Fictional Role Models

  We talk about the need for role models and how important it is that those role models look like us. And of course this blog's all about how my role models have given me a push to where I am now. But it's not just real-life women that can be role models - fictional women in pop culture and literature can have a powerful pull on young women, such as a show about a young black girl who pretends to be a doctor.

When collaborations go awry

Summary of the post (if you're in a hurry): pick your collaborators wisely. But if you don't have a choice, cross your fingers that they'll play nice.

That's Dr. Ms. Scientist to you!

This fall, my students called me "Professor Scientist", despite the fact that I signed all my emails with my first name. I have to admit, I rather liked it. This was despite the fact, I found out mid-way through the semester, that many of the students didn't realize I had a Ph.D. After they found that out, one particularly incorrigible young man called me "Dr. Professor Scientist".

Resolving to make more lists

  Actually, I don't do resolutions. Perhaps it's because a list of resolutions becomes yet another to-do list (related: for example, a Christmas list becomes a to-do list). To-do lists are actually a lifesaver for me, with multiple lists floating around the house for home improvement projects, groceries, and of course my academic lists of analyses to do and applications to submit. I'm sure everyone has their own way of staying organized, and lists are mine - last week I gave myself the luxury of a notebook for my weekly lists, instead of random pieces of paper that cause me to panic when they're lost (because then I don't know what to do. Kidding. Kinda.).