My 30 day cold shower experiment
For the last 30 days, I did not touch the hot water knob in my shower, instead spending at least 5 minutes under icy water each day. Why would I take on such a masochistic experiment? General curiosity. Yes, curiosity may kill cats but has served me well as a scientist and the person who often […]
What is a healthy gut microbiome?
You’ve probably heard of the far-reaching implications of the gut microbiome, the trillions of viruses, bacteria, and fungi that live inside us, and may even be taking steps to enhance your microbiome, like eating yogurt or taking probiotic supplements. But what is a healthy gut microbiome, anyway? What are we trying to achieve with […]
My morning routine: scientific design...
When I receive the flattering question of how do I manage to do lots of things while maintaining my relationships/sanity/fun time, in addition to my pro tips, I often point to my non-negotiable morning routine. Though I don’t complete the whole routine every day, I’ve integrated the best practices to optimize happiness, productivity, and health […]
The Science behind Science Pants: Pol...
Recently, my extremely talented artist sister Jackie and I began a collaboration to merge our professional passions: Science Pants! Because we’re sassy, we make more than just leggings (tank tops, t shirts, bags, and more!), and we don’t sell anything that we don’t love. While Jackie is in charge of design, I am responsible […]
Telomerase: The Fountain of Youth?
Many scientists now agree that maintaining the integrity of telomeres, protective caps on the end of chromosomes (DNA-protein bundles), promotes health and longevity. You can think of telomeres as aglets, those plastic tips on the ends of shoelaces, that keep your shoelaces (or DNA) from fraying. Instead of plastic, telomeres are composed of DNA nucleotides and proteins […]
How animals have guided my profession...
If you know me, you likely know that my interest in Biomedical Engineering began at age 7, when my beloved dog Hydro had his tail partially severed by a screen door. While my younger sisters and mother cowered, I picked up the bloody stump and insisted it be put on ice to bring it to the […]
Zero to hero: how to earn epic teachi...
I began teaching a required Biomedical Engineering lab course for Yale juniors on my 28th birthday, Sept. 4, 2015. After the thrill of accepting the job wore off, I felt totally unqualified to teach a college course (hello imposter syndrome!), and I knew that this particular course gets notoriously bad reviews. Through the years, I’d heard […]
Animal Research
Recently, a very intelligent non-scientist friend asked me about my views on animal research. Do I want to talk about animal research? No, definitely not. Do I think it’s important to have objective, productive discussions about animal research? Absolutely. So I will override my discomfort on such a polarizing topic and reveal my comprehensive views […]
How I started teaching at Yale on my ...
I nearly failed kindergarten; I was recruited to teach Biomedical Engineering to Yale juniors. How? The answer is simple, but not easy. I’ve become inadvertently impressive in the academic realm, without feeling overwhelmed, just by: Making space Asking for what I wanted Following my heart and my gut Showing up as my best possible self Being […]
25 and so alive!
I’m a straightforward person. So when I finally acknowledged that the sometimes paralyzing anxiety (that showed up right when I started grad school) was rooted in false beliefs and, ultimately, fear, I applied my engineering efficiency to outlining and overcoming my fears. I’ve dubbed this process of objectively listing each fear along with a potential […]