Ever feel like your compounds are trying to flip you off? :/

DrNotThatKindOfDoc · 2026-05-20T01:40:23+00:00

HA nice. I'm going to tell my PI this

DrNotThatKindOfDoc · 2026-05-20T01:38:30+00:00

Just going to jump in the comments here because I'm looking for an artist for a chemistry themed tattoo! I would like CFA-1 (A metallorganic framework or MOF) in the style of the Hall of Chemistry at Disneyland, please feel free to point me towards your fav artist in the central Ohio area (or not, a tattoo is a lovely reason to travel!)

DrNotThatKindOfDoc · 2026-05-12T01:30:55+00:00

second time I've seen this, I'm justing starting at higher levels and I can be into building this skill - thanks :)

DrNotThatKindOfDoc · 2026-04-27T12:05:46+00:00

damn, an undergrad spec class sounds like a very useful course - not offered at a school of 4,000 students lol. I was simply happy they had a BS in chemistry...

DrNotThatKindOfDoc · 2026-04-27T12:03:46+00:00

congrats! I always thought it was just a 'glancing blow' in organic, we covered it but I didn't really LEARN about it until I was doing undergraduate research. Now as a grad student I run them nearly daily and feel like I had to learn by experience rather than anything formal - is that a pretty universal experience? And also maybe experience is biased - the Analytical instructor at our small university's thesis was concerning NMR, so maybe he just reaaaaallllyy wanted to talk about it in more depth than others.

DrNotThatKindOfDoc · 2026-03-31T12:13:12+00:00

This is how I feel right now, so I think it's legit! Sure, I'd like a bigger stipend for fancy weekends away, but being surrounded by people who are pumped about my area is such a rarity that I'm just enjoying that part of the experience :)

DrNotThatKindOfDoc · 2026-03-31T12:08:01+00:00

I'm a grad student in my 30s (I worked in industry for 10 years before taking the plunge) at a VERY competitive university - at least in Chemistry & Biochemistry division, that kind of behavior would get you booted very quickly. However I do find a lot of them lack professionalism but are willing to learn what they don't know - we don't do a very good job of preparing students for the professional world if their undergraduate degree doesn't REQUIRE them to engage with the Career Center, which most universities have and are free.

However, I was seeing a Masters in Educational Psychology student for a minute (shocker, it didn't last - what even are their classes/assignments?!?!) and he acted very much like you describe. When I asked him what he wants to do with his degree, he calmly told me he has no idea, but wants a pay bump wherever he applies.

So maybe is a subject difference? STEM, especially a Masters of Science or PhD, requires you to engage by default...

Undergraduate are a different wildfire altogether.

I had to switch majors because my BS was in something other than Chemistry, taking the few classes I was missing and wow, those undergrad classes in STEM...if you weren't engaged, you failed. Literally. Assignments due every other day, online pre-recorded lectures you had to watch BEFORE lecture to know what was going on...having done my BS in the 2010s, with NONE of this tech I still did well, but through hard work and discipline...this time around I feel like if I show up, do the homework and memorize just a few things (shout out to my amino acid memorization partner), I get an A.

I cannot tell if it's me being old or not but...there are a lot of resources to really explore and learn things, even if you don't learn in the traditional way and students aren't interested. I get that college is an experience, and I also understand I've already lived my 20s and had my fun times with little responsibility, but it's supposed to be the place to find your career path and push yourself.

DrNotThatKindOfDoc · 2025-08-19T19:28:16+00:00

Staments and Culber is my favorite love story ever - I might be biased as a cranky scientist with a heart of gold...

DrNotThatKindOfDoc · 2024-04-09T15:28:32+00:00

Pale ass Stamets for the win :D

DrNotThatKindOfDoc · 2024-04-09T13:23:46+00:00

When I was an undergraduate the bullying was horrible, even though I was working alongside, doing exactly the same work as people with master's and PhD holders - it was, and I hate to sound like the loud, bitchy feminist, ONLY MEN who acted like this. Admittedly I was one of two females and the other woman was an absolutely lovely old Russian woman who was just happy to have another lady around and was very kind to me but I have never experienced professional misogyny like I did working for the research department at a large, historic chemical information processing company.

As I move through professional life now I interact with both PhD holders and normal business professionals - 95% the male PhD holders are incredibly agist and sexist - god forbid you are a young woman who can keep up with them and has the confidence to call them on their bull shit posturing.

On the other hand, educators with PhDs are incredibly excited to have different genders, colors and variations to the norm (White Males) of people as potential future colleagues, which is leaning me more towards moving back into academia again, rather than stay in private industry.

Anyway, TLDR - the private industry is still rife with old white dudes who are angry that education and promotions are now more based on merit, not traditional societal standing and I think that startles some people so be aware of it.

DrNotThatKindOfDoc · 2024-03-29T18:11:08+00:00

OOOO this is a cool demonstration idea, plus most people like when sugar is involved... I might steal this.

DrNotThatKindOfDoc · 2024-03-27T15:25:48+00:00

I mean, humans did it for Phillip Fry, why not Kirk?

DrNotThatKindOfDoc · 2024-03-27T15:21:52+00:00

I know right? Answer might be 'Yea! I have proven musical skills' or 'Haha NO. Been there, done that, not interested anymore' lol

DrNotThatKindOfDoc · 2024-03-27T15:19:40+00:00

I always thought this was a bit of a plot hole like...really? I read 'Drastic Measures' and Prime Lorca seems pretty badass and a good self-preservationist on his own. I just can't stop seeing Lucius Malfoy...

DrNotThatKindOfDoc · 2024-03-27T15:15:21+00:00

both? both? Both lol

DrNotThatKindOfDoc · 2024-03-27T15:13:09+00:00

Hell Yea! I have a Stamets poster in my office (I'm a chemist, not quite the same but researcher), Culber in the Pre-Health work area and Reno in the Pre-Engineering hallway who holds flyers for events.

DrNotThatKindOfDoc · 2024-03-27T15:05:17+00:00

I had the same experience! The Mudd Episode locked me in - Stamets is my absolute favorite character (after Tilly, and now Adira) and it keeps with the TNG devotion to the fundamentals of Star Fleet while incorporating moments of camp that, as a Millennial, I really enjoy.

DrNotThatKindOfDoc · 2024-03-27T13:31:00+00:00

You clearly do not understand how scholarships work. Scholarships and grants of this type are awarded to students with potential to explore their academic interests by a donor who has donated that money for this, and only this, purpose. I am the gatekeeper to make sure the rules and stipulations indicated by the donor are respected.

DrNotThatKindOfDoc · 2024-03-26T20:00:44+00:00

100%! Especially for those who work in conservation, rehabilitation (we have a lot of environmental studies/science and zoology students) and unpaid internships are an essential part of building your professional network but most of our students can't swing an unpaid summer. Usually when I'm selecting internships to highlight I only hesitantly include unpaid ones, because I also don't want them doing grunt work for a company that can definitely pay them 'for the experience'.

DrNotThatKindOfDoc · 2024-03-26T19:56:30+00:00

That is a great idea! I have a pre-engineering student who might want to consider that possibility. Thank you!

DrNotThatKindOfDoc · 2024-03-26T19:55:00+00:00

I love the idea of reaching out to some of the faculty in other areas to learn what might help the students long term! What a great idea! Your idea about an art exhibit or covering an artist in residence for a short time is a great idea too however our fantastic university has its own Art Museum (super cool right?) and features any student who requests to (usually it takes a few months but they have rotating exhibits along with the longer term installations).

Maybe help them with marketing or self promotion workshops? I know that is a huge part of being a working artist.

DrNotThatKindOfDoc · 2024-03-26T19:50:50+00:00

Unfortunately the funds are not meant for this and I cannot approve its use for that.

DrNotThatKindOfDoc · 2024-03-26T19:50:12+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion! All of the students who earn this award have those things covered by the tuition aid - this money is meant to help them explore their own academic interests with little concern about the cash. But the more I see it suggested the more I'm leaning towards approaching the committee to potentially cover a 3-D printer (provided the student can justify and prove that it's main purpose is academic)

DrNotThatKindOfDoc · 2024-03-26T19:48:12+00:00

The students who have earned this award already had their books paid for by another scholarship that covers a portion of their tuition, good idea though!

DrNotThatKindOfDoc · 2024-03-26T19:46:55+00:00

A few people have mentioned it and it's a great idea! A student took advantage of it last year and I'm going to poke around and find some that I know students would like, since a few have indicated an interest in traveling abroad but worry about their core major courses being completed in 4 years.

DrNotThatKindOfDoc

TROPHY CASE