Stepping Stones: A Leadership Development Program to Inspire and Promote Reflection Among Women Faculty and Staff

Women frequently benefit from focused faculty development opportunities not because they need to be “fixed,” but rather it is a means to demonstrate that success, even in chilly environments, is possible. The Stepping Stones program uses a unique design to provide participants with inspiration, time for reflection, and strategies for how to navigate one's career, through hearing about the journeys of successful women. In this article, we describe the program and evaluation results. Post‐event and longitudinal follow‐up surveys indicate that the program and its unique narrative format help to debunk the superwoman myth and leave participants with a sense of optimism about their future careers

Voltammetric Detection of 5-Hydroxytryptamine Release in the Rat Brain

5-HT is an important molecule in the brain that is implicated in mood and emotional processes. In vivo, its dynamic release and uptake kinetics are poorly understood due to a lack of analytical techniques for its rapid measurement. Whereas fast-scan cyclic voltammetry with carbon fiber microelectrodes is used frequently to monitor sub-second dopamine release in freely-moving and anesthetized rats, the electrooxidation of 5-HT forms products that quickly polymerize and irreversibly coat the carbon electrode surface. Previously described modifications of the electrochemical waveform allow stable and sensitive 5-HT measurements in mammalian tissue slice preparations and in the brain of fruit fly larvae. For in vivo applications in mammals, however, the problem of electrode deterioration persists. We identify the root of this problem to be fouling by extracellular metabolites such as 5-HIAA, which is present in 200-1000 times the concentration of 5-HT and displays similar electrochemical properties, including filming of the electrode surface. To impede access of the 5-HIAA to the electrode surface, a thin layer of Nafion®, a cation exchange polymer, has been electrodeposited onto cylindrical carbon-fiber microelectrodes. The presence of the Nafion® film was confirmed with environmental scanning electron microscopy and was demonstrated by the diminution of the voltammetric signals for 5-HIAA as well as other common anionic species. The modified microelectrodes also display increased sensitivity to 5-HT, yielding a characteristic cyclic voltammogram that is easily distinguishable from other common electroactive brain species. The thickness of the Nafion® coating and a diffusion coefficient (D) in the film for 5-HT were evaluated by measuring permeation through Nafion®. In vivo, we used physiological, anatomical and pharmacological evidence to validate the signal as 5-HT. Using Nafion®-modified microelectrodes, we present the first endogenous recording of 5-HT in the mammalian brain

Brain dopamine and serotonin differ in regulation and its consequences

Dopamine and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) are neurotransmitters that are implicated in many psychological disorders. Although dopamine transmission in the brain has been studied extensively in vivo with fast scan cyclic voltammetry, detection of 5-HT using in vivo voltammetric methods has only recently been established. In this work we use two carbon-fiber microelectrodes to simultaneously measure dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens and 5-HT release in the substantia nigra pars reticulata, using a common stimulation in a single rat. We find that 5-HT release is profoundly restricted in comparison with dopamine release despite comparable tissue content levels. Using physiological and pharmacological analysis, we find that 5-HT transmission is mostly sensitive to uptake and metabolic degradation mechanisms. In contrast, dopamine transmission is constrained by synthesis and repackaging. Finally, we show that disruption of serotonergic regulatory mechanisms by simultaneous inhibition of uptake and metabolic degradation can have severe physiological consequences that mimic serotonin syndrome

Stepping Stones: Nine Lessons from Women Leaders in Academic Medicine

Women now make up half of all medical school matriculates; yet few women hold leadership positions in academic health centers. The reasons for this gender gap are complex and have been the subject of much discussion. However, the experiences of women who successfully ascend to positions of senior leadership are rarely examined. It is critical to develop a greater understanding of women's paths to leadership positions in order to inspire and enable more women to seek such opportunities. Using a semi-structured protocol, we interviewed 16 women leaders who were willing to share their career journeys in a public forum. These leaders were asked to share pivotal moments or milestones, referred to as "stepping stones," in their careers. The interviews were taped, transcribed and analysed for significant patterns and consistent themes. Nine themes were identified and included: hold fast to your values; be open to unexpected opportunities; surround yourself with people who believe in you and people you believe in; be assertive in your communication and actions; continually refine your leadership skills; don't take things personally; stay organized; build positive relationships and welcoming environments; and when and if necessary, prove them wrong. The women leaders had strikingly similar lessons to share. This study develops a deeper understanding of the career paths of women in leadership positions, setting the stage for future study as well as encouraging and empowering more women to climb the leadership ladder

Rx for Academic Medicine: Building a Comprehensive Faculty Development Program

Faculty in academic medical centers are under tremendous stress and report low satisfaction. The need for faculty development in medical schools is great, yet it remains largely unmet across the United States. To ensure ongoing success in academic medicine, medical schools must institute comprehensive faculty development programs. In this chapter, we describe the development of an office for faculty affairs and professional development at the Indiana University School of Medicine, including key collaborations, budget trends and infrastructure development, strategic planning, ongoing assessment planning, goal setting, and early patterns of participation

Brain dopamine and serotonin differ in regulation and its consequences

Dopamine and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) are neurotransmitters that are implicated in many psychological disorders. Although dopamine transmission in the brain has been studied extensively in vivo with fast scan cyclic voltammetry, detection of 5-HT using in vivo voltammetric methods has only recently been established. In this work we use two carbon-fiber microelectrodes to simultaneously measure dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens and 5-HT release in the substantia nigra pars reticulata, using a common stimulation in a single rat. We find that 5-HT release is profoundly restricted in comparison with dopamine release despite comparable tissue content levels. Using physiological and pharmacological analysis, we find that 5-HT transmission is mostly sensitive to uptake and metabolic degradation mechanisms. In contrast, dopamine transmission is constrained by synthesis and repackaging. Finally, we show that disruption of serotonergic regulatory mechanisms by simultaneous inhibition of uptake and metabolic degradation can have severe physiological consequences that mimic serotonin syndrome