This blog is devoted to BIOL 6988, a graduate level seminar in the biological sciences at Youngstown State University. While targeted towards graduate students, BIOL 6988 actively incorporates undergraduate participants in their scholastic endeavors in the biological sciences. This blog is intended as a educational tool not just for YSU students and faculty, but for anyone who wishes to contribute to an active-learning environment.
Last Friday, Ms. Sandra Maddock gave an excellent presentation and talked about her journey from being an ER nurse to the founder and CEO of the company IMARC. Maddock pursued the career of an ER nurse, and then became a research coordinator. It was at this point in her career where she encountered numerous consistency issues with contract research organizations that would aid on the research projects. These companies would sometimes not be aware or ignore basic research regulations, and some even made up arbitrary rules, such as the color pen the could be used. After dealing with these issues, Maddock decided that she would start a contract research organization of her own that would be consistent, follow all rules and regulations, and focus on the welfare of the patients. Although she encountered some difficulties along the way when starting, her company now celebrates their 20th anniversary this year. This medical device contract research organization now aids their clients in their clinical trials by monitoring and overseeing every aspect of the project. They ensure patient protection, data integrity and regulatory compliance at every stage of the clinical research process. Maddock even mentioned some of the unique projects that her company is working with, such as a helmet that can determine if someone is having a stroke, which can potentially streamline the current way that people who are suffering a stroke get the care that they need. Maddock mentioned that there were many things in nursing school that she did not learn that would have been useful later in life. If you had the power to decide a new class that would be implemented in the Biology Graduate Program at YSU next year, what would it be? This can be a biology-based course or something completely random, but the goal of your course should be to better prepare the students for the real world and the challenges they may encounter.
I personally found Ms. Maddock's journey from nursing to CEO/President of her own company very interesting and inspiring. I have been around the medical field most of my life and I have heard many of the same issues Ms. Maddock had encountered. As for a course that could be implemented to better prepare students would be one that includes social skills, sensitivity training, and problem solving (i.e. thinking out of the box). All are beneficial particularly in a medical setting as we encounter a wide range of patients and medical issues. This would allow better patient encounters, being able to communicate properly with colleagues and doctors, and overall an enjoyable work environment.
Ms. Maddock made an excellent point during seminar. Some of the most important lessons that she learned in her career were not through her work in the classroom, but out in the field. Similarly, much of what I learned through out my scientific career was through my undergrad and graduate research. That may have been due to the fact that I didn't do great in undergraduate studies, but I digress.
To answer Alex's' question, I would try to develop a class that revolved around solving puzzles, teaching non-circular and critical reasoning skills. I have felt that these are things that really needed to be developed in people who want to devote their lives to a field which is based upon quick, creative and critical thinking.
I also enjoyed Ms. Maddock's talk about her journey. It was very inspiring. One thing I learned from her talk was to never give up on my dreams and to never get discouraged when you start something and you feel its not going as you planned. To Alex's question, I will agree with Hillari and Frank, developing a class that helps students to think outside the box is what I will also look at. A course that will prepare them for the unforeseen challenges in the career world and will as well help them be creative, quick thinkers and sociable.
I really enjoyed Ms. Maddock's presentation on Friday. I thought she did a great job discussing all of her work and how her degree led her to something so unique that has bettered the field of medicine. To answer Alex's question, I think that a bioethics course would be a great addition to the program because there are so many students that want to enter into the medical field and this kind of course would give us the chance to understand how to make more informed decisions as doctors, nurses, or any other type of clinician. This kind of class could inform us about end of life decisions or decisions that relate to the patient's religion where we would need to respect their belief's when treating them. I think even if some students aren't entering the medical field it would still give a greater understanding and a better appreciation to situations where we need to think morally and ethically as professionals.
I thought Ms. Maddock's presentation was a great because it highlighted a career field that some might not consider when pursuing a degree in biology, but requires skills that a biology degree can provide. She really shown a light on biomedical research and its importance, skills important in the field, an overview of processes critical to clinical trials, and often how things can be overlooked and why it is important to operate with decency. Additionally she showed that what you study and the career you prepare in college for is not always going to be what you'll spend your life doing. Critical thinking seemed to be the most important skill Ms. Maddock commended. A class to teach critical thinking I believe would have to simulate the context of the wide variety of potential careers in biology. Similarly, I know I could learn more about strategic planning, so maybe a course about that, although I'm sure not everyone would need to take it.
I really enjoyed Ms. Maddock's presentation. Often when people go into biological sciences, they're pre-medicine, pre-vet, or pre-dentistry. I think it's important to realize that biology is so much more diverse than that. Her company offers an interesting opportunity.
In regard to Alex's question, I support the idea of a bioethics or critical thinking class. Both would have a great impact on students. I also feel that our department could expand upon the curriculum for Capstone. It would be nice to have exposure to the many possibilities associated with biological sciences early on in academia. High schools do not allow much opportunity for students to think outside of the box in terms of a career. Most people enter college with cookie-cutter aspirations and expand upon these throughout their undergraduate education. Implementing a seminar targeted at first and second year students with speakers like Ms. Maddock could be beneficial in helping students choose a path best suited for them.
I really enjoyed Ms. Maddock's talk and I'm very glad she was our speaker last week. I think it's important to understand the diversity of jobs from a biology degree and that you may not end up working in a laboratory after graduation. Exploring additional options is always something to consider including biomedical, clincial, pharma, and industrial settings such as food production that are all hungry for scientific minds. As for a class, I think a biology-business course would be beneficial. This could include bioethics, along with information on industry regulations such as the Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs), Standard Operating Procedure's (SOPs), and current good manufacturing processes (cGMP). Basically a class to help biologist transfer their knowledge from a classroom and laboratory setting to the workforce setting.
I find Ms. Maddock's journey inspiring, interesting and educative too. I really enjoyed the presentation and her sense of humanity in the IMARC Company policies.Unlike many other clinical research company who exploit patients for their financial benefit, she chooses to protect the welfare of the patients and improve their experience. She is an iron lady and her example should be emulated. True she learnt from her mistakes and now her company is doing great. This taught me to never give up.
To answer Alex's question, I think we should be taught more about critical thinking and given a real world experience in the careers we are pursuing. As Dr. Walker said in our protein analysis class, we should be open to embrace new ideas, and always ask "why" and should always try to solve problems. Just as Ms. Maddocks and Dr. Walker.
Last Friday, Ms. Sandra Maddock gave an excellent presentation and talked about her journey from being an ER nurse to the founder and CEO of the company IMARC. Maddock pursued the career of an ER nurse, and then became a research coordinator. It was at this point in her career where she encountered numerous consistency issues with contract research organizations that would aid on the research projects. These companies would sometimes not be aware or ignore basic research regulations, and some even made up arbitrary rules, such as the color pen the could be used. After dealing with these issues, Maddock decided that she would start a contract research organization of her own that would be consistent, follow all rules and regulations, and focus on the welfare of the patients. Although she encountered some difficulties along the way when starting, her company now celebrates their 20th anniversary this year. This medical device contract research organization now aids their clients in their clinical trials by monitoring and overseeing every aspect of the project. They ensure patient protection, data integrity and regulatory compliance at every stage of the clinical research process. Maddock even mentioned some of the unique projects that her company is working with, such as a helmet that can determine if someone is having a stroke, which can potentially streamline the current way that people who are suffering a stroke get the care that they need.
ReplyDeleteMaddock mentioned that there were many things in nursing school that she did not learn that would have been useful later in life. If you had the power to decide a new class that would be implemented in the Biology Graduate Program at YSU next year, what would it be? This can be a biology-based course or something completely random, but the goal of your course should be to better prepare the students for the real world and the challenges they may encounter.
I personally found Ms. Maddock's journey from nursing to CEO/President of her own company very interesting and inspiring. I have been around the medical field most of my life and I have heard many of the same issues Ms. Maddock had encountered. As for a course that could be implemented to better prepare students would be one that includes social skills, sensitivity training, and problem solving (i.e. thinking out of the box). All are beneficial particularly in a medical setting as we encounter a wide range of patients and medical issues. This would allow better patient encounters, being able to communicate properly with colleagues and doctors, and overall an enjoyable work environment.
ReplyDeleteMs. Maddock made an excellent point during seminar. Some of the most important lessons that she learned in her career were not through her work in the classroom, but out in the field. Similarly, much of what I learned through out my scientific career was through my undergrad and graduate research. That may have been due to the fact that I didn't do great in undergraduate studies, but I digress.
ReplyDeleteTo answer Alex's' question, I would try to develop a class that revolved around solving puzzles, teaching non-circular and critical reasoning skills. I have felt that these are things that really needed to be developed in people who want to devote their lives to a field which is based upon quick, creative and critical thinking.
I also enjoyed Ms. Maddock's talk about her journey. It was very inspiring. One thing I learned from her talk was to never give up on my dreams and to never get discouraged when you start something and you feel its not going as you planned.
ReplyDeleteTo Alex's question, I will agree with Hillari and Frank, developing a class that helps students to think outside the box is what I will also look at. A course that will prepare them for the unforeseen challenges in the career world and will as well help them be creative, quick thinkers and sociable.
I really enjoyed Ms. Maddock's presentation on Friday. I thought she did a great job discussing all of her work and how her degree led her to something so unique that has bettered the field of medicine. To answer Alex's question, I think that a bioethics course would be a great addition to the program because there are so many students that want to enter into the medical field and this kind of course would give us the chance to understand how to make more informed decisions as doctors, nurses, or any other type of clinician. This kind of class could inform us about end of life decisions or decisions that relate to the patient's religion where we would need to respect their belief's when treating them. I think even if some students aren't entering the medical field it would still give a greater understanding and a better appreciation to situations where we need to think morally and ethically as professionals.
ReplyDeleteI thought Ms. Maddock's presentation was a great because it highlighted a career field that some might not consider when pursuing a degree in biology, but requires skills that a biology degree can provide. She really shown a light on biomedical research and its importance, skills important in the field, an overview of processes critical to clinical trials, and often how things can be overlooked and why it is important to operate with decency. Additionally she showed that what you study and the career you prepare in college for is not always going to be what you'll spend your life doing. Critical thinking seemed to be the most important skill Ms. Maddock commended. A class to teach critical thinking I believe would have to simulate the context of the wide variety of potential careers in biology. Similarly, I know I could learn more about strategic planning, so maybe a course about that, although I'm sure not everyone would need to take it.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed Ms. Maddock's presentation. Often when people go into biological sciences, they're pre-medicine, pre-vet, or pre-dentistry. I think it's important to realize that biology is so much more diverse than that. Her company offers an interesting opportunity.
ReplyDeleteIn regard to Alex's question, I support the idea of a bioethics or critical thinking class. Both would have a great impact on students. I also feel that our department could expand upon the curriculum for Capstone. It would be nice to have exposure to the many possibilities associated with biological sciences early on in academia. High schools do not allow much opportunity for students to think outside of the box in terms of a career. Most people enter college with cookie-cutter aspirations and expand upon these throughout their undergraduate education. Implementing a seminar targeted at first and second year students with speakers like Ms. Maddock could be beneficial in helping students choose a path best suited for them.
I really enjoyed Ms. Maddock's talk and I'm very glad she was our speaker last week. I think it's important to understand the diversity of jobs from a biology degree and that you may not end up working in a laboratory after graduation. Exploring additional options is always something to consider including biomedical, clincial, pharma, and industrial settings such as food production that are all hungry for scientific minds.
ReplyDeleteAs for a class, I think a biology-business course would be beneficial. This could include bioethics, along with information on industry regulations such as the Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs), Standard Operating Procedure's (SOPs), and current good manufacturing processes (cGMP). Basically a class to help biologist transfer their knowledge from a classroom and laboratory setting to the workforce setting.
I find Ms. Maddock's journey inspiring, interesting and educative too. I really enjoyed the presentation and her sense of humanity in the IMARC Company policies.Unlike many other clinical research company who exploit patients for their financial benefit, she chooses to protect the welfare of the patients and improve their experience. She is an iron lady and her example should be emulated. True she learnt from her mistakes and now her company is doing great. This taught me to never give up.
ReplyDeleteTo answer Alex's question, I think we should be taught more about critical thinking and given a real world experience in the careers we are pursuing. As Dr. Walker said in our protein analysis class, we should be open to embrace new ideas, and always ask "why" and should always try to solve problems. Just as Ms. Maddocks and Dr. Walker.