:: Posted by avi_wener on 09-21-2011
Dr John J Rossi’s titles and accolades are many and varied — and well earned. In his current affiliation with the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Rossi serves as chair and professor of molecular and cellular biology, dean of the graduate school of biological sciences, and associate director for laboratory research. He is co-leader of the cancer biology program and the first holder of the Lidow Family Research Chair. These professional accomplishments are complemented by numerous awards, including a 2002 Merit Award in the Division of AIDS, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The common thread that weaves all of these activities and achievements together continues to be an unabashed enthusiasm for and curiosity toward scientific discovery — specifically in the molecular genetics of disease.
Rossi received his doctoral degree in microbial genetics in the late 1970s. At the time, cloning was only just becoming a tool that researchers could use, and with Rossi’s exposure to this now basic technique, his fascination with genetics turned to the molecular aspects of the discipline. Rossi was drawn to postdoctoral studies in Dr Arthur Landy’s lab at Brown University because of Landy’s groundbreaking work in sequencing genetic information for the bacteriophage lambda. Landy’s work focused on trying to understand some of the sequences of the attachment site of the bacteriophage in its host chromosome. He also completed the first restriction map of any lambda phage. Rossi was particularly attracted by the technology he would have access to in this forward-thinking environment.
Click for more.
:: Posted by avi_wener on 09-08-2011
Hey grad students. Check out these facts:
- fewer than 20% of PhDs in the biological sciences have been moving into tenure-track academic positions within 5–6 yr of receiving a PhD
- only 14% of these PhDs hold tenure-track positions
- 43% of PhD graduates are employed full-time in nonacademic settings
- 80% of American PhD graduates do NOT hold tenure track positions despite the fact that ALL are trained to pursue the tenure track dream
These, and many other interesting tidbits were blogged about in a post by BioJobBlog earlier this week. If you are thinking about what job possibilities are open to you after graduating be sure to educate yourself and check out the BioJobBlog!
:: Posted by avi_wener on 09-06-2011
I am very psyched for the PHD movie! Does that make me a huge nerd or nostalgic for my days as a graduate student? The trailer has definitely captured my attention. Are you attending a screening. First round of showings are next week!
Checkout PHDcomics.com/movie for show times.
PHD Movie Trailer from PHD Comics on Vimeo.
:: Posted by avi_wener on 08-31-2011
George Church, the talented genetic professor, has made headlines once again. We are very fond of George Church and have written about him and his work several times in the past (see: George Church: The Father of Personalized Genomics, New tools for rewriting the code of life and A Scientific Legend’s Approach to Solving Problems and Developing Technologies).
The latest article, appearing in The Boston Globe, talks about Dr. Church’s approach to synthetic biology and his “broad brush” approach of editing bacterial genomes to devise powerful new technologies.
To read more click here. H/T to Genomeweb for the find.
:: Posted by avi_wener on 07-18-2011
Most professors have their favorite disease or gene and focus the bulk of their energy on solving the mysteries of their particular field of interest. They may have five or six projects running simultaneously, but for the most part, every project is designed around one research subject.
Dr. Jefffery Karp is the exception to that rule. His lab runs between 20-25 research project at any given time. Twenty to twenty five projects. That’s huge. Dr. Karp is the co-director of the Center for Regenerative Therapeutics (ReGen Rx) at Bringham Women’s Hospital and his lab develops breakthrough translational technologies such as the recently developed platform technology for monitoring single-cell interactions in real-time.
See the video below to see Dr. Karp in action.
Jeffrey Karp from BWH Public Affairs on Vimeo.
