1. Navigating The University: Research Strategy
Andy McMahon
Broad CIRM Center

2. Mentoring
Funding
Service
Teaching
Research
Outside
Of USC

3. Ingredients for a successful research program
Strong Project – clear goal(s) and feasible path to achieve these
Financial support
Effective research personnel
PI Focus
Key infrastructure
Essential collaborators
Periodic critical evaluation

4. Advice I Give To Incoming Faculty
Does it make sense for the best researcher to hang up their pipetman?
Weigh up the investment in others versus the loss of your direct input

5. Advice I Give To Incoming Faculty
Who should you invest in?
Look carefully at skill-set, record and interests of the applicant. Hire conservatively. Great value in good students early. If someone doesn’t work out, resolve expediently.

6. Advice I Give To Incoming Faculty
What is the best funding strategy?
Don’t waste time with poor shot-in the-dark grants. Take advantage of special/prestigious JF funding opportunities. Make the most of your colleagues – get their advice, have them read grants, make sure they are critical. But ensure you are always the most critical.

7. Advice I Give To Incoming Faculty
How do you make yourself even more attractive to students, funding agencies, etc?
Branch out – look around you for new opportunities (new problems/new approaches). Pilot funding support for collaborative opportunities (Dr. Hall’s office). You should not be doing only what you said you would be doing on hiring after 2 years at USC.

8. Advice I Give To Incoming Faculty
How should research avenues by prioritized
Big impact from early independent publication – get the word out!

9. Advice I Give To Incoming Faculty
What is the best decision making strategy?
Don’t be shy of seeking advice from mentoring committee and other faculty members.

10. Advice I Give To Incoming Faculty
When should new ideas be discussed?
Early - collegial chalk talk settings great opportunity to help shape early stage research.

11. Advice I Give To Incoming Faculty
How do you balance commitments?
Not by hiding away. Engage in University life. You should feel connected and by an active member of the University. But, don’t go overboard!
Go to key meetings present a poster. Review for journals when asked. Recognition beyond USC critical and mechanism to recruit more experienced researchers.