Category Archives: Increasing Diversity in Science

The Two-Body Problem

-post by Synapse- Update on that job interview: I killed it. But, in the end, I had to withdraw my name. I loved the school. I loved the people. I loved the program. I also love my husband. And I … Continue reading

Posted in Biology, Diversity, Increasing Diversity in Science, Job talks, Leaving Academia, Mom in Science, Parenthood, Post-doc, Synapse, Women in Science | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Productivity Penalties When You’re Home with Your Sick Kiddo: the Community Buffer

–post by Nucleus– My kiddo has been out sick from daycare for three days, which means I have been home, more or less unavailable to the outside world, for three days. Right now, my normally rambunctious two and a half … Continue reading

Posted in Increasing Diversity in Science, Maternity Leave, Mom in Science, Nucleus, Parenthood, Women in Science | Leave a comment

Of Babies and Interviews

-post by Synapse– In my inbox there is a message from R1 University X, 4,000 miles away – “we would love to bring you out for an interview…” read the email. I burst into tears. My daughter is barely one … Continue reading

Posted in Biology, Giving Talks, Increasing Diversity in Science, Job talks, Maternity Leave, Mom in Science, Post-doc, Synapse, Women in Science | 3 Comments

Cultivating a Confident STEM Girl

–post by Synapse- Innate biases.  Confidence issues.  Concern about being “smart”…. and pretty much everything that could happen during those teenage years. Let’s just say, I’m a bit nervous about having a baby girl. Yes, yes, I know.  She already … Continue reading

Posted in Biology, Dad-in-science, Diversity, Girls in Science, Increasing Diversity in Science, Mentorship, Mom in Science, Parenthood, STEM, Synapse, Women in Science | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Looking in the Mirror

– by Synapse – One of my favorite quotes comes from the Women in the World Summit in 2012.  It’s not about science, it’s about politics, but it really resonated with me. “A guy is at a law firm or … Continue reading

Posted in Biology, Diversity, Increasing Diversity in Science, Mom in Science, Women in Science | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

There’s a Special Place in Hell for Women Who Don’t Help Other Women In Science

–a rhyme by Nucleus– In a quirky little land called Science, the treatment of women is not always fair. Many times our brains get overlooked for the size of our chest, our clothing, our hair. A simple switch of a … Continue reading

Posted in Biology, Diversity, Increasing Diversity in Science, Maternity Leave, Mentorship, Mom in Science, Women in Science | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Reaching Beyond Labels

– written by Golgi – Label everything clearly, one of the most basic rules in laboratories. This simple practice allows for easy identification and for a cohesive working environment. Labels can make lab life easier and can even save your … Continue reading

Posted in Biology, Diversity, Increasing Diversity in Science, Lab Technician, Mentorship | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

What a generous maternity policy you have!

– written by Synapse– I was bitching about my maternity leave policy to a friend the other day. First, I should say that I am currently on an NIH NRSA and I would actually consider their maternity policy very “generous” … Continue reading

Posted in Biology, Increasing Diversity in Science, Maternity Leave, Mom in Science, Parenthood, Post-doc | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

If you don’t eat, sleep, and breathe science, get out of the lab! ….is an antiquated view

– written by Nucleus – If you don’t wake up thinking about science – eating, sleeping, breathing science – then you are not meant to be a scientist.  This field is too hard to make it in, so if you’re … Continue reading

Posted in Biology, Diversity, Graduate School, Increasing Diversity in Science, Mentorship | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Making the Pursuit of Academic Science Less Selfish

– Written by Nucleus – When the topic of choosing a career as an academic comes up, many of my colleagues view their choice as a selfless one. “I could be making a ton more money doing X or Y … Continue reading

Posted in Biology, Diversity, Graduate School, Increasing Diversity in Science, Mentorship | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments