Category: random

The voices regarding medical research have become so polarized, yet this isn’t a new issue. At least in the US, topics that are neutral in other countries are considered controversial. And now, regardless of ongoing efforts to communicate science, COVID vaccination remains an unnecessarily contentious topic. What’s perhaps more surprising is that despite having a […]
Princess Bubblegum (an Adventure Time character) is a pink bubblegum that rules a candy kingdom and a scientist who made cognizant candies! A feminine character who doesn’t just sit around looking pretty; her role showcases a woman with a complicated character arc. She is an intellectual and who is periodically drunk with power, which is […]
Dr. Erika Ebbel Angle, in addition to earning a PhD in biochemistry, was once Miss Massachusetts! At the beginning of her science career, while an undergrad at MIT, she was signed up by her friends to participate in a pageant. At first she mocked participating in the competition with remarks about wanting to be a […]
Lyndsey Scott is a freelance software engineer who has been featured by Forbes, NPR, and others. And if this isn’t impressive enough, she’s a model! She has modeled for Victoria’s Secret, Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and more!⁣⁣She currently models and programs while advocating for minorities in STEM – she should be a role model for […]
Nausicaa (a Ghibli character), saved her country with what she learned studying in her secret basement lab! Although she lives in a world created by director Hayao Miyazaki, scientists having multiple roles are not unrealistic. Just as Nausicaa oversees a village and studies in a lab, researchers are often not just researchers; outside of the […]
The first image of a total solar eclipse was taken in 1851 (169 years ago). Daguerreotypy was used to capture the moment – a process that involves a copper plate with silver on it that is made light sensitive, exposed to light in camera, developed, then preserved. All sorts of chemicals were used and the […]
“You should spend more time thinking about the clinical significance of your project.” – a comment I received while presenting my research proposal. Finding relevance to your research is great for getting funding, but if money isn’t a concern then maybe conduct more exploratory research:⁣⁣A study from 2018 found that many impactful medication (80% of […]
Funny words and phrases used in science:⁣ flp off (n, “flip – off”) : genetic technique to repress a specific protein expression in certain cells⁣ ⁣catch virgins (v) : isolating virgin animals (usually fruit flies) for upcoming experiments⁣⁣ lickometer (n, “lick – ah – meter”) : a device used to quantify when animals are drinking […]
Although she is most known as a fashion icon, Audrey Hepburn was also really involved in humanitarian work. Hepburn has been rewarded with the Presidential Medal of Freedom among other awards and honors.⁣⁣Hepburn was mostly involved as a UNICEF ambassador (1988-1993; 50 years!), traveling to provide food to starving children, testifying before the US Congress, […]
I’ve settled in Providence! While moving, I found interesting class notes that I wrote into a letter for a friend. I didn’t remember most of these, but I pulled out my favorites to share!: Black holes evaporate over time Big bang happened everywhere at once and it was an infinitely large event so that space […]