The MicroTAS community is a diverse one, with researchers coming from different countries and are at different stages of their career and life. The series of panel discussions are catered to discuss pertinent issues relevant to various groups of researchers within our community.
We will he holding 6 different panel discussions on three different days, as detailed below.
- Women career in academia (Monday)
- Ethics in science (Monday)
- Women career in industry (Wednesday)
- Early academic career advice (Wednesday)
- Parenting in Science and work life balance (Thursday)
- PhD and Postdoc training abroad (Thursday)
Panel Discussion Descriptions
Panel I: Women in Academia
Date and Time: Monday, October 5, 10:45-11:35 (Eastern time)
Moderators:
Wouter van der Wijngaart, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
Audrey Bowden, Vanderbilt University, USA
Panelists:
Sabeth Verpoorte, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
Karen Cheung, University of British Columbia, Canada
Lingling Shui, South China Normal University, China
Description: The percentage of women in academic positions drops with seniority level. Despite increasing awareness of this issue, structural and socio-cultural barriers remain. Because the future is too important to be left to men, women academic leaders in our field of research will share their experience, debate some of these questions, and provide insights in how to have managed their road to success. The public will have the opportunity to engage with their own questions.
Panel II: Ethics in Science
Date and Time: Monday, October 5, 10:45-11:35 (Eastern time)
Moderators:
Bastien Venzac, University of Twente, The Netherlands
Abraham Lee, University of California, Irvine, USA
Panelists:
Claire Ribrault, Ateliers des Jours à Venir, France
Adam Marcus, Retraction Watch, USA
Philippa Ross, Royal Society of Chemistry, UK
Jun Fudano, Waseda University, Japan
Description: Integrity in science is of increasing importance, and several cases of fraud and misconduct in academia have received considerable media attention as of lately. Issues range from minor misconducts, such as exaggerating or overstating the significance of results, to severe misconducts, such as data creation or plagiarism that lead to paper retraction or loss of academic position. How to deal with those behaviours at the university or scientific editors level? In this panel, we gather specialists from academia, scientific publishers and organisations working with scientific integrity. These panel members will share their views and debate some of these questions. The public will have the opportunity to engage with their own questions.
Panel III: Advice for Early Careers in Academia
Date and Time: Wednesday, October 7, 09:40-10:30 (Eastern time)
Moderators:
Yi Chin Toh, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
Wouter van der Wijngaart, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
Panelists:
Maria Tenje, Uppsala University, Sweden
Joel Voldman, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
Jacqueline Linnes, Purdue University, USA
Yoonkyoung Cho, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Korea
Ya-Yu Chiang, National Chung-Hsing University, Taiwan
Description: The search for faculty or independent investigator positions in universities or research institutions is an all-consuming endeavor for many early-career academic researchers. While research excellence is a given criterion, other factors, such as teaching experience, can play a role in the recruitment process. There may also be different pathways to make this transition given the diverse academic environments in different countries. In this panel, senior and mid-career academics will provide insights into the faculty recruitment processes, share experiences and provide practical advice to landing a faculty position. The public will have the opportunity to engage with their own questions.
Panel IV: Women in Industry
Date and Time: Wednesday, October 7, 09:40-10:30 (Eastern time)
Moderators:
Aaron Wheeler, University of Toronto, Canada
Monica Brivio, Micronit Microtechnologies, The Netherlands
Panelists:
Leanna Levine, A-Line, USA
Alissa Fitzgerald, A.M. Fitzgerald & Associates, USA
Claudia Gaertner, microfluidic ChipShop, Germany
France Hamber, Fluigent, France
Mika Mizunuma, CRAIF, Japan
Hong Ya Ying, Shenzhen Shineway Technology Corp., Hong Kong
Description: Employers and employees in the microfluidics industry experience the same sex and gender biases that are common in other vocations? Join moderator Monica Brivio from Micronit Microtechnologies and our all-star panel of experts to find out! In a unique and potentially first-of-its-kind discussion, our six panelists from top firms from around the world will share their perspectives on being female while working in the nascent high-tech microfluidics industry scene. We anticipate a lively discussion, so come prepared with questions and be ready to consider this important topic with the leaders of today and tomorrow.
Panel V: Parenting in Science and Work-Life Balance
Date and Time: Thursday, October 8, 10:20-11:10 (Eastern time)
Moderators:
Agnieszka Zuchowska, University of Twente, The Netherlands
Michinao Hashimoto, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore
Panelists:
Agnes Tixier-Mita, University of Tokyo, Japan
Yoshio Mita, University of Tokyo, Japan
Yong Zeng, University of Florida, USA
Mei He, University of Florida, USA
Jonas Tegenfeldt, Lund University, Sweden
Christelle Prinz, Lund University, Sweden
Description: Being a scientist involves a work of sacrifice and sacrifice. Many are in search of combining life as a scientist with satisfaction in private life, family and parenting. In this panel discussion, successful scientist couples will discuss their take on combining work and private life, as fulfilled scientists and parents. They will discuss differences in this area depending on gender and region of origin and share their experiences, thoughts and suggestions on parenting in science and the associated work-life balance. The public will have the opportunity to engage with their own questions.
Panel VI: Students and Postdocs Studying Abroad
Date and Time: Thursday, October 8, 10:20-11:10 (Eastern time)
Moderators:
Yi Chin Toh, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
Daniel Citterio, Keio University, Japan
Panelists:
Petra Dittrich, ETH, Switzerland
Gaspard Pardon, Stanford University, USA
Dino Di Carlo, UCLA, USA
Darius Rackus ETH, Switzerland
Anderson Shum, Hong Kong University, Hong Kong
Christopher Tostado, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
Description: Many students recognize that international experience can provide a big boost to their future research career. However, soliciting for a PhD or postdoc position in a different country can be a daunting process. This panel aims to provide practical advice to students who are considering going overseas to do their research training. The panel members comprise of senior academics, who are experienced with training PhD students and post-docs, as well as early career researchers, who have done their research training in different countries. They will be discussing issues such as what do professors look for in prospective trainees, how to navigate cultural differences and manage your finances. The public will have the opportunity to engage with their own questions.