Oral Scientific Presentations
“Thriving, Not Just Surviving, as a Scientist”
Workshop
Presented for Post-docs
of Baylor College of Medicine
Gayle Slaughter, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean of Graduate Education
gayles@bcm.edu
Types of Oral Presentations
Lab meetings - variable length
Journal clubs - 30-50 minutes
Short scientific talks -10 minutes
National meetings, retreats
Research seminars - 50 minutes
Job talks
50 minute seminar; chalk talk
Types of Oral Presentations
Specific formats and strategies vary with
type of talk, but principles are the same
Think
plan
prepare
practice, with feedback
Attitudes about Public Speaking
The # 1 fear of people is…
Attitudes about Public Speaking
The # 1 fear of people is…
not snakes
not roaches
not even driving on the 610 loop
Attitudes about Public Speaking
The # 1 fear of people is speaking in public
Even experienced speakers get nervous sometime
or every time
Successful speakers are born, but also made
Everyone can improve their effectiveness with
assessment and practice
Conquering Fear of Public
Speaking
Keys to improvement: Guidance, practice, feedback
Mentor, other faculty, students, post-docs
Journal clubs, lab meetings, seminars
Medically Speaking Toastmasters
Tuesday at 5:30 pm at BCM, third floor Alkek
Group that focuses on speaking in public
Personal counseling: BCM has for employees (EPA)
General Structure of Successful
Talks
Tell them what you’re going to tell them
Tell them
Tell them what you told them
Give an overview. Outline topics and goal(s).
Present the information.
Summarize the key points or conclusions.
I versus We
There are times when you need to differentiate between
what you have done and what a group has done
The third person “we” is used in talks at national meetings
where the science is the focus
The first person “I” is used if you are presenting at lab
meetings, seminars where your contribution is being
assessed (job interviews)
Always list collaborators in the last slide
May mention collaborators in talk (easier if a long talk)
Titles for Scientific Talks
Titles for talks or slides should convey punch
line - the conclusion
What is your aim(s) or the question(s) you are
answering; the goal(s)?
What is the most important thing you
discovered?
What overall conclusion can you draw?
Components of Scientific Talks
What is the focus of your work, in
general?
What is the significance of the work?
Background of lab or project
What is your aim(s) or the question(s) you
are answering; the goal(s)?
May or may not be in hypothesis form
Components of Scientific Talks
How did you approach the problem?
May use word slide or a flow diagram to list general
steps
Avoid bogging down in the details of the procedure
Give enough information people can appreciate
your work
how many variables did you test to optimize the
assay?
how many animals were tested?
how many lines of computer code did you write?
Presenting Results
Focus on strategy and/ or what is planned
Show primary or interpreted data
convince people your observations are valid
example of data that yields results
photos (with labeling), gels, data output
Summarize observations
graphs, tables, word slide
Use statistics, if appropriate
Explain results (walk people through results)
Components of Scientific Talks
Finishing your talk in a memorable way
What conclusions can you draw, if any?
use short statements
say the same words that are on the slide
Include a model if appropriate
Future directions
What experiments would you propose to continue
the work? (don’t give away too much)
Preparing a Presentation
Planning is important, but…
Don’t obsess or spend ridiculous amount of time
Decide on key point(s). Build talk around it (them).
Points to be covered will depend on the length
Does not have to be in chronological order. Make the
presentation logical and easy to follow.
Acquire information that supports the point(s).
Organize information in an effective way.
Note cards, computer
Planning a Presentation
Decide on visual aids. Depends on
audience, information, budget,
equipment, resources
Handouts
Chalk, marker board, flip chart
Photographs Transparencies
PowerPoint
Poster
Videotape
Music or audiotape
Things; especially good with children
Planning a Presentation
Produce an effective summary of information
Word summaries (large font)
Graphs (usually easier to read than tables)
Pictures or graphics
Model (beginning and end possibly)
Making Effective Figures
Select right format to make the point
Make as simple as possible to tell the story
Use large, clear fonts (24-44 pt)
Use effective color schemes
Light on dark or dark on light
Label areas or highlight (fonts, color)
Be careful of overly busy backgrounds
Example of Short Scientific Talk
(with notes attached)
From dissertation research
Conducted at Baylor College of Medicine
Anjelica Gonzalez, Ph.D.
SMART Program alumus
Research tied for first place SCBMB Program
Won Most Outstanding Ph.D. Award from the
Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies
3-D Leukocyte Migration in a
Biomimetic Hydrogel System
A. Gonzalez, A. Gobin*, Z.Demou*, J. West*, C.
Smith, L. McIntire*
Leukocyte Biology Dept., Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
*Institute of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX
Cell Adhesion and Migration
• Cells must attach and migrate to accomplish many
normal and pathogenic functions
embryonic cells, cells that replace other cells,
immune cells, cancer cells
• What molecules on the surface of cells are
important for cell attachment and spreading?
• What components of the extracellular matrix are
important for cell attachment and spreading?
Inflammatory Leukocyte Adhesion
Cascade
1. Chemokinetic stimulation causes activation
and upregulation of integrins
PMN
2. Initial capture and
transient adhesion
occurs
3. Firm adhesion and
shape change occurs
4. Finally, transendothelial
migration
Endothelium
Extracellular Matrix
Chemoattractants
Using Neutrophils as a Model for
Cell Attachment and Migration
• Develop a tissue engineering model that
will allow for testing specific neutrophil
integrin/ECM (extracellular matrix)
interactions
• Determine parameters involved in
extravascular neutrophil migration
Parameters to Measure
• Use the 3-D automated tracking system and
defined biomimetic hydrogels to quantify
and simulate leukocyte migration:
–
–
–
–
Speed
Directionality and duration of motion
Turning frequency
Invasion depth
The Model
Integrin Inhibitors:
Soluble chemoattractant:
fMLF
1) Anti-CD18 (b2)
2) Anti-CD11a (LFA-1)
3) Anti-CD11b (Mac-1)
4) Anti-b1
5) Anti-avb3
Adhesive sequences:
PMN
1) RGDS
2) fibrino-peptide -chain
3) YIGSR
(Poly)ethylene Glycol Hydrogel
Hydrophilic, non-protein absorbant, easily maniputable
Methods for Forming Bioactive Hydrogels
Adhesive peptide sequences:
•RGDS
=
=
=
=
-ubiquitious
•TMKIIPFNRTLIGG -fibrino- chain
•YIGSR
-laminin
Example copolymer:
=
(Poly)ethylene-glycol
=
=
RGDS
Polymerizable acrylate group
Upon photopolymerization, PEGpeptide-diacrylate is crosslinked to
form a hydrogel matrix
=
Polymerizable Acrylate Group
Adhesion Ligand
(Poly)ethylene
- glycol
3-D Cell Tracking System
The microscope chamber is maintained to 37°C and buffered at 5% CO2 for physiologic pH in the gels. The
microscope is equipped with Hoffman Modulation contrast optics and a motorized stage that is computer controlled
via an RS232 interface. Therefore, a sample gel mounted on the stage can be placed automatically at a series of
desired X, Y, Z positions where images are acquired at 10X magnification. The heart of the system is a Pentium II
IBM PC with Windows NT platform and the Optimas 6.2 image analysis software. Executed macros, written in the
Optimas Analytical Language of Images, perform automatically: image acquisition, image analysis, cell trajectory
reconstruction, and data analysis. The image analysis can be performed on or off line and CD back up is used for long
term data storage.
PMN Adhesion on 1.4mMol/ml TMKIIFNRLTIGG Blocked by
CD18 and Mac-1 Inhibitors, but not LFA-1
120
fMLF Stimulated
% Cell Adhesion
100
*
*
*
80
60
40
20
0
Anti-CD11a
Antibody
-
+
-
-
Anti-CD18
Antibody
-
-
+
-
Anti-CD11b
Antibody
-
-
-
+
* P<0.05
PMN Adhesion on 1.4mMol/ml RGDS Blocked by avb3 and
Combined avb3 and b1 Inhibitors
120
fMLF Stimulated
*
% Cell Adhesion
100
*
80
60
40
20
0
1.4mMol/ml
RGDS
+
+
+
+
-
Anti-b1
Antibody
-
+
-
+
-
Anti-avb3
Antibody
-
-
+
+
* P<0.05
Sample of Results
• (Poly)ethylene glycol alone causes low level
of neutrophil adhesion
• PMN adhesion to RGDS is not b2 dependent
• PMN adhesion to fibrino-g chain peptide is
Mac-1 dependent
• PMN adhesion to RGDS is largely dependent
on avb3
Pointers for Perfect Presentations
Write out the talk if…
you have a tight time frame, you’re really nervous, it
is a critical presentation
Time the presentation. Eliminate time wasters
Practice the talk
To yourself; looking in a mirror; with someone else
Revise talk to improve rough spots
Prepare an easy to follow written format
Use letters you can read
Presentation Skills
Advance Preparation
Get familiar with lighting, AV controls before talk
Decide if you will sit, stand or use a podium
Determined by size and style of audience
Use a podium if…
you are unfamiliar with material and need
to refer to written text often
you are very nervous and need a crutch
Mentally Preparing for a Talk
Be aware of the type of mood you want to create:
professional, convincing, reconciling
Be aware of your mental status
Match your mental status to the mood you need
Relax if you need to be soothing
Rev up if you need to be stimulating
Visualize a successful presentation
Presentation Skills
Speak clearly. Practice difficult words. Use an
appropriate volume.
Use pointers effectively; audience will not be familiar
with your data
Point to bands on gels, areas on photographs, etc
Be careful to not overuse pointers
Be careful of distracting mannerisms
Detect by videotaping practice or getting critique
Connecting with the Audience
Look at audience. Make eye contact with a
variety of people; except if you are very
nervous and it helps to look at one “friendly”
listener.
Avoid coming across as a snob or apologetic
Don’t try to overwhelm audience with jargon
Answering Questions
Usually the most nerve racking part of the talk
Try to anticipate questions and prepare
One of best ways is through practicing
What questions do listeners ask?
Repeat the question, especially if in a large room
Answer the question asked
Refer to slide, if necessary
May return to a slide or have extra data slides
Handling Difficult Questions
You don’t know the answer
Handling Difficult Questions
You don’t know the answer
Admit it, but frame in professional way
The questioner is wrong about an issue
Handling Difficult Questions
You don’t know the answer
Admit it, but frame in professional way
The questioner is wrong about an issue
Politely state what you do know and why you
believe it is true; your own work or others
Handling Difficult Questions
You don’t know the answer
Admit it, but frame in professional way
The questioner is wrong about an issue
Politely state what you do know and why you
believe it is true; your own work or others
The questioner is hostile
Handling Difficult Questions
You don’t know the answer
Admit it, but frame in professional way
The questioner is wrong about an issue
Politely state what you do know and why you believe it is
true; your own work or others
The questioner is hostile
It’s not your fault; there is a history or problem
Try to respond calmly get it over; may need to say, “Let’s
discuss this after the presentation”
Chalk Talks
Usually given when applying for a job; what will you do
Less formal than seminar, but just as important
Outline what you want to do without slides, only a “black,
chalk, marker” board
Need to organize your thoughts, plan how to draw, usually
don’t have notes
Practice before you present
Learning from Presentations
You learn a lot from organizing your thoughts
Often get ideas…
that ou needed to do something differently
for other experiments
for how to relate your work to that of others
for new lines of inquiry
Get feedback - what can you improve related to
science or presentation skills
Benefitting from Presentations
Convey information to others
Works both ways; may get ideas from other
Start conversations that lead to ideas
Create collaborations
Inspire others to do great science