This week, we dig into the mailbag to answer your questions! What’s in a Name? We start with an email from Tegner about what happens when your department changes its name before you even begin your trainining: I have recently been admitted and have acc...

When Dr. Kenneth Gibbs talks about diversity and inclusion in the sciences, it’s not just a cause célèbre. It’s personal. “For those of you who don’t know me, I am a Black man. A descendent from enslaved Africans here in America,

What makes two PhDs who escaped from grad school years ago want to revisit all the highs and lows of their training?  Short answer: Beer! But the long answer: Grad school is no cakewalk – classes are challenging, experiments fail, and sometimes,

You keep sending questions, we keep answering them! Take My Advice In our last mailbag episode, we noted that ‘comprehensive exams’ or ‘prelims’ varied not only by University but even department to department in one school.

In March 2020, the world shut down. International borders were sealed. Businesses shuttered. Schools locked their doors and students were sent home to learn ‘remotely.’ At the same time, many universities and research labs also closed down for the summ...

The mailbag is overflowing, and it’s time to answer YOUR questions. First up is Leslie, whose summer internship was cancelled by COVID. Now it’s not clear whether a fall application to grad school will be successful. Dear Josh and Dan,

There are two conflicting truths for many early-career graduate students: The mentor you choose is vitally important, and can impact your ability to complete a PhD and your career trajectory years into the future.

As protesters march in the streets, you’ll hear calls to “Defund” or “Disband the Police.” These advocates argue that tweaks and training programs will never be enough to meaningfully alter the course of modern police departments,

Have you ever lamented the fact that there isn’t some kind of instruction book to help you navigate your scientific training? Wouldn’t it be nice if someone explained how to choose a mentor, or what it means to give a ‘job talk?

COVID-19 is a wildfire burning its way around the planet. Its impacts are devastating to nearly every aspect of our modern lives: loved ones lost, economies destroyed, and plans put on hold indefinitely. But like a fire, it’s also shedding light,