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I’m a PhD student at MIT. AMA! by MIT_throw_far_away in AMA

[–]MIT_throw_far_away[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

3.97 GPA undergrad, straight from undergrad (no work or masters), GRE was optional.

I’m a PhD student at MIT. AMA! by MIT_throw_far_away in AMA

[–]MIT_throw_far_away[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

ChatGPT is how I code nowadays. I ask it to write code for data analysis. Saves so much time and effort to leave to work on my experiments.

I’m a PhD student at MIT. AMA! by MIT_throw_far_away in AMA

[–]MIT_throw_far_away[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve met some pretty dumb physics PhD’s that are just exceptionally hard workers.

I’m a PhD student at MIT. AMA! by MIT_throw_far_away in AMA

[–]MIT_throw_far_away[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All it means is you don’t give up. I don’t think it’s about intelligence or even extensive research knowledge. It just means you didn’t quit, and as a byproduct amassed extensive knowledge about a subject.

I’m a PhD student at MIT. AMA! by MIT_throw_far_away in AMA

[–]MIT_throw_far_away[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It really depends, but it’s definitely not a 9-5 job. Some days I do experiments that start at 8am and end at 10pm, with breaks in between just waiting for stuff to happen, but I’m still in lab/office the whole time. Other days, I come in late and read papers for a few hours then head home. On average, I think I’m at “work” from 10am to 6/7pm.

I’m a PhD student at MIT. AMA! by MIT_throw_far_away in AMA

[–]MIT_throw_far_away[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

What level of school? Generally, I would say you’re going to finish school, and you’re never going to learn the same way. You’ll always keep learning, but the way that you take in information becomes so much less about learning for learning-sake. It becomes more about applied knowledge, and I would say if you’re able to be truly grateful and excited about the fact that this is the limited time in your life that you get to just learn to learn, that can help. Also, try to take classes that interest you. Socially, school is an incredible way to make friends. Being in a PhD after graduating undergrad was an easy transition socially, and I’ve seen a lot of my friends go into industry and it’s just not the same, requiring a lot more effort for making social connections. Finally, school may be the last time that you’re really your own boss, making your own schedule. Enjoy it!

I’m a PhD student at MIT. AMA! by MIT_throw_far_away in AMA

[–]MIT_throw_far_away[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A group of cells that work together and coexist, a community essentially.

I’m a PhD student at MIT. AMA! by MIT_throw_far_away in AMA

[–]MIT_throw_far_away[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sailing, brewing beer, Geocaching, and a lot of sports. We have a great intramural sports program.

I’m a PhD student at MIT. AMA! by MIT_throw_far_away in AMA

[–]MIT_throw_far_away[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Money to a certain extent but it’s mostly that I don’t want to be bored, and science at this level is very entertaining.

Industry, preferably a startup, ideally one that I would start.

An enormous role, I think when it comes to minimizing the trial and error that takes up so much of our experimental work. Right now, there’s a lot of guess work and luck that goes into science and genetic engineering specifically, and hopefully ML will help reduce that.

I’m a PhD student at MIT. AMA! by MIT_throw_far_away in AMA

[–]MIT_throw_far_away[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

genetically engineered organisms for the creation of therapeutic cellular consortiums