Kadner Institute 2009: a Successful Program for Grads and Postdocs  

When, on the topic of reviewing grants, Michael Vasil, a microbiology professor at the University of Colorado (CU), Denver, states "The one word you cannot say is the ‘F' word," pockets of amused murmurs rise from the nearly 30 grads and postdocs seated in a large, stadium-style classroom at CU Boulder. It was a moment of comic relief during one of the traditionally intensive sessions at the Kadner Institute for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scientists in Preparation for Careers in Microbiology, especially when Vasil followed up quickly with his explanation. "F" as in F-U-N-D. The session-a mock NIH grant review providing an inside look at how NIH grant applications are assessed for scientific and technical merit - was one of several closely guided learning opportunities offered to attendees of the 2009 Kadner Institute, held 18 to 22 July.  

Since being developed by the ASM Committee on Graduate and Postdoctoral Education in 2000, the Institute has blossomed in size and quality-attracting superb faculty and students and featuring outstanding speakers that represent the diversity of careers in the microbiological sciences. Institute participants network with colleagues and faculty and receive hands-on practice in the following key topics important for choosing and succeeding in a microbiology career: effective teaching methods, grant writing, scientific presentations and communication, review and critique of research proposals, and opportunities and preparation for diverse careers in microbiology. "This program gives you the chance to really work on your professional development as a scientist," said Patricia Rankin, associate vice chancellor for faculty diversity and development at UC Boulder, in her Institute welcome address. And this development begins before the Institute officially starts: upon acceptance to the Institute, participants prepare 10-page preliminary proposals for funding their research, curriculum vitaes, and 10- to 12-minute PowerPoint presentations of their research.  

This preparatory work provides a solid foundation for enhancing the training participants receive from the Institute. In a post-Institute survey, 100% of this year's attendees rated their satisfaction with the Institute as above average (15%) or outstanding (85%), and all of them strongly agreed that they would recommend it to a colleague (in fact, almost half of the 2009 cohort first heard about the Institute from a peer or conference presentation). "It's hard to pick which aspects of the Institute were most helpful; it was just such a good experience overall," said one survey respondent when asked to comment about the experience. "I really enjoyed the mix of lectures/presentations and interactive sessions." Another found the insider tips to be "extremely useful" and gave the Institute the ultimate thumbs up: "This is the kind of information that you need to be successful but that no one ever tells you."  

Beginning with its kickoff at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, the Institute has changed its campus location every three years. Institute participants represent a diversity of U.S. institutions, and moving the site every three years increases its accessibility to graduate students and postdocs throughout the country. While 2009 marked the end of a successful run of the Institute at UC Boulder, a stellar program is planned for its next incarnation at Michigan State University on 24-28 July 2010.  

The Kadner Institute is managed by ASM and sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. For more information, please visit www.asmgap.org.