Category Archives: The profession of science

In which we welcome a new friend

Posted on July 17, 2012 by Jennifer Rohn

There is nothing like the joy of finally getting a piece of lab equipment that you desperately need. OK, so it was fun messing around with the Poor Man’s Shaking Incubator (see the exclusive video of the prototype in action … Continue reading →

Posted in The profession of science | 4 Comments

In which science policy suits up

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Jennifer Rohn

What must Britain do to retain its global scientific reputation in a changing world? This evening at the Royal Society, various men of science, industry and politics gave us their opinion (“UK Research: Building Bridges, Building Prosperity”). These included the … Continue reading →

Posted in Policy, Politics, science funding, Science is Vital, The profession of science | 17 Comments

In which the post-doctoral playing field is leveled – in one small corner

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Jennifer Rohn

The British governmental body responsible for funding research and postgraduate training in engineering and the physical sciences, known as the EPSRC, has been getting some bad press recently. But I couldn’t help being impressed by their new fellowship policy, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Careers, Policy, The profession of science, Women in science | 8 Comments

In which they don’t make ’em like they used to

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Jennifer Rohn

One of the annoying things about getting old is resenting change. So when you’re a scientist, it doesn’t help that the lab environment is one of the most mutable places on earth. New technology emerges all the time, and our … Continue reading →

Posted in Silliness, The profession of science | 11 Comments

In which we fail to adhere

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Jennifer Rohn

I’m trundling along here in my new lab, still trying to get everything up and running. On the tissue culture front, things have been fraught for some time, what with delays installing the carbon dioxide and nitrogen tanks, with learning … Continue reading →

Posted in The profession of science | 19 Comments

In which we’d like to acknowledge what’s-his-name

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Jennifer Rohn

It is human nature to feel that you’re at the center of the universe, with all of life and experience revolving around your fixed point of view like a lazy orbit of galaxies. On a larger scale, this biased perspective … Continue reading →

Posted in Careers, Nostalgia, Scientific thinking, The profession of science | 41 Comments

In which we’re too close for comfort

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Jennifer Rohn

It was always going to be a difficult relationship. We knew from the very start that they weren’t very well-suited. After all, they came from such different backgrounds. They were used to such radically different environments. They scarcely even spoke … Continue reading →

Posted in Scientific method, The profession of science | 8 Comments

In which the light bulb’s on the other foot

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Jennifer Rohn

Following on from a discussion about light bulb changing jokes, I was bustling around my lab this morning, getting ready to cryogenically preserve some backups of my new bladder epithelial cell line. I was all set: I’d ordered the Mr … Continue reading →

Posted in Scientific method, Silliness, The profession of science | 10 Comments

In which truths are revealed

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Jennifer Rohn

There are many things I love passionately about science, but one aspect has got to be right up there in the top ten: the transformation of a deep unknown into perfect clarity. I find it amazing that using simple lab … Continue reading →

Posted in Scientific method, Scientific thinking, The profession of science | 10 Comments

In which I ponder the new Two Cultures

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Jennifer Rohn

Given the recent trendiness of science/art/lit projects, and the grant money and audience interest they can pull in, CP Snow’s notion of ‘the Two Cultures’ is starting to feel a little bit antiquated. But I do sometimes wonder if a … Continue reading →

Posted in Science journalism, The profession of science, Writing | 2 Comments