Kate Harris

Newcastle University Academic Track Fellow in Drug Discovery @nuact_NCL, @NCL_medchem
We love the messy bits of drug discovery, especially in neuroinflammation!

[Kate Harris @KateMadden17]

@CandyRowe_ @AngelaTopping74 @TeamsBuild @JStergiou81 @HilaryNoone @LisetteNic @CanuckInEngland @Annette_Bramley @JenniferRichar7 @VivekNityananda @ShokoSugasawa You fill my glass up every time I see you :)

[Laia Josa Culleré @Laiajc]

We recently published about a phenotypic screen to differentiate AML cells, and how we found hits that acted through tubulin inhibition. Now you can read about the #medchem work that turned one of our hits into a lead! @AJR_group @milnetom68 @KateMadden17
https://t.co/FNPADW66tc

[Newcastle University Academic Track @nuact_NCL]

Fantastic day at our podcasting workshop yesterday. Thanks to our NUAcT fellows for their amazing, diverse contributions about teenage views of adulthood, bio architecture, historic farming practices, drug discovery and more!
Thanks @d_yellowlees - the perfect podcast host.😀

[Kate Harris @KateMadden17]

@CandyRowe_ No need, you putting up with my company is more than enough 🥳

[Kate Harris @KateMadden17]

@CandyRowe_ Such game changers, thank you so much for these!

[Kate Harris @KateMadden17]

@CandyRowe_ Will look to see if I have anymore rainbow radish seeds! I also have a black and yellow tomato potted up for you :)

[Kate Harris @KateMadden17]

New paper alert 💛
https://t.co/GJQA8jg7Rw
compounds that can differentiate AML cell lines found through phenotypic screening with @Laiajc @AJR_group @milnetom68 @wynner71 and other wonderful non-twitter colleagues

[Kate Harris @KateMadden17]

@ajavestro @professor_dave This felt like a really positive step that could help those of us who can't go in person?

[Kate Harris @KateMadden17]

@ajavestro @professor_dave The biochemical society have done an amazing thing and have said they'd accept an abstract for a virtual talk at a big conference on microglia in the autumn 💛 I just have to write a stunning abstract to get the chance to speak from NU 😱 my words, not theirs

[Kate Harris @KateMadden17]

Happy Monday 🤣

[Pedromics @pedromics]

It's all takin' and no givin'

[Kate Harris @KateMadden17]

@Cobb_Group I'm game, shall we team up 🤣

[Kate Harris @KateMadden17]

This ❤️

[Andrew Akbashev @Andrew_Akbashev]

As a professor, pursue the careers of your PhD students and postdocs instead of pursuing your own.

I know it may sound strange and even provocative. But in fact it is how it’s supposed to be.

Unfortunately, a personal gain is the biggest motivation for many professors. More publications, more awards, more invited talks…

Why? In addition to personal recognition, it can result in more funding and higher salaries (especially in the U.S.).

Many PIs say that their personal growth also helps their students get a better visibility. Plus, more funding brings in more students, which is (kind of) “great” for those students.

Others will say that their “tenure requirements are too demanding” and if they stop focusing on personal gain, they will be denied tenure.

In either case, I want you to think about the following:

1. When we focus on personal achievements, we lose track of the wellbeing and personal preferences of team members. Although it often feels like we still track it, in fact we become far less efficient at it. Students' progress and personal development are impeded. Their career opportunities become less diverse or even missed.

2. Concentrating too much funding in one big lab is NOT a good idea because it leads to PhD students receiving far less mentorship and research advising (than in smaller labs).

3. Tenure requirements often look intimidating to young professors. However, in reality, very few professors are denied tenure. Why? First, because any university invest big resources into TT professors and don’t want get rid of them without a big reason. Second, because departments often exaggerate the tenure challenges to ensure their young hires are “hard-working faculties”.

Many PIs think I am too idealistic and propose unrealistic ideas. And a lot of people will never agree with this post. Even myself, I can easily come up with bitter criticism over it.

However, idealism is among the biggest driving forces. It can drive you through challenging times and help improve.

In either case, I want you to think about the following:

1. When we focus on personal achievements, we lose track of the wellbeing and personal preferences of team members. Although it often feels like we still track it, in fact we become far less efficient at it. Students' progress and personal development are impeded. Their career opportunities become less diverse or even missed.

2. Concentrating too much funding in one big lab is NOT a good idea because it leads to PhD students receiving far less mentorship and research advising (than in smaller labs).

3. Tenure requirements often look intimidating to young professors. However, in reality, very few professors are denied tenure. Why? First, because any university invest big resources into TT professors and don’t want get rid of them without a big reason. Second, because departments often exaggerate the tenure challenges to ensure their young hires are “hard-working faculties”.

My message is:

If we all pursue the careers of your students/postdocs in the first place, this shift in priorities will make academia a much better world to live in.

I see an increasing number of faculties trying to genuinely care for their team members, in all countries and academic environments. It is all possible. Just do it. Make science better.

Oh, and don’t forget: 
Growth of your team members = Growth of yourself.

#AcademicTwitter #research #phdlife

[Prof Saiful Islam @SaifulChemistry]

Early Career Researchers, I highly recommend this @RoySocChem conference about how to shape independent academic careers👇

Great speakers including @helenpain_RSC @AnaLanterna @DrRianneLord @KateMadden17 @RORgroup @vincentgroupox
#RealTimeChem @ChemPostdocBot @RSC_EiC

[Kate Harris @KateMadden17]

magnificent

[Stephen Robinson (he/him) 🏳️‍🌈 @RobinsonLab_QIB]

During weekly lab meetings the people in my group present in one slide the highlights/progress of the past week. This is the best slide we’ve ever had. We laughed so much and hugged because: science is hard, it’s okay to admit it, and we are all in it together 🙂#mentalhealth

[HydRegen Limited @HydRegen_Oxford]

We are #hiring!

👇 See our website for more details 👇
https://t.co/ZjE7gKMy2Z

👩‍🔬 👨‍🔬 We are looking for scientists who can help us achieve maximum productivity in our multi-disciplinary team.

⭐ Our work is mission-focused, and highly collaborative.

[Kate Harris @KateMadden17]

@professor_dave Same if you're the only parent in a duo that can handle the childcare for whatever reason. Not sure what the solution is to be honest.

[Kate Harris @KateMadden17]

Very entertaining talk from @crwfrd_SF (your twitter handle was indeed very difficult to find) about hunting for hippos @ChemistryNCL #drugdiscovery

[Kate Harris @KateMadden17]

Anyone interested in either complement-based drugs or biocatalysis for medchem? Some fabulous co-authors on these, including @HAReeve @a_wollman @KallieFriston @AJR_group @vincentgroupox and @PeterTodd97

https://t.co/rIzcGwdidC

https://t.co/CwLXMjirLe