CUB #1:  Networking!

What:   Networking. Initiating and Sustaining Academic Relationships. 

When:    17h00, 19 March 2014

Where:   SANBI @ Google maps

Bragging rights:  Dr Riaan Conradie, the CEO of HealthQ Technologies, will be talking to us about initiating conversations and creating networks with people from diverse industries, fields and backgrounds.

CUB HUB Meeting 1 Minutes (19 March 2014)

The first meeting of CUB HUB was attended by approximately 22 people

5:10 Introduction and welcome by Natasha Wood. Explanation of CUB HUB and how it arose. Discussion of potential for collaboration/networking with Heidelberg.

5:15 Brief introductions from everyone

5:18 Riaan Conradie begins his presentation on networking

5:45 Comments/questions to the floor.

Natasha Wood talks about the next meeting.

Riaan Conradie suggested that they have one of the next meetings at HealthQ.

Gustavo Salazar suggested the UCT Med School Mac Club in Cape Town option.

Natasha Wood: potential topics include things such as NGS analyses, Github, etc. There is also the potential for speakers from Heidelberg.

The attendees then split into three groups to come up with ideas for what everyone would want from a bioinformatics CUB HUB. The suggestions from the three groups were as follows:

Group one: Colleen Saunders said the group thought topics that address the challenges/opportunities associated with the transition from the wet lab to bioinformatics would be useful. Additional themes, such as meetings that discuss what it means to be a bioinformatician or how to engage in science communication, would be helpful. The thought of an elevator speech (i.e. briefly explain your research to a stranger) was suggested. Natasha Wood also suggested that we should take inspiration from PechaKucha 20×20 idea. Soft skill then seminar alternating per each session. Opportunities to co-author papers.

Group two: James Ross presented the ideas from the group and discussed the option of topics that look at bleeding / cutting edge technologies. This would include topics such as ‘What is the next big thing in bioinformatics?’ and research beyond next generation sequencing. The idea that NGS is no longer ‘next generation’ was brought up. It was also suggested that CUB HUB try and recruit interesting speakers where possible. Riaan Conradie also stated that it would be beneficial if a meeting was devoted for members to communicate what they are currently working on.

Group three: Gordon Wells said the group suggested members present bioinformatics tips that they find useful or save time, etc., in the form of a Tech Talk. Examples such as Emacs.org mode, code snippets, auto jump and workflows people are using and not using and why were given. Galen Wright suggested that this could be done in the form of short talks (e.g. two minutes) so many members could present such tips at one meeting. Gustavo Salazar then said that off topic talks (e.g. expansion of the universe, etc.) and general science hot topic talks would be an interesting theme too.

Natasha Wood: who will drive the next meeting and the website? Will take comments on web.

Riaan Conradie offered to take the next meeting, mid-May 2014.

Natasha Wood: approximately once every two months, or more if appropriate. Set a date for each next meeting at the last meeting. Encourages everyone to go to PechaKucha J

 

20×20

The presentation format is based on a simple idea: 20 images displayed for 20 seconds each whilst the presenter talks you through it. It is a format that makes presentations concise, and keeps things interesting. It forces people to reduce, to clear their minds and think about what is relevant. It is amazing how much you can put across in 6 minutes and 40 seconds.

The casual atmosphere of the event makes it easy to socialise naturally. You can speak to any presenter during the beer break and say: “That was fantastic, I love what you do!” – and start a conversation from there.
PechaKucha drags you into a live situation with atmosphere, energy and real human interaction. The speakers will inspire you as they share their passions, their creativity, their achievements, just about anything really…

PechaKucha Night was devised in Tokyo in 2003 by Klein Dytham Architecture. It draws its name from the Japanese term for the sound of “chit chat”. It was started as an event for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public. It has however, turned into a massive celebration, with events happening in hundreds of cities around the world, inspiring people worldwide.

NEXT PechaKucha: 6 May 2014, City Hall

6:20 The official meeting adjourns for everyone to drink beer J

Who signed up?

Natasha Wood	natasha [at] sanbi.ac.za	SANBI	From HUBs to CUBs
Galen Wright	galen [at] sanbi.ac.za	SANBI	Word of mouth
Gustavo	gsalazar [at] cs.uct.ac.za	CBIO UCT	via nats!
Gordon Wells	gordon.wells [at] gmail.com	SUN	Natasha Wood
gordon botha	gbot300 [at] gmail.com	UCT	Natasha Wood
Dane	dkennedy1 [at] csir.co.za	CHPC	Natasha Wood
Warren Emmett	warren.emmett [at] gmail.com	UCL	natasha wooood
Miguel Lacerda	Miguel.Lacerda [at] uct.ac.za	UCT	Natasha
Kenneth Babu	babuken [at] gmail.com	UCT	Smoke signal from Natasha Wood
Mahjoubeh	mahjoubeh [at] sanbi.ac.za	SANBI	SANBI
Britt Drögemöller	14337185 [at] sun.ac.za	Stellenbosch University	Word of mouth
Wendy Kroger	wendy [at] sanbi.ac.za	SANBI	Natasha Wood
Ayton	aytonm [at] gmail.com	UCT	Natasha
Fanechka Esterhysen	fanechka [at] sanbi.ac.za	SANBI	Darlington’s email
Colleen Saunders	colljsaunders [at] gmail.com	SANBI, UWC	SASHG Mailing list
Marike Visser	marikev [at] sun.ac.za	SU/ARC	Departmental newsletter
Leendert Cloete	leendert [at] sanbi.ac.za	SANBI	Not from Natasha Wood…
Emil Tanov	emil [at] sanbi.ac.za	SANBI	sanbi student rep
ruben	ruben [at] sanbi.ac.za	SANBI	Via email notification, Collegue within the department
Chimusa	emile [at] cbio.uct.ac.za	University of Cape Town	mailing list of CBIO
Gayle	gdmp27 [at] gmail.com	Synexa Life Sciences	Natasha Wood
Brtejnev Muhire	mubrejnev [at] gmail.com	Cbio-UCT	from Gustavo
Batsirai Mabvakure	bmabvakure [at] gmail.com	SANBI	SANBI
James Ross	rossjlg [at] gmail.com	UP	SANBI
Andrew Ndhlovu	drewx [at] webmail.co.za	University of the Witwatersrand	SANBI
JP Maree	jpmaree5 [at] gmail.com	UFS	Colleen Saunders
Fredrick	fnindo [at] gmail.com	CBIO	colleague, Brejnev
Calvin Tang	210509432 [at] stu.ukzn.ac.za	UKZN	Colleen Saunders