Category Archives: Research Guidance

As a PhD candidate, I have the opportunity to mentor students that I work with while I am simultaneously mentored by my own advisors. This perspective allows me to reflect on my experiences as a mentee and mentor and adjust my mentorship practices in real time. Such reflections have led me to 10 considerations thatContinue reading “Mentoring Musings”

I had the pleasure of speaking with Mark Bayer and my father, Bill Dauster (who has returned to the Senate since recording this podcast), on politics, science, communication, and everything in between. In this episode, we dove into the overlapping worlds of research and policy-making. We discussed the importance of a brief and informative report,Continue reading “Science Policy and Communication Podcast”

Who is actually included in the scientific process? This question goes beyond the researchers and into the unethical past of human research. Read more in my article published on That’s Life [Science] blog.

What to say, who to contact, and how to reach out shouldn’t be some big secret. Whether you’d like to dip your toes in the water of working in a lab or if you think this will be your life’s calling, the first step will likely be the same. This post walks you through someContinue reading “Getting Into a Lab”

One man’s illness is another man’s experimental verification method. What is immunohistochemistry and why would we need it? When we want to make specific cells stand out in a crowded jumble, we turn to antibodies and fluorescence. Scientists have developed a tool to study the brain based on the body’s natural immune response. If youContinue reading “Immunohistochemistry”

In many ways, the PhD is not so much about science as it is about communication. I’ve learned lessons about how to more effectively communicate with coworkers, advisors, students of all ages, and peers. These lessons don’t always come easily, but they are valuable no matter where I go from here. Anyone with a bossContinue reading “Managing Up”

I know brain surgery sounds intimidating. Someone who does brain surgeries on a regular basis must be a genius! In reality, it’s probably much lower tech than you’re imagining. I performed my first brain surgery at 19 years old. If you’re interested in neurobiology but are intimidated by the idea of brain surgery, take aContinue reading “Brain Surgery… It’s Not Rocket Science!”

In the 21st century, a woman can do whatever she wants. If she wants to be an epidemiologist or a geologist, the world is at her fingertips. Some working environments still have not embraced this fact, but she will find a way if science is her passion. On the other hand, are the studies conductedContinue reading “Is Science for Women?”

What does science look like to you? The answer might be different if you’re a computational neuroscientist vs a plant biologist vs a potter vs a textiles specialist. In the second year of my PhD, I organized an art/science collaboration called “Pipettes and Paintbrushes” through my connections with That’s Life [Science]. I paired volunteers withContinue reading “Pipettes and Paintbrushes”

Looking to get involved in science outreach? I’ve had some really great experiences partnering with the Eureka! program through my graduate institution, UMass Amherst. I have participated in this Summer program run by Girls Inc. every year since I moved to Western Massachusetts for my PhD. It’s all about empowering young women to explore STEMContinue reading “Eureka!”