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How to succeed in science: a concise guide for young biomedical scientists. Part II: making discoveries

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From Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology

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Abstract

Making discoveries is the most important part of being a scientist, and also the most fun. Young scientists need to develop the experimental and mental skill sets that enable them to make discoveries, including how to recognize and exploit serendipity when it strikes. Here, I provide practical advice to young scientists on choosing a research topic, designing, performing and interpreting experiments and, last but not least, on maintaining your sanity in the process.

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Figure 1: Another reason for small experiments.

References

  1. Yewdell, J. W. How to succeed in science: a concise guide for young scientists. Part I: taking the plunge. Nature Rev. Mol. Cell Biol. 10 April 2008 (doi:10.1038/nrm2389).

  2. Huxley, T. H. Nature: aphorisms by Goethe, Nature 1, 9–11 (1869).

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  3. Goodman, A. Intuition (The Dial Press, Bantam Dell Publishing Group, 2007).

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Acknowledgements

The author is grateful to the many junior and senior scientists who shared their insights into scientific success. B. Dolan, K. Grebe, S. Hensley and J. Ishizuka made valuable suggestions for improvements to the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jonathan W. Yewdell is at the Laboratory of Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA. JYEWDELL@niaid.nih.gov,

    Jonathan W. Yewdell

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  1. Jonathan W. Yewdell
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Yewdell, J. How to succeed in science: a concise guide for young biomedical scientists. Part II: making discoveries. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 9, 491–494 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrm2390

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