Are you looking for methods to improve your success in writing, grant applications, and speaking endeavors? If so, join us this summer for a three-part series designed to provide you strategies to improve the clarity of your scholarly communications, both written and oral.
Fridays at 11:00 am - July 25, August 8, August 22
University Capitol Centre (UCC)
Register here for any or all sessions. The RDO will send a calendar invitation upon registration.
Timeline
Session 1 - Writing for Publication
Friday, July 25, 2025 at 11:00 AMA clear and reasoned presentation of ideas is critical to the success of a scientific manuscript. This seminar examines the structures and positions of emphasis in the sentence, paragraph, and sections of the formal study to help authors authorize their claims. Includes a test of reasoning that authors can apply to the articles they read and the papers they write.
This session will also address how authors can use a systematic approach to the writing process to improve the content and presentation of their ideas in a manuscript for submission. Includes suggestions about how to address the needs of the reviewers, editors and readers of a journal to improve your chances of publication.
Session 2 - Writing Effective NIH Grant Applications
Friday, August 8, 2025 at 11:00 AMThis course reviews the principles of good grant writing to produce clear, direct, and compelling proposals. Focuses on understanding the psychology of reviewers and the review process, how to engage readers and facilitate understanding, and how to manage the proposal writing process. Suggests proposal templates. Includes exercises related to specific elements of a scientific proposal, particularly the Specific Aims page.
Session 3 - Speaking for Success: Strategies for Effective Medical and Scientific Presentations
Friday, August 22, 202 at 11:00 AMThis course reviews how adults learn as a means to examine effective delivery techniques to engage expert, peer, and lay audiences alike. Provides practical information on how to deliver powerful oral presentations in the classroom, the conference room, the auditorium, and at the regional or national meeting, as well as in workshops, over virtual platforms (such as Zoom), and during informal conversations with colleagues and potential collaborators.
Paul Casella, MFA
Paul Casella is a writer, teacher, editor, and producer. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Since 1988 Paul has worked with health professionals to improve the clarity and effectiveness of their manuscripts for publication, formal presentations, grant applications, slides, posters, videos, and other media for scientific purposes.
Since 1993 Paul has presented over 3,500 seminars on written and spoken communication skills to physicians, pharmacists, scientists, nurses, administrators and other scientific and health care professionals at universities, medical centers and meetings across North America and Europe. At international meetings Paul coaches speakers on their delivery skills before they present to the society.
A founding member of the Health Care Communications Group, Paul has authored two chapters of their award-winning book Writing, Speaking, and Communication Skills for Health Professionals (Yale University Press 2001).
In addition to his work giving presentations, Paul is an adjunct assistant professor and a consultant to the faculty at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, where he leads seminars, edits manuscripts, coaches speakers, and identifies and serves the advanced communication needs of the faculty.
Registration
Register for any or all sessions. Interested researchers, faculty, and staff are invited to register for this series. Each session will be held in the University Capitol Centre. The RDO will send a calendar invitation upon registration with details and room location.
Questions?
Please email vpr-rdo@uiowa.edu with any questions. Sign up for the RDO Monthly Newsletter to stay up-to-date on RDO activities here!
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa–sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Research Development Office in advance at 319-335-0303 or vpr-rdo@uiowa.edu