Tag Archives: students

How far should students go in striving for professionalism?

What is the beginning of eternity and the end of time? Sometimes the simplest answer is actually the right one: in this case, the letter “e.” Having served as chair of my departmental graduate and admissions committee, professionalism is an … Continue reading

Posted in Education, research, science | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on How far should students go in striving for professionalism?

I sense a problem with undergraduate education

A lot has been said about job prospects of biomedical graduate students and the ever-declining percentage of Ph.D. graduates who are ultimately able to find academic faculty positions. Indeed, the importance of exposing graduate students to a variety of scientific … Continue reading

Posted in Education, research, science | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

A breath of fresh (scientific) air

As I sat yesterday in a student career development workshop, and listened to the fears and anxieties surrounding the prospects of a career in academia – or in any scientific field, for that matter – I felt a million miles … Continue reading

Posted in research, science | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on A breath of fresh (scientific) air

On the connection between (April) fools and trolls

Trolls seldom have anything worthwhile to say. They twist, bully, rant and rave and insult, putting forth their worst drivel to provoke a response. All behind a cloak of anonymity. That is the nature of a troll; inevitably a loser … Continue reading

Posted in Education, humor, research, science | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on On the connection between (April) fools and trolls

Chair

Over the past week I have assumed position as “chair” of my departmental graduate and admissions committee a task that I am excited to carry out, but simultaneouly dreading. Given that our department has the largest number of graduate students … Continue reading

Posted in Education, research, science | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Updates

Update #1: I had my first book signing at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln book store, where 10 copies of my book were graciously ordered. I had a lot of fun and talked for a couple hours to some … Continue reading

Posted in humor, research, science | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

BLOG # 100: Professional lecturers–good or bad?

I can’t believe this is my 100th blog! Thanks to everyone at OT for putting up with me! In today’s world of dwindling scientific funding across many parts of the globe, one issue that seems to be more frequently discussed … Continue reading

Posted in Education, research, science | Tagged , , | 25 Comments

My best Ph.D. prank

Looking back at 2011, my first year as a blogger and my new affiliation with OT, I find that I have written 96 blogs. That’s probably 96 more than most of you would care to read, so I may try … Continue reading

Posted in humor, research, science | Tagged , , , , , | 19 Comments

Transferance in performance jitters

Being in science since 1986–which would mean about a quarter of a century since I began to study in university–I have spent a lot of time learning to communicate, both in writing and orally. I’m not sure when I lost … Continue reading

Posted in Education, research, science | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Advice on taking advice

Last week I pontificated wrote about my views on the traits that are necessary for a scientist to survive and indeed thrive in today’s world. And while there seems to be agreement that “luck” “fate” and “opportunity” are certainly useful … Continue reading

Posted in Education, research, science, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Advice on taking advice