I just wanted to sit down and hold my babies, [but you two weren't exactly on the same page]." Now, even though my twin and I are different genders, many people automatically ask us, "Are you identical?" The answer to this question, is no, we are not identical or monozygotic (where twins develop from one zygote that splits). We are fraternal or dizygotic twins, meaning that there were two separate zygotes.

Fact #2: I attended public Montessori school from kindergarten through 12th grade.

I guess I had a slightly different education growing up. I remember learning math and grammar in elementary school through hands-on materials, like the stamp game and sentence structure shapes. When the teachers wanted us to be quiet and pay attention, they held up the peace sign. In Jr. High, there were a lot of group projects, educational camping trips, journal time, and community building activities. We even went on a trip to Andros Island in 8th grade, where we studied marine biology, sailing, and the history of the island. In high school, we had intercessions where we could learn about special topics for 2-weeks. Through these experiences, I was able to travel abroad and learn about the culture of France and the wildlife of Costa Rica. I also had the chance to live on a farm and learn sign language. Then, for my high school senior project, I analyzed Findlay Market and wrote a children's book about this Cincinnati landmark.

Fact #3: I played in a Steel Drum Band.

In Jr. High and High School, I played steel drums. I tried everything from the large, barrel-sized bass drums to the single leads, but my favorite type of drums were the doubles. In the band, we played all types of music, including Caribbean, Latin, Classical, Jazz, and Funk. Some of my favorite songs that we played were Bee's Melody, Cantina Band (from Star Wars), and La Cumparsita. I also have to acknowledge Bruce Weil, who was an amazing music teacher who directed the band.    

Fact #4: I recorded music with Bootsy's Collins.

My high school Steel Drum Band collaborated with Bootsy Collins on some funk songs. We were lucky that we were able to record songs with this member of the Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame and funk music icon.

Fact #5: My Cousin is the Cincinnati Strongman and holds the World Record for the Farthest Washing Machine Throw. 

My cousin, Sean McCarthy, holds the Guinness World Record for the longest Washing Machine Throw of 15 feet nine inches. Maybe, one day I'll beat his record. 

 

Fact #6: My first job was a YASA (a.k.a. Jr. Lifeguard).

My first job with a paycheck was working as a YMCA Aquatic Safety Assistant (YASA). I remember doing most of the tasks that the lifeguards didn't want to do, like cleaning the pool, taking out the garbage, and getting in the cold outdoor pool in the morning to remove the pool cover. That summer was also the year of the cicadas, so I had to constantly sweep up living and dead cicadas from around the pool. It wasn't the most glamorous summer job. 

 

Fact #7: I rescued a little boy that I babysat at a neighbor's party.

In high school, after working as a YASA, I was able to become a lifeguard when I turned 16. That year, I also babysat my neighbor's two little boys. Around the 4th of July, there was neighborhood party at a house with a pool. I went after work and was sitting on the side of the pool, with my feet in the water. I was not even wearing a bathing suit. The younger of the boys I watched, who was probably about 3 years old, was jumping onto a noodle in the the pool. Then, very close to me, I see him jump and the noodle slip from his grasp. Maybe it was my lifeguard reflexes or the babysitter in me, but as he was going under the water, I quickly hopped in and picked him up. He was fine and then kept retelling everyone in the party about his rescue. 

Fact #8: I learned Tecktonik dance. 

At Hiram College, my friends taught me Tecktonik, a French electro dance. We had fun performing this style of dance at the Intercultural Forum Show. 

Fact #9: I own a vintage Suzy Perette dress.

Suzy Perette was a dress manufacturing company that made affordable versions of Parisian designs, including Dior's "New Look," in the 1950s-1970s. According to Paris in the Fifties: "For an ante of $2,000 and royalties, [Sidney Blauner of Suzy Perette] acquired the right to incorporate Dior's notions into dresses that retailed in the U.S. for $50-60." 

Fact #10: I finished a marathon without training for it. 

In grad school, my friend asked me, "Would you do a marathon with me?" So, I said sure. We signed up for the Sehgahunda Trail Marathon at Letchworth Park. I didn't really think much about it until the race day arrived. Needless to say, I was one of the last people to finish; however, I was proud of myself for accomplishing my goal of making each checkpoint and finishing the marathon. I learned a lot of lessons: 1) You should probably do a half-marathon before you try a marathon, 2) You should do a street marathon before you try a trail marathon, and 3) You should definitely train for a marathon. 

#Scicomm Tips for Creating and Presenting Scientific Posters

Introduction

One way that many scientists communicate their research is through poster presentations. Posters are an important way to share your findings with other researchers, as well as allow you to get feedback about your experiments. Since scientific posters are a major form of #scicomm, I'm going to give you all a few tips for these types of presentations.

General Poster Outline

Creating Posters

Tip 1: Determine Your Deadlines

Before you even start creating a poster, it's important to know your deadlines. Ask yourself, "When do I need the final poster?"  Also think about when you need to have the final electronic version to be printed after edits from your mentor, as well as when you need to have a first draft ready to get suggestions and feedback from others. Also, find out how long it will take to print the poster. For example, if you are getting a fabric poster, it may take a few weeks to get it printed and mailed back to you. It's important to have a timeline when making a poster so it will be ready in time for your presentation (or travel to a meeting). 

Tip 2: Learn and Follow Meeting-Specific Instructions for the Poster

It's important to follow poster guidelines. Check to make sure you are making a poster with an appropriate size, adding required funding acknowledgements and conflict-of-interest disclosures, using the right institution/research organization logo and template, and adding meeting-specific information (such as the abstract final ID number). Even if you think that you know the poster guidelines  for a meeting based on a previous year, it never hurts to check in case changes have been made to the poster requirements. 

Tip 3: "Use a picture. It's worth 1000 words."

Do You Prefer A or B

Most people would choose the graphical schematic of the methods. You can get the information in a quick glance instead of having to read through a description. A visual is a quick way to get someone's attention. People often prefer seeing pictures to scanning through text on posters. 

Tip 4: Figures and Text Should be Big and Easy to See

A poster is different from a scientific manuscript. It should tell a clear story, but doesn't necessarily need to include all the details from a study. You are trying to quickly get across the main points of your research. Oftentimes, people lose attention if there's too much information. Also, "details" can often be shared during your presentation or if someone asks you a question. 

Along with easy to see objects on the poster, I have some stylistic suggestions. It's generally better to use sans serif fonts that are easier to read at a glance. Additionally, solid graph bars are easier on the eyes than those with patterns. Finally, I prefer the use of primary colors. 

Tip 5: Print Out and Edit a Hard Copy 

I recommend editing a hard copy of your poster draft, which can help you see small errors that aren't as noticeable in digital drafts. It's easy to check images, scan the poster format and spacing of figures and text, and look for mistakes in the hard copy. 

The Poster Presentation

Tip 7: Prepare Yourself for Public Speaking

#YouDoYou to calm your nerves and give yourself confidence for your presentation. I like to do power positions and put on my power heels, but everyone has their own ways to get ready. It's also helpful to look over the final hard copy/digital version of your poster, and think about what you want to say for a 3-5 minute presentation. I also recommend grabbing a water bottle to stay hydrated while your sharing your poster.

Tip 8: Know Your Audience

It's important to know the audience for your poster presentation to determine how you should describe your research. If you are presenting it to experts in your field, you can describe more of the technical details, and may not need to provide as much background information. However, if you are sharing your research with a general audience, you might need to explain your methods and findings in a way that can be understood by people without extensive scientific knowledge. 

This WIRED video with neuroscientist Bobby Kasthuri  is a great example of sharing your research with different audiences:

Tip 9: Share Your Excitement about the Research

Be engaging and interact with both your audience and poster. Encourage people to come see your poster and ask questions. If you show your passion for your research, your audience can pick up on that enthusiasm and it will probably make them want to hear more about your work. 

Tip 10: Listen to Feedback and Suggestions

As a graduate student, an older student told me that I should write down the names of people who came to my poster. This helped me remember the names of researchers interested in my work, and I could use the list to help me build a network with other scientists. It's also important to write down advice from your audience about experimental methods and/or future studies. Other researchers often give poster presenters great insights and ideas. Finally, always thank your audience for coming to see your work and listening to your poster presentation. 

"What Do You Want To be When You Grow Up?"

As you mature and experience new things, your goals for the future often change. Looking back, I have changed my mind a number of times about my career plans for the future. Yet, many of my choices related to science in some way.

This is probably due to some of my early childhood memories with my Grandpa McCarthy. He taught my brother and me about astronomy with his telescope, watched the original Star Wars with us thousands of times let us mess around with his radio, and took us on trips to the Air Force Museum. I didn’t realize it at the time, but the time we spent together helped spark my interest in science.

 

Here are my previous and current science-related career goals:

Preschool

I loved Snow White (which I also watched with my Grandpa many times). At that time, I wanted to be the Wicked Queen when I grew up. Even though she was the villain, I thought she was cool. She had a “lab” where her “chemistry experiments” resulted in magic potions.

Kindergarten

I remember dressing up as a medical doctor for a “what do you want to be when you grow up?” day in kindergarten, since I liked helping my “sick” baby dolls and stuffed animals with my toy medical kit.

Y2K

When I was 11 years old, I saw Coyote Ugly with my friend Casey. We decided we were going to start our own bar like in the movie. Bartenders often use scientific techniques to make creative cocktails and mixology uses physics and chemistry to understand the properties and interactions of different drink ingredients. Read more about this in "Physics in the Mix: Bartending Gets Scientific."

Jr. High

At this time, I enjoyed math and science. I liked learning about algebra, learning about marine biology in the Bahamas, and studying wildlife on camping trips. I also liked working in groups and helping tutor other students. Thus, I decided that I wanted to be a math or science teacher.

High School

With my interests in math, science, and helping others, I started to consider healthcare professions. After job shadowing an optometrist, I considered going to optometry school. It was interesting to learn about the different things involved in this field, from vision testing, caring for patients with eye diseases, examining the eye using special cameras, and more In this profession, I could use biology and physics to help people with vision problems.  

College

Although I started college with a goal of getting into a post-graduate optometry program, I changed my mind after working in a biochemistry laboratory. I realized that I liked doing research and experiments, and my favorite courses were biochemistry, molecular biology, and organic chemistry. With encouragement from my mentors, I applied to graduate programs in biomedical research to pursue a career as a scientist.

Graduate School

While I was doing my thesis research, I realized that I didn’t want to become a principal investigator and run my own lab. I found what I enjoyed the most was writing about my work and creating scientific presentations. Additionally, I took a course called “Careers in Science Communication,” and realized that this field integrated my interest in scientific knowledge and passion for writing. As I finished up my graduate work, I decided to pursue a career as a science writer.

Current Position as a Science Writing Fellow

I am continuing to work towards my goal of becoming a science writer by gaining experience in science communication. I love the work that I am doing as a fellow, such as writing blogs, drafting tweets, interviewing scientists, and more. If you want to learn more about my fellowship program, go the National Cancer Institute Health Communications Internship Program (HCIP) Website.