8 ms·

+1 for Noller. In a previous life, I worked as an undergrad in an RNA lab (remains the best job I have ever had) and we studied Noller's work closely.

dekhn 6y ago
Harry was a great teacher (I had him for Biochem 101 and a lab class). Very understated but quite good at communicating his enthusiasm for the biophysics underlying biology). The lab class, "Biology of Macromolecules" was challenging: you're handed a pile of microbial cells, told the species, and then you have to go to the primary literature and learn how to purify restriction endonuclease from it (using the original methods) and then map a plasmid. I remember he said something which sounded arrogant, but I later learned was excellent advice: "most of you are going to take the entire quarter to run your experiment. I would do all the lab work in 1 long day- the moment you crack those cells open, proteases are going to start eating your REs". He did say that if I wanted to be a successful scientist, I should never have a girlfriend or get married, or have kids, because those all eat into your ability to spend 18 hours in the lab every day (I married my college girlfriend, was a modest scientist, and transitioned to software engineering, and then had kids; there's no way I could handle being a successful scientist while having a family).
- julienchastang 6y ago
  I got into the UCSC grad program at the time you were there but didn't go. Funny how our paths almost crossed. I actually wanted to study with Haussler whom I met over lunch once. Yeah, I chose the SE life with family, kids myself. IMO there are too many scientists discouraging students from being scientists. Yeah, it is hard, but anything of value is going to be a challenge no matter what you do.
  - dekhn 6y ago
    Haussler was my undergrad advisor (along with Harry). I remember I tried to get a job working for Harry, and when he turned me down his postdoc said "Hey, David Haussler over in CS is starting up a computational biology group, you should go talk to them". That was one of the most valuable pieces of long-term career advice I could ever get. Personally I now actively advise people to avoid becoming (academic) scientists unless they are willing to dedicate an unreasonable amount of their life to it (more or less agreeing with Harry). It's really unfortunate but there just aren't enough jobs out there and too many of the folks who do manage to get positions aren't particularly honest or ethical.
- etrautmann 6y ago
  I know plenty of scientists who perform at the very highest levels at top tier institutions and have families. Yes, they're quite busy, but I strongly disagree with the framing that scientists can't have families. I know you're not advocating that in your post, but figured it was worth mentioning (especially as these tropes can negatively impact representation of women in science)
  - dekhn 6y ago
    I know such people too, but most of them said they've had to make major sacrifices in their family life to be successful.

dekhn 6y ago

Harry was a great teacher (I had him for Biochem 101 and a lab class). Very understated but quite good at communicating his enthusiasm for the biophysics underlying biology). The lab class, "Biology of Macromolecules" was challenging: you're handed a pile of microbial cells, told the species, and then you have to go to the primary literature and learn how to purify restriction endonuclease from it (using the original methods) and then map a plasmid. I remember he said something which sounded arrogant, but I later learned was excellent advice: "most of you are going to take the entire quarter to run your experiment. I would do all the lab work in 1 long day- the moment you crack those cells open, proteases are going to start eating your REs". He did say that if I wanted to be a successful scientist, I should never have a girlfriend or get married, or have kids, because those all eat into your ability to spend 18 hours in the lab every day (I married my college girlfriend, was a modest scientist, and transitioned to software engineering, and then had kids; there's no way I could handle being a successful scientist while having a family).

julienchastang 6y ago
I got into the UCSC grad program at the time you were there but didn't go. Funny how our paths almost crossed. I actually wanted to study with Haussler whom I met over lunch once. Yeah, I chose the SE life with family, kids myself. IMO there are too many scientists discouraging students from being scientists. Yeah, it is hard, but anything of value is going to be a challenge no matter what you do.
- dekhn 6y ago
  Haussler was my undergrad advisor (along with Harry). I remember I tried to get a job working for Harry, and when he turned me down his postdoc said "Hey, David Haussler over in CS is starting up a computational biology group, you should go talk to them". That was one of the most valuable pieces of long-term career advice I could ever get. Personally I now actively advise people to avoid becoming (academic) scientists unless they are willing to dedicate an unreasonable amount of their life to it (more or less agreeing with Harry). It's really unfortunate but there just aren't enough jobs out there and too many of the folks who do manage to get positions aren't particularly honest or ethical.
etrautmann 6y ago
I know plenty of scientists who perform at the very highest levels at top tier institutions and have families. Yes, they're quite busy, but I strongly disagree with the framing that scientists can't have families. I know you're not advocating that in your post, but figured it was worth mentioning (especially as these tropes can negatively impact representation of women in science)
- dekhn 6y ago
  I know such people too, but most of them said they've had to make major sacrifices in their family life to be successful.