News

AI Tools in Grant Writing Applications, Research Articles, CVs, etc.

Chairs: Emily Hashimoto-Roth (University of Toronto, Canada) and Ruth Huttenhain (Stanford University, USA)

Speakers:

• Dr. Laura Elo (University of Turku, Finland)
• Dr. Min-Sik Kim (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology, South Korea)
• Dr. Jack Washington (Molecular Omics, United Kingdom)

The session "AI tools in grant writing applications, research articles, CVs, etc." focused on the integration of new artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into various aspects of scientific document production and publication.

Attendees shared the utility of AI tools such as ChatGPT to enhance their daily work efficiency, mentioning that these tools are quite useful for brainstorming and idea generation. In particular, using ChatGPT as a writing aid was recognized as a valuable tool to overcome writer's block or "blank-page-o-phobia”. It was also discussed how AI tools can also be very useful for editing and proofreading, especially when English is not the writer’s first language. The potential use of AI by journals for proofreading to identify formatting and writing errors was also discussed, indicating the evolving role of AI in scientific publishing.

Participants also questioned mentors regarding best practices for AI tools in research. IN short it was mentioned that AI can be leveraged to polish visualization, troubleshoot software code, and even interpret results, but such tools should be used with caution. Despite the benefits of using ChatGPT prompts for writing, the need for critical review and manual editing to ensure the final written output meets scientific standards was emphasized. Ethical concerns, including the risk of data leaks when using AI tools for proofreading and the need for transparency of AI contributions was mentioned. Overall, the session shed light on the growing role of AI in proteomics research and the broader scientific publishing landscape. It offered an exploration on AI’s potential to enhance efficiency, address ethical concerns, and possibly reshape the way scientific research is published and shared in the future.

Promoting Your Science

Chairs: Daniel Garama (Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Australia) and Mathieu Lavallée-Adam (University of Ottawa, Canada)

Speakers:

• Dr. Alexey Nesvizhskii (University of Michigan, USA)
• Dr. Hyun Woo Park (Yonsei University, South Korea)
• Dr. Stephen Pennington (University College Dublin, Ireland)
• Paula Burton (Mass Dynamics, Australia)

This session explored the many aspects of promoting your science as well as how scientific outreach can help in advancing one’s career.

It was clearly highlighted during the session that one key aspect of promoting your science involves, identifying target audiences. In addition to attending specialized conferences, participants discussed alternative methods for identifying the right audience for their research. Strategies included utilizing social media, publishing in widely read journals, and engaging with interdisciplinary communities. The session touched on the topic of maintaining a professional online presence. While recognizing the value sharing elements of one’s personal life, participants advised caution about posting some personal photos online, emphasizing the usefulness of a separate professional profile to maintain a credible image.

Attendees also discussed the role of institutional support in self-promotion. Many shared how universities, institutes, and companies can provide resources, such as funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities, to aid in career advancement and science promotion. Interestingly, participants considered some of the challenges related with dealing with opposition. Speakers shared their experiences on how they find the courage and confidence to address opposition to their ideas and results. The importance of constructive feedback, resilience, and persistence was highlighted. Finally, the panelists emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion efforts in academia and research.

Geographical Differences for Academic Job Applications

Chairs: Andreas Hober (AstraZeneca, Sweden) and Lívia Rosa-Fernandes (Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Australia)

Speakers:

• Dr. Nicki Packer (Macquarie University, Australia)
• Dr. Uwe Völker (University Greifswald, Germany)
• Dr. Yu-Ju Chen (Academia Sinica, Taiwan)
• Dr. Birgit Schilling (Buck Institute, USA)

During this session, attendees learned about the added value of conducting research abroad. In particular the benefits of exposure to different scientific cultures and networking opportunities were highlighted. Still, it was acknowledged that working abroad is not a universal requirement for a successful career. International relocation can have profound effects on personal aspects, such as partnerships and family. For example, some participants were curious regarding the challenges faced by expecting or new parents in finding jobs. The conversation emphasized the importance of supportive and flexible work environments to accommodate family responsibilities.

Attendees discussed the current job demand in the proteomics field, recognizing its rapid growth with increasing opportunities in academia, industry, and healthcare. Tips were shared for students aspiring to secure positions, including reaching out to potential mentors and the importance of making a good impression during a job interview by attaining  to a professional etiquette. For graduate students interested in finding postdoctoral positions, panelists shared how most postdocs typically find their positions, highlighting networking, collaborations, and mentor recommendations as effective strategies. The timing of grant applications for postdoctoral researchers and beyond was a significant topic. Advice emphasized starting early, cultivating strong grant-writing skills, and being strategic.

In addition, participants acknowledged diverse career paths within proteomics research outside of the traditional academic route. These paths encompassed roles in scientific communication, project management, bioinformatics, and more. Some attendees expressed their interest in transitioning to industry and panelists debated the optimal timing for transitioning from academia to industry. It was agreed that this decision should be based on individual career goals and the alignment of research interests with industry demands.