2010 CDA Conference, San Francisco
The 2010 HSR&D Career Development Awardees Conference was held February 25-26, in San Francisco. The next conference will be held contiguous to the HSR&D National Meeting in February, 2011—check the HSR&D National Meeting page for updates on the location and dates.
Panel Presentation: Advice from Senior Leadership
A panel of three distinguished VA senior investigators and mentors kicked off the conference with input and advice for attendees.
Doug Owens highlighted Mentoring, Collaboration, Trainees, and Institutional Environment as the most critical components of a successful research career. He described the first, possibly most important, that mentors play in cultivating CDA's junior investigators: Explaining how the HSR&D funding system works. Dr. Owens also discussed how CDA mentors can:
- Offer scientific and strategic advice to CDA investigators
- Open doors by recommending and providing opportunities
In his remarks, Owens stated, "How you spend your time should match how you will be evaluated at your institution. More clinical or administrative work than is wise at an early phase of career is often where a career goes most off the rail."
Rudy Moos the introduced his presentation: Five (Plus One) Evidence-based Principles to Launch a Research Career. In explaining his first principle, Create the Context, Dr. Moos encouraged attendees to "seek out and pursue expertise wherever it is," to "develop a broad network of collaborators," and to "openly ask for honest and direct feedback."
Dr. Moos' second principle, Don't Be Daunted, addressed the concept that "successful scientists have their share of failures and disappointments."
The third and fourth elements of Dr. Moos' template, Strategize Carefully, and Manage the Mundane, emphasized that investigators should not let a good theory blind them to reality, and advised the need to draft proposals early then solicit feedback from colleagues.
His fifth component of success emphasized the importance of mastering acronyms, citing evidence that studies with acronyms are cited more frequently than those without. "A good acronym," said Dr. Moos "is worth a thousand words."
In closing, Dr. Moos' cited his "Plus one" principle-a good sense of humor.
Meg Chren, director of the San Francisco Program to Improve Care for Veterans with Complex Co morbid Conditions (HSR&D REAP) talked about career outlooks that haven't worked, what has worked well, and "attitudes I wish I never had."
Dr. Chren emphasized the importance of collaboration and of learning to write well for broad audiences. "Writing is important to everything we do, and isn't an art for only a talented few." She emphasized the importance of clear prose to both grant proposals and publishing, advising that writing well "is absolutely something that can be learned."
Q&A Session Highlights
Rod Hayward, Director of the VA Center for Practice Management and Outcomes Research:
"The importance of framing your work is something young investigators do not give a lot of attention to. I encourage young investigators to frame [their ideas and presentations] in a way that is exciting to people. Have others review your writing, and practice giving two-minute presentations."
Doug Owens
"Every important project has a crucial, if not lead role played by a trainee. They often provide the 'analytic firepower.' Mentors should try to make opportunities available for trainees from other departments at the university who are interested in health research careers."
Rudy Moos
"Negative feedback is very hard for most mentors. When criticizing, suggest constructive alternatives."