Category Archives: research

Book Club – The Autobiography of a Transgender Scientist

Posted on April 29, 2019 by SweetScience

Ben Barres was a remarkable scientist – a modern-day giant who will undoubtedly be remembered in the field of neuroscience as a pioneer in uncovering the critical role of glia. He will also be remembered as a powerful proponent for … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Club, bosses, change, diversity, early career scientist, female scientist, LGBT, memoir, mentoring, research, role models, sexism, support, women in science, work-life balance | Leave a comment

Unpaid Work

Posted on June 25, 2018 by SweetScience

It’s summer! I can hardly believe it – for the first time in 20 years I have an actual summer vacation with no job to do, until I teach again this fall! Only… that’s not really true at all. I … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, early career scientist, efficiency, finishing postdoctoral training, flexibility, new job, publishing, research, teaching, time management, trying to please others, work-life balance | 1 Comment

Writing your own letter of recommendation

Posted on August 23, 2017 by SweetScience

In response to a recent post, a reader asked for advice on writing a letter of recommendation – specifically for oneself! Yes, for better or worse, “minor fraud” and ethics aside for this post, this is very common and important … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, advice, bosses, finishing postdoctoral training, graduate school, job search, mentoring, postdoc, professional, research, strengths and weaknesses, support, uncertainty | 1 Comment

A day in the life of – a senior postdoc

Posted on July 26, 2017 by Guest

Bananaroots is in her second postdoctoral position at a research institute in the UK, after completing her first postdoc at a major university in the Netherlands. She has a long-standing interest in plant diseases and a soft spot for bananas. … Continue reading →

Posted in a day in the life, early career scientist, female scientist, postdoc, research | Leave a comment

Choosing a research question – for science or for the public?

Posted on May 31, 2017 by SweetScience

There is increasing pressure and urgency for scientists to be visible and accessible to the public, but also to choose the most important and appealing research in an uncertain funding climate. To whom are scientific researchers beholden in the choice … Continue reading →

Posted in conflict, funding, hearable message, Public, research | Leave a comment

Could aiming for a glam pub make me a better scientist?

Posted on May 26, 2016 by SweetScience

I’m usually not very judgmental but I’ll admit that I have disdain for scientists or labs who almost exclusively aim for glamor publications in journals like Nature, Science, or Cell, and sometimes even say they don’t value research from low-impact factor journals. Debates … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, early career scientist, publishing, research | Leave a comment

Resolution Fail!

Posted on January 25, 2016 by SweetScience

We’re not even at the end of January and I’ve already failed at one of my goals for the year. Okay, not failed, but postponed. I’ve been working on applying for a career transition award through NIH. This means proposing … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, broken dreams, early career scientist, flexibility, postdoc, research, uncertainty | 1 Comment

Topics of Interest

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Torschlusspanik

Currently a former neuroscientist turned stay-at-home mom, I get to stay home, and watch and play with my two girls.  Old habits do not die too quickly; I often find myself observing my kids as if they are my former … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative career, Leaving Academia, motherhood, research | 1 Comment

OUT and About in Science: Being a Lesbian in Research and Academia

Posted on June 1, 2015 by psywguest

Today’s guest contribution is by a postdoctoral fellow in Portland, OR.  She holds a Ph.D. in Immunology and her research focuses on the contribution of the immune response to neurodegeneration and brain inflammation after stroke.  Oh, and she’s gay! I knew that I … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, female scientist, gay, growing up in the midwest, LGBT, research, role models | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments