A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A RESEARCH SCIENTIST IN CHEMISTRY lab vlog

Dr Jessica Gomez
16 Feb 202409:19
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script follows a research scientist's typical day, starting with a morning routine and planning on the Zenia app. The day involves setting up and running water samples through an automated system, taking breaks for coffee, and transitioning to using the LCMS for various analyses. After a lunch break, the scientist continues with sample preparation and ends the day with grocery shopping for healthy meals. The video provides a glimpse into the life of a scientist, balancing work with personal life and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Takeaways
  • 🌞 The video begins on a bright Monday morning, setting a positive tone for the week ahead.
  • 📅 The speaker uses a Zenia journaling app to plan their weekly schedule in advance, streamlining their daily tasks.
  • 🏢 Despite arriving slightly late at 2:09 AM, the speaker has a clear plan for their day, emphasizing the importance of organization.
  • 🔬 The morning is spent setting up an automated system for water sample analysis, showcasing the technical aspects of the speaker's job.
  • ☕ The speaker takes a coffee break at 10:00 AM, highlighting the importance of taking breaks throughout the workday.
  • 🌬️ After the break, the focus shifts to the LCMS (Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry), where the speaker prepares to analyze different compounds.
  • 🧪 The process of changing over the column and mobile phases, as well as checking for leaks, is detailed to demonstrate the meticulous nature of the work.
  • 🎧 The speaker enjoys listening to podcasts, such as the Mel Robbins podcast, during their work, indicating a preference for auditory entertainment.
  • 🍲 For lunch, the speaker opts for a quick meal from the canteen, reflecting the sometimes hectic pace of their job.
  • 🥣 The afternoon is dedicated to sample preparation for the following day's analysis, including drying under vacuum and reconstitution.
  • 🛒 After work, the speaker shops for groceries, emphasizing the importance of meal planning and preparation for a balanced diet.
  • 🎨 The day ends with a productive and relaxing evening, including a door painting session, demonstrating the speaker's commitment to a well-rounded lifestyle.
Q & A

  • What day of the week does the video start on?

    -The video starts on a Monday.

  • What does the speaker use the Zenia app for?

    -The speaker uses the Zenia app for journaling and planning their weekly schedule.

  • Why was the speaker later than usual to work?

    -The speaker was later than usual because they spent extra time showing their morning routine and getting organized for work.

  • What is the automated system the speaker sets up in the morning?

    -The automated system is for processing river water samples, which pulls the samples through SP columns after conditioning the columns with water.

  • What does the speaker do during their 10:00 a.m. coffee break?

    -During the 10:00 a.m. coffee break, the speaker operates the LCMS (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry) to run samples for past analysis.

  • What change does the speaker make to the LCMS for the week's analysis?

    -The speaker changes the column and mobile phases of the LCMS to analyze pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and other compounds.

  • What does the speaker do after finishing the SP cleanup from the previous week?

    -After the SP cleanup, the speaker reconstitutes the samples in solvent, filters them, and puts them into LCMS vials ready to run the next day.

  • What type of meal does the speaker have for lunch?

    -For lunch, the speaker has chili con carne from the canteen because they were not organized with lunch due to a busy weekend.

  • What is the speaker's plan for dinner and the following days?

    -The speaker plans to make soup for dinner, steak for the next night, and has chicken and various vegetables for Thursday night, indicating they are sorted for the week.

  • How does the speaker feel about the longer daylight hours?

    -The speaker is very happy about the longer daylight hours and the coming of brighter days.

  • What additional activity does the speaker mention doing after returning from the supermarket?

    -After returning from the supermarket, the speaker mentions painting doors before dinner.

Outlines
00:00
📅 Morning Routine and Work Planning

The speaker begins their day listening to music and expressing excitement for the new week. Despite the lack of warmth, they focus on the brighter weather and share their morning routine, which involved showing their morning activities. They arrive at work later than usual due to this extended routine and use the Zenia journaling app to check their pre-planned schedule for the day. The speaker's work involves setting up river water samples for analysis, using an automated system to pull samples into SP columns, which they had previously conditioned. After checking on the samples, the speaker takes a coffee break at 10:00 a.m. and later transitions to the lcms to prepare for running different types of samples, including pharmaceuticals and pesticides. They describe the process of changing the column and lines, checking mobile phases, and setting up the equipment. The speaker also mentions creating batch lists for the instrument to know where to take samples from and shares their anticipation for the standard results before lunch.

05:01
🥣 Lunch Break and Afternoon Tasks

After their coffee break, the speaker continues with their work, monitoring the progress of their samples being loaded onto columns. They share that they have been listening to the Mel Robbins podcast while setting up batch lists for the next few days. The speaker then describes having lunch at the canteen due to a lack of preparation, contrasting their usual habit of bringing their own lunch. After lunch, they focus on reconstituting samples from the previous week, filtering them, and preparing them for analysis the next day. The speaker takes a break to enjoy a tangerine and watch something before returning to the lab. They describe the process of changing over the column and mobile phases, checking for leaks, and running a standard to ensure everything is set up correctly. The speaker then proceeds to create batch lists for the instrument, detailing the sample names and vial positions.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Morning routine
Morning routine refers to the sequence of activities that one performs upon waking up to start the day. In the context of the video, it signifies the structured actions the speaker undertakes to prepare for work, such as checking the Zenia app for the day's plan. This routine sets the tone for productivity and organization, as it helps the speaker transition from home life to work life efficiently.
💡Zenia app
The Zenia app is a journaling application that the speaker uses for planning and organizing their weekly schedule. It serves as a digital tool to help the speaker visualize and manage their tasks for the upcoming week. By using the app, the speaker can effectively allocate time for various activities and responsibilities, ensuring a smooth and organized workflow.
💡Lab work
Lab work refers to the scientific research or experiments conducted within a laboratory setting. In the video, the speaker is involved in environmental analysis, specifically setting up and running tests on river water samples. Lab work is meticulous and requires following standardized protocols to ensure accurate results.
💡Pharmaceuticals
Pharmaceuticals are medications or drugs that are used to treat, prevent, or diagnose diseases. In the context of the video, the speaker is involved in analyzing water samples for the presence of pharmaceuticals, which is part of environmental monitoring to understand how these substances may affect ecosystems and human health.
💡Coffee break
A coffee break is a short period of time set aside for rest or relaxation, often involving the consumption of coffee or other beverages. It is a common practice in many workplaces to help employees recharge and maintain productivity throughout the day. In the video, the speaker takes a coffee break at 10:00 a.m., which serves as a moment to pause from the lab work and refresh before continuing with the day's tasks.
💡LCMS
LCMS, or Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, is an analytical technique used to separate, identify, and quantify components in a mixture. It is widely used in various fields, including environmental science, to analyze complex samples such as water for the presence of contaminants. The speaker in the video uses LCMS to test water samples for pharmaceuticals and other compounds, highlighting its importance in environmental research.
💡Batch lists
Batch lists are detailed inventories or lists that include information about samples to be processed or analyzed in a batch. In the context of the video, the speaker creates batch lists with sample names and vial positions for the LCMS, which helps the instrument recognize where to retrieve each sample for analysis. This process is crucial for maintaining order and ensuring that all samples are correctly handled and tested.
💡Vacuum drying
Vacuum drying is a technique used to remove solvents or water from samples by reducing the pressure, which lowers the boiling point of the solvent and allows it to evaporate more quickly. In the video, the speaker mentions drying their samples under vacuum for 30 minutes, which is a necessary step in preparing the samples for subsequent analysis, such as LCMS.
💡Brighter days
Brighter days metaphorically refer to more positive, hopeful, or optimistic times. In the context of the video, it is also a literal reference to the increasing daylight hours as the season changes. The speaker expresses happiness about the longer, lighter days, which can symbolize a positive outlook on their work and personal life.
💡Supermarket
A supermarket is a large self-service retail store that sells a wide variety of food and household items. In the video, the speaker visits the supermarket to purchase groceries for the week, emphasizing the importance of planning and organizing meals to ensure a healthy lifestyle and efficient use of time.
💡Podcast
A podcast is a digital audio program that individuals can download or stream online. Podcasts cover a broad range of topics and can be listened to at the listener's convenience. In the video, the speaker mentions listening to the Mel Robbins podcast while working, indicating the use of podcasts as a source of entertainment, education, or motivation during work tasks.
Highlights

Beginning of a new week and excitement about brighter weather.

Late arrival to work due to showing morning routine.

Use of Zenia app for planning and organizing the day.

Automated system for processing river water samples.

10:00 a.m. designated as coffee break time.

Use of LCMS for running samples for various analyses.

Changing over the column and mobile phases for different analyses.

Checking for leaks and running a standard for quality assurance.

Creation of batch lists for sample organization.

Listening to podcasts during work for engagement.

Efficient use of time with multitasking during breaks.

Preparing samples for analysis the following day.

Drying samples under vacuum for proper preparation.

Having a tangerine and taking a break to watch something.

End of workday and planning for dinner.

Shopping for groceries with a focus on healthy choices.

Meal prepping for the week with a variety of vegetables.

Overall, a glimpse into the life of a research scientist.

Transcripts

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Daily RoutineLab WorkResearch ScientistProductivityZenia AppHealthy EatingTime ManagementWork-Life BalanceMorning CoffeeSupermarket Haul