Optimizing Experimental Design for High-Quality Science

Katja Brose, PhD, is the inaugural science program officer at the Chan-Zuckerberg Science Initiative, where she contributes to the Initiative’s ambitious mission of accelerating basic science research to cure, prevent, or manage all diseases by the end of the 21st century. Previously, Brose served as the executive editor of the neuroscience portfolio at Cell Press and editor of Neuron where she represented the journal within the scientific community and was responsible for all aspects of the journal’s management, operations, and strategic vision. Brose earned her PhD in biochemistry from the University of California, San Francisco, researching on axon guidance mechanisms in the developing spinal cord. She speaks frequently on topics related to scientific communication and the future of neuroscience research and training. Brose is a member of SfN’s Neuroscience Training Committee.

Shai Silberberg is a program director at the NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), where he leads the Institute’s efforts to increase the excellence of science and the completeness of research reporting. Silberberg is also an adjunct investigator in the Intramural Research Program of NINDS, studying the molecular mechanism of action of ATP-gated receptor channels (P2X receptors). Prior to joining NINDS, Silberberg was an associate professor at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel, investigating the biophysical functions and physiological roles of various ion channels. He obtained a PhD in neurophysiology from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and completed postdoctoral training in ion channel physiology and biophysics at Baylor College of Medicine and at the University Of Miami School Of Medicine.

Mary Harrington is a professor of life sciences and director of the neuroscience program at Smith College. Her research on the effects of disrupted circadian rhythms utilizes novel techniques to measure gene expression in vivo, animal models of fatigue, and cell culture. She earned her BS in psychology from Pennsylvania State University, MA in psychology from the University of Toronto, and PhD in psychology from Dalhousie University.

Ronald Landis is the Nambury S. Raju Endowed Professor of Psychology, affiliate professor at the Stuart School of Business, and deputy vice provost for research and academic affairs at Illinois Institute of Technology. His primary research interests are in the areas of structural equation modeling, multiple regression, and other issues associated with measurement and the prediction of performance. His work has been published in several leading journals including Organizational Research Methods and Journal of Applied Psychology. He is currently an associate editor of Journal of Business and Psychology and serves on various editorial boards. Landis is also a fellow at the American Psychological Association and the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychologists. Landis earned a PhD from Michigan State University.