BioLab Collective with Jack Wang

In this excerpt from Episode #029 of the podcast, I explore the causes of antibiotic resistance and how Superbugs are wreaking havoc in the healthcare systems.BioLab Collective with Jack Wang is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit biolabcollective.substack.com

In the face of constant setbacks, how can scientists remain nimble and adapt to the changing landscape in innovation? In this excerpt from Episode 24, I discuss 3 ways to make adaptability your super-power as a scientistBioLab Collective with Jack Wang is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit biolabcollective.substack.com

Fleming’s discovery of Penicillin wasn’t enough. He couldn’t purify it in anywhere near the quantities needed to treat millions of wounded soldiers during World War 2. In this excerpt from Episode 24, I discuss Science Communication Secret needed to take Fleming’s penicillin discovery to the next level. It took a collaboration between Fleming, Florey, and Chain, spanning across 16 years and multiple continents to make enough penicillin and save allied troops leading up to D-day.BioLab Collective with Jack Wang is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit biolabcollective.substack.com

Theranos is just known for fraud, right? In this excerpt from episode #028 I dive into the strange parallels between the exacting nature of forensic DNA analysis and the tale of Theranos, did manage to get one thing right...BioLab Collective with Jack Wang is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit biolabcollective.substack.com

How has cancer diagnosis become more sophisticated over the years? In this excerpt from Episode 17 , we discuss the biggest problems in previous "cures" for cancers, and how cancer diagnosis has advanced. BioLab Collective with Jack Wang is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit biolabcollective.substack.com

How has our understanding of the risk factors for cancer changed over the years? In this excerpt from Episode 17, we discuss the biggest problems in previous "cures" for cancers, and how the scientific understanding around the emergence of cancer cells has advanced.BioLab Collective with Jack Wang is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit biolabcollective.substack.com

From nitrogen mustard gas to vaccines and immunotherapies - cancer treatment has changed dramatically over the past 50 years. Will we ever find a "cure" for cancer? In this excerpt from Episode 17, we discuss the biggest problems in previous "cures" for cancers, and how cancer treatment has advanced.BioLab Collective with Jack Wang is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit biolabcollective.substack.com

How do you know if you're at risk of Alzheimer's disease? Can you find out? In this excerpt from Episode 15, we deep dive into novel Alzheimer's therapies to discuss their effectiveness, safety, and how to find out if you're at risk.BioLab Collective with Jack Wang is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit biolabcollective.substack.com

Can 23andMe be trusted with your DNA? In this excerpt from Episode 13, we dive into 23andMe's secret plan, which is at least 10 years in the making.BioLab Collective with Jack Wang is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit biolabcollective.substack.com

What is the smallest amount of DNA still usable as evidence in a Murder Trial? That's the debate at the center of the recent inquiries into Forensic Science Testing and in this excerpt from episode #028 I dive into what counts as a "lab bungle" when working with tiny microscopic amounts of Forensic Evidence. Is working with trace amounts of DNA prone to misinterpretation and miscarriage of justice?BioLab Collective with Jack Wang is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Talk soon,Jack. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit biolabcollective.substack.com

The "Open to Work" tag on LinkedIn is one of the biggest red flags for recruiters. What should you do instead? In this excerpt from episode #027 I discuss a long-term strategy for showcasing your value - to your employer as well as outside of your immediate networks.BioLab Collective with Jack Wang is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Talk soon!Jack. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit biolabcollective.substack.com

I’ve been closely following all of the Science Headlines in the news on a daily basis for the past 18 months. My observation of where all this is going is… not great. Every article is a random scatter of topics with no clear long-term messaging behind it. Is this reflective of audience appetite and the general fatigue around science reporting, or a flawed strategy in science communication?In Episode 35 I talk about the solution to this problem, which (unfortunately?) inevitably comes down to education.Chapters(0:00) Introduction (2:51) The worst part about science reporting (4:01) Impact on Science Teachers (6:19) The importance of range (10:04) 1 strategy to setup your career in science communicationShow notes* Science headlines in NY times * Guardian’s 10 biggest science stories of 2023* Range: Why generalists triumph in a specialised world* Lessons from YouTube niching down Talk soon,Jack.BioLab Collective with Jack Wang is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit biolabcollective.substack.com

In this episodes of LabBytes, I contemplate every scientist’s greatest fear: being called out as an impostor. It could be by your supervisor, the most esteemed researcher in your field, or simply by an anonymous troll. Even though the academic weight of these opinions is nowhere near the same, the impact it has on our psyche is the same.BioLab Collective with Jack Wang is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.How can we turn lemons into lemonade and make this feeling of inadequacy the motivating factor to learn and grow? This and more in this week’s LabBytes.Talk soon,Jack. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit biolabcollective.substack.com

What is the secret to Big Pharma's approach to innovation? In this LabBytes episode I explore hostile takeovers in the biosciences, and the parallels between Big Pharma and Big Tech.BioLab Collective with Jack Wang is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit biolabcollective.substack.com

What can we learn from the 2023 Nobel Prize Laureates? Other than the impact of their discoveries, what do these brilliant minds have in common? In this week’s LabBytes podcast episode we explore the careers and lives of Nobel Prize winners in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology to draw inspiration for our day-to-day work.Did you catch this week’s episode on using the HALO framework to apply for jobs in Biomedical Science?BioLab Collective with Jack Wang is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit biolabcollective.substack.com

Are there any jobs in Biomedical Science? Of course there are, let's talk about how to apply for them from beginner to advanced using the HALO framework:Headlines: the 3 most impressive things about you that an employer should knowActivities: the range of duties and responsibilities you’ve taken on over the past few years, focusing mostly on your most current roleLessons Learnt: imposing a narrative structure on your application to highlight how you approach professional learningOutcomes: numbers don’t lie so frame your achievements through the lens of data, whether it be quantity or quality.BioLab Collective with Jack Wang is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Show notes: Is a biomed degree useless? Latest Biomedical Science jobs in Australia Chapters:0:00 Introduction 1:26 Job 1 - QC Microbiology Analyst 10:33 Job 2 - Medical Scientist 19:10 Job 3 - Laboratory Manager This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit biolabcollective.substack.com

As part of 2024’s ongoing focus on Jobs in Science, last week we talked about how a career in Biomedical Science - specifically the Bioinformatics branch of the field - can easily pivot towards Data Science. Much of this discussion has focused on how to make you look good on paper, but what happens when you make the shortlist for the job opening?Selection panels are still the gatekeepers for the vast majority of jobs out there, and the interview process is their weapon of choice. Many scientists tend to be more introverted than the average person, so it is hard for our talent to shine in an interview setting.In this week’s LabBytes episode, I talk through how I overcame the challenges associated with communicating in a Job Interview setting, and 5 reasons why you may struggle applying for Jobs in Science.Coming up soon - a new JobHunters episode talking through the strategy of applying for live job listings as a Medical Scientist and Laboratory Manager.Talk soon,Jack.BioLab Collective with Jack Wang is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit biolabcollective.substack.com

How do you get access to the world's most complex datasets as a training ground for your long career in Data Science? Biomedical Science and Bioinformatics may be the answer.Chapters:* (0:00) Introduction * (1:42) Data Science jobs are not for beginners * (6:33) Bioinformatics and Data Science * (7:54) Job 1 (Entry-level) * (13:12) Job 2 (advanced)Show notes:* Data Science jobs * Entry level bioinformatician * Senior bioinformaticianThank you for reading BioLab Collective with Jack Wang. This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit biolabcollective.substack.com

I have just launched a new series for the new year, “Job Hunters”, walking through live job listings in Science and Tech (as well as the strategy to apply for them). The contrast between entry-level versus senior roles often comes down to soft transferable skills not immediately obvious on paper.In this week’s LabBytes episode, I revisit the most important Soft Skill in Science, and debate why soft skills in general are underrated/undervalued in scientific work places. Happy job hunting everyone,Jack.BioLab Collective with Jack Wang is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit biolabcollective.substack.com

Is Biomedical Science worth studying? Do generalists still have the upper hand over specialists in the job market or has the economy turned the tide? In this episode of the podcast I walk through 3 live job listings in biomedical science. While they are all lab-based, they are not at the mercy of the publish or perish paradigm in academia. Today let's talk lab jobs in biomedical science, from beginner to pro.This episode is Part 1 of my new “Job Hunter” series. Part 2 will go live later this week for paid subscribers, where I talk through specific strategies and frameworks for applying for the 3 jobs we talk about in this episode.Chapters:* (0:00) Introduction * (1:14) Is Biomedical Science a useful degree? * (5:24) Job 1 - Beginner * (10:46) Job 2 - Intermediate* (15:53) Job 3 - AdvancedShow notes:* Is a Biomed degree useless? * Latest Biomedical Science jobs in Australia * Job 1 * Job 2 * Job 3 BioLab Collective with Jack Wang is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit biolabcollective.substack.com