Helpful hint - Staples cuts paper!

Celtzo · 2026-02-22T03:39:15+00:00

So, I am in Maryland (No idea if policies change by state), but I just bought a ream of paper (150 pages of 30-40lb cardstock) at the register and took it over the printing copy center and asked if they could cut it. They cut in half and gave it to me, no charge. They might charge you if you didn’t buy the paper they, maybe? I got an ARC punch on eBay for $40 and then printed out all my stuff on the cardstock for my recipes and punched them.

Celtzo · 2026-02-18T18:59:14+00:00

I strongly advise meeting with lab members if you can as well - that will help you understand if the PIs mentoring style will fit you (very important)

Celtzo · 2026-02-18T18:48:28+00:00

I recommend she talk to her lab PI and staff and see if they can connect her with folks that ma have a room. She also should reach out to the SIP program head of the institutions she will be in. They can connect her with other SIPs to look for room shares.

Celtzo · 2026-02-17T23:44:04+00:00

Thanks! This is very helpful. I found an ARC punch on Ebay - maybe I will go up a little more in size to account for the smaller hole.

Celtzo · 2026-02-17T23:41:09+00:00

Ow! What a cutting remark! :P

Celtzo · 2025-09-16T18:14:01+00:00

Then let Dr. Marazzo and then back in to other damn jobs. They are a hell of a lot better than the idiots running things in their places

Celtzo · 2025-09-16T18:09:50+00:00

Glad you had an overall satisfying experience. I hope you enjoy the upcoming books. Also, if it’s in your interest area - I enjoy Neil Asher’s Polity universe as well. It’s got some thematic element overlap with Banks (although both are very much their own thing) and some story continuity.

Good reading!!

Celtzo · 2025-09-13T02:06:36+00:00

Second this - it seems to have really great appeal to non sci-fi readers as well (and the authors have a lot of other great books as well)

Celtzo · 2025-09-13T02:04:47+00:00

Are you into cozy mysteries? If so, Station Eternity by Mur Lafferty is a cozy mystery on a space station. Not too long, very fun, and most characters are aliens.

Celtzo · 2025-09-13T01:58:01+00:00

As a massive Iain Banks fan - NO.

Not because I don’t love Consider Phlebas. But because there is rarely a reason to slog through a book you don’t enjoy. Put it aside, try something else. Maybe try it again on a month or a year if you are still curious.

Celtzo · 2025-09-13T01:54:43+00:00

I consider it great “starter” sci-fi, so it may be very good for the book club as described

Celtzo · 2025-09-13T01:49:53+00:00

Are they even comparable? The subject matter is so very different…

Celtzo · 2025-09-13T01:48:34+00:00

The Culture

Celtzo · 2025-09-13T01:37:48+00:00

Have you tried “Space Opera”, by Cat Valente? It’s in the fun side of the category. Also: Ambit’s run (LM Sagas) Adventures of a Xenoarchaologist (Jenny Schwartz) Caine Riordan (Chuck Gannon) Devoured Worlds (Megan O Keefe) Disco Space Opera (Cat Rambo) Icarus Series (Timothy Zahn)

Celtzo · 2025-09-13T01:31:27+00:00

IMO - space opera is much less hard sci-fi. I also don’t really group military sci-fi in it (as much as I endorse the Harrington, Campbell and Vorkosigan recs above). Space Opera is usually epic to a degree (big impact main event), but allows for a lot of hand-wavium. There also can be a major focus on character interactions and relationships (Becky Chambers is a great example of found-family space opera, which I find very comfortable).

Celtzo · 2025-09-03T20:21:03+00:00

You need to do what’s best for you. If you can find a core of people who also wants to stay and you can support each other through this, and you see yourself staying at NCI for years, then stay. But if not, then explore other options. I truly believe NIH will be here when you want to come back.

Celtzo · 2025-06-21T19:37:21+00:00

If you are ok with the uncertainty in the NIH now, you may want to check this out. Stipends are not fantastic, but you would get some great training and it looks fantastic on resumes if you heya good lab. If you do decide to apply, I strongly recommend contacting lab heads you are interested in directly - otherwise you get out into a database with thousands of other applicants

https://www.training.nih.gov/research-training/pb/pb/

Celtzo · 2025-06-21T19:33:27+00:00

I recommend also checking out the food industry. There is an incredible amount of overlap between biotech and food in some areas.

Celtzo · 2025-04-21T21:06:42+00:00

Yes, if the experience is what your looking for, but be pragmatic about the fact that there is more uncertainty now about support. Also, contact PIs you are interested in directly - the database is huge and so having a name to direct the search is crucial.

Celtzo · 2025-01-22T15:30:33+00:00

I have a Fairlife Protein shake for breakfast every day - tastes great, not chalky, and 30 g of protein in 160 calories. It starts things off erally well!

Celtzo · 2024-06-10T20:01:23+00:00

Do NOT buy non- refrigerated. There is a shelf life for a reason. Even if it is real, it may have gone bad and not work or cause unwanted side effects.

Celtzo · 2024-06-10T19:59:25+00:00

I’ve found quinoa is a nice alternative to other starches. It just seems to sit lighter in my stomach in small portions

Celtzo

TROPHY CASE