CCM Workshops - Atelier 2006

Workshop – Atelier 2006

"The Scientist in the Management World" workshop is designed in response to the educational needs expressed by the CCM members surveyed through its recent Institutional Review. It will cover the topics most applicable to scientists who are involved at various levels of management at any given time in their career. How can one be best prepared for a successful transition from the lab-centred world to the office-centred world.

This workshop was for the benefit of microbiologists and scientists in general who work in the public and the private sectors. Some of the issues that were discussed included:
• Research and Management: how to address the equation in the context of the scientist’s personal career plan.
• For those who aim to manage: What must you expect?
• For those who are managing: How can you be more effective and efficient?
• For all of us: What is the effect of higher level management on our component and how to best deal with it.
• Impact of the criteria used in the evaluation of a scientist/manager of scientists, from the scientific and the bureaucratic angles in the various work environments.

The invited speakers come from three distinct and yet interrelated fields of endeavor of scientists in general and more particularly microbiologists. Gregory J. Tyrrell, Ph.D., FCCM, D(ABMM), CCM Past-President/CEO, is shown thanking each speaker after their presentation.

Dr. Robert Wylie has worked for Canada's National Research Council for a little more than 20 years, first as a research scientist, then as a project manager and group leader and most recently as a "technology advisor" to industry. Interestingly, these latter two stages in his career have given him the opportunity first to experience directly the challenge of acquiring management skills while on the job, and then to closely observe technically trained staff grappling with this same problem in a number of small technology companies (from pre-revenue startups to mature businesses) Rob's academic credentials include a BASc ('79), MASc ('81) and PhD ('95) in Systems Engineering from the University of Waterloo.

Based on this experience, Rob's presentation explored the pragmatics of demand-driven management skills acquisition and will emphasize the key role that can be played by mentors and advisors.

Dr. Roy Cullimore RMCCM, received his PhD in Ag. Microbiology in 1962. Dr. Cullimore served as a Professor first at the University of Surrey in the UK and then at the University of Regina, Canada where he was also Director, Regina Water Research Institute. He retired from the university in 2001.

He founded Droycon Bioconcepts Inc. in 1987 and became an entrepreneurial microbiologist. He currently holds eight patents, two of which are commercially developed. Reflecting on his experience, Roy will explain why microbiologists will have to understand management and the commercial underpinnings (such as ISO 9000 and ETV) to succeed in the 21st Century world.

Dr. José Campione-Piccardo, M.D., Ph.D., ARMCCM,Senior Science Advisor, Public Health Practice Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada and Adj. Prof. Pathol. & Lab. Med, Univ. Of Ottawa . He will present the following topic:" Research Scientists in Government Organizations - Reflections on Career Path and Success Determinants."

Dr. Campione is a physician and laboratory scientist with over forty years of experience in Virology and Public Health. Half that time was spent within the Canadian Federal Government. In the Laboratory Center for Disease Control he led the Molecular Virology Unit and the National Laboratory for Viral Oncology. From 1995 to 1998 he joined PAHO/WHO as Virologist for the Caribbean. Since his return to Canada he has been Science Advisor first to the Bureau of Infectious Diseases and then to the Population and Public Health Branch. He is currently Senior Science Advisor to the Public Health Practices Branch in the Public Health Agency of Canada. His responsibilities include running the Agency’s Research Scientists Review Committee responsible for the promotion and re-classification of research scientists in the Agency. He holds academic cross-appointments both in Canada and abroad.

The workshop concluded with a round table during which the participants had the opportunity to further explore and discuss the issues raised in the workshop. Held Wednesday, 08:00 – 12:00 March 15 2006 - Where: The Empress Hotel, Crystal Ballroom, Victoria, B.C.