1. Top 10 things you need to know to survive as a MBP grad student Sept 10 th, 2013 Medical Biophysics Orientation Seminar

2. #1: Perks of being a grad student SOGS – Society of Graduate Students – University Community Centre Rm 260 GTA Union – Graduate Teaching Assistant Union Health Plan – www.studentbenefits.cawww.studentbenefits.ca – USE IT. E.g., show your card at your dentist Student Rec Centre – all year round Grad Club – MBP Grad Mixer, Sept 17 *next Tues

3. #2: Required Laboratory Certification Mandatory Occupational Health & Safety Training (UWO Human Resources > Faculty/Staff > Safety Training Sessions): – WHMIS – Biosafety Animal Training – Animal Care & Veterinary Services – Must be put on protocol prior to experimentation – ACVS will contact you for training

4. #3: Advisory Committee Set up an advisory committee early on (within 1 st year max) Choose PIs whose expertise provide insight to your project Usually consisting of 2-3 PIs other than your supervisor Always print off advisory committee meeting forms prior to the meeting Usually 1 meeting per year (or at supervisors discretion) Fill out forms and submit to Wendy Hough at main office

5. #4: Back up your data ALWAYS have your data saved in more than one location Let supervisor know where you store your data An external hard drive is your best friend

6. #5: How to Manage References Pubmed Can access journals off-campus using your UWO sign-in name/password through www.lib.uwo.cawww.lib.uwo.ca Library: not everything can be accessed through Pubmed or online Reference Managers: Refworks/Endnote etc help organize your papers. Use reference managers to start organizing library as you read papers.

7. #6: Communications Course Mandatory course for all new students Teaches important skills: scientific presentation, abstract writing, curriculum vitae etc. Read all sent emails carefully Do all assignments ahead of time Take advantage of the opportunity to get to know your peers

8. #7: Graduate Seminars Each student has to present their work once a year to the department Location: – 1 st semester: St. Josephs Hospital Shuttleworth Auditorium, 12:00-1:00pm **Attendance is mandatory. Important information for low-levels.**

9. #8: Low-Level Examinations At the end of winter term You will be examined on research from ~4 labs in the department. These labs will be assigned to you by the department and you will receive an email with details - **it would be wise to visit actual labs and speak to graduate students instead of just reading their abstracts** Reminder: attend seminars (helps with info)

10. #9: Administrative Emails Take the time out of your precious day to read emails from Wendy, Barb, Melissa and Dr. Hanif Ladak Saves you a lot of trouble Emails contain info on: scholarships, low-levels, stipend, defense dates, invited speakers, department events, graduate courses, TA opportunities, conferences, competitions, etc. Call or SEE Wendy in person – do not email her

11. #10: Scholarships Internal Deadline: – NSERC: ~mid October – OGS: details to follow Directly to institution: CIHR Order transcripts early if from different school Contact references early for GOOD letters (general rule: 1 month notice) Consult the Experts: A chance to get your scholarship research proposal reviewed 3 rd floor of Stevenson Hall – Fri, Sept 20 @1 - 3pm – Tues, Sept 24 @4:30 - 6:30pm

12. Thank You!