The Toolbox for Young Researchers (TYR) is designed for early-career researchers, students, and professionals who are considering pursuing postgraduate studies with a focus on translational research. The primary aim is to streamline the path for future researchers by providing practical training in essential day-to-day research skills. Topics range from basic computational organisation for effective project management to the public dissemination of scientific results.

Participants will gain hands-on experience in project design, methodological planning, data management, basic statistical interpretation, scientific writing, thesis formatting, figure and data visualisation, poster preparation, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence tools such as chatbots. The course also includes dynamic spaces for participants to request and explore additional topics based on their interests.

Formal enrolment in a postgraduate programme is not required; however, a genuine interest in learning is essential. A secondary goal of the course is to foster a serious yet friendly and collaborative learning environment where participants are encouraged to both learn from and teach each other.

🚀 Programme Overview – Past and Upcoming Sessions

✔️ Session 1 – 1st April 2025

Efficient Organisation for Research Projects: Folder Structure, File Naming, and Cross-Platform Compatibility
This session explored how a well-organised digital workspace can improve research efficiency. Participants learned practical strategies to design folder hierarchies, adopt consistent file naming conventions, and ensure compatibility across different operating systems — all crucial for long-term project management and reproducibility.

✔️ Session 2 – 29th April 2025

File Preparation and Maintenance: Text Editing, Spreadsheet Design, Version Control, and Collaboration
Focused on file hygiene and collaborative research, this session addressed text editing workflows, creating analysis-ready spreadsheets, managing version history, tracking changes, and working seamlessly in collaborative environments. It also covered the efficient use of file formats like .docx, .odt, .csv, .xls, and .pdf.

🔜 Session 3 – 17th June 2025

Efficient Literature Review: Artificial Intelligence, Research Tools, and Reference Management with Zotero
This highly practical session guided participants through transforming a research idea into a structured literature review. It included:

• Identifying reliable primary and secondary sources;

• Leveraging AI-powered tools for smarter, faster literature searches;

• Mastering Zotero for reference management, archiving, and automated citation;

• Organising bibliographic data and avoiding common pitfalls such as duplication and data loss.

🔜 Session 4 – 24th June 2025

Project Architecture in Scientific Research: Crafting Introductions, Hypotheses, and Academic Writing Essentials
This forthcoming session will focus on building the conceptual backbone of a research project. Participants will learn how to:

• Write effective, concise, and compelling introductions;

• Formulate precise and testable hypotheses;

• Differentiate clearly between aims, objectives, and hypotheses;

• Apply correct referencing strategies and avoid common writing pitfalls that can undermine clarity and impact.

📍 Course Details

• Format: In-person, practical workshops

• Location: Laboratory of Gynaecology and Obstetrics – FMRP-USP

• Certification: Issued to registered participants

• Cost: Free of charge

• Requirements: Bring your laptop for hands-on exercises

🔗 Registration: Sign up here

💡 Who Should Join?

• Students preparing for or currently enrolled in Master’s or PhD programmes

• Early-career researchers aiming to strengthen practical research skills

• Supervisors, mentors, and academic staff seeking to update their toolkit for supporting students in modern research workflows

🎯 Why Join TYR?

• Learn workflows that save time and prevent errors

• Build a structured, reproducible research workflow from the start

• Improve the quality and clarity of research outputs

• Acquire critical computational, organisational, and writing skills

• Engage with a supportive learning community of peers and experienced researchers