Seminar II

Skills in science communication, critical data analysis and reporting, together with dissemination abilities will be developed thanks to opportunities of scientific discussion and reporting.

Following competences are acquired during the course:
• Skills in science data reporting
• Skills in science communication
• Skills in science writing (The structure of a scientific paper; Navigating reference systems)
• Skills in science discussion
• Skills in reading and critical evaluation of the literature
• Active participation to scientific environment.

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In the second year, research project progression should be presented, with evident substantial improvements in number of data, technical knowledge and innovation. Project report should critically identify solutions to overcome possible problems and provide future plans to fulfil initial aims.
Written report should contain also conference contributions, publications and dissemination material produced by the student during the academic year.
Report is signed by mentors and represents a document of research progression.

The course assessment consists of an annual Written project report signed by the mentor and an Oral project presentation performed in front of the members of a Program evaluation committee elected by the Scientific council and in the presence of student’s mentors. The learning outcome will be quantified in a 1:3 ratio. In particular as the following:
• Written project report (max 3 points in total) – quality of the report (quality, novelty and originality, max 1 point), impact of the project (for the society, for economy, max 1 point), student’s achievements (publications, conference abstracts, outreach activities, max 1 point).
• Oral project presentation (max 7 points in total) – quality of the oral project presentation (introduction, methodology, results, future plans; max 4 points), ability in scientific discussion (max 2 points), communication skills (max 1 point).

All students will receive a written evaluation Committee report. Students not fulfilling minimum requirements will be asked to have a second evaluation in a three months time.
A grade of 8/10 in Science Communication II exam represents a minimum requirement for the submission of the thesis.

Second year students must prepare also the PhD topic proposal. The document contains introduction of future PhD thesis, aims, methods, preliminary data and references. Document is signed by mentors and students and submitted to scientific council.

In the second year, students present their research project progression, including proposed solutions to overcome possible problems and provide future plans to fulfil initial aims. Additionally, a written report about the research progress and other research-related activities (paper publishing, conference presentation, dissemination activities,..) is a substantial part of the course, with the primary goal to assist student in the communication skills improvement.

Second year students prepare also the PhD topic proposal. The document is based on the critical evaluation of the relevant literature, but it also contains research aims, methods, preliminary data analysis and references.

• Writing Academic English, 2006, Fourth Edition, The Longman Academic Writing Series, Level 4. Catalogue E-version
• Schimel J. Writing Science: How to Write Papers That Get Cited and Proposals That Get Funded, 2012, Oxford University Press. Catalogue
• Patience G., Boffito D., Patience P. Communicate Science Papers, Presentations, and Posters Effectively. 2015, Elsevier Academic Press. Catalogue E-version
• Alley M. The Craft of Scientific Presentations. 2013. Springer, New York. Catalogue E-version
• Relevant literature in the field.

Oral presentation (70%) and Written report (30%).

Martina Bergant Marušič is assistant professor in the field of molecular and cell biology at the University of Nova Gorica.

Selected Bibliography:

1. CARSE, Sinead, BERGANT MARUŠIČ, Martina, SCHÄFER, Georgia. Advances in targeting HPV infection as potential alternative prophylactic means. International journal of molecular sciences. 2021, 22(4):1-26.
2. BRONIARCZYK, Justyna, MASSIMI, Paola, PIM, David, BERGANT MARUŠIČ, Martina, MYERS, Michael P., GARCEA, Robert L., BANKS, Lawrence. Phosphorylation of human papillomavirus type 16 L2 contributes to efficient virus infectious entry. Journal of virology. 2019, 93(13):1-16.
3. BERGANT MARUŠIČ, Martina, PETERNEL, Špela, PIM, David, BRONIARCZYK, Justyna, BANKS, Lawrence. Characterizing the spatio-temporal role of sorting nexin 17 in human papillomavirus trafficking. Journal of General Virology. 2017, 98(4):715-725.
4. ZAVAŠNIK-BERGANT, Tina, BERGANT MARUŠIČ, Martina. Exogenous Thyropin from p41 Invariant chain diminishes cysteine protease activity and affects IL-12 secretion during maturation of human dendritic cells. PloS one. 2016, 11(3):0150815-1-0150815-26.
5. BERGANT MARUŠIČ, Martina, BANKS, Lawrence. SNX17 facilitates infection with diverse papillomavirus types. Journal of virology. 2013, 87(2):1270-1273.