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Tips and tricks for the final thesis push

October 23, 2018June 17, 2019

Mental health chat: Progress

October 18, 2018June 14, 2019

Meet the Scientist – Dr Jaclyn Bell

October 8, 2018June 17, 2019

Meet the Scientist- Melanie Jackson

July 12, 2018June 17, 2019

Meet the Scientist- Kathryn De Abreu

June 20, 2018June 17, 2019

Real science vs movie science

June 8, 2018June 14, 2019

Skincare secrets

May 25, 2018November 28, 2018

The truth about hay fever

May 17, 2018November 28, 2018

Meet the Scientist- Kirsten Hawkins

May 10, 2018June 17, 2019

How do Plants know when to flower?

April 24, 2018November 28, 2018

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WORK/ CHANGE / FREEDOM - - I missed a few days of the gratitude challenge so combining a few things! - - This year has been HUGE!! This time last year I was working on a short term contract based on potato starch. Since then I have graduated from my PhD program, and began work as a postdoc in a new lab (swipe to see my new lab!) - - These changes have been great, but also sad. The end of a era! During my PhD I gained so many amazing friends, but as with myself, they have now moved on to new places for new work. - One of the hardest parts of academia is making friendships, knowing that they may well be short term- a lot of my best friends have gone back to their home countries- Italy, Germany... it is hard to say goodbye, and hard to start making friends again. - I found this really hard when I first started my postdoc- although I was in the same institute I had done my PhD in, I was in a new lab group, working in a completely new area, and my friends had all begun to move away 😅 it was harddd. At the time I also had a flare up of anxiety where I hated that I had no friends, but also didn't want to go out and make new friends, so got unhappy about having no friends... (you see where this is going!). - Fast forward a few months and I have gone through the change. I am trying super hard to keep in contact with all my friends wherever they are in the world (something I am not good at, especially if my mental health has a down period), and get myself out of my comfort zone to go to new places and make new friends. - I love my new role as a postdoc, its pretty darn different from a PhD! I love the academic freedom I have, and the chances I have to develop different areas of my skill set (especially teaching). Its been a pretty steep learning curve, but I am glad I chose this route. - - #gratitude30 #academia #postdoc #postdoclife #science #biology #gradchat #work #changeisgood
****Meet the Scientist**** - - Say 🖐 to Layal (@sciencespedup). Layal did her PhD at the University of Oxford where she studied how human cells recognise viruses. - Whilst busy doing her PhD , Layal was given the opportunity to do an internship at the Guardian newspaper on the science desk . This exciting placement fuelled her passion for science journalism, and inspired Layal to pursue a career in science communication and journalism. - Layal is now pursuing her science journalism dream as an intern at New Scientist! - Away from her writing and labs she also runs the instagram account @sciencespedup which showcases diverse science and scientists, featuring sped up videos of scientists doing lab work! (Go check it out) - In this "interview" we not only talk about her PhD research, and motivation for doing a PhD, but also how she got into science journalism - which I am certain a lot of you guys will find not only super informative but also really inspiring. - Thank you so much to Layal for answering my questions! Make sure you go check out Layals past science articles, and her current social media- she is absolutely a name to watch out for!! - Check out the link in my bio to read the full interview 😊 - - #meetthescientist #womeninstemm #inspiringwomen #science #scientist #sciencecommuninity #gradchat #phdchat #biologist #scientist #instascience
MEMORIES - Today was a little bit rubbish. I love science, but when you go through a period of #sciencefails and you are an anxious person like me, it can really just make you doubt your ability. - Luckily for todays #gratitude30 I got to think about some happier memories and found this photo of me and the sister @mirsten2914 playing puzzles in a cafe on our latest holiday 😊 - When you are having a rubbish day it can be hard to see the positive, but a nice memory like this can put the smile on your face and remind you that actually its not all bad! - - #sisters #happymemories #positivethoughts #gradchat #impostersyndrome #postdoclife
CREATIVITY - Who says scientists can't be creative?! - I channel some of my creativity into writing. I love talking to other people about my science work and showing others what it is like being a scientist (something which is still a mystery to those outside science!) - I also made the decision to blog about my mental health. In part this was to help me, as writing down my thoughts and feelings is beneficial to me. Also, I realised that there were a lot of people struggling with mental health *especially* in science, and merely passing their feeling off as 'part of the job''. I thought that if I was more open myself, then maybe this would also help others to be more open and allow better conversations to take place. - Since I started writing, I have talked to so many amazing people and have been welcomed into an amazing online community. Outside social media I have also connected with lovely people and helped develop better channels for mental health at work, and been given so mamy amazing opportunities to talk about my science! - At times, I think "should I continue my writing?"- I know I have a relatively small audience, and wonder if I am truely contributing, but every time I get feedback from one of you guys- and I know that in a small way I am helping, and it spurs me on to keep going! - I am so grateful for these online communites, and for the truly amazing scientists I have talked to all over the world who have contributed to my "meet the scientist" series 👩‍🔬 (which you should all check out!) - Of course writing is just one creatove outlet, and I want to tell all you amazing scientists, that you 100% can be creative as a scientist, depsite what some may say 🙄 (Its a dangerous viewpoint which I have heard many a a-level student say). - For anyone out there unsure of how to communicate your science creatively, just have a go! See what works for you- it may be art, poetry, songs, you tube videos... - - - Whats your favourite why to creatively talk about your science? And why do you love being creative in science? 👇 - - - #gratitude30 #scicomm #instascience #sciencecommunity #talkingscience #sciart #science #instablogger #sciblogger
MUSIC - I don't really listen to music at work, I don't use headphones in the lab, and when reading articles, songs with lyrics distract me too easy! But I love listening to music, especially when I have been having a rubbishy day. So here are my top 5 go to tunes which never fail to pick up my mood! - My music taste is extremely ecclectic and if you were to look at some of my spotify lists..! I jump from rock to super cheesy pop to indie to soul... but my fave decade of music will always be the 80s! - - What are some of your go to tunes? - - - #gratitude30 #playlist #postitivity #music
LOVE - - My love is self love 💕💕 - I have learnt what makes me happy, and what helps me to help shake off my anxious thoughts, intrusive thoughts and self doubt. Self love is important, its about prioritising yourself-your health and wellbeing. It's about cutting yourself some slack, stopping the comparisons, caring for yourself and above all else loving yourself. - I want to share some of the things I do when I need to give myself a bit of love and attention. - I take my time in the morning- I have breakfast and a cuppa watching something on you tube. - I sit and do my makeup, taking my time and enjoying it. - I wear something that makes me feel good. - I cook- I love cooking and it just makes me feel so much more relaxed. - I take a bath, because that makes you do nothing and that is soothing to the soul 🧖‍♀️ - I play some video games- killing baddies helps everything! - I listen to a good audio book. - I put on Prince super loud and have a good dance! 💃🏻 - I go outside and just... breathe. - I use headspace and do some exercises. - And I say no when I need to say no! I am grateful to have finally learnt that sometimes I need to put me first, and that sometimes I need time for me. Luckily I also have the bestest friends who are super understanding of this and never make me feel guilty.💖 - Self love is something we should all do, because we deserve to not only be loved by those around us, but to also love ourselves. How do you practice self love? And what do you do to help turn a rubbish day around and banish those negative thoughts? 👇 - - - #gratitude30 #positivity #mentalhealth #wellnesswarrior #postdoc #scientist #scientistsofinstagram #selflove

Top Posts

  • Mental health chat: Progress
  • Tips and tricks for the final thesis push
  • PhD looking for... someone
  • Inside the anxious brain
  • Mental health awareness: Signs

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  • Meet the Scientist: Layal Liverpool November 8, 2019
  • Meet the Scientist: Sarah Miller August 29, 2019
  • Grappling graduation fears July 12, 2019
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WORK/ CHANGE / FREEDOM - - I missed a few days of the gratitude challenge so combining a few things! - - This year has been HUGE!! This time last year I was working on a short term contract based on potato starch. Since then I have graduated from my PhD program, and began work as a postdoc in a new lab (swipe to see my new lab!) - - These changes have been great, but also sad. The end of a era! During my PhD I gained so many amazing friends, but as with myself, they have now moved on to new places for new work. - One of the hardest parts of academia is making friendships, knowing that they may well be short term- a lot of my best friends have gone back to their home countries- Italy, Germany... it is hard to say goodbye, and hard to start making friends again. - I found this really hard when I first started my postdoc- although I was in the same institute I had done my PhD in, I was in a new lab group, working in a completely new area, and my friends had all begun to move away 😅 it was harddd. At the time I also had a flare up of anxiety where I hated that I had no friends, but also didn't want to go out and make new friends, so got unhappy about having no friends... (you see where this is going!). - Fast forward a few months and I have gone through the change. I am trying super hard to keep in contact with all my friends wherever they are in the world (something I am not good at, especially if my mental health has a down period), and get myself out of my comfort zone to go to new places and make new friends. - I love my new role as a postdoc, its pretty darn different from a PhD! I love the academic freedom I have, and the chances I have to develop different areas of my skill set (especially teaching). Its been a pretty steep learning curve, but I am glad I chose this route. - - #gratitude30 #academia #postdoc #postdoclife #science #biology #gradchat #work #changeisgood
****Meet the Scientist**** - - Say 🖐 to Layal (@sciencespedup). Layal did her PhD at the University of Oxford where she studied how human cells recognise viruses. - Whilst busy doing her PhD , Layal was given the opportunity to do an internship at the Guardian newspaper on the science desk . This exciting placement fuelled her passion for science journalism, and inspired Layal to pursue a career in science communication and journalism. - Layal is now pursuing her science journalism dream as an intern at New Scientist! - Away from her writing and labs she also runs the instagram account @sciencespedup which showcases diverse science and scientists, featuring sped up videos of scientists doing lab work! (Go check it out) - In this "interview" we not only talk about her PhD research, and motivation for doing a PhD, but also how she got into science journalism - which I am certain a lot of you guys will find not only super informative but also really inspiring. - Thank you so much to Layal for answering my questions! Make sure you go check out Layals past science articles, and her current social media- she is absolutely a name to watch out for!! - Check out the link in my bio to read the full interview 😊 - - #meetthescientist #womeninstemm #inspiringwomen #science #scientist #sciencecommuninity #gradchat #phdchat #biologist #scientist #instascience
MEMORIES - Today was a little bit rubbish. I love science, but when you go through a period of #sciencefails and you are an anxious person like me, it can really just make you doubt your ability. - Luckily for todays #gratitude30 I got to think about some happier memories and found this photo of me and the sister @mirsten2914 playing puzzles in a cafe on our latest holiday 😊 - When you are having a rubbish day it can be hard to see the positive, but a nice memory like this can put the smile on your face and remind you that actually its not all bad! - - #sisters #happymemories #positivethoughts #gradchat #impostersyndrome #postdoclife
CREATIVITY - Who says scientists can't be creative?! - I channel some of my creativity into writing. I love talking to other people about my science work and showing others what it is like being a scientist (something which is still a mystery to those outside science!) - I also made the decision to blog about my mental health. In part this was to help me, as writing down my thoughts and feelings is beneficial to me. Also, I realised that there were a lot of people struggling with mental health *especially* in science, and merely passing their feeling off as 'part of the job''. I thought that if I was more open myself, then maybe this would also help others to be more open and allow better conversations to take place. - Since I started writing, I have talked to so many amazing people and have been welcomed into an amazing online community. Outside social media I have also connected with lovely people and helped develop better channels for mental health at work, and been given so mamy amazing opportunities to talk about my science! - At times, I think "should I continue my writing?"- I know I have a relatively small audience, and wonder if I am truely contributing, but every time I get feedback from one of you guys- and I know that in a small way I am helping, and it spurs me on to keep going! - I am so grateful for these online communites, and for the truly amazing scientists I have talked to all over the world who have contributed to my "meet the scientist" series 👩‍🔬 (which you should all check out!) - Of course writing is just one creatove outlet, and I want to tell all you amazing scientists, that you 100% can be creative as a scientist, depsite what some may say 🙄 (Its a dangerous viewpoint which I have heard many a a-level student say). - For anyone out there unsure of how to communicate your science creatively, just have a go! See what works for you- it may be art, poetry, songs, you tube videos... - - - Whats your favourite why to creatively talk about your science? And why do you love being creative in science? 👇 - - - #gratitude30 #scicomm #instascience #sciencecommunity #talkingscience #sciart #science #instablogger #sciblogger
MUSIC - I don't really listen to music at work, I don't use headphones in the lab, and when reading articles, songs with lyrics distract me too easy! But I love listening to music, especially when I have been having a rubbishy day. So here are my top 5 go to tunes which never fail to pick up my mood! - My music taste is extremely ecclectic and if you were to look at some of my spotify lists..! I jump from rock to super cheesy pop to indie to soul... but my fave decade of music will always be the 80s! - - What are some of your go to tunes? - - - #gratitude30 #playlist #postitivity #music
LOVE - - My love is self love 💕💕 - I have learnt what makes me happy, and what helps me to help shake off my anxious thoughts, intrusive thoughts and self doubt. Self love is important, its about prioritising yourself-your health and wellbeing. It's about cutting yourself some slack, stopping the comparisons, caring for yourself and above all else loving yourself. - I want to share some of the things I do when I need to give myself a bit of love and attention. - I take my time in the morning- I have breakfast and a cuppa watching something on you tube. - I sit and do my makeup, taking my time and enjoying it. - I wear something that makes me feel good. - I cook- I love cooking and it just makes me feel so much more relaxed. - I take a bath, because that makes you do nothing and that is soothing to the soul 🧖‍♀️ - I play some video games- killing baddies helps everything! - I listen to a good audio book. - I put on Prince super loud and have a good dance! 💃🏻 - I go outside and just... breathe. - I use headspace and do some exercises. - And I say no when I need to say no! I am grateful to have finally learnt that sometimes I need to put me first, and that sometimes I need time for me. Luckily I also have the bestest friends who are super understanding of this and never make me feel guilty.💖 - Self love is something we should all do, because we deserve to not only be loved by those around us, but to also love ourselves. How do you practice self love? And what do you do to help turn a rubbish day around and banish those negative thoughts? 👇 - - - #gratitude30 #positivity #mentalhealth #wellnesswarrior #postdoc #scientist #scientistsofinstagram #selflove
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