The government is a key funding source for most academic labs, so it’s not a bad idea to know how much money is actually out there. We’ve looked at the 2009 budgets at four of the major funding institutions, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Energy (DOE), in order to reveal the current budget numbers.
Government Science Budgets 2009
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The Importance of Goals in Science
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Although fall is not traditionally thought of as a time of new beginning, it does represent the start of both the new academic and fiscal years. Viewed in that light, it seems we’re missing an opportunity to take a step back and start a new tradition based upon what we always do at the turn of a new year: no, not make a fool of ourselves at the office party OR drink too much OR lay around and watch football… It’s time to make some New Lab Resolutions.
Working at the Interface: Matt Bogyo
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Research at the interface of disciplines has spawned entirely new fields, like Chemical Biology and Chemical Neuroscience. These burgeoning fields are ripe with opportunity for scientific discovery. We spoke with Matt Bogyo, Ph.D., Associate Professor at Stanford about his journey to chemical biology and academics, both of which followed a winding path.
Organize Your Life: Getting Things Done
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The alarm goes off and the space between your ears, which only moments ago had you laying on a beach made of candy, is suddenly filled with the following inner dialogue: “I’ve got to start that reaction tomorrow, so I can’t forget to run by the stockroom today – maybe I can go after lunch – oh, but I have to meet Jason to talk about our collaboration – oh crap, I need to work up that data – but I’m meeting with the boss first thing in the morning – it snowed last night – better get out of here earlier than usual – no time to eat – am I out of clean undershirts? I need to do laundry this weekend – I’m out of detergent – when does Costco open? – did my membership expire or was that my car insurance? I’ve got to get an oil change – how much will that cost? Karen owes me $40 for dinner – I can’t stand that guy she’s dating…”
Ah, stress. It can be absolutely crippling.
Sleep Your Way to Better Science
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Although the summer heat is behind us, sleep remains a pretty hot commodity, particularly at this time of year when the academic cycle is just getting started. In many circles, people wear sleep deprivation like a badge of honor as evidence of how hard they’ve been working. But standing at the bench with bloodshot eyes, trying to remember why we’re standing there in the first place is hardly heroic…
What Fuels You?
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For many of us, this week may be the first full week back in the swing of things. Summer vacations have come and gone, the short Labor Day week is behind us and now it’s back to the grind. New classes to take, new lectures to give, new reasons to once again start losing sleep…
Miniprep Tips That Will Save You Time
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The first biochemistry lab I worked in had a policy that you could not use a miniprep kit until you had mastered the “old school” way. This meant making buffers, phenol-chloroform extractions and no columns – it was an all day affair. [Continue Reading…]
Lab Etiquette: Don’t Make us Call Supernanny
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We wouldn’t sit down to dinner at a friend’s house and slurp up the soup using only our hands. We wouldn’t start peppering a seminar speaker with questions on their title slide, either. Why not? Simply put, it would be rude. Most situations in our lives are dictated by etiquette – a series of guidelines that suggest the “proper” behavior for a situation. The lab is no different…
What’s for Dinner? Bag It.
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It’s been a long day in lab and we’re tired, hungry and sick of mac ‘n cheese… many times, sheer exhaustion makes us want to say “Bag it, I’ll just skip dinner.” Actually, “Bag it” is exactly the right answer!
Fashion Etiquette for Scientists
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The new generation of scientists is breaking the mold when it comes to the image of our personality, intellect and, of course, fashion. Today is the start of Fashion Week in New York. In commemoration of this event, BenchFly is laying down some rules to ensure the survival of this updated image.
