Beta Pleated Chic

Favorite Posts

Reading and Hacking the DNA Code

... where biology and computer science meet. Read about how Heidi and Megan, along with Biomeme and TechGirlz, developed a workshop for middle schoolers to learn that amplification of DNA can allow us to read and interpret it, and ultimately figure out how to hack it.

Paid Parental Leave in Academia

Unlike the rest of the developed world, in the United States there are no federally mandated periods of paid parental leave, and therefore it is up to companies and institutions to define their own norms. Megan investigates and reports the policies at US academic institutions so you can take your brilliance somewhere that will support you

Most Recent Posts

The best science on Instagram

Looking to add some inspiring and educational science posts between the cat and brunch pics? There is an amazing world of science photography and art to dive into on Instagram. Here are a few to get you started.

Under the Microscope - March 26, 2017

Megan highlights Lauren Graham's new book, graduate student unionization, Wonder Woman, and microetching art at the Franklin Institute.

Most Recent Podcasts

Julea Vlassakis, mentorship expert and Bioengineering PhD Candidate, joins Kayla and Sally to talk mentoring in academia and beyond. Lean how to establish productive mentor/mentee relationships and cultivate the next generation of scientists - yourself included! Beginning mentees and seasoned mentors alike will learn something new from Julea's wisdom. Discover strategies for breaking out of the cycle of mediocre mentorship, how to deal with underperforming mentees, tips for cultivating a community of mentors within your field, and how to get a mentor to step up for your career goals. Stay tuned to the end for Julea's list of mentor and mentee responsibilities - supported by peer-reviewed literature, of course! Fam, this is next-level mentorship.

Spoiler alert: Mentor/Mentee Responsibility Number Zero is "Establish clear goals and expectations!"

Resources

Julea's work in the Herr Lab at UC Berkeley
Profile of Julea's research in honor of her winning Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening graduate fellowship
"Getting Mentored in Graduate School," recommended book by Johnson and Huwe

Thanks again to University of Pennsylvania Department of Bioengineering for making this episode possible!
Listen here and subscribe on the Apple Podcasts!

Teaching for Active Learning with Dr. LeAnn Dourte! Award-winning engineering lecturer Dr. LeAnn Dourte joins Kayla and Sally to discuss active learning in engineering classrooms. LeAnn is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania, and has pioneered their biomechanics curricula - students build robo-arms to move PlayDough? Yes please! She shares her tips for setting classroom expectations in undergraduate vs. graduate courses, and doing academic research about engineering education! We also discuss LeAnn's experiences as a new mom in a dual-career family, and her Better Talk Next Time moment - spoiler alert: don't bully your professors to get better grades...
Listen right here or on Apple Podcasts!

via mollysheehan.org

Megan interviews Molly Sheehan, a bioengineering post-doc who is running for US Congress in 2018. Molly grew up in Pennsylvania, studied biology at Haverford College, and received her PhD in biochemistry and molecular biophysics from the University of Pennsylvania. She is now a post-doc in bioengineering developing new molecular imaging techniques. We talk about what is motivating her to run for Congress, the issues she is most passionate about, and how she is getting her campaign up and running. Listen!

via NY Mag

How do you balance the fact that your happiness shouldn't be totally dependent on the outcome of your research with the fact that of course it is? AND are the goals of the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub too lofty? Sally & Kally discuss on this week's episode of Double Shelix! Listen.

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