Here are my two #DocMartians for the spring semester as I slouch toward retirement, trying to recreate myself. There is nothing like working with students in the lab. Period. #MicrobialEvangelist #retirement #QualityQuorum @microbetv.bsky.social PS @melissamacdonald28 made the giant micropipette!
There was a recent ASM Biofilms meeting in Portland; i could not attend. The great Jo Handelsman mentioned me, so kind. And two #Micronauts and #DocMartians sent me this. Ruth and Lauren are wonderful people and scientists.
Retirement thought: I am kind of thinking about designing some kind of "thank you" for all of my #DocMartians who became scientists, and hope to get a fun memory from each with a photo. I mean, I owe those former students for my so called career. It's always been about them.
From 15 years ago, the year before I earned tenure by the skin of my teeth. A wonderful #DocMartian, now Dr. Kim Dill-McFarland, made this for me. It’s posted outside my little laboratory. #Grateful #Memories #DocMartians #ItsAllAboutTheStudents I will miss them all.
I had a wonderful day yesterday. DInner with two former #DocMartians, who reminded me of wonderful times. So many people have been kind to me at #ASMicrobe. Sometimes I get overwhelmed, but I am happy to meet each of you. AND I have more #MicrobialCentrism items to give away! Hope to see you today.
I have all the feelz at #ASMicrobe. Two former #DocMartians from my LA days, now professors: Krista Venecia Edmiston and Paula Welander. I am so grateful.
I had a nice brunch today with two of my former #DocMartians and #Micronauts (that is, they worked in my lab and took microbiology from me), now bioinformaticians in Seattle. It was wonderful to chat with Dr. Madison Cox and Dr. Kim Dill-McFarland. It was a privilege working with them.
I loved seeing @manuramalho.bsky.social lab student T-shirts. Here is the shirt designed for my #DocMartians, with fab art by @ethankocak.com @univpugetsound @ASMicrobiology #QualityQuorum
The West Coast Bacterial Physiology meeting in Asilomar is a good thing for me. A couple of people asked about being on my podcast. Then Paula Welander, who was one of my first #DocMartians (and is a tenured professor at Stanford) said hi. I got all the feelz.
You cannot tell where #KrampusOnKampus will end up...and with whom! Also, such a nice gift from my research student #DocMartians long ago. Always nice to have such good memories.
I try to get them things to remember the lab by, and sometimes they do the same for me (though it is not required!). Last Spring, my #DocMartians signed a glowing tardigrade night light for me. I am a very lucky professor, and will miss the students very much. 2/2
As I start a slow transition toward retirement, I thought I would make a mug for each of my >1 year research students who have become scientists. I call them #DocMartians now, and I owe them---whether or not they stay in touch---for this odd little career of mine. I want to thank them all.
I have sent 26 #DocMartians to PhD programs & will always stand by them (even if they are not fond of me). It is my job, & my privilege, to do so. One of them recently said this to me (I did not ask), and it made me weepy. This kind of thing makes nasty old academia worthwhile.
Since I’m sad as I begin phased retirement, it’s no surprise that I feel as if I could have done much more. For me, it’s been about the students. Most students don’t stay in touch. So when I get a photo like this of two #DocMartians at a conference; one with a PhD and the other working on hers…
Just thinking about my #DocMartian research students over the years. They never *have* to get me any kind of gift, but some have and I cherish each of them. This was from #DocMartians Olivia, Elise, Jacob, Emily, and Melody, the year I received the Carski Award from ASM.
We had a flask of luminous bacteria handy, and a giant plate. So my summer research #DocMartians made me this. I have to say that my students are so very kind to me. I will miss them when I finally phase out of this job. @univpugetsound @ASMicrobiology
Had these made for my current and graduating #DocMartians this year. So happy to work with them. @univpugetsound @ASMicrobiology
I was so touched by the #DocMartians gift to me: a tardigrade night light, inscribed with kind thoughts. I am genuinely touched. I am so very lucky to have done what I have in this uneven academic career of mine; it's all about the students. @univpugetsound @ASMicrobiology
Today is #InternationalDayOfWomenInScience I have spent my career trying to support and promote women in science. Here are 24 women who worked as #DocMartians in my lab for more than one year. I am so proud of ALL of them.
#ItsMyJobAndMyHonor @univpugetsound @ASMicrobiology
Most PIs have a nickname for the students who do research with them. @PatSchloss calls his students "Schlabbies.” I didn't know what to call my students, near and far. Kim Dill-McFarland came up with #DocMartians, and @vexedmuddler did the artwork. #BeingMindful #Gratitude
Bright flask. Incubator filled with bacterial light. My current #DocMartians illuminated. And also seen by natural light!
