What’s the best way to get the conversation going about graduation dates with your PI?

- Henry, grad student

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Dear Henry,

Thank you for asking this very relevant question. Many students are under the impression that they need to have reached certain milestones before they can have the “talk” (i.e. when to graduate) with their PI. In fact, it’s never too early to start that conversation. A friend of mine received graduate school funding for four years. So, on his first day he sat down with his supervisor to discuss how to design a PhD-level project that could be completed in four years. He met periodically with his PI to make sure he was on track and he did actually graduate in four years, even though the average for his group was around six years.

No matter how early (or late) you are in your program, it can only be to your advantage to be proactive regarding your plans for graduation. Before you meet with your PI read previous theses from your department to get an idea of the scope of a doctoral dissertation. Then design a study plan with specific research questions that you would like to answer, and discuss with your PI whether he or she agrees with your plan. If you are expected to publish, then this would be a good time to go over the manuscripts you are planning to write. It is also a great opportunity to talk to your PI about techniques or instruments you would like to learn about before you graduate. (It’s never too early to think about marketable job skills!)

Since research frequently takes unexpected turns, you will probably need to meet regularly with your PI to make sure you are staying on track. One of the biggest mistakes students make is to “hide” from the PI when their research is not going well. Remember to reach out for help when you are stuck, because it is in your PI’s interest that you succeed and publish.

In summary, the sooner you can talk with your PI and the better prepared you are for the meeting, the better!

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Dora Farkas, Ph.D. is the author “The Smart Way to Your Ph.D.:200 Secrets from 100 Graduates,” and the founder of PhDNet, an online community for graduate students and PhDs. You will find links to her book, monthly newsletters, and discussion board on her site. Send your questions to DearDora@benchfly.com and keep an eye out for them in an upcoming issue!

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Stay tuned for Dora’s next article in two weeks!  In the meantime, check a few of Dora’s recent posts:

My Boss’ Spouse: A Spy or Civilian in Lab?

Bullying in the Lab: Are PIs Guilty

What Came First: The Grad Student or the PI?

Problems Communicating Science to Family? It’s Not Them, It’s You

How to Address the Funky-Smelling Lunch Problem

Does a Fellowship Yield Scientific Independence or Does the Boss Rule?

The Arrogant Labmate: Face ‘Em or Forget ‘Em

Is Grad School or Postdoc Success More Important for My Career?

Can We Skip the GRE Subject Test If It’s Too Expensive?

The Ethics of Mooching

Stuck Sharing a Project with a Lazy Labmate?

Repetitive Strain Injury: The Hidden Lab Hazard

Take My Figure Off Your Poster…Or Else.

How to Tell on Someone Like an Adult

Who Opened the Thiols? Oh- That’s Your Breath?!

Reviewing Papers from Your Past: Is It Legal?

Is It 2-Hour or 2-Week Notice? Telling the Boss You’re Leaving

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Submit your questions to Dora at DearDora@benchfly.com, or use the comment box below!

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You’re Not Alone

• New Year’s Lab-olutions – what’s easier than hitting the gym five days a week? Sticking to this essential lab to-do list
• Elevator Etiquette: The Essentials – just endure an awkward elevator ride? We feel your pain, so spread this around to prevent further offenses
• Who Opened the Thiols? Oh That’s Your Breath?! - unsure of how to tell your labmate that you’d rather bury your head in a bag of freshly autoclaved hazardous waste than have them whisper you a secret? We’ve got your back.
• Could You Be the Worst Labmate in the World? – we hope not, but take this quiz just to be sure…
• Their Research is Sexier than Yours – we’ve all had some form of this phone call with friends or family at some point
• You’re a Grad Student: You Shall Perform Even When Sick – nothing stops the results machine (aka, ‘you’) in your boss’ mind
• Thanks for Making it to Our Meeting- Oh Wait You Didn’t – how many times can one person be stood up for a meeting before they lose their mind?
• The Ombudsman: The Best Conversation that Never Happened – truly independent advice may seem hard to come by, but it’s never far away
• Should There be an Official Language of Lab? – science may be a language of it’s own, but if you can’t communicate beyond it the whole lab could suffer

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LabLibs: Useful Signs for Your Lab

• While You Were Out Notes for Scientists – labmate gone on a 2-hour lunch? Leave one of these on their bench
• Should You Be at My Bench Right Now? (Probably Not) – looking to reduce the amount of riff-raff stopping by your bench unannounced?
• Passive Aggressive Instrument Note – tired of walking up to dirty or broken instruments that nobody takes responsibility for?
• Let Chuck Norris Protect Your Bench – put an end to missing tube racks, pipetmen and buffers once and for all
• Beware of the Graduate Student – like poking a caged animal with a stick, approaching a senior grad student can be dangerous so keep visitors safe with this
• The Qualifying Exam Courtesy Note – labmate off studying for their qualifying exam? Place this ‘courtesy’ note on their bench to let everyone know the situation
• A Message from the Department of Lab Security – this sign is a weirdo forcefield for your lab
• Pay It Forward with Good Lab Mojo Checks – maybe karma’s not real, but do you really want to take that chance? Write a check for good lab mojo today

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Helping You Relax in Lab

• Group Meeting Bingo! - put an end to boring group meetings and seminars by turning your next meeting into an instant BINGO game!
• Crossword: Back to Basics with Chemistry and Biology – been a while since you sat in class? See how much of it stuck with this puzzle
• Crossword: History’s Most Famous Scientists in Two Words – can scientists be famous enough to be recalled with only a two-word clue? Check for yourself
• Lab Techniques Wordsearch: You Can Do Them, But Can You Find Them? – sure “PCR” is easy to spell, but try finding it among hundreds of letters
• How to Survive a Boring Seminar (and Win Some Bets) – whether it’s too early or too boring, keep the seminar interesting with a little wager
• The Lab Desktops – never be caught surfing the web by the boss again with these chemistry and biology specific computer desktops
• Fashion Etiquette for Scientists – a timeless classic. Feel free to pass it along to the guy in your lab wearing black socks and sandals
• BenchFly Football Primer – get the most out of football, even if you’re not a fan, with our football primer explained in science terms
• 2010 Fly Video Awards – all the glitz and glamor of the Oscars without the annoying celebrities
• Chuck Norris, Scientist – in between designing exercise equipment and delivering roundhouse kicks, Chuck Norris found time to become a scientific legend

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Looking for a Product, Card or Gift?

• Three Scientific Products We Need in Lab – think your PI’s lying again? Worried about your PhD defense? These products have got your back
• 3 Products that Would Change Your Life – memory fading? Qualifying exam around the corner? PI breathing down your neck? No longer
• The Hallmark for Scientists – find the perfect card for your scientist friend or family member or print a special edition BenchFly card for free
• Scientists’ Holiday Shopping Guide (soon to be) Endorsed by the NIH – a fool-proof shopping guide in our own language – an NIH grant

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Balancing Life and the Lab

• Life, Laberty and the Pursuit of Happiness – a few essential tips for juggling lab and the rest of your life
• Know When to Fold ‘Em (for the day) – sometimes it’s just better to pack it in for the day than to carry on and ruin the experiment
• Owning a Pet in Grad School? Consider This First – coming home to a little buddy at the end of the day is great, but is it the right thing for both you and the pet?
• If You Don’t Disaster Proof Your Bench Now You’ll Hate Yourself Later – the same backup rules you use at home apply in the lab too. Don’t wait until it’s too late

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• The Path to Happiness in Research – there are no flying monkeys, but this yellow brick road will lead you straight to happiness
• Repetitive Strain Injury: The Hidden Lab Hazard - learn to recognize the early symptoms before ever picking up a pipette
• How to Choose a Good Scientific Problem – learning to identify the elements that make up a great project is vitally important
• The Keys to a Great Hypothesis – a poorly constructed hypothesis can waste time and ultimately kill a project
  
• The Importance of Side Projects – what’s that saying about all your eggs in one basket? Well it’s true in research too
  
• It Worked 3 Times…(Out of How Many?) - how many times do we need to perform an experiment before convincing ourselves the result is real?
  
• The Lab Panic Button - before even starting an experiment, go through these important steps to ensure everyone’s safety
  
• How to Keep a Lab Notebook – although they may seem like a pain, an improperly kept notebook could cost you millions
  
• H-index: What it is and How to Find Yours – this emerging author metric is a substitute for the widely used, and flawed, impact factor
• Wunderlist Task Management: Give Your Brain a Present – the only to-list manager you need (and it’s free!)
• What’s in a Name? – are you a biological chemist, biochemist, or chemical biologist? (Or does it even matter)

Be a Better Labmate

• A-Mean-Ol-Acid – an “amino acid” would be much preferred to the horrific scent coming out of your labmate’s mouth…here are a couple of solutions
• 5 Laboratory Techniques that’ll Get You Punched in the Face – avoid the most irritating and annoying lab habits if you want to keep your million dollar smile
• Make Labmates, Not Enemies – sure you may have been king or queen of the hill in your old job, but when joining a new lab, follow these tips to make the transition smooth for everyone
• Lab Etiquette: Don’t Make Us Call Supernanny – being a good labmate involves many of the basic principles we should have learned in kindergarten
• Could You Be the World’s Worst Labmate? – if you think there’s a chance, take this quiz to find out

Stay Focused and Motivated in Lab

• Laughter Really is the Best Medicine – the jury was out for a while and Xanax gave it a run for it’s money, but laughter came out on top
• The Arrogant Labmate: Face ‘em or Forget ‘em? – someone walking around lab with a bigger head than everyone else? Don’t hire Tanya Harding, resolve it yourself
• Bullying in the Lab: Are PIs Guilty? – the relationship between PI and student or postdoc can be volatile, but does it border on abuse?
• Words Your Boss Will Never Say – no need to get your hopes up, you’re not gonna hear it
• Five Ways Scientists Waste Time – when beginning a project, we should be sure we’ve checked off the items on this list or risk wasting a lot of time spinning our wheels
• Stay Motivated in Lab – sure it’s easy when starting or finishing a project – it’s just that whole middle period where things can get dicey
• Do You Recognize the 7 Early Signs of Lab Apathy? – sometimes apathy creeps up on us and before we know it we’ve lost interest in our project completely – here are some signs to watch out for.

Take Charge of Your BenchLife

• There’s Nothing Romantic About Watching the Sunrise…from Lab – unless your bench has 600 thread count sheets, you probably shouldn’t be sleeping on it
• The Tightrope: Finding Balance as a Scientist Mom – you’re crying for your experiments and your kids are crying for you – what to do next?
• Make Your PI Love You – being an employee is a game. If you play the game as your boss wants you to, you usually succeed. Here are some of the rules
• How to Behave Around the Boss – although the lab environment may at times seem more casual than a traditional office work place, our behavior around the boss should be carefully controlled
• What to Expect When You’re Expecting…in Lab – pregnancy is difficult enough without the sights, sounds and smell of a lab environment- how to navigate the lab and boss when you’re expecting
• Sleep Your Way to Better Science – no sleep frequently yields no results and now there’s science to prove why
• Organize Your Life: Getting Things Done – scattered thoughts? short attention span? feel overwhelmed? This simple system will help you gain control of your life and give your brain a much-needed rest
• Leaving Grad School Early: Get Outta Town or Hang Around? – when the going gets tough, is leaving the best option?
• Are You Prepared for the ‘Worst Case Scenario’? – sure best case scenarios are more fun to think about, but when stuff hits the fan in lab, it’s best to be prepared

Mastering Mindless Tasks

• Training Your Autopilot – even if your mind wanders during a repetitive assay, your body will always know what to do
  
• Assay Pipetting – prevent the horrible ‘Oh no! Did I already add substrate to that tube?!’ feeling with this simple system
  
• When in Doubt, Throw it Out – how can just a few words save days, weeks and even months of time? Take a few minutes to learn them
• Send Email Without the Worry – clicking ‘send’ prematurely can be one of the scariest moments in email. Never send an accidental email again with these tips and resources

.Lab Resources

• 5 Library Resources You Should be Using Now – a science librarian walks us through the resources we’d be foolish to overlook
• Five (Plus) Web Resources You Should Be Using Now – great (and free!) research tools that can manage citations, file sharing and much more
• Back of the Envelope Calculations – a list of some of the most common scientific numbers we should probably all have memorized
• The Art of Organizing Your Literature – technology affords us a number of upgrades on the old-school stack of papers – take advantage of them
• Three Steps to Mastering Literature Searches – you can’t organize literature if you can’t find it

Model Organism Primers

• Drosophila melanogaster: The Fruit Fly – this organism has been buzzing around the lab for over 100 years
• C. elegans: Getting to Know Your Worms – 19 reasons worms are a great model organism and a great introduction to their life cycle and biology
• Research’s Next Top Model: Zebrafish – this increasingly popular organism simplifies drug testing and has even been to space
• Neurospora crassa: The Almighty Fungi – this organism served as the foundation of biochemical genetics and played a central role in a Nobel prize
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Yeast Rising in Research – it’s not just for beer and bread anymore – see why yeast make a great model organism
• We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Lab: Large Animal Models in Research – sometimes bigger is better so see what larger animals are most commonly used in lab and why
  
• Eek! The Mouse – maybe one of the most famous model organisms used in research, mice have played a role in research in almost every disease imaginable
• Tetrahymena: Little Creatures, Big Discoveries – a mindbogglingly complex unicellular organism- it’s even got a mouth and a posterior.

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Breakfast

Only MacGyver Could Make a Gourmet Quiche with Fewer Ingredients – just three ingredients separate you from a delicious breakfast

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Poverty Nutrition: A Fugue in Egg Minor – think you don’t have time for breakfast? Here are three awesome egg-based recipes that take just a minute

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Appetizers

If You’ve Got a Tongue, You’re Gonna Love these Cheese Balls – the title pretty much says it all

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The Endive Appetizer: It’s so Easy a (Classy) Chimp Could Do It – most of us are under-endived and it’s a shame – this app will change that

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Larry’s Luxurious Artichoke Dip – whether watching a game, eating a snack or going to a party, this might be the perfect dish

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Effortless Gourmet: The Stilton and Fig Holiday Appetizer – it’s simple and delicious, hard to argue with that

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Entrées

Easiest Mac n’ Cheese or Godey’s Ladies Meet Lady Gaga – a one-bowl scalable mac n’ cheese recipe that anyone can pull off

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Emergency Meal: Indian Food – home from lab late again? Not to worry, you’re just three minutes from eating

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Eatin’ on the Cheap: Dahl – a minor investment in a few spices will pay huge dividends for months to come with this easy and versatile dish

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Slow Cooker Magic: Italian Beef - set this up in the morning on your way out the door and you’ll have deliciousness waiting when you get home

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Poverty Nutrition: Beans and Rice (and their Infinite Variety) – looking for lunch or dinner? Beans and rice reinvented many times over in these inexpensive variations on a classic dish

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Kirem’s Carrot Ginger Soup Kreation – in just a few simple steps, create a rich, flavorful and powerful soup that will help keep you healthy all year round

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There’s Nothing Fishy About this Protocol (Bill’s salmon) – make this stovetop salmon once and you’ll never go back to baking it again…seriously

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Dessert

Toaster Oven Trail Mix Biscotti – no need to overpay for store-bought biscotti again when it’s this easy to make your own

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Toaster Oven Pie-On-Demand – pies in a toaster oven? Yep, these personal-sized pies can be made without a stove and stored for later use in the event you don’t want 15 pies at once

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Drinks

Robin’s ‘Rita: A Bubbly Twist on a Flat Classic – looking to spice up your standard margarita? Combine two of your favorite beach drinks to create your new summer classic

The Weekend Conversion Factor: Price Per Drink – looking to go easy on the wallet? Here’s a list of the most economical alcohols to buy this weekend

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Weers Ranch ‘Rita – turn a classic margarita into a superstar with just a few minor tweaks

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How to Make an Old-Fashioned – looking for a new drink? Try this stylish classic – demonstrated by an expert mixologist

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BenchFly’s Bloody Dry Ice Halloween Punch – finally a use for that dry ice in lab – this refreshing punch can be made in just a few minutes and will ensure the party doesn’t end early

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Methods

What’s for Dinner? Bag It. – tired of drying out the meat in the oven? So is your family. Keep your chicken, turkey and meat moist using this simple fix

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IR Thermometer: The Kitchen Weapon You Need – every scientist needs a toy in the kitchen – especially one that uses infrared and looks like a gun

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Become an Instant BBQ Master with These 2 Accessories – who knew a canister and piece of wood could turn a hack into a BBQ legend?

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General

A Social Network for Food: Why Won’t Vanilla Friend Garlic? – an analysis of thousands of recipes found the tight ingredient networks that exist

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I’m Just Mad About Saffron… - and given it’s anti-cancer properties, so are a lot of people. Too bad it’s one of the most expensive spices on Earth

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Sweet Relief: How Sugar Might Help Reverse Climate Change – so all along, we’ve really just needed a bag of Domino’s?

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I’d Rather Die Fat and Young than Skinny and Old – low calorie diets may do more harm than good when it comes to protecting against aging

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Chemistry of Skunky Beer – Yes, skunky beer really exists so next time it comes up with friends, drop some chemistry on them

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Molecular Gastronomy: Experiments You Can Eat – think research and cooking have a lot in common? So do the chefs pioneering this emerging style of kitchen chemistry

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Choosing the Right Cooking Solvent – not all solvents are the same and neither are all cooking oils – be sure you’ve selected the right one for your needs

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Graduate School

• The Graduate School Survival Guide – although everyone’s experience is different, there are plenty of common milestones to expect along the way
• What Makes a Great Grad Student – three tenured professors discuss what they’re looking for in a truly outstanding graduate student
• How to Become a Great Grad Student – follow these steps to stand out from the crowd and be one of your PIs most memorable graduate students
• Working for Assistant Professors? Call Me After Tenure – the terms “risk” and “reward” are often brought up in this discussion, but is working with an assistant professor a good idea for your career?
• I’ve Found a Job- Final Steps of Graduate School – getting a job seems like the end, but wait- there are a few things left to wrap up before you go
• 7 Steps to Successful Summer Student Supervising – lucky enough to have some undergraduates helping out in the lab? Make the most of them by following a few simple steps
• Graduate School by the Numbers: Interviews – before embarking on school (or lab) interviews, take some advice from someone who’s been there recently
• Graduate School by the Numbers: The Decision – getting in may seem like the hard part, but don’t overlook the stress involved with selecting the right place for you
• Graduate School by the Numbers: Aftermath of the Decision – congratulations, you’re going to grad school! (But these few things about the decision may still be stressing you out)
• Selecting a Postdoc: Should I Stay or Should I Go? – staying at the same institution might be easy and comfortable, but is it the best thing for your career?

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Postdoc

• A Degree of Stress – an interesting trend emerges when a group of seasoned postdocs graph their stress levels through graduate school and their postdocs
• Why is the Postdoc So Stressful? – you’ve already got your PhD- isn’t it all downhill from here? With the degree come a new set of challenges to be prepared for
• Non-US Postdoc, Pt 1 – considering leaving the US for a postdoc? Here are some common issues to be prepared for when settling in the new country and lab
• Non-US Postdoc, Pt 2 – a roadmap for the first six months of your postdoc- what’s expected of you and how to get through it
• Lessons from a Recovering Postdoc – not every postdoc goes as planned but when things go wrong, there’s still hope. Take it from this postdoc who dealt with the problem and is happier than ever

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Non-Academic Careers

• Careers After the Ph.D.: A Primer on Consulting – PhD-turned-BCG consultant explains what the profession entails and how to get there from the bench
• Curating Science, Genomes and a New Career – Never heard of a science content manager? Neither had this PhD when she created this opportunity at one of the most exciting personalized medicine companies around
• Escape Velocity: Non-Research Oriented Careers – research is not the only way to contribute to science- here are some easy transitions away from the bench
• Leaving the Academic Path to Find a Job – one researcher’s story of changing careers and countries in pursuit of a job
• So You Want to Be an Entrepreneur? – scientists make great entrepreneurs- here are a few easy steps to test the waters before jumping in
• Working at a Small Company, Pt 1 – considering a small company? Here’s a taste of the good, the bad and the ugly of life at a small company
• Working at a Small Company, Pt 2 – what to expect for the first six months of working in a small company- from expectations to stress to how to survive
• Technology Transfer: Applying the PhD Away from the Bench – moving away from the bench doesn’t mean you need to move far from research. See how a career in tech transfer keeps you right in the middle of the action
• Scientist Turned Comedian: Tim Lee – sometimes experimental results feel like someone is playing a joke on us- maybe it’s time to start telling some

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Professional Issues

• Exactly How Flexible is the Co-First Author Asterisk? – technically you may be equal, but does that mean you have the right to swap names on the byline?
• What’s in a Name? – are you a biochemist, a bioorganicchemist, or a chemical biologist? Does it really matter?
• Changing Scientific Focus: Jack of All Trades, Master of None? – is it better to know a little about a lot or a lot about a little? The answer can affect the way you manage projects as they unfold.
• Changing Labs: It’s Not You, It’s Me…Actually, It’s You – wondering if your issues with your lab are serious enough to consider leaving?
• 12 Reasons to Establish a Collaboration (or Not) – is it time to bring someone else onto your project? There’s a good chance it is
• 5 Reasons Every Scientist Needs a Homepage – the Internet’s not just for nerds anymore, so take advantage of what it has to offer your career
• Why Did I Become a Scientist? – find out what drove one professor into the career and how it’s helped him survive the ups and downs of research
• Challenges in the Scientific Curriculum – one professor discusses the opportunities to improve undergraduate and graduate science education
• Are We Failing Our Graduate Students – the stats on graduation rates aren’t pretty- but here are a few ways we could make the system more efficient
• Professor?  It’s Academic Entrepreneur to You – like it or not, we’re all in business now- see how academics are really entrepreneurs in disguise
• Academic Scientists Remember to Translate – a few simple actions will help ensure that any relevant research or technologies may be readily translated to the marketplace
• Working at the Interface – a Stanford professor discusses the role that working at the interface of fields and environments has played in his career development
• Collision of Science, Music and Theater – the Olson and De Cari duo use science as an inspiration for their music composition and play writing
• Revitalizing Science in the Classroom – Vanderbilt professor Virginia Shepherd shares her vision for the future of science education and what she’s doing now to make it a reality
• Innovation: Acting on Your Ideas – all successful labs and companies were founded on a great idea, so here’s how to run with yours when inspiration strikes
• Innovation: The Value of Your Ideas – before something can become a “million dollar idea”, it must at least be a “one dollar idea” – see how to identify the winners
• Innovation: Concept to Commercialization – so you’ve had your eureka moment and you’ve done the rough math to figure out that your innovation is probably worth pursuing.

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The Future of Scientific Impact

• The Impending Death of Scientific Journals – surely it’s not possible that science would exist without publishing in journals… well, it may be here sooner than you think
• The Evolution of Scientific Impact – journal impact factors were a decent metric for years, but are they still the best representation of importance?
• Why Do We Still Publish Papers – beyond the impact factor, perhaps journals themselves are in need of a major overhaul
• H-index: What it is and How to Find Yours – an emerging metric, the h-index provides researchers with a potentially improved measure of scientific impact

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See the Big Picture

• Can Positive Thinking Affect Your Experiments? – think attitude doesn’t matter? You might be surprised by what fellow scientists had to say
• 10 Ways to be a Successful Scientist – a list of ten things you can do immediately that will improve your chances of success in the lab
• 7 Habits of a Highly Successful Scientist – the scientist’s version of “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” tailored to the lab environment
• Seeing the Big Picture: Mark Changizi – author and scientist Mark Changizi explains his work and why it’s important to keep the big picture in mind in research
• The Four Steps to Finding Your Passion – looking for that spark that gets you excited to wake up in the morning? Follow these four steps
• Become a Scientific Expert in 5 Years – Malcolm Gladwell suggested how long it takes people to become experts- here’s how to get there in 5 years

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Manage Your Image: Put Your Best Foot Forward

• Networking Etiquette: Opening Lines to Avoid – of all the things to talk about with strangers, these are the 13 lines you want to avoid like the plague
• How to Craft an Elevator Pitch – learn to get people interested in your work in a sentence or two even if they don’t know anything about science
• How to Give a Good Talk – you’ve sat through good ones, you’ve sat through bad ones. Let’s avoid being the people giving the latter
• Don’t be Such a Scientist: Randy Olson -professor-turned-filmmaker describes the problem with scientific communication and how to solve it
• Having a Business Card Doesn’t Make You a Douchebag – a business card says a lot of things about you that future employers (and yes-PIs, too) are looking for
• Managing Your Online Reputation – take steps now to make sure your past doesn’t sabotage your future when employers look you up online
• LinkedIn for Scientists – networking is a cornerstone to finding a job so when building your own personal network go with the gold standard

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• 2012: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
• 2011: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
• 2010: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
• 2009: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

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We understand a crossword puzzle should require no explanation, but given that even Pop-tarts have directions, we’ll err on the side of caution.

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Instructions:

1. Click on image below to begin working on the interactive crossword puzzle.
2. Try not to let the timer taunt you.
3. As needed, use the “Hint” and “Check my answers” buttons in the upper left corner
4. Have fun!

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How fast can you complete it?

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[NOTE: Internet Explorer users may experience compatibility issues.]

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Looking for other puzzles to tackle?

Back to Basics with Chemistry and Biology

Lab Techniques Word Search: You Can Do Them, But Can You Find Them?

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MAGNETIC SOAP!

If you drop that soap, all you’d need is a secret magnet and whoooosh! You wouldn’t have to bend over to pick it up!! Amazing, right?

Now, while researchers at Bristol University (my alma mater) are claiming that they developed their magnetic soap to deal with oil spills, my guess is that they are already selling the stuff on the black market. I could be wrong, though, so I will continue telling you about the soap as if they were solely concerned with conservation.

Julian Eastoe’s lab has been working on ways to control the activity of soaps for some time; in particular he has focused on finding ways to selectively destroy them. But a new soap developed in his lab, made by dissolving iron in ______- or ______-based soaps found in commercial detergents, allows for the selective removal of soap/oil mixtures from an aqueous environment.

The use of soaps in oil-spill cleanup is generally frowned upon. Despite the ability of surfactants to disrupt slicks, soap is itself damaging to the environment. It’s kind of analogous to using a predatory animal to wipe out a problematic invasive species. You end up with twice the problem you had in the first place, with the predator munching on native as well as invasive species. But what if the predator could be easily removed after eating a bunch of undesirables?

Seems like an idea that should’ve been figured out years ago, right? After all, we’ve known about magnetism and detergents and the behavior of metal ions in the vicinity of chlorides and bromides. The problem lies in the fact that soaps and oils interact to form little balls called micelles. Micelles are organized so that the parts of the fats and soaps that can happily hang out with water molecules face outwards (the hydrophilic bits) and the less cooperative (more hydrophobic) parts are contained within the ball. The detergent molecules and the oil molecules are able to move around within the micelle, which means that by applying a magnetic field you might expect the magnetic soap to leave the micelle, leaving behind a droplet of pure oil.

Now, as you know, I am a biologist, so I’m going to leave the physics of this next part for you to read in the paper if you are so inclined, but here’s my best attempt: The way I picture it is that these new micelles are super-tiny, and therefore when the magnetic field is applied the detergent molecules are not selectively ripped out. They are also stable enough that they can be pulled through an aqueous solution despite opposing water tension, thus making this magnetic soap and ideal substance for oil-spill cleaning operations. Makes sense to me anyway.

But you know what makes more sense? Manufacturing an actual bar of magnetic soap. Seriously, Brown et al. If you really haven’t thought of this yet, you could make some serious mullah if you did. Just sayin’.

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Katie Pratt is a graduate student in Molecular Biology at Brown University. She has a passion for science communication, and in an attempt to bring hardcore biology and medicine to everyone, she blogs jargon-free at www.katiephd.com. Follow her escapades in the lab and online on Twitter.

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Be the first one to mind the gap by filling in the blank as a comment and get your name in the blog along with a sweet new BenchFly mug!

About the prize: In addition to fame and glory beyond their wildest dreams, winners receive our new hot-off-the-presses large (15 oz) BenchFly mug to help quench their unending thirst for scientific knowledge… or coffee.

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Miss a previous edition of Mind the Gap? Shame on you! Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered:

New Year’s Lab-olutions

A Social Network for Food: Why Won’t Vanilla Friend Garlic?

I’d Rather Die Fat and Young than Old and Skinny

Look Into My Wide, Vacant, Eyes

I’m Just Mad About Saffron

Sweet Relief: How Sugar May Help Reverse Climate Change

Laughter Really is the Best Medicine

All Work and No Play Makes Katie RSI Prone

Sexual Identity and Autocrine Stimulation: Oh, To Be Teenage Yeast

On Wine, Sunburns and the Tendency of Headlines to Mislead

Which Came First: The Opossum or the Snake?

Pigeons Know a Crazy Woman When they See One

To Boldly Go Where No Worm Has Gone Before

Another One Bites the Dust: Rinderpest Eradicated

Scientists Just Wanna Have Fun (Like Uncaged Monkeys)

Mosquitoes Eating You Alive? Cheesy Feet Could be the Problem

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Dear Croc Doc (or soon-to-be if working toward your PhD),

First let me applaud you on your excellent hand hygiene protocol!  Dirty, dusty or sweaty hands are as unattractive as scaly ones.  However, as you guessed, the only acceptable scales in science are the ones you use to measure materials.  Fortunately, there is a remedy for your unnecessary roughness this season both in and out of the lab.  Here’s the Rx:

Gold Bond Ultimate Hand Sanitizer Moisturizer.  This drugstore delight is inexpensive, cleansing and quickly evaporating.  A little drop goes a long way.  One drop will soothe and sanitize without any greasy residue.  It is available in one size for the bench and one for your jacket pocket or handbag.  I certainly would not want to be stranded on this less-than-deserted island of Manhattan without it!

For further protection, invest in a pair of stylish AND practical winter gloves.  I’m obsessed with these touch sensitive gloves by Echo Design!  They are available online for men and women in various uber cool styles, colors and materials.  But perhaps the best feature is that you can actually keep them on while texting, surfing the web or using that antiquated feature of dialing a phone number and then talking.  (I think that’s what they used to do back in the late 20^th century?!)

For men, I love the wool/suede option.

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And for women, I love the Sporty echo touch glove.

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You’ll see a lot of bright colors this season and throughout 2012.  If you are somewhat color-phobic, then accessories are a great way to incorporate this season’s vivid trend.  Gloves, hats and scarves are low commitment items (meaning they come off at the bench) that pop otherwise neutral winter ensembles. Color should be fun, not scary. The key to bold color is to keep it simple. By sticking to one color or one texture for your accessories, you can ensure that the entire outfit plays well together. For example, if you’re buttoning up your favorite neon pink jacket, it’s best to stick with neutral accessories. On the flip side, if you go with a bold hat and glove combo, it will look best when paired with a neutral outfit.

Here’s to smooth and bright 2012!

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Whether painting faces backstage at Victoria’s Secret, traveling the globe for her international clients or writing for magazines and style guides, our FlyGirl lends her hands to enhance beauty both inside and out.  She thinks creatively and approaches practically to create unique yet easy styles.  Send your questions to FlyGirl@benchfly.com and learn how to become your own artist! 

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[Disclaimer: Neither FlyGirl or BenchFly makes any money off of the products recommended in this column.]

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Need some help from FlyGirl? Send questions to FlyGirl@benchfly.com and don’t miss her recent articles:

A-Mean-Ol-Acid

Bringing Style to Science, Literally. Introducing: FlyGirl

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“Agent Zero?!” You whisper, leaning over to a labmate sitting next to you.

“What are you talking about? He said ‘Dr. McIntyre’ – it’s his wife.”

“Then why does she keep turning her head and covertly talking into her shirt sleeve?”

“That’s called covering your mouth when you cough. By the way, take notes on that one.”

“Something’s going on here.”

“Yeah, you need to step away from the solvents before coming to group meeting.”

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A lab is a complex ecosystem and a PI’s decision to hire their spouse can turn lab morale – and the PI’s marriage – on it’s head. Assuming, of course, it wasn’t already there. Of course, the PI-Spouse duo must make sure that personal issues are left at home and a professional environment is maintained in the lab. However, even in the absence of personal drama the impact on lab morale may be significant.

Married couples eventually morph into the same person – say something to one person and you’re essentially saying it to the other. In a lab where it’s hard to capture the PI’s attention for more than one hour per quarter, the spouse may represent a great opportunity to communicate indirectly with the boss. (“You know, Mark is really struggling with his project and could use a little guidance – you should talk to him.”)

The two-body problem is a serious one for scientific couples especially if one of them is pursuing the academic path. Jobs aren’t always found in cities with thriving academic or industrial communities, leaving the spouse with limited options. Yet, even with the best of intentions a PI’s motives will likely be questioned by lab members, resulting in an undercurrent of suspicion – as evidenced by biokid’s recent request for help from Dora. Although hard-working lab members should have nothing to fear about the PI knowing the details of their day, one can’t help feeling spied on. And the last thing we need is big brother timing our bathroom breaks.

So what do you think – should working with the PI’s spouse be considered an opportunity or a punishment?

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Ever worked in a lab with a PI-Spouse combo?

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