International University, Bamenda Work Values

Daily Duties at International University, Bamenda:

I taught specific courses in Biochemistry and Facilitated Problem-Based Learning (PBL) sessions in Biochemistry for first and second year medical students; 30 students in total, 3 hours a week for first year students and 3 hours a week for second year students. Students in Department of Medicine of IUB-Cameroon have to complete courses in basic medical sciences (anatomy, biochemistry, physiology) during the first and second years of training. I was responsible for teaching the following courses in biochemistry: Introduction to Biochemistry, Chemistry and Metabolism of Carbohydrates, Disorders of carbohydrate metabolism, Chemistry of amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids and lipids. In addition to regular classroom teaching, I also facilitated PBL sessions in Biochemistry. In the Department of Medicine, PBL works as follows. An assumption is made that the medical student is a qualified professional who has to diagnose a disease/condition and provide a treatment plan and/or treat a client or patient who presents to him/her with specific health problems and complaints or presents with signs and symptoms of a disease. Data of specific medical laboratory tests performed on the patient are also provided. In PBL, in order to reach a diagnosis each student had to expertly understand and explain all the terminologies used in describing the patient’s condition and must be capable to interpret the results of the diagnostic tests in question. Rationale for the diagnosis must also be clearly understood as well as the details of specific treatment plan or medication. Therefore, the students had to do lots of detailed research on all the specific and associated complaints the patient presented. That is the holistic approach in patient management. Group study was encouraged. Where did a PBL Facilitator come in? When discussing the case in question, all study groups took turns in a step-by-step approach in reaching a diagnosis. Each student explained the normal physiological process in order to understand the disease or pathology. The PBL session facilitator moderated the academic discussions and maintained the thought process towards reaching the goal. The Facilitator also explained concepts in the case being studied that were within the area of their expertise. Thus, I explained concepts of Biochemistry on a case-specific basis and how such is related to the patient in question and therefore providing the scientific evidence that helps the professional (the medical student in that setting) reach a diagnosis and then provide a treatment plan.

What they like about International University, Bamenda:

You highly value a work environment built on a formal structure, rules, and regulations. You do not enjoy the unpredictability of shifting priorities and deadlines that upset your routine. You require and enjoy direction, input and accountability as part of your work environment. You have a strong need to participate in making key decisions and feel left out if your superiors or co-workers do not seek your input when making decisions. You thrive on providing good customer service to both internal or external customers, and doing so makes you feel good.

Tags

Translational Research Scientist, DNA and RNA purification, qPCR, Cloning, Electrophoresis, Western Blot, Cell and tissue culture, siRNA, FACS, Pulmonary Fibrosis (bleomycin model), Asthma (OVA model), Asthma (House dust mite model), Confocal and Fluorescent microscopy, SCIREX Flexivent, Immunohistochemistry, Laboratory mouse surgery, Intravenous injection, Intraperitoneal injection, Intramuscular injection, Subcutaneous injection, In situ zymography, ELISA, HPLC/FPLC (AKTA system), COPD (cigarette smoke model), Protein expression and purification, Chromatography (IMAC), BUXCO WBP, Wire myography, Bone marrow transplant mouse surgery, Metamorph, Volocity, Image J, Isolated tissue bath, Microsoft Office, Prism, Sigma Plot, Origin 7, Technical writing, HAZMAT transport, Public speaking and presentation

Skills

P&L responsibilities, Presentation, Ecommerce Strategy and digital marketing channels optimization - SEO, SEM, email, affiliates - for high-profile accounts., Technology Solutions, Sales Support, Software Implementation, Requirements Analysis & Specification, Leadership , Cloning and expression of proteins in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, DNA and RNA extration and purification, Real time quantitative PCR, Standard biochemistry and molecular biology techniques, Electrophoresis, Immunoprecipation, Western blot, Standard ELISA, Cytometric bead array (CBA), Flow cytometry (FACS), Protein purification by chromatography (IMAC, gel filtration, ion exchange, HPLC/FPLC), Bleomycin model of pulmonary fibrosis in mice, Cigarette smoke model of COPD, OVA and house dust mite models of allergic asthma, Bone marrow transfer mouse surgery, Hands-on expertise in laboratory mouse surgery, Hands-on experience in histology and immunohistochemistry, Hands-on expertise with BUXCO whole body plethysmograph to measure airway resistance in mice, Hands-on expertise with SCIREX Flexivent system to measure airway resistance in mice, Hands-on experience with in situ zymography, Experience in isolating primary cells, cell and tissue culture, Hands-on experience in fluorescent and confocal microscopy and the imaging softwares, Image J, Metamorph, Volocity, Experience with isolated organ bath pharmacological techniques, In-depth experience of using Origin 7, Prism, Sigma Plot statistics softwares for data analysis, Experience with amino acid seperation by reverse phase HPLC

These are some of the questions we asked our climbers about their experiences with International University, Bamenda: