BenchLife
Being a scientist isn’t just about doing experiments, so neither are we. This is where we make breakthroughs beyond the bench for scientists.
Whether a Derby-winning horse, a Grammy-nominated musician, or a PhD-obtaining scientist, there exists a cast of unsung heroes who have made the individual’s success possible. We might not have three trainers, a jockey and eat carrots all day long, but we certainly have people who have popped us with the whip every once in a while to keep us going. Fortunately, they’re usually the same people that are there to catch us when we stumble as well. With Thanksgiving just a few days away, let’s take a moment to remember, appreciate, and thank the entourage that made our pursuit of science possible.
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Communicating our work is one of the most important responsibilities of our job as scientists. Although traditional publication is one mechanism of sharing our findings, more commonly we’re called upon to present our research orally. Whether speaking at a small group meeting or a large international conference, the success of our talk may hinge on our ability to craft an engaging performance.
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The weekend is upon us and what better way to ring it in than with ‘an experiment’ that can be completed with a cold beverage in hand. You’ve spent years learning, practicing and teaching laboratory techniques, but now it’s your responsibility to find them.
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Talk to any set of identical twins for the first time and at some point in the conversation you’ll undoubtedly ask whether they ever switched places in order to play a joke on their parents, teachers, girlfriends or boyfriends. While each set of twins may answer differently, they’ve usually drawn an ethical line somewhere in the sand as to how far they think it’s appropriate to take the undercover mission. In science, ask co-first authors whether they switch the author biline on their CV and the line in the sand might not be as clear.
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No, I’m not going to leap out of the internet wearing slices of cheese held together with spaghetti (I know you’re breathing a sigh of relief.) I’ve combined a vintage recipe with electronics and half quixotic tricks to make a hypnotic dish!
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It has been said that in the workplace, people rise to their highest level of incompetence. In other words, individuals who are good at their job will likely be promoted, while average performance will be neither rewarded nor punished. So ultimately individuals will advance until they hold a position they’re incapable of properly performing and employees will be forced to deal the consequences of the boss’ inability. In an organization top-heavy with incompetence it should come as no surprise that employees are frustrated. But given the opportunity, could they do any better if they were running the show?
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We thought what better timing than the beginning of the new academic year to brush up on the fundamentals of chemistry and biology. Or perhaps more appropriately – brush off the dust from those fading memories. But let’s be honest, who wants to crack open the textbooks on a Friday afternoon? Nobody. So today, we’re excited to kick off a new series at BenchFly – our Interactive Crossword Puzzle!
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Know of a labmate who’s having trouble getting experiments to work? Or perhaps one who just doesn’t have the exciting ideas they did when they were younger? No, this isn’t a “Low T” ad. Turns out, you know someone who has lost their Lab Mojo. Here’s how to give it back.
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A single event can forever change the trajectory of a scientific career. Most of us hope for the successful home run experiment that opens the door to a new field and transforms us from an average scientist into a superstar. Unfortunately, not all events are positive – just ask residents of the United States’ east coast who nervously endured the season’s first potentially lab-destroying hurricane. Better yet, ask the labs that were forced to permanently close their doors in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
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Whether induced by the magic of grabbing our first pipette or the vapors from the ether bottle that was left open, many of us daydream about how our career in research will unfold. While the ending may vary, most fantasy scripts include completing graduate school in three years, curing a major disease, and winning a Nobel prize. But in our rush to bask in the glory of our own scientific greatness, one person is often neglected in our visions – our boss.
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