Scientific renewal keeps discoveries flowing

 NIBR scientists embark on mini-sabbaticals to acquire new skills and perspective.

Scientists at the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) are currently applying to be selected to take a mini-sabbatical to one of NIBR’s eight research sites around the world engaged in early-stage drug discovery,

The Mini Sabbatical program is based on the belief that bringing diverse perspectives to decision-making can lead to scientific breakthroughs. Any NIBR scientist can apply. From the pool of applicants, 20 scientists are selected each year to take a fully funded sabbatical that can last from three weeks to three months.

Huili Zhai, based in Cambridge, Mass., recently completed a four-week stint in Basel, Switzerland, where she learned a new technique for measuring whether or not a drug candidate is hitting its target. She returned to her lab in Cambridge, Mass., energized, with new technical skills, fresh ideas and a more collaborative mindset.