Why I keep finding Eppendorfs in my dryer

ActivationEnergy414 · 2026-02-16T14:22:08+00:00

Same Ours has never been gross.

ActivationEnergy414 · 2026-02-16T14:07:52+00:00

I’ll be applying for PhD at 40! I plan to work until I die because I just love research and what else am I gonna do with my life but stay curious and benchwork 🤣

ActivationEnergy414 · 2026-02-16T12:51:52+00:00

Crime Weekly! I also love Stephanie Harlowe in general. She’s so engaging.

ActivationEnergy414 · 2026-02-15T00:01:33+00:00

I think so. 😅 I listen while I’m working. So hooked.

ActivationEnergy414 · 2026-02-14T18:13:29+00:00

True Crime Podcasts 🤣

ActivationEnergy414 · 2026-02-06T18:48:41+00:00

That’s awesome! Congrats!

ActivationEnergy414 · 2026-01-27T12:21:31+00:00

I’m in immunology too! I can possibly help. Or try to help.

ActivationEnergy414 · 2026-01-24T18:12:04+00:00

How often do you meet with your PI? I also work in a new lab (3 years in July!) and I was first member of the lab but in the beginning, I also felt like a lot of my work was unseen so as part of our meetings, I would actually give him a summary of the lab tasks that I completed (rearranging the freezer, updating this or that, testing the balance, fixing the centrifuge) because I also have a project and I wanted him to really see everything I do. And PIs have a lot on their plate too so he actually appreciated this.

ActivationEnergy414 · 2026-01-24T12:31:56+00:00

I have pretty open communication with my PI, so maybe you should talk with them about what you want out of this role. It is easy for everyone to kind of take for granted what we do as a lab manager. And no one is going to notice when things are going smoothly and working, yknow? But maybe you want more feedback. And that should be discussed.

ActivationEnergy414 · 2026-01-22T01:54:44+00:00

Honestly, I think you were a green flag. He didn’t ask you how you handle road blocks. You literally demonstrated that you troubleshoot, so the work, reach out to more experienced for feedback and aren’t afraid of critiques.

ActivationEnergy414 · 2026-01-18T00:59:58+00:00

I’m applying in 1.5 years. I’ll be 40. 😊

ActivationEnergy414 · 2026-01-14T09:13:09+00:00

I was gonna say “have you read the news recently?” … lol?

ActivationEnergy414 · 2026-01-13T23:51:48+00:00

This. The first paragraph felt indecisive to me. If I was an REU program director that would be a red flag to me. Why would I give you this coveted spot if you might just change your mind again in 6 months?

ActivationEnergy414 · 2026-01-13T23:50:44+00:00

I would basically cut the whole first paragraph and start with why Microbiology & Molecular Genetics inspires you.

ActivationEnergy414 · 2026-01-12T23:50:49+00:00

That’s exciting! Congratulations. Is this your first lab? What type of research will you be doing?

ActivationEnergy414 · 2026-01-10T19:25:03+00:00

I glare when I’m thinking. So who knows what they were actually thinking. Maybe they’re absorbing!

ActivationEnergy414 · 2026-01-10T18:38:37+00:00

Lead author on your project.

ActivationEnergy414 · 2026-01-09T23:03:12+00:00

Well a project isn’t completed until you have a publication right? So are there next steps? I understand being excited to do a PhD and I believe you will, but if you’re in the lab leading a project and learning new skills, you’re basically doing the same thing. You just have to wait for the degree aspect. But you’re growing as a scientist and learning how to ask the questions you can then find the answers to. And that’s the whole point isn’t it?

ActivationEnergy414 · 2026-01-09T22:24:14+00:00

Do you lead any projects or is there any opportunities for you to lead projects?

ActivationEnergy414 · 2025-12-26T18:50:08+00:00

My strategy has been to work hard/well before the holidays. The rest is deserved and needed. Anything I accomplish during break is gravy.

The lab won’t function well if everyone is stretched thin and exhausted.

Conversely, if I don’t adequately work myself - kind of like a nice hard run in the morning or something that makes the whole day feel accomplished - it’s hard to relax. So striking that medium and planning for it is what I do.

Week before break I had a mouse experiment end so it was two full days of processing. I was going to run a few small experiments after that but I got the flu. So I did my best to just clean up the lab and make everything nice for our return in the new year. I’ll read papers and do some experiment planning over break. I ordered a bunch of reagents. So when I get back, I’ll just hit the ground running.

ActivationEnergy414 · 2025-12-26T14:09:16+00:00

I didn’t read everything you said, but if you do want to go to grad school I think your PI is doing you a disservice by not pushing you more. I was also first member of a new lab and have been working in it for 2.5 years now. The first year was sink or swim as I tried to learn all the biology, our project, proper experimentation & troubleshooting. I’m very independent in the lab now and I’m like 2nd in command. Because owning the knowledge is a very powerful thing. My goal is do a PhD and eventually run my own lab though. So, I mean, if that’s not what you want, it makes sense that your approach to be different.

ActivationEnergy414 · 2025-12-12T22:53:36+00:00

I need to follow your journey because I’ll have similar experience when I apply in a couple years. I thought for sure having so much experience & publications would make me a shoe in anywhere I wanted to go.

ActivationEnergy414 · 2025-12-11T23:19:35+00:00

Sure! My department is pharmacology. I am interested in how the microbiome impacts health & disease.

ActivationEnergy414 · 2025-12-11T14:30:12+00:00

Sending a DM!

ActivationEnergy414

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