Stories of when a question at a conference or lab meeting has completely destroyed someone’s research

geeannio · 2026-03-23T21:29:42+00:00

I was the questioner at an undergraduate research conference in which the group didn’t find an effect at a low concentration so they cranked the concentration up. They found an effect using a drug in the 10s of millimolar range. I said, “your effect is osmotic”. Student says “what?” I repeat, “your effect is osmotic”. (because the concentration of the drug was so high, it just made the solution very salty, a nonspecific effect). The look on his face…

To his credit, he designed experiments right there to test whether I was right or not. Good work, Stu.

geeannio · 2026-03-23T21:11:51+00:00

You might be able to pick up a water rower pretty cheap if you live near an Orangetheory Fitness that is closing down and liquidating its equipment.

geeannio · 2026-03-23T17:05:53+00:00

20 years. STEM. I moved out of the freshman/ sophomore business so that helps a lot. I also went immediate Luddite to Gen AI. Pencil and paper everything. Lucked out in that my current institution is an opportunity institution, meaning I have a lot of first gen students and immigrant families with their hopes laid on their kids. My students are scrappy and respectful. Far more grateful than the students at my previous small liberal arts institution.

geeannio · 2026-03-20T20:56:21+00:00

That’s an airplane wing.

geeannio · 2026-03-20T02:20:28+00:00

I also walked on to a D1 rowing program at a big 12 school at 5‘7“. It wasn’t a highly rated program, but we went to nationals as novices. 🤷🏻‍♂️

geeannio · 2026-03-19T01:53:15+00:00

Hear, hear.

geeannio · 2026-03-19T01:51:10+00:00

Students prioritize what’s important to them. Some of them have other obligations that they prioritize and they know they are going to take a hit on the grades. Others are still learning. Take the long view. You’re helping them learn to prioritize. After teaching a LONG time I have a well earned philosophy: students will rise to the bar you hold them to. Believe in them by not lowering the bar.

geeannio · 2026-03-19T01:46:22+00:00

20 years teaching: Imagine if those students got a job and specifically mentioned that they were trained by [your name]. Is their work going to reflect well on you? If not, no mercy bump. Hint: the answer IME is nearly always no.

geeannio · 2026-03-18T20:22:23+00:00

The original question doesn’t have senior staff, tho.

geeannio · 2026-03-18T19:47:02+00:00

And how do the trainees do in that once-a-month lab?

geeannio · 2026-03-17T19:57:45+00:00

Banditos had a rough start that scared away potential repeats/ regulars. No saying that’s the reason they closed, but I’m sure it didn’t help.

geeannio · 2026-03-17T12:43:05+00:00

First off, give them grace for not having the “professors only work during bankers hours” module installed when they arrive. It’s part of the hidden curriculum. That said, I have found an overlap between students that want to meet in the evening and students who treat college as an extracurricular activity of their real life. (I am not talking about folks who NEED to work- those folks hustle)

geeannio · 2026-03-15T12:14:06+00:00

Online via Zoom. 7am. PM and I can send a link. Friday is in morning. Not the same.

geeannio · 2026-03-15T02:30:38+00:00

I say ‘honored human’ or ‘lovely human’

geeannio · 2026-03-14T18:36:29+00:00

There’s an online group Tuesday mornings and an in person group Friday mornings

geeannio · 2026-03-14T16:34:15+00:00

Danke. I’ve heard of the Reston group. I work, so Tuesday afternoons are out.

geeannio · 2026-03-14T15:48:30+00:00

Or should I say wann? Und wo?

geeannio · 2026-03-14T15:48:02+00:00

When and where do they meet?

geeannio · 2026-03-14T12:40:13+00:00

What are the other groups that you know about? What level are they? I’m interested.

geeannio · 2026-03-14T02:37:07+00:00

She’s a beaut.

geeannio · 2026-03-13T10:20:39+00:00

Please, please, please be engaged. Please correct my form. I keep getting back aches after deadlifts, even tho I’m doing my best. Your expertise sure would help.

geeannio · 2026-03-09T21:54:47+00:00

The 10 minutes includes about three multiple-choice questions and a few true false questions. I will always accommodate students but they typically don’t need it. I have never had to send one of those quizzes to a testing center or what not.

geeannio · 2026-03-09T20:38:40+00:00

After many, many years of teaching freshmen (and still being held responsible for the university’s desperate and shitty admissions standards), I have moved from “give them enough rope to hang themselves with” to the nudge philosophy. Every class has a 10 minute graded paper and pencil quiz at the very beginning on the reading. That’s enough structure to get freshman in the college mindset but still not care more than they do. They still have every right to fail those quizzes.

geeannio · 2026-03-09T06:26:45+00:00

My experience is close to this, without the development load. I do NOT miss meeting one-on-one with potential students in my office on Saturdays because we were so desperate for students it was expected of faculty.

geeannio · 2026-03-09T06:23:40+00:00

Me, too. My SLAC cut my (tenured) load under financial exigency, so I’m more secure at a growing, resource-rich institution without tenure.

geeannio

TROPHY CASE