Workshops | UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center

Professor and Vice Chair of Research
Department of Neurological Surgery at UC Davis

Topic: How to get the most out of your research experience

One of the challenges for trainees joining a lab – whether it is their very first experience doing a research project, or whether it is just a new experience to them – is to figure out how one can manage to get the most out of their research experience. Discussing some of the ongoing research in his own lab, Gurkoff will frame how a trainee might optimize their experience and best prepare themselves for whatever the next step has to offer. He will discuss topics related to professionalism, collaboration and data management to name a few.

Topic: Mastering the skills of creating a cancer research poster board

Topic: Applying bioinformatics to cancer research - experimental design, analysis, and interpretation

Topic: Writing an award-winning abstract

Topic: Enhancing Scientific Rigor in Community-Engaged Cancer Research

This session will explore what imposter syndrome is and discuss its different subtypes. Connie Champagne will share practical tips for coping with feelings of imposter syndrome. Attendees will be encouraged, but not required, to actively participate in the discussion.

Connie is currently the Executive Director of Education, Training, and Workforce Development at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center. She has more than 30 years of experience teaching in both classroom and laboratory settings.

Topic: Enhancing Scientific Rigor in Community-Engaged Cancer Research

Participants will explore how scientific rigor and community engagement can work together to strengthen cancer screening and prevention research. Participants will learn practical strategies for designing and implementing community-engaged studies that are responsive to real world settings. Using examples from cancer screening and implementation research, the session will highlight approaches for incorporating community input, improving study validity, and translating findings into sustainable practice, particularly in efforts to reduce cancer disparities.

Target audience: Affiliate Scholars (undergraduate, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and research staff.)

Topic: Networking strategies: How to market yourself

Participants will learn practical strategies for introducing themselves with confidence, communicating their skills effectively, and identifying opportunities that align with their research and career goals. By exploring how to craft a strong personal narrative and make a lasting impression, attendees will gain the confidence to engage with faculty, potential mentors, collaborators, and industry leaders in cancer-focused research and beyond.

Topic: Owning your expertise: How to build and market your scientific brand

The inaugural session with Carmen Banks, Ph.D., a cell and molecular biologist and UC Davis graduate, will engage participants in a conversation on “Communication: How to market yourself and how to reach out to principal investigators or potential employers.”