I MET MY YOUTUBE FRIEND! | PhD student weekly vlog

TL;DR

Follow Jessica, a final year PhD student, as she navigates the challenges and successes of her research in natural products chemistry.

Transcript

hello and welcome to another weekly Vlog if you're new here my name is Jessica and I'm a final year PhD student at the University of Aberdeen my research is in the area of natural products chemistry which is basically trying to find new and bioactive compounds from living organisms hello good morning this lighting is awful we are starting the day i... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤝 Research in natural products chemistry requires troubleshooting experiments and dealing with technical difficulties.
• 👶 Solving the structure of a new compound contributes to the knowledge of marine invertebrates.
• 🧑‍🎓 Balancing research with other tasks, such as editing videos and attending meetings, can be challenging for a PhD student.
• 👨‍🔬 Stress levels can increase due to setbacks and delays in research progress.
• 🤪 Self-care, such as going to the gym and taking breaks, is essential for maintaining well-being during the PhD journey.
• ❓ Collaborations and networking opportunities can arise from an online presence in academia.
• 🧑‍🎓 PhD students often have to adapt and make changes in their plans due to unexpected circumstances, such as train strikes.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is Jessica's area of research?

Jessica's research focuses on natural products chemistry, specifically finding new and bioactive compounds from living organisms.

Q: What challenges is Jessica facing in her research?

Jessica is dealing with technical difficulties, misbehaving bacteria, and delays in solving the structure of a new compound.

Q: How is Jessica managing her stress levels?

Jessica acknowledges her high stress levels but remains honest and real about her situation. She finds solace in getting some words down on paper and contributing to her knowledge about marine organisms.

Q: Aside from research, what other tasks does Jessica need to accomplish?

Jessica needs to edit a video for her YouTube channel, return packages, and prioritize self-care, such as going to the gym and looking after her well-being.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Jessica's day starts with technical difficulties, as her Plate Reader, used for bioassay data, is not working.

• Troubleshooting experiments and solving the structure of a new compound are causing delays in Jessica's progress.

• Despite setbacks, Jessica remains determined to contribute to the knowledge of marine invertebrates through her research.