1. Letting Challenges Drive Creativity and Invention
some thoughts…
Alan Sved, PhD
Department of Neuroscience
Center for Neuroscience
University of Pittsburgh

2. Careers Communication Collaboration Creativity Costs Change
Careers – they have and need choices; any job will require communications; collaborations but this is complicated by the need for independence; creativity at the same time that the advisor needs them to work and be productive on a specific project; costs that are mostly funded by GSR that requires the PI to have them be productive and factoring in that in some places a grad student is just as expensive as a post-doc!, and, whatever they do, it it will probably not be what they continue to do.

3. Investing in the Future: NIGMS Strategic Plan for Biomedical and Behavioral Research Training
“Excellent research training focuses on the development of student abilities through individualized planning and attentive implementation. Successful NIGMS-supported research training achieves the dual goals of equipping students for many kinds of employment opportunities as well as enhancing the diversity of the biomedical research workforce.”

4. …after training, well-prepared students:
are critical, rational thinkers, capable of organizing and analyzing data; (Creativity)
have a deep knowledge in a specific field but are conversant in related fields;
are able to formulate significant, testable scientific questions and are technically proficient;
have the capacity to listen effectively as well as to write and speak cogently; (Communication!)
are tolerant of ambiguity and resilient in the face of setbacks; (Change)
are able to work effectively with people who have different perspectives, priorities or intellectual approaches (Collaboration); and
know and follow the standards, responsibilities and culture of the scientific community.