LAB VLOG: another week in the life of a PhD student in chemistry | My PhD and Me

Dr Jessica Gomez
15 Nov 202113:21
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script details a day in the life of a scientist who has recently upgraded to an iPhone 13 Pro, excited to test its camera quality for lab vlogs. The day involves checking on bacteria growth in an incubator, preparing for a bioassay with tributyl tin oxide, a toxic chemical once used in ship anti-fouling but now banned due to its environmental impact. The scientist also discusses their project to find natural, environmentally friendly alternatives. The script continues with lab safety protocols, including the buddy system, and the scientist's routine of arriving early to prepare the lab. There's an interesting moment where the scientist and a German intern extract compounds from a sponge using methanol. The video concludes with the scientist's reflection on their disrupted routine and a look forward to an upcoming demonstration in the undergraduate labs.

Takeaways
  • 📱 The speaker has a new iPhone 13 Pro, which they believe will improve the video quality of their lab vlogs.
  • 🔬 They are conducting a bioassay with tributyl tin oxide, a toxic chemical previously used in anti-fouling for ships but now banned due to its environmental impact.
  • 🌱 The speaker's project aims to find natural, environmentally friendly anti-fouling agents as a safer alternative to harmful chemicals.
  • 🧫 Bacterial cultures are checked and maintained, with attention given to ensuring the methanol has fully evaporated before use.
  • 🧑‍🔬 The speaker supervises undergraduate students in the chemistry lab and assists with their projects.
  • 📝 There is mention of writing a paper, indicating that the speaker is involved in academic research and documentation.
  • 🚫 The lab has a safety protocol known as the 'buddy system' to ensure no one works alone, emphasizing the importance of safety in the lab.
  • ☕ The speaker enjoys a routine, which includes arriving at the lab early and starting the day with planning and work.
  • 🧊 The speaker is in charge of turning on the chillers for the rotavaps, highlighting their responsibility in lab operations.
  • 📉 The speaker observes varying results in their bacterial plate, indicating that some species are affected by tributyl tin while others are not.
  • 📅 The speaker's routine is disrupted by a change in their lab arrival time, which they find unsettling, reflecting the importance of routine in their work life.
  • 🎓 A student named Axel is preparing for a viva, showing that the speaker is involved in mentoring and academic progression of students.
Q & A

  • What is the reason for the improved video quality mentioned in the script?

    -The video quality has improved due to the use of a new iPhone 13 Pro, which has a better camera than the previous iPhone X.

  • Why is the speaker excited about the new phone's camera?

    -The speaker is excited about the new camera because they hope it will provide higher quality footage for their lab vlogs and potentially reignite their creativity.

  • What is the purpose of the bio assay being discussed?

    -The bio assay is being conducted to test the effects of tributyl tin oxide on marine life, particularly female sea snails, as part of a project to find environmentally friendly anti-fouling agents.

  • Why has tributyl tin oxide been banned?

    -Tributyl tin oxide has been banned due to its highly toxic effects on the marine environment, particularly its harmful impact on female sea snails.

  • What is the speaker's role in the lab?

    -The speaker appears to be a researcher or lab supervisor, as they are checking on bacterial cultures, setting up experiments, and supervising undergraduate students.

  • Why is the speaker concerned about the methanol evaporating completely?

    -The speaker is concerned about the methanol evaporating completely because if it is not fully evaporated, it can contaminate the bacterial cultures when they are added to the plates.

  • What safety measures are in place in the lab?

    -The lab has a buddy system for safety, ensuring that no one works alone in case of accidents or spills, and there is a prohibition against working alone in the lab for safety reasons.

  • What is the significance of the speaker's routine?

    -The speaker's routine is significant because it helps them structure their day and work efficiently. A change in the routine, such as starting an hour later, can make them feel unsettled.

  • Why does the speaker mention checking on Axel?

    -The speaker mentions checking on Axel because he is an undergraduate student who is currently working on a project in the lab, and the speaker wants to ensure that everything is going well with his work.

  • What does the speaker plan to do after finishing lab work?

    -After finishing lab work, the speaker plans to go home and start their weekend, indicating that they have completed their work responsibilities for the week.

  • What is the context of the viva mentioned in the script?

    -The viva, which is mentioned as being exciting, likely refers to a doctoral defense or a final examination for a degree, which is an important academic event.

Outlines
00:00
📱 New iPhone 13 Pro for Enhanced Video Quality

The speaker begins by discussing their new iPhone 13 Pro, which they anticipate will significantly improve the quality of their videos. They express excitement about testing the phone's camera for the first time and hope that it will reignite their motivation to create lab vlogs. The speaker also mentions their ongoing project to find environmentally friendly alternatives to tributyl tin oxide, a toxic chemical once used to prevent bio-fouling on ships.

05:01
🔬 Lab Work and Safety Protocols

The speaker shares their daily routine, which includes checking on bacteria in an incubator and preparing for a bio assay using tributyl tin oxide as a positive control. They emphasize the importance of safety in the lab, mentioning a buddy system to ensure someone is always available to provide assistance in case of an accident. The speaker also discusses their responsibilities in the lab, such as turning on equipment and supervising students, and their plans to write a paper.

10:02
🧑‍🔬 Adjusting Routines and Lab Observations

The speaker talks about the disruption to their routine due to a change in their lab arrival time, which they find unsettling. They mention their upcoming responsibilities, including demonstrating in undergraduate labs. The speaker checks on a plate from the previous day, noting interesting results and the need to wait for further data analysis. They also interact with Axel, a student from Germany, who is extracting compounds from a sponge using methanol. The speaker concludes by leaving the lab at the end of the day, looking forward to the weekend.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡iPhone 13 Pro
The iPhone 13 Pro is a smartphone developed by Apple Inc. It is noted for its advanced camera capabilities, which is a central theme in the video as the speaker discusses the improved video quality due to this new device. The phone is used for recording lab vlogs, indicating its relevance to the video's content and the speaker's work.
💡Lab Vlogs
Lab vlogs refer to video blogs or diaries created in a laboratory setting, often documenting scientific experiments or daily activities within a research environment. In the script, the speaker expresses excitement about using the new iPhone 13 Pro to enhance the production quality of their lab vlogs, which are a significant part of the video's narrative.
💡Incubator
An incubator is a controlled environment used to support the growth and maintenance of biological organisms, such as bacteria or cells. In the video, the speaker checks on bacteria growing in an incubator, which is a common practice in microbiology labs and central to the scientific research being discussed.
💡Bio Assay
A bio assay is a biological test used to determine the effectiveness of a particular substance, often in the context of its impact on living organisms. The video mentions a bio assay involving tributyl tin oxide, a chemical with toxic effects, which is relevant to the speaker's project on finding environmentally friendly alternatives.
💡Tributyl Tin Oxide
Tributyl tin oxide is a chemical compound that was historically used as an anti-fouling agent on ships but has been banned due to its high toxicity to the marine environment. The video discusses this chemical as a negative control in the speaker's experiments, highlighting the need for safer alternatives.
💡Methanol
Methanol is a chemical solvent that is used in various laboratory procedures. In the context of the video, methanol is used in conjunction with tributyl tin oxide and must be allowed to evaporate before adding bacterial cultures to ensure the accuracy of the bio assay results.
💡Sterile Technique
Sterile technique refers to the practice of maintaining a sterile environment to prevent contamination of biological samples. The script mentions keeping a plate in the back of a clean bench, which is considered the most sterile area, to allow methanol to evaporate, illustrating the importance of sterile technique in laboratory work.
💡Chemistry Lab
A chemistry lab is a facility where chemical experiments and analyses are conducted. The speaker mentions going to the chemistry lab to check on undergraduate students' projects, indicating the multidisciplinary nature of the work being discussed and the educational aspect of the video.
💡Rotavap
A rotavap, short for rotary evaporator, is a laboratory apparatus used to efficiently and gently evaporate solvents from samples. The speaker describes turning on the chillers for the rotavaps, which is a part of the preparation process in the lab and essential for the day's work.
💡Buddy System
The buddy system is a safety protocol where individuals work in pairs or groups to ensure mutual safety, especially in potentially hazardous environments like laboratories. The video mentions this system in the context of lab safety, emphasizing the importance of having someone nearby in case of accidents or emergencies.
💡Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate students are those pursuing a bachelor's degree at a university. In the script, the speaker is supervising undergraduate students working on their projects in the chemistry lab, which is a common practice in academic research settings and shows the educational and mentorship role of the speaker.
💡Viva
A viva, short for viva voce (by live voice), is an oral examination often conducted after the submission of a thesis or dissertation. The mention of a viva in the video indicates an upcoming significant academic milestone for a student, which is a key event in the educational journey.
Highlights

Introduction of a new iPhone 13 Pro with improved camera quality, potentially enhancing lab vlogs.

Excitement about testing the new phone's camera for the first time and its potential to boost creativity.

The speaker's commitment to using Apple products despite potential criticism for not using Android.

Routine check on bacterial growth in an incubator as part of ongoing scientific research.

Discussion about conducting a bioassay with tributyl tin oxide, a toxic chemical once used in ship anti-fouling.

Mention of a project aimed at finding environmentally friendly alternatives to harmful chemicals like tributyl tin.

Demonstration of proper lab safety by waiting for methanol to evaporate before proceeding with bacterial cultures.

The importance of the lab's buddy system for safety and assistance in case of accidents or spills.

Responsibility for turning on chillers for rotavaps in the lab before others arrive.

Personal anecdote about the impact of changing a routine and the speaker's preference for consistency.

Observation of interesting results in a petri dish experiment with tributyl tin, indicating varying species' responses.

Explanation of the process of extracting a sponge with methanol to obtain compounds for research.

Introduction of a student from Germany doing a semester abroad, highlighting the international aspect of the lab.

Description of the color of a compound as 'greeny yellowy', adding a personal touch to the scientific discussion.

Concerns about the potential for contamination in the lab and the need to ensure cleanliness.

The speaker's decision to adjust work hours to avoid burnout, demonstrating a focus on work-life balance.

Early finish for the week allows the speaker to start the weekend, emphasizing a positive work culture.

Transcripts

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Lab VlogiPhone 13 ProBacteria GrowthBio-AssayTributyl Tin OxideMarine EnvironmentChemical SafetyUndergraduate ProjectsLab RoutineEnvironmental ScienceScientific Research