http://youdpreferanargonaute.com/2009/10/31/five-thousand-views-heck-yes/ Why I Like The RNAs Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:15:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ http://youdpreferanargonaute.com/2009/10/31/five-thousand-views-heck-yes/#comment-349 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:35:52 +0000 http://youdpreferanargonaute.com/?p=731#comment-349 Hey Alejandro,
Thanks for your comment.
What a small world–I studied at la Católica for one year! (My last year of college.) I even worked in Nibaldo Inestrosa’s lab for one semester. I had tons of fun in beautiful Chile.
I can’t take any credit for organizing the MIT RNA Journal Club, so in answering your question I am only speculating, but:
1) Pick some theme, or field, to focus the club on. (e.g. RNA, cell cycle, worm stuff, cancer, structure, molecular genetics). If it is too general, the targeted audience won’t be so clear and people might not be sure if they “belong.”
2) Pick a theme/field that is strong at la Católica (or among other universities in the area like U Chile, where you may also draw attendees). If there are at least few labs studying one area, try to take advantage of that interest and expertise, the target audience will be clear and you can build a base to attract others.
3) Getting sponsorship of course helps, and would take a little work. Free lunch or dinner is always a great incentive to attract people.
4) It might be wise to gather a core group of people, and make sure they’d all be willing to present for the first few sessions, so you have a steady calendar of presentations for the first several weeks/months.
5) Keep the meetings regular, having long breaks in between kills attendance, thus the importance of #4 above for starting out. And make sure the meetings are smooth, be prudent with time so that people can stay for the whole thing and then get back to their experiments!
nice blog btw-
chao

]]> http://youdpreferanargonaute.com/2009/10/31/five-thousand-views-heck-yes/#comment-348 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:41:55 +0000 http://youdpreferanargonaute.com/?p=731#comment-348 Congratulations!! It has been a great read for an RNA groupie scientist, as myself.
I’ve had a hard time organizing a student journal club in my University. Everyone says it would be a great idea, but I’m certain, that when the time comes, no more than two will show up.
Any suggestions?
Cheers,
-A

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