Pedro Russell’s Post

We are now less than a month away from MIT’s 8th annual ETA conference (Feb 16)! I am incredibly proud of the work that our team has done to pull together an incredible event. We expect to welcome around 450 students, searchers, investors, and service providers to campus for what promises to be a high value program. In our second go round, Pedro Russell and I have learned a few things, and have been fortunate to be joined by an exceptional team. 🎯 Our Threefold Goals: 1. Equip students and searchers with advanced tactical knowledge in ETA. 2. Foster crucial dialogues on pressing issues in the ETA ecosystem. 3. Create impactful networking leading to raised capital, partnerships and collaborations. 📅 Agenda Highlights: Feb 15, 2pm-8pm: Tactical workshops on small business acquisition and a networking session for aspiring searchers seeking partners. Feb 16, 8:30am-4pm: Main event with 9 panels, 2 keynotes, and 450 attendees. Feb 17, Morning: Coffee chats between investors and fundraising students hosted at MIT. 🔊 Speakers Lineup: A. J. Wasserstein, Alessandro C. Alfonso Blohm, Allegra Stennett, Andy Canales, Ania Aliev, Anthony Walker Archie L. Jones, Jr., CPA, NACD.DC Arielle M. Lawrence Emilio Ruiz Padilla Enrico Magnani Esteban Kallay Felipe Corcuera Habsburg Frank Van Lint Germán Canale Segovia Jaime A. Jane Kaggwa Snow Jason Jackson Jenna Whigham Joachim de Belgique Jordan P. Carter Jose Stella Julien Ham-Ying Keith Burns Kent Weaver Linda Drabik Lisa Forrest Mark Anderegg Mark Valdez Marty Brown Max Schaefer Meg Paulus Michael Aubrey Nicholas Qiu Patricia Riopel Quadri Oguntade Raam Jani Reggie Carter Rich Littlehale Rob LeBlanc Sandro Mina Sara Rosenthal Scott Barstow Steve Divitkos Stephen Goddard Trish Higgins Will Smith 💨 Tickets Selling Fast: Don't miss out – secure your spot now - https://lnkd.in/e9JJWE_U Follow ETA@MIT for updates.

100th Round Table Event Synergistic Thinking and Collaboration India-based Rajagiri media on January 17, 2024 hosted its 100th international Round Table event that focused on, ”Strategic Thinking for Productive Learning and Policy Making.” The event began at 6.30 AM US-CST and had enthusiastic participants. The Round Table initiative began as an in-person meeting on 21st January 2015. It is coordinated by Sreekumar Raghavan, Editor of Rajagiri Media. Over 400 panelists have participated in these events. This event was inspired by Frank Elstner’s weekly talk show, “Menschen der Woche” [People of the Week], in Germany, which brought people together to discuss topics of varied interest. Professor Seshadri Ramkumar of Texas Tech University was invited as a panelist from the United States to talk about synergistic collaborations in universities. Highlighting the practice of involving students, staff, and faculty in planning activities at American Universities, He pointed out the importance of involving different academic domains for growth. In STEM disciplines, it is common now to be interdisciplinary in research efforts. Going forward, bringing synergy among different domains such as communication, business and human science will lead to new results. Professor Ramkumar emphasized the importance of involving policy makers so that tangible outcomes from academic research can lead to policy changes. His brief highlighted that collaborative and synergistic thinking is of more importance now with the emergence of fields such as Artificial intelligence and Sustainability. Professor Varghese Panthalookaran, who has been involved in the Round Table event since its inception in 2015, provided an analogy of how bringing oxygen and hydrogen together, we get new water molecule, synergistic thinking leads to new ideas and results. The Round table discussions have led to policy decisions in India in its New Education Policy, which is heartening to report. https://lnkd.in/gAF9ArD6

🌟 Celebrating Past Triumphs: Be Part of This Year's Success Stories at the Young Medical Delta Hackathon! 🌟 As we eagerly anticipate this year's Young Medical Delta Hackathon, let’s take a stroll down memory lane. Our video below showcases a rich tapestry of past hackathons, where each photo represents a chapter of ingenuity, innovation, and collaborative success. 🚀 Reliving Inspirational Moments 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Each year, our hackathons have sparked groundbreaking ideas, turning complex challenges into remarkable opportunities. 𝐃𝐲𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: We've seen an amazing synergy of students, professionals, and industry experts, each bringing diverse skills to forge unique solutions. 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Beyond accolades, participants have gained invaluable experiences and expanded their professional networks, fostering personal and career growth. 🌈 Calling All Students and PhD Candidates with a Passion for Health Innovation This year, we're not just continuing a tradition; we're looking to elevate it. We welcome and urge all students and PhD candidates with a passion or affinity for health innovation to join us. Your ideas could lead to the next big breakthrough in healthcare technology. ⏳ Act Now: Registration Closing Tomorrow! As you watch our legacy unfold in the video, remember that the opportunity to add your chapter to this story is closing soon. Don't let this chance to make a significant impact in the world of health innovation slip away. 🔗 Secure Your Spot Today and Begin Your Chapter Register Now and Join Our Legacy of Innovation: https://lnkd.in/eMn3Nsxr #YoungMedicalDelta #HackathonLegacy #InnovateWithUs #TechPioneers #RegistrationClosing #YourStoryBeginsHere

*Such a resonance!* We are absolutely overwhelmed by the number of submissions for contributions we have received: 385! This means our conference board (https://lnkd.in/e8qtwG23) will have their work cut out for them to make a selection. Everyone who submitted a contribution will be notified of the board's decision by the beginning of May. *Panel announcement: ‘Navigating uncharted waters: Pathways of an ITD career’* This diverse panel chaired by assistant professor at Delft University of Technology BinBin Pearce, includes researchers at different stages of their careers, and will discuss the realities of living out a professional life within an ITD field, highlighting the delicate balance between creativity and risk. The discussion will extend beyond academia, exploring pathways within and outside the traditional academic structure. Panellists will share unique experiences, offering a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted ITD career trajectory, and address crucial questions about fostering ITD curricula integration and creating more positions for researchers within academia and at the science-society interface. Read more about this panel: [https://lnkd.in/eVEff5CC] *Registration opens on May 1st* We are so excited to announce that registration for ITD24 will open on May 1st! We recommend everyone to register in time, since there are only limited tickets available for the entire event. In addition, in cooperation with Hotelservice Utrecht, we are working on a selection of the best price range of hotels for you, with special fixed prices. These will be available by the end of April and can then be booked via the upcoming accommodation page on the ITD website. Don’t miss out on the Early Bird tickets Another reason to not wait too long with your registration for the conference: we have a limited number of Early Bird tickets available. Until 30 of June you are eligible to receive our Early Bird discount, but keep in mind: first come first serve on these limited tickets. Check out the conference fees: [https://lnkd.in/e6V_TRvv] Utrecht University td-net | Network for Transdisciplinary Research #ITDAlliance

Throwback to our “The Lab Turns 1” Potluck Last weekend, Andreas Kohler and I invited current and former lab members for a small potluck/birthday party to celebrate our labs’ first anniversary. We enjoyed great food, happy times, and the time just flew by. I love hosting events like this, where our team members can come together just to have a great time. These gatherings do so much for fostering happy and healthy group dynamics and creating a positive lab environment. It’s surreal that the lab is already one year old. The time has flown by, and while I’m thrilled with the journey, it hasn’t been without its challenges. Some parts were way harder than I had ever thought, while others were very manageable – but nothing was easy. I’m proud of the many things that have worked out as planned. We successfully built up the lab, welcomed our first students in March, and got our main methods up and running. However, some tasks were definitely harder and slower than I expected. Starting a group comes with a myriad of tasks, making it difficult to balance my time effectively. Securing funding to get the lab running was a significant achievement, but not all grant applications were successful. The lab is functioning well, but we still face challenges. Reflecting on my own expectations and immediate goals often makes me nervous, especially when considering to-do lists and things I could or should have done differently. Relaxing after a day of doing my best, yet not completing everything I planned, is challenging. I tend to focus on the negatives, which is something I’m actively working on. As a group leader, I strive to be a role model and demonstrate how science can thrive with kindness in academia. Despite setbacks and hurdles, academic kindness remains a central aim for me. On this Sunday, I was simply happy to see our team members working together, performing well, and I am excited to continue our scientific journey with them. I also look forward to welcoming new members who bring fresh perspectives. #LabLife #AcademicKindness #TeamBuilding #ScienceCommunity #ResearchJourney #LabAnniversary #PositiveVibes #Collaboration #ScientificResearch #LeadershipInScience

🌟 **BIBU Conference Recap: My Perspective 🌟** What a day it's been! From engaging icebreakers to thought-provoking workshops and an incredible panel discussion, the BIBU Conference was truly inspiring. Here's a glimpse of what resonated with me: 🎓 **Celebrating Milestones:** It felt empowering to start the day with a collective acknowledgment of our achievements, regardless of where we are in our educational or professional journey. It reminded me of the importance of recognizing our progress. 💡 **Insights from Dr. Bernadine Idowu-Onibokun PhD, PFHEA, MRSB :** Dr. Idowu's address struck a chord with me. The issues she highlighted regarding representation in Biomedical Science hit close to home. Feeling like you don't belong because of a lack of diversity in your field is a sentiment many of us share. 🎯 **Purposeful Networking:** The conference's aim to inspire and build a network within the Black community in Biomedical Science really stood out to me. It's not just about individual success but about lifting each other up and creating opportunities for collaboration and growth. 🔊 **Powerful Presentations:** Each speaker brought a unique perspective to the table. From discussions on race equity in academia to exploring career pathways, every presentation left me feeling motivated and eager to make a difference. 📚 **Access to Resources:** I appreciate the organizers providing access to the speakers' PowerPoint slides. Having these resources at my disposal ensures that the learning doesn't stop with the conference but continues as I delve deeper into these topics. Attending the BIBU Conference was not just about gaining knowledge; it was about feeling seen, heard, and empowered to drive change in the field of Biomedical Science. Can't wait to see where this journey takes us next! 🚀 #BIBUConferenceRecap #EmpoweredAttendee

🫣 Wow! Is this really happening to me? I felt so jittery about speaking on stage at the Global International Women's Conference in Paris. I had to give myself a pep talk! What we feed our minds becomes our reality. I am quite self-critical, self-deprecating, undermining my abilities and it's taken me some time to realise my capabilities. I've discovered that I can excel at this. The audience enjoyed my speech, and once I started, my nerves dissipated. My focus was on advocating for the voiceless women and girls I work with, which fueled my confidence. So, my message today is: don't talk yourself out of it. Convince yourself that you're capable, repeating it until you truly believe it. Just observe what unfolds when you do. 😍 Eliminate phrases like "I can't," "I'll try," "I should," or "I would but..." from your vocabulary. And, yes, this is me, and I can thrive on stage. What will you empower yourself to do today? Just affirm: I can. #iCan #iWill #IAmAble #I'mpossible Would you like me to speak to your company or at an event? Just send me a message. Happy to talk.

📢Announcing the first two panel members📢 Understanding the concept of impact can be quite complex, as it is often perceived differently in #academic and #business contexts. This lack of connection frequently results in misunderstandings and missed #opportunities. Defining something often requires first figuring out what it is not. That is why we have chosen to investigate what does not constitute #impact. So, let's take a different perspective on this: What is not impact, how not to achieve impact. Join us for an engaging and interactive discussion at the “How not to achieve impact” event, organised by StartHub Wageningen. The first two panel members we will be joined by are: - Dr. Enrique Doblas Miranda from Creaf Barcelona - Prof. Dr. Vincent Blok from Wageningen University & Research Keep an eye out for the other panel members who will be announced throughout the week. Whether you're already working with impact or simply passionate about learning more, this event is for you. Our expert panel, consisting of professionals from various backgrounds and positions, will share their experiences and insights. Don't miss this opportunity to connect and define impact together. Tuesday, June 11th  19.00-21.00 Plus Ultra II sign-up: https://lnkd.in/eW7UZ_BH

Sometimes we are so much in a drive, we forget to look back and celebrate our successes. So we want to take a moment to review the milestones we reached in 2023 and thank our whole team! 👏 👏 👏 1) TU Delft’s Dream Hall joins us: Delft University of Technology’s Dream Hall is a lab where student teams realise ambitious projects such as building exoskeletons for people with spinal cord injury. TU Delft chose Toolsquare to ensure efficient lab management.   2) New Data Dashboard: Mid 2023 we launch our brand new data dashboard, offering clear graphic overviews of valuable data on equipment and users.  3) Fontys University of Applied Sciences, a renowned Dutch University partners with us: According to Ed Van Der Honing, Teamleider at Fontys, we are “making workshops safer and students more independent.”   4) Launch of Equipment Booking feature: Thrilled to add this great feature to our platform.  5) Keynote at the Laborama fair: Proud to have our co-founder, David Truyens, on stage.    6) LUCA School of Arts joins forces with us: For LUCA, the user data and reports are essential to optimise investments. 7) Lab-innovations Fair in Birmingham: Manu Groenweghe and Jim Tyzack introduce us in the UK market. This fair is thé meeting place for the entire lab industry.    8) Hosting our webinar: “Navigating The Jungle of Machine Data”. Data expert Frederic Cornu explained the basics of efficient data collection and David Truyens showed how data dashboards solve major challenges in labs.    9) Energy monitoring: So excited to announce we can monitor the energy use of equipment.  10) Single sign on: Now lab managers don't have to manually register users thanks to this easy single sign on. #milestones #labequipment #labmanagement #lookingback

One of these groups is about to be $15,000 richer. The only question left: who? Congratulations to: 🧴 Rose Beauty (Allison Ivers, Gianna Salvi, Alexandra (Ali) Bonadies, Delaney Cunningham) A pampering yet convenient skin product that protects against blue light digital exposure. 🌊 Drift-RMT (Cameron Vose, Kara Wittmann, Riley Desmarais, William Moore) A renewable ocean data collection device that uses the motion of waves for self-sustaining power. 🩺 Info-P (David Brown, Sophie Grondin, Cecilia Robinson, Matthew Harry) A revolutionary solution to aid in detecting urinary tract infections, providing continuous and accurate patient information. 🏡 After Grad Pad (Brandon Murphy) A platform designed to seamlessly ease the transition from university housing to city renting for graduating college seniors. 🛩️ Centrip (Avery Langone, Emmett Roy, Alexander Cruz, Axel T. Barretto Rodriguez) An online platform that provides a centralized location for study abroad necessities. 🦶 Trim-Able (Kyle Dimick) The world’s first Bluetooth automatic nail trimmer designed to help people who have difficulty using standard nail trimmers. Today, 20 teams duked it out in the semifinals of our Paul J. Holloway Prize Innovation to Market Competition, the Bud Albin Challenge. They only had 10 minutes to dazzle industry judges with pre-prepared pitches, followed by 15 minutes on their toes answering questions. Now only six remain to compete in the finals on Wednesday, May 8 in G75. Holloway is a pitch competition where students develop a business plan and explain how they'll effectively bring it to market. There are huge cash incentives to participating. 🥇 ➡️ $15,000 🥈 ➡️ $10,000 🥉 ➡️ $5,000 + $2,000 for being the audience favorite! And every team that moved on will receive at least $1,000. Even getting to the semifinals gets you something: the 14 teams who were not chosen to move on today will all receive cash prizes ranging from $300-$600. @UofNH students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends, as well as supportive members of the surrounding community, are all invited to attend the final showdown. We hope to see you there!