a day in the life of a harvard ph.d (first year)

Lillian in equilibrium
14 Apr 201810:07
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRGraduate student Lillian shares her journey through the early stages of a Biology PhD at Harvard. She discusses the pressure of choosing a lab, the importance of a good mentor, and the process of 'rotations' to find the right fit. Lillian provides a glimpse into her daily life, from classes and lab work to social events and relaxing at home, highlighting the balance between academic rigor and personal life in a PhD program.

Takeaways
  • 🎓 Lillian is a graduate student in a Biology PhD program at Harvard, currently in the process of selecting a lab which will significantly influence her academic and professional future.
  • ⏰ It's 6:50am in Boston, illustrating the early start to a typical day for a PhD student.
  • 🔬 A PhD in Biology involves training in conducting experiments, writing papers, and communicating research, with a focus on the biological sciences.
  • 🤝 The importance of selecting a good lab and mentor is emphasized, as they will shape the student's experience and potentially influence their career.
  • 🧪 The first year of a bio PhD includes 'rotations', where students spend 6-12 weeks in different labs to assess the fit with the lab environment and mentor.
  • 👩‍🔬 Lillian's friend Nouran is also a BBS G1, about to give a presentation on vitamin C and is excited about her rotation in a cancer immunology lab.
  • 🏥 Kevin is working in a lab at Brigham Women's Hospital, focusing on cancer metastasis, showing the variety of research areas within the field of biology.
  • 🧬 Lillian is currently rotating in the DePace lab, studying gene regulation in flies, and she appreciates the lab's environment and Angela DePace's mentorship.
  • 📈 Lillian is conducting a 'western blot' experiment to measure protein concentration changes, demonstrating the hands-on nature of lab work.
  • 🤔 The process of finding the right lab involves gathering insights from others, as Lillian discusses her experiences with friend Jacob to make an informed decision.
  • 🏠 Lillian's day ends with homework and relaxation, highlighting the balance between academic responsibilities and personal life in a PhD program.
  • 🌆 The Cambridge Science Festival is mentioned, showing the opportunities for engagement with the broader scientific community outside of regular coursework and lab work.
  • 🕘 Lillian notes that while she's back home early on this occasion, typically she would be in the lab until late, reflecting the demanding schedule of a PhD student.
Q & A

  • What is the current time in Boston according to Lillian?

    -It is 6:50am in Boston when Lillian starts speaking.

  • What is Lillian's current academic status?

    -Lillian is a graduate student in a Biology PhD program at Harvard University.

  • What significant decision is Lillian facing in her PhD journey?

    -Lillian is in the process of selecting a lab, which is a decision that will greatly influence her training and future career.

  • What does Lillian mean when she says the lab's name 'follows you for the rest of your life'?

    -The name of the lab she chooses will be associated with her work and could impact her professional reputation throughout her career.

  • What is the purpose of a PhD in Biology according to Lillian?

    -A PhD in Biology is a research degree that trains individuals to conduct experiments, write papers, and communicate their research within the field of biology.

  • Why is it important for Lillian to choose a good lab and mentor?

    -Choosing a good lab and mentor is crucial for Lillian's happiness and success in the program, as she will be spending a significant amount of time with them and learning from them.

  • What is the term used for the initial period in a PhD program where students try out different labs?

    -This period is called 'rotations,' during which students spend 6-12 weeks in different labs to determine if they are a good fit.

  • What is Nouran's current activity in relation to her PhD program?

    -Nouran is preparing to give a presentation on vitamin C in the context of metabolism and is currently rotating in a cancer immunology lab.

  • What type of work is Kevin involved in at Brigham Women's Hospital?

    -Kevin is working in a lab focused on cancer metastasis, studying how cancer spreads in response to instigating cancer cells.

  • What experiment is Lillian conducting in the DePace lab?

    -Lillian is running a 'western blot' experiment, which is used to measure changes in protein concentration.

  • What does Lillian value in a lab environment, as mentioned in the script?

    -Lillian values mutual respect and collaboration within a lab environment, as well as a mentor who is a good fit for her.

  • What is the Cambridge Science Festival and how does Lillian plan to engage with it?

    -The Cambridge Science Festival is an event happening at Harvard and around the city, and Lillian plans to attend it during her free time to enjoy the activities.

  • How does Lillian's work schedule typically look like at the end of the day?

    -Lillian's work schedule can vary; she might be in the lab until late at night, but on the day described, she was able to return home earlier and planned to relax after completing her homework.

  • What does Lillian enjoy doing to relax after a day of work?

    -Lillian enjoys playing games like the Sims, watching anime, or playing chess to relax after a day of work.

  • How does Lillian feel about documenting her grad school experience?

    -Lillian is looking forward to documenting her time throughout grad school, from being a first-year to her thesis defense, and she is interested in sharing this journey.

Outlines
00:00
🎓 PhD Life: Choosing the Right Lab

Lillian, a Biology PhD student at Harvard, shares her experience of choosing a lab during the early stages of her doctoral program. She explains the importance of selecting a lab that aligns with her research interests and provides a conducive environment for growth. Lillian emphasizes the significance of the mentor-mentee relationship and the collaborative nature of the lab. She also introduces the concept of 'rotations,' a process where students spend time in different labs to determine the best fit.

05:03
🔬 A Day in the Life of a PhD Student

This paragraph follows Lillian through her daily routine as a first-year PhD student. It covers her academic responsibilities, such as attending classes and conducting experiments, as well as her social interactions with peers. Lillian provides insights into the practical aspects of lab work, including a detailed account of running a 'western blot' experiment. She also discusses the importance of networking and seeking advice from others when choosing a lab. The paragraph concludes with Lillian's reflections on her day, highlighting the variability in the hours worked by scientists and the importance of finding balance in her life as a graduate student.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Biology PhD program
A Biology PhD program is an advanced academic degree that focuses on the study of living organisms and their interactions with the environment. In the video, Lillian, the narrator, is a graduate student in such a program at Harvard University. This degree is crucial as it trains students in conducting experiments, writing papers, and communicating research findings, which are key aspects of the scientific method and academic career development.
💡Lab selection
Lab selection refers to the process of choosing a research laboratory where a student will conduct their research work. In the context of the video, it is a significant decision for Lillian as it will greatly influence her training, research focus, and potentially the mentor she will work with. The right lab can provide a supportive environment and align with her research interests.
💡Mentor
A mentor in the academic context is a senior scholar or researcher who guides and supports a student's academic and professional development. Lillian emphasizes the importance of selecting a mentor who is a good fit, someone she can trust to train her in scientific research methods, which is central to her PhD journey.
💡Rotations
Rotations are a period during the first year of a PhD program where students spend a short time in different labs to explore their research interests and determine where they would like to conduct their thesis work. In the script, Lillian mentions that she is currently in the rotation phase, trying out different labs to find the right fit.
💡Western blot
Western blot is a laboratory technique used to detect specific proteins in a sample. It is a part of molecular biology and is mentioned in the script when Lillian describes her work in the DePace lab, where she is measuring protein concentration changes as part of her rotation experience.
💡Gene regulation
Gene regulation refers to the cellular processes that determine how and when genes are activated or suppressed. In the video, Lillian is in a lab that studies gene regulation in flies, which is a fundamental aspect of understanding genetic control mechanisms and can have broad implications for biology and medicine.
💡Cancer metastasis
Cancer metastasis is the process by which cancer cells spread from the original tumor to other parts of the body. Kevin, a friend of Lillian, is working in a lab focused on this phenomenon, which is a critical area of cancer research aimed at understanding and potentially preventing the spread of cancer.
💡Collaboration
Collaboration in a research context refers to the cooperative effort between scientists to achieve a common goal. Lillian seeks a lab environment where mutual respect and collaboration are valued, as these are important for a productive and positive research experience.
💡Cambridge Science Festival
The Cambridge Science Festival is an event that celebrates science and technology, featuring various activities and presentations. In the script, Lillian discovers that the festival is happening at Harvard and considers attending, showing the social and community aspects of being a student and scientist.
💡Work-life balance
Work-life balance is the equilibrium between an individual's work responsibilities and personal life. Lillian discusses her efforts to unplug and relax after work, such as watching anime or playing chess, which highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy balance even in a demanding academic environment.
💡Thesis defense
Thesis defense is the final stage of a PhD program where a student presents and defends their research findings in front of a committee. Lillian looks forward to documenting her entire PhD journey, including the thesis defense, which is a significant milestone and accomplishment in academic research.
Highlights

Lillian is a graduate student in a Biology PhD program at Harvard, currently at the stage of picking a lab.

Choosing a lab for a PhD is a crucial decision affecting training and future career reputation.

A PhD is a research degree that teaches conducting experiments, writing papers, and communicating research, specific to the field of biology.

The first year of a Biology PhD includes rotations where students spend 6-12 weeks in different labs to evaluate fit.

Rotations involve assessing lab environment, mentor style, and collaboration within the lab.

Nouran, Lillian's friend, is also a BBS G1 student, working in a cancer immunology lab.

Kevin, another student, is rotating at Brigham Women's Hospital, studying cancer metastasis.

Lillian is currently in the DePace lab, focusing on gene regulation in flies, appreciating the mutual respect and collaboration in the lab.

Lillian is running a western blot experiment to measure protein concentration, finding the experience fulfilling.

Meeting with other students outside the lab helps Lillian gather insights about potential labs to join.

Lillian is considering joining a lab, with one more rotation left, and enjoys discussing potential projects.

Cambridge Science Festival is happening at Harvard, offering a unique opportunity for first-year students like Lillian to explore outside activities.

Balancing homework and lab work is manageable for Lillian, who values relaxation and time management.

The demanding nature of PhD lab work often requires staying late, highlighting the dedication of scientists.

Lillian plans to document her journey through grad school, from the first year to thesis defense, sharing experiences with others.

Transcripts

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PhD LifeLab RotationsBiology ResearchHarvard UniversityStudent ExperienceScientific TrainingMentorshipCollaborationWestern BlotScience Festival