JUSTIN NODWELL, MOGEN ALUMNUS AND CURRENT CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY
I was extremely nervous about this seminar - I had some data and my project seemed to be going alright but I had never done anything like this before. To settle my nerves, I scripted every single thing I was going to say in the allotted half hour - quite literally starting with "Hello, my name is....". A seven page print out, single spaced, 12 point font. No, I am not joking. Eight minutes into my talk I dropped all seven pages - they scattered around the feet of one of the most famous scientists in Canada - Alan Bernstein. I stooped over to gather them up, swearing lightly under my breath, my heart pounding. I glanced up nervously and made eye contact with Alan who said "just leave the print out - wing it". Words from the master - it was great advice... the rest of the seminar went fine and I've never done that again.
