“Chris has made great contributions to my productivity as well as the overall productivity of my lab over the past twelve years. His consulting on both tactical and strategic matters can make a significant difference in a scientist’s career. I heartily recommend him.”
—David C. Page, MD, former President/Director, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research (MIT). Howard Hughes Investigator, Member, National Academy of Sciences and Institute of Medicine.
“I am so grateful to have had Chris Edwards’ extraordinary support and guidance over the last five years. He has been with me through the major ups and downs of the junior faculty experience. From critical hires, to grant applications, to preparation and revisions of papers, to lab reorganization, and to general existential crises. I am convinced that every junior faculty, and even senior faculty, should have this kind of professional support and mentorship. And Chris is the best. He is always thoughtful, kind, on point and ready to challenge me to be better for my research, my students and myself.”
—Pardis C. Sabeti, MD, DPhil, Professor, Harvard, Broad Institute, Howard Hughes Investigator
“Chris’s strategic vision, tactical insights, and management and communications principles enabled me to bring together a team of more than 100 scientists and administrators from across academic and health care organizations, creating a translational sciences institute that embraces local communities, governments, and industries across multiple states.
His skill in motivating individuals and navigating complex political structures drove the process of collaboration, resulting in the submission of a $40 million, multi-component proposal that will transform regional healthcare, research and education.
I felt like a student again, and the principles he taught me have already elevated my professional skills to the next level. This was one of the most intense and satisfying training experiences I have enjoyed.”
—Scott A. Waldman, M.D., Ph.D., F.C.P.
Associate Dean of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Jefferson Medical College. Vice President for Translational Research and Chair, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University.
“I recommend Still Point professional coaching with Chris Edwards. He offers practical solutions to problems with time management, staff relations, bureaucracy, communication with superiors and peers, contract issues, infrastructure resources and financial matters… From personal experience, I confidently endorse his services.”
—Henry Querfurth, MD, PhD, Chief, Neurological Research, Caritas St. Elizabeth’s Medical Ctr., Associate Professor, Neurology and Neuroscience, Tufts University
“I want to express my admiration for the way you guided this project to successful completion. This was no ordinary book project. No less than the President of Korea, Kim Young-sam, took an interest in its success. I am confident that if the publisher doesn’t let us down this book will make its mark on both Korean and U.S. policy. You will deserve a major share of the credit.”
—Lewis M. Branscomb, PhD, Aetna Professor in Public Policy & Corporate Management, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
“Throughout my work with Dr. Edwards, he recognized how my cultural background affected my ability to communicate my work. He helped me to appreciate differences between Asian and American approaches to thinking and writing about science. As a result, I am able to communicate with my colleagues much more effectively. I offer my highest recommendation for his work on many aspects of a scientists’s career.”
—Miyoung Chun, PhD, now Exec. VP of Science Programs, Kavli Foundation
“Chris has helped me jump start my grant writing after transitioning from Biotech back into an academic position. The sound advice and guidance presented in his courses helped me to focus my ideas and present them successfully. It was a wonderful learning experience which gave me a foundation of skills that I will refer back to for many years to come.”
—Scott Loiler, PhD, Principal Investigator, Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
“His guidance ultimately helped me to connect with what was important to me and how to make my current work become a reflection of my true goals. Chris saved me a great deal of trial and effort, energy, and time. I wholeheartedly recommend him as a trusted coach and advisor.”
—Maria Britain, Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine
“I recommend without reservation Chris’s coaching services at any stage in a scientist’s career. His professional insight and support in many areas of professional development such as scientific writing, management skills, and negotiations have proven invaluable for my career transition from academia into industry. I particularly value his ability to seamlessly switch between the roles of adviser, confidant, or critic, always depending on how he can best help in a given situation. I am confident that I will make use of Chris’ professional services again in the future.”
—Mario Niepel, Ph.D., Ribon Therapeutics
“Chris has made an immense difference in how I think about work. I now see that I can enjoy what I do, and that I can get paid what I am worth. From working with him, I have learned new ways to network with people — ways that I doubt I would have identified on my own. I have approached potential employers with far more confidence than I ever would have before. I feel a lot more resilient and able to push for challenging work.”
—Laura Newman, Medical Writer
“I have been extremely happy with Chris’s overall professionalism, his attention to detail, his perseverance, and the consistently high quality of his work. I recommend his services without reservation.”
—Robert G. Burrows, now VP Investor Relations, Emergent BioSolutions
“I wasn’t too sure about the idea of hiring a coach when I started working with Chris. Having a coach seemed so unusual. But I knew I needed sound advice in moving from science into consulting. And look what he’s done. He’s raised my rate by half. He’s introduced me to high-paying markets I didn’t know existed. And Chris has made my marketing far more effective. Thanks to him, working for myself is a lot more fun. I’m only sorry I didn’t know about him years ago.”
—Tom R. Hollon,PhD, Consultant
Comments on Still Point Seminars and Services:
“Chris and Beth are in a unique position to guide our faculty as they have such a broad range of expertise and experience. Our faculty utilizes them for grant and manuscript editing and coaching. They have guided our faculty through all kinds of submissions including R01s, R21s, Ks, T32s, U01s and P01s. We are very pleased with the ROI from Still Point. The faculty who are helped by Chris and Beth are demonstrably more successful in getting their proposals funded by federal agencies. In addition to these core services, Chris and Beth go above and beyond, stimulating new ideas and collaborations within our faculty. This level of insight and personal touch is invaluable. On a personal note, I must add that they are a pleasure to work with, and I always look forward to our conversations when they come to town.”
—Heather Brod, Executive Director of Faculty Affairs & FAME, The Ohio State University Medical Center R&D
“We needed to increase both the quality and efficiency of our scientific reporting. I’m glad we found the Still Point team of Beth and Chris. They did a fantastic job of connecting to the diverse individuals in our research team. They were careful to understand our needs. They gave candid and constructive advice about teamwork, management clarity and writing. The scientists’ feedback was uniformly positive. Reporting is up more than 50%.”
—Peter Kaplan, PhD, Director of Measurement Science, Unilever R&D
Comments from Beth’s Clients:
“Beth Schachter is a gifted writer, communicator and coach with a wealth of experience from academia, science writing, non-profit organizations and industry. She conveys incisive, pragmatic and insightful advice in a wonderful style of positive reinforcement. A natural mentor, she delights in the achievements of her mentees, and is particularly sensitive to the unique challenges and opportunities faced by young investigators today. Working with Beth means you have a sage person to take all those questions you always wanted to ask but didn’t know whom to ask, and you have someone rooting for you through the thick and the thin.”
— Medha Pathak, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of California, Irvine.
“Dear Beth: In the days following your visit to UT Southwestern, as I have had meetings with students and postdocs, I have continued to hear praise for you – our trainees absolutely loved you and your words of wisdom have definitely been taken to heart!”
—Natalie Lundsteen, PhD, Director of Graduate Career Development, UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
“I wanted to let you know how wonderful this coaching experience is for me. When I saw the notice in my e-mail I almost didn’t contact you because I didn’t think I was at a point where coaching could help. I felt too far off the mark as a full time clinician. From our first conversation you have helped me immensely. Even though I have written, published and spoken extensively, I had no knowledge of the grant world. You have helped me formulate my aspirations to explore education about radiation safety and folic acid supplementation for the prevention of birth defects. You also made me realize I needed to focus on one at a time…I can’t thank you enough. I think so many of my colleagues would benefit from your assistance and I hope the University will make more of us aware of this opportunity.”
—Sarah J. Gaskill, M.D., Professor, Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida
“Beth’s work with our junior faculty has been astonishingly effective. She has managed to refocus career paths and aid in grant preparation in an efficient and practical fashion. Feedback has been universally positive.”
—Charles Lockwood, MD, Chairman and Professor, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale University School of Medicine
“My first reaction to the thought of a grantwriting coach was, “yeah, yeah… I already know how to write, and what’s the big deal in reading and responding to study section reviews?” Then I met with Beth Schachter for an initial consultation, and I came away very impressed. For one thing, she listens, and getting me to talk through my thoughts and ideas, I got a lot clearer on them… But most important of all, she initiated a discussion of “the bigger picture” – how was this grant going to be part of an overall strategy to obtain project funding and where would it fit in terms of career moves? It was a bracing dose of reality, and encouraging and motivating at the same time. I’d definitely recommend it”
—Harris Huberman, MD, Director, Growth and Development Project, Dept. of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine
“Beth Schachter gave two presentations to our Faculty Development Program… Her presentations were lively and filled with nuggets of wisdom that were clearly delineated and easy to apply. The evaluation forms asked, “Would you recommend this speaker to colleagues and students?” The answers were unanimous: “Yes!” “Definitely!” “Absolutely!””
—Sandra K. Masur, PhD, Assoc. Dean for Faculty Development, President, Women Faculty Group , Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Comments on Beth’s Writing
“Dear Beth: Thanks so much for your efforts in organizing and writing the Blue Ribbon Panel report on NIMH this past spring. I’ve worked with numerous professional writers on similar projects over the years and have never before encountered someone with your skills, energy and consummate accomplishment.”
—Solomon H. Snyder, MD, Dept. of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins Medical School
“Thanks for having me participate in discussions around this article [“The Explosive Science of RNAi” in Update Magazine]. I like it very much and I think I will use its structure for seminars related to teaching RNAi or providing “historic” overviews.”
—Thomas Tuschl, PhD, Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Laboratory of RNA Molecular Biology, The Rockefeller University
“I am impressed by the depth of your write-up [of my talk at the NYAS] and the clarity and ease with which you make scientific information accessible to lay people. I also find the Still Point Coaching & Consulting website very useful! Thank you.”
—Wei Yang, PhD, Section Chief, Structure and Mechanism, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, NIDDK, NIH
“Thank you very much for writing this wonderful piece [an eBriefing for NYAS] on our work. It is clearly written and captures the main points that I covered in my talk.”
—Danesh Moazed, PhD, Professor, Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School