plan out your research night

Workshops & Panels.

Following our keynote speech by Dr. Michael Gold, there will be three sessions of workshops and panels. Take a look at the short description of each and tailor your LSRN schedule to what interests you the most.

5:30 – 5:55 PM

Keynote Speech

Are you ready to #GetIntoResearch? Start off your evening with a speech from our keynote speaker, Dr. Michael Gold. 

2020 Workshops:

General Research Opportunities

Participants will learn about the various research opportunities available to students here at UBC. Topics covered include volunteer opportunities, paid positions, summer research opportunities, research abroad, research courses, and more. This workshop is geared towards those who wish to find or expand their research experiences on campus.

Day in the Life: Basic vs. Translational vs. Clinical Research

Do you know the difference between basic, translational, and clinical research? Curious about what each type of research entails? Want to learn which of the three best suits your academic and career interests? If so, attend this panel-based workshop led by three expert researchers to learn more!

MD vs. PhD vs. MD/PhD

Participants have the opportunity to ask questions to students who were or are currently in the MD, PhD, MD/PhD, Masters or PharmD programs here at UBC to talk about their experiences. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of going into these graduate streams. Participants are encouraged to prepare questions beforehand.

Industry vs. Academia vs. Government

Participants have the opportunity to ask questions to professionals who have or are currently in three mainstream fields of research: industry, academia and government. Learn more about the diverse career paths available to undergraduates after they have graduated and about the day-to-day experiences in each field. Discover which field of research matches your interests! Participants are encouraged to prepare questions beforehand.

Centre for Blood Research - Summer Studentship Program

Participants will have the chance to learn about the many summer research opportunities available to them on campus. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions regarding application processes, program details, scholarship opportunities, and so on to some of the coordinators of these research programs. This will help them prepare in advance for the summer research program of their interest throughout the school year.

UBC Science Co-Op

Participants will be guided through a workshop on the UBC Co-Op program. Topics discussed will include the overview of the UBC Co-Op program and a detailed breakdown of the program application. This workshop is geared towards those who are considering participating in the UBC Co-Op program.

General Post-Graduate Information

Participants will learn more about the general information regarding various graduate studies programs. Topics discussed will include the application process, letters of intent (LOI), funding options, and opportunities abroad. This workshop is geared towards those who are thinking of continuing their studies after they complete the undergraduate degree.

How to Approach Faculty

Participants will learn about how to find research opportunities and approach potential principal investigators. Topics discussed will include how to find various research labs and how to send emails to principal investigators/faculty. This workshop is geared towards those who hope to find their first research experiences on campus.

Diversity in STEM

Participants will have a chance to learn more about the importance of diversity, access, and equity in STEM-related fields. Presenters will share any drawbacks they faced or continue to face, as well as how they are using their platform to encourage more individuals to get involved in STEM.

CJUR Panel Workshop

A workshop provided by the Canadian Journal of Undergraduate Research (CJUR) to teach students more about the academic publication process. Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the peer-review process and ask questions regarding details of paper submissions and how undergraduate students can publish their research.

How to Fund Your Undergrad Research: SSRP & NSERC USRA Awards

Participants will be given an overview of the Faculty of Medicine’s Summer Student Research Program (FoM SSRP) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council’s Undergraduate Student Research Awards (NSERC USRA). The presentation will review the application process for each funding opportunity focussing on the key aspects of preparing strong applications. The workshop will also provide tips on identifying and contacting eligible supervisors. This workshop is geared towards students who plan to apply to one or both competitions and wish to get more information on how to prepare their application.

Honours and Directed Studies Panel

Learn how to gain research experience while receiving course credit at the same time! Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions to students involved in the honours stream and those who have taken on a directed studies project. This is a great workshop to attend if you want to learn more about the requirements and pros/cons of each stream

Research Ethics

Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the process surrounding research and the checks in place to ensure research is conducted in an ethical manner. Participants will be able to gauge and understand what specific questions are asked and the principles that need to be upheld in the research approval process.

 

Research Abroad: Go Global

Participants will be able to learn about the opportunities available to them through Go Global’s Research Abroad program.The workshop will focus on different destinations and types of research available, as well as providing insight on the application process and timeline for departure. Participants are encouraged to prepare questions beforehand.

  

 

Research Opportunities at BC Children's Hospital

Participants will have the chance to learn about the many research opportunities available to them at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. Students can ask questions regarding application processes, program details, scholarship opportunities, and so on to some of the coordinators of these research programs. This will help them prepare in advance for the summer or fall research program of their interest throughout the school year.

7:30 PM onwards

Networking and Poster Presentations

For those unfamiliar with it, poster presentations are where local researchers get a chance to present their research. Each researcher will be in front of a poster-version of their research, which you will get a chance to read and discuss with the presenter.

F.A.Q.

Which ones are workshops? What's the difference between panels and workshops?
Anything without the word “panel” in the name is a workshop – anything with “panel” in the name is, you guessed it, a panel! Panels are question-based sessions. Beyond a brief introduction of each panelist, the session itself is mostly audience question driven: So come with questions that you want to ask your panelists! Workshops on the other hand will be the more standard presentation format with a speaker discussing through set points for the duration of the session.
Will there be enough space in my chosen workshops/panels?
That’s where RSVP’ing comes in! While RSVPing doesn’t guarantee space due to hard limits, it will allow us to make sure that the most popular workshops get the largest lecture halls with enough space for everyone. Many panels will have limited space, unfortunately. We try to keep the room (and audience) small so as to prevent the need for people at the back of a giant lecture hall to yell out questions to the panelists (and so that panelists can be heard clearly). So make sure to RSVP! 
How is the event free?
The event is paid for by our partner clubs (i.e. food, equipment, marketing), and all of our panelists, speakers, and poster presenters generously volunteer their time to be at Life Sciences Research Night!
Can I come late? Do I need to stay until 9:00 pm?
While you can come late, the event (and keynote speech) will start at 5:30 pm. We recommend that everyone aim to show up by 5:00 to allow time to check-in and get settled.
What's the Dress Code?
LSRN is a casual event: we understand that you are all coming from classes, and don’t expect you to dress formally. It is however an event where you will get to meet and network with researchers (during the poster presentation), so wearing flip-flops or other super-casual clothing isn’t appropriate.