Category Archives: Uncategorized

More thoughts on paying undergraduates

Posted on January 25, 2011 by Rachel

According to the article “Building a motivated research group”, money DECREASES motivation. Maybe it is better to go with volunteers, and not pay the undergrads. :/ Several studies have shown that money decreases motivation, and one study went on to … Continue reading →

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Animals in Research, Part II

Posted on January 21, 2011 by Rachel

One of the papers referenced in the IASP curriculum is “Moral community and the responsibility of scientists” (Arthur Caplan, Acta Physiologia Scandinavia Suppl 1986, 128:(554)78-90). Here are my thoughts while reading this paper. Do animals have moral rights? This is … Continue reading →

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Random science bits of interest to me

Posted on January 12, 2011 by Rachel

It’s interesting to think about what we’re interested in, and why. (Why AM I interested in why I am interested in the things I am interested in?) My favorite general career-searching book, What Color is Your Parachute, includes an activity … Continue reading →

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Faith of a scientist

Posted on January 9, 2011 by Rachel

This post isn’t about religion. I’d love to put the science-religion war to rest, and Francis Collins is one of my heroes for doing just that. Yes, Virginia, it is possible to have religious faith AND be a scientist. But … Continue reading →

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Review of “The disposable academic”

Posted on January 5, 2011 by Rachel

The disposable academic: why doing a PhD is often a waste of time I reign in my own negativity about getting a PhD. This article from the Economist (Dec 16, 2010) is even more negative. The bulk of the article … Continue reading →

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Animals in Research, Part I

Posted on January 2, 2011 by Rachel

The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) published a curriculum which is basically like the table of contents of a textbook plus a lot of references. One can read all the references cited and should be able to … Continue reading →

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What separates man from beast?

Posted on December 18, 2010 by Rachel

I was reading National Geographic in a doctor’s office recently, an article about Jane Goodall. Her work rocked 1960’s scientists because she saw chimps using tools. At the time there were several criteria thought to separate humans from animals, and … Continue reading →

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Books for scientists

Posted on December 7, 2010 by Rachel

One of the non profit groups I volunteer for is assembling a recommended reading list for postdocs, and I contributed a few titles. These are all applicable to a broader range of scientists than postdocs. Making the Right Moves, available … Continue reading →

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Dabbling

Posted on November 29, 2010 by Rachel

Scientific Career Renewal by Peter Fiske Peter Fiske’s article “Scientific Career Renewal” talks about the benefits of dipping into new areas. Doing so will generate new ideas (in the overused cliche, think outside the box), and renew your enthusiasm, or … Continue reading →

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Should undergrads be paid?

Posted on November 18, 2010 by Rachel

This topic was inspired by a conversation with my boss about getting the undergrad volunteers on payroll. He raised several objections initially, not because he objected (he said) but because he was trying to think of the possible consequences. But … Continue reading →

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