Skip to main content

Author: Daniel

114. Grad School Should Have a Time Limit (R)

Daniel 1 Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Spotify | Email | TuneIn | RSS

Here’s a controversial idea: what if graduate school finished on a predictable schedule the way (checks notes) every other academic training program does!

Since kindergarten, your education has had fixed milestones. You knew it would take 12 years to graduate from high school, 4 for college, and 2 for a Master’s or an Associate’s Degree.

Even medical school takes a predictable 4 years, with an additional 3-6 for residency and fellowship, depending on the field.

So why does graduate school take between 4 and 10 years, with a lot of discretion, uncertainty, and mental anguish in between?

Read More

196. YOU Can Win A Poster Competition w/ Dr. Zen Faulkes

Daniel Leave a comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Spotify | Email | TuneIn | RSS

Wherever scientists gather, there is sure to be a poster session. You may see them at major scientific symposia, as well as your university’s departmental retreat.

To keep things interesting, a lot of conference organizers will host a poster competition. Entrants will have a chance to present their poster to a judge, who will score each one on the scientific content, clarity, and style.

Some poster contests offer cash awards, but either way, it makes a great line on your CV.

This week, we share an insider’s guide on how to craft your poster and take home the big prize.

Read More

195. Five Myths of Scientific Poster Design w/ Dr. Zen Faulkes

Daniel Leave a comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Spotify | Email | TuneIn | RSS

The scientific poster is an academic oddity. Where else do thousands of people gather around hundreds of large-format printouts to talk about esoteric subjects!?

Posters might be the most common form of scientific communication on the planet. In your career, you will probably present more posters than talks or journal articles. And nearly anyone can create a poster – from an undergraduate on a summer rotation to a tenured professor.

So it’s a good idea to hone your skills at creating and presenting scientific posters – you’ll have lots of opportunities to practice!

Read More

194. Mailbag: Do I Have to Do Animal Research?

Daniel Leave a comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Spotify | Email | TuneIn | RSS

It’s no secret that biomedical research relies heavily on animal models. Our mammalian cousins share so many common genes and pathways that we can often make breakthrough advances in human medicine through the use of animal proxies.

But animal research is neither easy nor fun. Experiments are expensive, time consuming, and it’s often dirty, smelly work. Many scientists balk at the ethical implications of making animals suffer for human health, and no matter your views, the work imposes a psychic cost.

This week we hear from a PhD student who needs to choose a lab, and it seem like her options include animal work, or finding another field of research entirely.

Read More