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I have just under 1 year left of my PhD - so why don't you keep track on this thread.
Enjoy day 1 of #PhD365.
Enjoy day 1 of #PhD365.
I should probably add some caveats:
1) I can't show you 90% of the context of my work until various papers are published.
2) I may wake up one morning and realise that the commodification of life for social media is dystopian AF and delete this thread. Enjoy it while you can?
1) I can't show you 90% of the context of my work until various papers are published.
2) I may wake up one morning and realise that the commodification of life for social media is dystopian AF and delete this thread. Enjoy it while you can?
3) This time next year, my funding will be finished & I'll have submitted my thesis (hopefully). The actual viva will be much later. So I won't have a PhD until then.
4) This is testing a way for me to supplement my lab book with audiovisual markers of my thought processes.
4) This is testing a way for me to supplement my lab book with audiovisual markers of my thought processes.
5) Feel free to ask me anything about what I do (will answer what I can).
6) Yes. I know. But my barber is 100 miles away. Let's just not mention it.
6) Yes. I know. But my barber is 100 miles away. Let's just not mention it.
Alright, let's crack on with day 2 of #PhD365.
I'm rerunning the experiment from yesterday at lower concentrations and, if you squint, it looks like all 4 samples have formed the peptide-peptide interaction that I hoped for.
(But I'll need to rerun this exact one again)
I'm rerunning the experiment from yesterday at lower concentrations and, if you squint, it looks like all 4 samples have formed the peptide-peptide interaction that I hoped for.
(But I'll need to rerun this exact one again)
I actually really like this experiment. It's really neat and there's something really satisfying about sitting in front of a magic box and it telling you whether or not the clear liquid you put in is forming the right type of tiny complexes you hoped for.
Day 8 of #PhD365 because I can't do threads well https://twitter.com/thermoflynamics/status/986539157030948865?s=19
Day 9 of #PhD365 and it's just brutal coding.
Setup 80 million predictions of coiled-coil interaction. Would take the winners for physical synthesis and verification.
INSTEAD MY CODE THROWS OUT ERRORS THAT I HAVEN'T SEEN IN A YEAR AND PAST ALEX DIDN'T COMMENT HIS CODE.
Setup 80 million predictions of coiled-coil interaction. Would take the winners for physical synthesis and verification.
INSTEAD MY CODE THROWS OUT ERRORS THAT I HAVEN'T SEEN IN A YEAR AND PAST ALEX DIDN'T COMMENT HIS CODE.
Past Alex is an absolute fucking bell who wrote functionally inelegant code with unintuitive variable names and he should get in the bin. #PhD365
Day 17 of #PhD365 and I'm reminding myself that I'm a human being. The only thing closer than my skin fade is the window between my proposed thesis hand in date and my funding running out.
Day 27 of #PhD365 and it's been a toughie. I wanted to come in to work on the bank holiday weekend to get some work done and some data analysed.
INSTEAD, yer boi spent it lying on the sofa, feeling existential anxiety and carb loading.
INSTEAD, yer boi spent it lying on the sofa, feeling existential anxiety and carb loading.
So today was spent hurriedly making my excel shorthand look pretty for my supervisor. 3 days after I wanted to send it and move on to a new sub project. We're both annoyed.
But that's okay. Time for self care is important. Did I come here to die over this PhD? Nope.
#PhD365
But that's okay. Time for self care is important. Did I come here to die over this PhD? Nope.
#PhD365
Note for future me: make publication quality figures as you go along. Don't wait until the last minute to compile your thoughts graphically.
Also just get your shit together, fucking hell.
Also just get your shit together, fucking hell.
Day 34 of #PhD365 and I'm putting the finishing touches on a manuscript I'm sending to my supervisor in the morning. This is the third pass on it and I'm constantly feeling like I haven't read enough about the subject (even though Mendeley says otherwise).
I was meant to be going to the gym with @simonoxfphys but this paper really needs to get done.
SURELY PREWORKOUT IS A BRILLIANT IDEA.
SURELY PREWORKOUT IS A BRILLIANT IDEA.
Update: my bones are vibrating and I've written 600 words. Feeling like I could bench press the impact factor of the journal this will end up in.
Update: I feel a pathological need to write even though I think it's in a good position. Have a strange awareness of my heart. Everything will be fine until it's not.
Day 48 of #PhD365 and I'm preparing to give a departmental presentation of all my research on Thursday. Absolutely bricking it plus I've lost my voice.
Day 77 of #PhD365 and I'm currently fighting a fucking centrifuge rotor lid. It won't open. I'm a grown man and I flipping off a centrifuge.
It's too tight to take off but not tight enough to run? Really helpful error message you colossal unspinning dickhead.
Side note:
Mental health during a PhD is super important. I've found @hellodaylio to be really good because it lets you add custom activities when logging your feelings from the day.
Mental health during a PhD is super important. I've found @hellodaylio to be really good because it lets you add custom activities when logging your feelings from the day.
Day 102 of #PhD365 and I was meant to finish a paper on Friday but being epileptic made that deadline go fuckety bye.
I'm trying to add extra references in Mendeley and contend with having my entire bibliography crash every time I do anything.
#phdchat #phdlife #blackandSTEM
I'm trying to add extra references in Mendeley and contend with having my entire bibliography crash every time I do anything.
#phdchat #phdlife #blackandSTEM
Day 103 of #PhD365 and it's so fucking peak.
Trying to separate my pure peptide using hydrophobicity via HPLC and it's looking like my peptide synthesis is so crud - even though previous analysis said otherwise.
It's only 9am
#phdchat #phdlife #blackandSTEM
Trying to separate my pure peptide using hydrophobicity via HPLC and it's looking like my peptide synthesis is so crud - even though previous analysis said otherwise.
It's only 9am
#phdchat #phdlife #blackandSTEM
Making myself feel better, I remembered that:
1) I can resynthesise the peptide
2) Life is short and I shouldn't hang my self-worth on whether or not scientifically flavoured water does what I tell it to do
3) My Nike SF Air Force 1's should be arriving soon.
1) I can resynthesise the peptide
2) Life is short and I shouldn't hang my self-worth on whether or not scientifically flavoured water does what I tell it to do
3) My Nike SF Air Force 1's should be arriving soon.
Day 106 of #PhD365 and that paper has been submitted 
.
Before writing the next one, I'm treating myself by getting a skin fade, shape up and an overinflated sense of self worth.
Now time to prep for the @whynotadoc live show tomorrow.
#phdchat #phdlife #blackandSTEM
.Before writing the next one, I'm treating myself by getting a skin fade, shape up and an overinflated sense of self worth.
Now time to prep for the @whynotadoc live show tomorrow.
#phdchat #phdlife #blackandSTEM
Day 110 of #PhD365 and I'm trying to rewrite all of my code to make it work with multiprocessing.
Past Alex wrote ridiculously alpha stage code and didn't comment everything and left deprecated functions.
>FuckingKillMe.cpp
Past Alex wrote ridiculously alpha stage code and didn't comment everything and left deprecated functions.
>FuckingKillMe.cpp
Day 114 of #PhD365 and I'm doing peptide purification on a project that I'm super excited about (partially because it's my last project before writing up my thesis).
Just ran mass spec (to confirm my purification has worked) and BOIIIIII LOOK AT THE CLEAN PEAKS.
Just ran mass spec (to confirm my purification has worked) and BOIIIIII LOOK AT THE CLEAN PEAKS.
Me to Day 103 Alex. #PhD365
TFW the machine you've left to run over the weekend is being a prick and thrown a sensor error overnight that isn't your fault, so waking up at 7am on a Saturday was a complete waste of time.
Day 114 of #PhD365.
Day 114 of #PhD365.
Machine: "Fill up reagent - at less than 10% full"
Me: "I've just checked, it's 97% full.
Machine: "Fill up reagent - at less than 10% full"
Me:
Me: "I've just checked, it's 97% full.
Machine: "Fill up reagent - at less than 10% full"
Me:
Day 115 of #PhD365 and I'm heading up to @WildernessHQ for a live @whynotadoc show. Got about 2 hours to kill so I'm working on optimising my code for my (hopefully) final project.
It's actually mad how much of my code can't be shown until we publish something. I didn't realise before I redacted the that pic of my pseudo code.
Your boy is getting gassed that's he's a cutting edge expert in something.
Your boy is getting gassed that's he's a cutting edge expert in something.
My new code actually works, can parse pdb data from the web and runs efficiently on my laptop without it being plugged in (GWR can do one).
I'm essentially computational biology Jesus. #PhD365
I'm essentially computational biology Jesus. #PhD365
Day 116 of #PhD365 and I'm seriously flagging after 10 hours taking structural measurements and purifying peptides.
I always get tired the day after gigs but, for some reason, today is moving really slowly.
I always get tired the day after gigs but, for some reason, today is moving really slowly.
It's 2 and a half hours before my birthday and I'm still in the lab.
But hey, look at this 3D plot of peptide structure.
But hey, look at this 3D plot of peptide structure.
I get pretty bad insomnia so I'm heading to the gym.
Gonna try to do a quick session and be out before midnight because I don't want to spend the first minute of my birthday next to Gym Miles Morales*
*I don't know his real name but he's a hench dude that wears full lycra.
Gonna try to do a quick session and be out before midnight because I don't want to spend the first minute of my birthday next to Gym Miles Morales*
*I don't know his real name but he's a hench dude that wears full lycra.
Day 117 of #PhD365 and it's my birthday! But I'm stuck in the lab with a hilariously soul destroying mantra in my head. https://twitter.com/thermoflynamics/status/1026691093256175616?s=19
If you'd like to celebrate my birthday, join me in some tunes while I do peptide synthesis.
Day 118 of #PhD365 and I've given a talk to the lab about my new work (got some decent feedback), synthesised a new peptide to look at, and am in the process of cleaning out the - 80°C freezer.
I'm cracking off solid ice blocks. Got my arms feeling like I'm making fufu.
I'm cracking off solid ice blocks. Got my arms feeling like I'm making fufu.
Also, being in the lab with the AC, nitrile gloves and chipping away at ice has dried out my hands.
I don't carry around cocoa butter because I prefer the big pot but I've got some of this for emergencies.
The white people don't know I'm ashy but Naija Lab Uncle will judge me.
I don't carry around cocoa butter because I prefer the big pot but I've got some of this for emergencies.
The white people don't know I'm ashy but Naija Lab Uncle will judge me.
I feel like this is an issue shared by @DrRubidium/ @Blackandstem organic chemists. The lab doesn't help my skincare routines.
Day #120 of #PhD365 and I'm just tired of driving everywhere and miss London's public transport.
This homesickness brought to you by my parents, who used a video call just to show me the fufu and soup that they had cooked that wasn't for me.
They are from where I inherit my petty energy.
They are from where I inherit my petty energy.
Anyway, on the science front (because that's why you're here for #PhD365), I'm doing the last stage of solid phase peptide synthesis - cleaving the peptide (the thing I want) from the resin (stuff I don't want but what the synthesiser attaches the peptide to).
Okay, so I actually spent this evening doing some code development.
I've went from "this might be cool to optimise" to "why is this no longer working" to "stop erroring" to "FUCK YOU, I'LL REWRITE YOU" in 2 hours.
Here's an audiovisual analogy of my emotional rollercoaster:
I've went from "this might be cool to optimise" to "why is this no longer working" to "stop erroring" to "FUCK YOU, I'LL REWRITE YOU" in 2 hours.
Here's an audiovisual analogy of my emotional rollercoaster:
Day, 121 of #PhD365 and jesus christ, I shouldn't have stayed up yesterday doing unnecessary coding.
I've been up since 6am to travel to @SummerInTheCity. Fucking shattered.
But at least I have a chance to re-read @garwboy's book.
I've been up since 6am to travel to @SummerInTheCity. Fucking shattered.
But at least I have a chance to re-read @garwboy's book.
Day 132 of #PhD365 and I'm getting my poster printed for a conference next week.
I'm actually kinda annoyed because I just found out that the conference allows you to register any time but didn't say so in the timetable.
I'm heading up to Dublin at 7am flight on a Sunday.
I'm actually kinda annoyed because I just found out that the conference allows you to register any time but didn't say so in the timetable.
I'm heading up to Dublin at 7am flight on a Sunday.
I'm at home now and I've started doing some final touches on the paper that I've been working on for the last couple of months.
Decided to put on some Frank Ocean background music because it's chill as fuck.
*Self Control starts playing*
Me:
Decided to put on some Frank Ocean background music because it's chill as fuck.
*Self Control starts playing*
Me:
Day 134 of #PhD365 and I've just realised that this poster case means that I've got to check my suitcase in as hold luggage.
I have to pay £40 to add checked baggage to these two flights. And then try to reclaim it back from the uni.
I fucking hate reimbursement culture.
I have to pay £40 to add checked baggage to these two flights. And then try to reclaim it back from the uni.
I fucking hate reimbursement culture.
But seriously, everything has to be paid up front and then claimed for afterwards.
The only reprieve is the the small travel grant I got (which only just covers the conference registration).
Everything else (travel/accom) has to be put on my credit card and it's so fucked up.
The only reprieve is the the small travel grant I got (which only just covers the conference registration).
Everything else (travel/accom) has to be put on my credit card and it's so fucked up.
Day 135 of #PhD365 and I'm prepping for this week long conference.
I just clocked that I'm gonna be missing the Bank Holiday Monday (and the uni being shut on Tuesday).
Suffice it to say, I'm pissed.
I just clocked that I'm gonna be missing the Bank Holiday Monday (and the uni being shut on Tuesday).
Suffice it to say, I'm pissed.
I'm also a bit stuck on what academics actually wear to conferences. I'm not doing a presentation so.... jeans and a decent shirt? Business casual? Full hypebeast?
Help me! #phdchat #phdlife
Help me! #phdchat #phdlife
Day 145 of #PhD365 and I've been in the lab since 7am because I've lost a day this week and have 12 more weeks in the lab to get EVERYTHING done.
I'm just leaving the lab. It's been a 16h day. I'm fucking shattered and now I have to drive home.
This is what 12 weeks left in the lab feels like when you've got a stupid amount of projects to draw a line under. #PhD365
This is what 12 weeks left in the lab feels like when you've got a stupid amount of projects to draw a line under. #PhD365
I just walked out side and heard an owl. What kind of accio more funding is this nonsense?
Day 147 of #PhD365 & people have been asking what my research is on.
Me: "I design and validate short peptides to bind to larger molecules in order to stop transcriptional activity. They leverage the fact that they are short and good at binding"
Everyone: "..."
Me: "It's this"
Me: "I design and validate short peptides to bind to larger molecules in order to stop transcriptional activity. They leverage the fact that they are short and good at binding"
Everyone: "..."
Me: "It's this"
Day 153 of #PhD365 and I'm working out whether I've made the right thing and purified it cleanly.
That means I get to use the mass spec.
That means I get to use the mass spec.
Day 160 of #PhD365 and it's very clear that early starts can fuck right off. (But they're okayish right now because I have 10 weeks left in the lab).
I'm gonna start with the simple stuff - purifying my peptide via HPLC.
I'm gonna start with the simple stuff - purifying my peptide via HPLC.
Also nobody else is in the lab so you know exactly what's on the speakers right now.
Day 162 of #PhD365 and this picture adequately represents my current mood.
Remember how my PhD funding runs out on the same day as another very notable event? #PhD365
Day 167 of #PhD365 and I've been in the lab for 11 hours today to get everything prepped for the next week or so.
I'm so tired that when I just went to fill up on the way home, I couldn't remember the word petrol and called it "car juice"
I'm so tired that when I just went to fill up on the way home, I couldn't remember the word petrol and called it "car juice"
What the fuck is "car juice"?
Day 172 of #PhD365 and you should know that I tend to get quite "fight or flight" in the lab when I get startled by other people asking me things.
Life is so much better now that I have the best noise cancelling headphones I've ever used
Thank you @BowersWilkins @Nikhil_Mistry
Life is so much better now that I have the best noise cancelling headphones I've ever used
Thank you @BowersWilkins @Nikhil_Mistry
Day 173 of #PhD365 and I've spent the day doing HPLC and peptide crashing.
But it's all worth it because I've got most of my latest peptides purified!
I am elated.
But it's all worth it because I've got most of my latest peptides purified!
I am elated.
day 174 and it's been so much work for a tiny bit of liquid #PhD365
Day 175 and I'm doing some work on the outline of my thesis.
Hypothetically speaking, would I be on some Kanye shit if I were to acknowledge myself in the acknowledgements section?
#PhD365
Hypothetically speaking, would I be on some Kanye shit if I were to acknowledge myself in the acknowledgements section?
#PhD365
Day 178 and I'm heading back to London for a few meetings.
I'm glad to have taken tomorrow off but I've got this constant feeling in the back of my head that I've left something open/unlocked/running in the lab.
#PhD365
I'm glad to have taken tomorrow off but I've got this constant feeling in the back of my head that I've left something open/unlocked/running in the lab.
#PhD365
Day 186 of #PhD365 and I'm just characterising purified peptide.
Look at this beautiful Mass Spec data that I've worked weeks for.
#realtimechem
Look at this beautiful Mass Spec data that I've worked weeks for.
#realtimechem
Also, some of you might be following me after my takeover of @Ri_Science last week.
If you missed it, it's what I was doing while purifying this peptide (four times because it's the most fucking low yield thing I've worked with) . https://twitter.com/Ri_Science/status/1050774420757929984?s=19
If you missed it, it's what I was doing while purifying this peptide (four times because it's the most fucking low yield thing I've worked with) . https://twitter.com/Ri_Science/status/1050774420757929984?s=19
Day 187 of #PhD365 and I'm heading home after working late in the lab.
I ate a bag of twiglets and a couple of blackcurrant beroccas for dinner.
Je suis rubbish.
I ate a bag of twiglets and a couple of blackcurrant beroccas for dinner.
Je suis rubbish.
I'm so sleep deprived yet alert from caffeine.
I just got startled by - and then proceeded to square up to - a tree branch blowing in the wind.
I just got startled by - and then proceeded to square up to - a tree branch blowing in the wind.
Day 192 of #PhD365 and yer boi has to pay for shoddy time management (mostly due to forgetfulness) by being in the lab at midnight
I'm feeling absolutely dead and I'm back here in 7 hours.
This is bullshit. I'm going to eat a Yorkie bar in the car and not log it in MyFitnessPal
I'm feeling absolutely dead and I'm back here in 7 hours.
This is bullshit. I'm going to eat a Yorkie bar in the car and not log it in MyFitnessPal
Day 196 of #PhD365
I sat in the audience for a departmental talk & spent the entire forty minutes contemplating my own mortality, the nature of consciousness, and what I'll leave behind on earth as a meaningful legacy
Snacks were good though - gingerbread men
Top tier biscuits
I sat in the audience for a departmental talk & spent the entire forty minutes contemplating my own mortality, the nature of consciousness, and what I'll leave behind on earth as a meaningful legacy
Snacks were good though - gingerbread men
Top tier biscuits
Day 199 of #PhD365 & my experiments are being proper weird today
IT DOESN'T MATTER THOUGH BECAUSE I JUST GOT MY SECOND PHD PAPER PUBLISHED (IT'S MY 1ST FIRST AUTHOR ONE)
(kidding - papers don't matter rn- my experiments need to fucking work, jesus) https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.biochem.8b00782
IT DOESN'T MATTER THOUGH BECAUSE I JUST GOT MY SECOND PHD PAPER PUBLISHED (IT'S MY 1ST FIRST AUTHOR ONE)
(kidding - papers don't matter rn- my experiments need to fucking work, jesus) https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.biochem.8b00782
Day 205 of #PhD365 and I've only got 27 days (3 weeks and 6 days) left in the lab and I'm happy to be leaving and going back to London but NOTHING IS WORKING AND AAAHHHH FOR FUCKS SAKE but oh god I'm so close BUT AHHHH NOTHING PURIFIES but so close to seeing my dog.
I've said it before.
It's like seeing the light at the end of the tunnel but you realise it's getting closer because you're strapped to the front of a runaway train with no track up ahead.
#PhD365
It's like seeing the light at the end of the tunnel but you realise it's getting closer because you're strapped to the front of a runaway train with no track up ahead.
#PhD365
Shout out to @23RamblerX and @BuddyBoyThough for showing me what polydipsia looks like. 
https://twitter.com/23RamblerX/status/1059099991812259841?s=19
https://twitter.com/23RamblerX/status/1059099991812259841?s=19
Day 206 & I spent the day purifying samples
Tested out the new Mass Spec and it worked pretty well with my first purified sample
Came back with the rest of them, only to find out that the guy in charge of the MS queued lots of calibration runs
Well.
Time to go home.
#PhD365
Tested out the new Mass Spec and it worked pretty well with my first purified sample
Came back with the rest of them, only to find out that the guy in charge of the MS queued lots of calibration runs
Well.
Time to go home.
#PhD365
Fuck's sake.
Day 211 of #PhD365 and I finished up the day at 2am.
I'm going home to eat a steak and then be back here at 9 to run Circular Dichroism experiments.
Fuck this bullshit.
Fuck it right in the fucking fuck.
I'm going home to eat a steak and then be back here at 9 to run Circular Dichroism experiments.
Fuck this bullshit.
Fuck it right in the fucking fuck.
Day 213 of #PhD365 and I've been reminded why the idea that academics are united is so fucking trash and that anyone could tell you that from day fucking dot. https://twitter.com/thermoflynamics/status/1036999769502216193
Day 217 of #PhD365 and I've been doing lots of purification for the last experiments.
I have 16 days left in the lab before I move back to London to write my thesis
Here is a live stream of my purification results when I've collected a 50% pure shoulder of the main peak
I have 16 days left in the lab before I move back to London to write my thesis
Here is a live stream of my purification results when I've collected a 50% pure shoulder of the main peak
Day 223 of #PhD365.
I'm leaving the lab next Friday.
10 days.
Two projects to tie up.
It's past 11pm.
FUUUUUCK THISSSSS.
I'm leaving the lab next Friday.
10 days.
Two projects to tie up.
It's past 11pm.
FUUUUUCK THISSSSS.
I don't understand why a vocal minority in academia/PhD twitter fucking fetishise this "staying late to do groundbreaking work because I love it".
This is long as fuck. I wanna go home and watch One Punch Man and eat a muller corner.
This is long as fuck. I wanna go home and watch One Punch Man and eat a muller corner.
I'M FUCKING DONE.
SCIENCE CAN EAT A DICK for at least the next 8 and a half hours until I'm back here.
I'm a biochemical Sisyphus. #PhD365
SCIENCE CAN EAT A DICK for at least the next 8 and a half hours until I'm back here.
I'm a biochemical Sisyphus. #PhD365
The last push was achieved by blasting @officialjaden on repeat.
3 minutes of pure hype.
3 minutes of pure hype.
Day 225.
8 days until I leave the lab and move back to London.
A key instrument has broken. I can't do any work without it. It's the only way to wrap up two chapters of my thesis.
Engineer will be here in 5 working days.
#PhD365
8 days until I leave the lab and move back to London.
A key instrument has broken. I can't do any work without it. It's the only way to wrap up two chapters of my thesis.
Engineer will be here in 5 working days.
#PhD365
Honestly, I just wish that I'd spent less time on experiments that didn't pan out (hindsight is 20/20)
I could've done these ones 3 weeks back if I had skipped the "high risk, high rewards" ones
Just miss how good the instrument was to use and its high quality images #PhD365
I could've done these ones 3 weeks back if I had skipped the "high risk, high rewards" ones
Just miss how good the instrument was to use and its high quality images #PhD365
Day 229 of #PhD365 and I'm leaving the lab on Friday.
The guy is coming tomorrow to fix the machine I need for finishing my experiments....with half the time.
I've been calming myself by watching this video.
Every single time I watch it. I. am. dead.
The guy is coming tomorrow to fix the machine I need for finishing my experiments....with half the time.
I've been calming myself by watching this video.
Every single time I watch it. I. am. dead.
THE ENGINEER MAN FIXED IT.
I now have 3 days to do 9 days of work.
It's day 230 of #PhD365 and I'm gonna be here until midnight today but the end is in sight.
In the words of @bigquint:
LET'S
FUCKING GO
I now have 3 days to do 9 days of work.
It's day 230 of #PhD365 and I'm gonna be here until midnight today but the end is in sight.
In the words of @bigquint:
LET'S
FUCKING GO
Hahahahahahahahahahaha you prick https://twitter.com/thermoflynamics/status/1025351306934976512?s=19
Kmt "last project"
FUCKING YES.*
IT SPLIT INTO THE MODIFIED AND NON MODIFIED VERSION. **
I AM THE KING OF SCIENCE ***
* provisionally
** further analysis required
*** It's more of a figurehead role.
#PhD365
IT SPLIT INTO THE MODIFIED AND NON MODIFIED VERSION. **
I AM THE KING OF SCIENCE ***
* provisionally
** further analysis required
*** It's more of a figurehead role.
#PhD365
WOIIIII.
THE MASSES LINE UP.
YES
THE MASSES LINE UP.
YES
Alright so this second one isn't looking too hot.
Pretty sure it's the middle peak but I'm going to check the shoulders too.
Pray to the mass spec god for me.
Pretty sure it's the middle peak but I'm going to check the shoulders too.
Pray to the mass spec god for me.
Fucking hell it's 3am and I've been here since 9.
Yeah, I'm done after this and coming in late tomorrow.... today...?
Yeah, I'm done after this and coming in late tomorrow.... today...?
I miss sleeping.
IT'S DAY 231 AND I'M JUST HEADING INTO THE LAB.
YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?
ALEX HAS FUCKED HIS CIRCADIAN RHYTHM SO IT'S ANOTHER ALL NIGHT SESH*
(*less fun than an actual sesh)
#PhD365
YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?
ALEX HAS FUCKED HIS CIRCADIAN RHYTHM SO IT'S ANOTHER ALL NIGHT SESH*
(*less fun than an actual sesh)
#PhD365
I've obviously done this on purpose so I'm on the same day night cycle as @ozy_ismail is in Portland.
Today's science brought to you by @Supermalt.
Leaving before December starts so I have to flex on the rest of the lab right here right now.
If my work ends up curing a major disease, would that be worth a lifetime supply?
Leaving before December starts so I have to flex on the rest of the lab right here right now.
If my work ends up curing a major disease, would that be worth a lifetime supply?
And if you need something to do while I'm prepping and doing this experiment collection, check out the series I'm doing with @sciencemuseum.
https://twitter.com/thermoflynamics/status/1067731129116037121?s=19
https://twitter.com/thermoflynamics/status/1067731129116037121?s=19
This is the best yield I've ever got from chromatography.
This is incredible.
3+ years of this PhD and I..... think..... I think I might actually be skilled?
This is incredible.
3+ years of this PhD and I..... think..... I think I might actually be skilled?
IT FUCKING WORKED.
TWICE.
THAT SHIT IS PURE.
I GOT THEM.
TWICE.
THAT SHIT IS PURE.
I GOT THEM.
OKAY SO I'VE BEEN IN THE LAB FOR 13 HOURS (AND THAT'S ABSOLUTELY SHIT TIER )
BUT
OH
MY
GOD
I THINK I MIGHT BE DOWN TO THE LAST HOURS OF THE EXPERIMENTS REQUIRED FOR TWO CHAPTERS OF MY THESIS
JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU THAT MY CHEMISTR-YÉ IS DIFFERENT TO YOUR CHEMISTR-YÉ
#PhD365
BUT
OH
MY
GOD
I THINK I MIGHT BE DOWN TO THE LAST HOURS OF THE EXPERIMENTS REQUIRED FOR TWO CHAPTERS OF MY THESIS
JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU THAT MY CHEMISTR-YÉ IS DIFFERENT TO YOUR CHEMISTR-YÉ
#PhD365
OKAY SO EVEN MY SUPERVISOR WAS LIKE "I THINK THIS IS TOO MUCH" SO I'M DUCKING OUT AFTER 18 HOURS IN THIS MOTHERFUCKER.
I'M GONNA GET THREE EGG MCMUFFINS. IT'S GONNA BE SO WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAVY.
I'M GONNA GET THREE EGG MCMUFFINS. IT'S GONNA BE SO WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAVY.
Absolute unit.
I am washing away my chromatography sins with a stick of pineapple.
This - I'm told - makes eating three mcmuffins perfectly fine.
This - I'm told - makes eating three mcmuffins perfectly fine.
This was a terrible idea.
You should only have one mcmuffin at a time.
I think I am dying.
You should only have one mcmuffin at a time.
I think I am dying.
Okay.
Back on my bullshit.
Back to the lab.
Back on my bullshit.
Back to the lab.
Day 232 of #PhD365 and we've hit the last stretch.
My experiments have started working and it means that I'm almost free of the lab and Bath!!!
My experiments have started working and it means that I'm almost free of the lab and Bath!!!
i've got three hours to go.
i have done more science than I thought possible in the last 26 hours.
i am doing all possible redundancies so i make sure that i don't have to come back. #PhD365
i have done more science than I thought possible in the last 26 hours.
i am doing all possible redundancies so i make sure that i don't have to come back. #PhD365
Me vs the constant nagging intrusive thoughts that I should be doing another form of X experiment if "I really want to be totally sure because otherwise my thesis will definitely be shit"
Me, searching for the last sample after accidentally dropping it in the freezer and then finding two of them in my labcoat pocket
Day 238 of #PhD365 and I'M BACK HOME IN LONDON BAAAAAAAAABY
I've now got 9 months to write this thesis. And this guy won't let me move from my desk without assaulting me with love.
I am so fucking tired after that ridiculously long period of all nighters. BUT I'M HERE NOW!
I've now got 9 months to write this thesis. And this guy won't let me move from my desk without assaulting me with love.
I am so fucking tired after that ridiculously long period of all nighters. BUT I'M HERE NOW!
And if any of you have been following me since Day 1, look what I got during my final experiment.
THE PROTEIN SECONDARY STRUCTURES LINE UP.
THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I NEED TO SEE WITH WHAT LITTLE FUNDING I HAVE LEFT. #PHD365
THE PROTEIN SECONDARY STRUCTURES LINE UP.
THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I NEED TO SEE WITH WHAT LITTLE FUNDING I HAVE LEFT. #PHD365
Day 239 and it's always good to be able get advice from academics that you respect. #PhD365 https://twitter.com/IBJIYONGI/status/1070686317510623232?s=19
Realising that this subtweeting thread was necessary and you start seriously reconsidering all the free emotional labour that you've been handing out left right and centre for 3 years when you know that none of it can be put in your thesis. #PhD365
Rereading that thread like:
Day 241 and I've been feeling shit about my thesis outline and the writing I've done so far.
So I thought that the best course of therapy was losing the "24/7 in the lab" beard.
My discussion section for this 3rd chapter will get its own shape up later this week. #PhD365
So I thought that the best course of therapy was losing the "24/7 in the lab" beard.
My discussion section for this 3rd chapter will get its own shape up later this week. #PhD365
I'd like you to compare my PhD beard to @simonoxfphys' and please convince me that volume is indirectly proportional to writing stress.
That'd be dope. https://twitter.com/simonoxfphys/status/903170388238225409?s=19
That'd be dope. https://twitter.com/simonoxfphys/status/903170388238225409?s=19
Okay so I cocked up the day counting since my first tweet was about ten days into the final year of funding.
So we're at something like Day 267.
98 paid days to write my thesis. Everything after this point will be off of my own £££.
#PhD365
So we're at something like Day 267.
98 paid days to write my thesis. Everything after this point will be off of my own £££.
#PhD365
I'm in a okayish position as I've got two papers and I'm planning to do a thesis by publication - means I've got 2 chapters mostly done.
I'm using this time to do papers/chapters 3 and 4 from scratch and bring it all together with intro/conclusion chapters.
#PhD365
I'm using this time to do papers/chapters 3 and 4 from scratch and bring it all together with intro/conclusion chapters.
#PhD365
I'm now solely writing up my thesis and I've had an okay day. Had lunch at a decent hour and walked the dog.
I spent a lot of today just *looking* at my data with fresh eyes. I've found a tonne of questions that I'm hoping to answer in the thesis.
#PhD365
I spent a lot of today just *looking* at my data with fresh eyes. I've found a tonne of questions that I'm hoping to answer in the thesis.
#PhD365
Compartmentalising, dividing, and answering the specific sub-questions in each of the chapters with references and nuanced understanding of protocol strengths and limitations like
#PhD365
#PhD365
Alright I'm gonna bang out this draft of the paper by Friday
When you see this tweet, I encourage you to @ me some variation of "you should be writing" (I'm already thinking it 24/7 anyway)
Get creative with it/RT me into not even thinking about looking at twitter
#PhD365
When you see this tweet, I encourage you to @ me some variation of "you should be writing" (I'm already thinking it 24/7 anyway)
Get creative with it/RT me into not even thinking about looking at twitter
#PhD365
FUCKING FUCKING FUCK FUCKING FUUUUUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKK #PHD365
Yeah that's two days of work gone. Friends don't let friends forget to use @MacriumReflect.
I'M AN ABSOLUTE FUCKING KNOBCAKE.
#PhD365
I'M AN ABSOLUTE FUCKING KNOBCAKE.
#PhD365
AHHHH THREE DAYS OF WORK FUCK FUCKING PRICKNUTS.
Please wish happy birthday to Ollie as he is sad to be spending his 5th birthday wondering how long this backup is taking.
He has convinced himself that's he's still a lap dog.
HAHAHA YOU OPTIMISTIC PRICK #PhD365 https://twitter.com/thermoflynamics/status/984378364512407552?s=19
Honestly, Mendeley will be the death of me.
My bibliography section whenever I even whisper that two of the 500 references that are not even in this manuscript might need to be merged:
#PhD365
https://twitter.com/RealBoasy/status/1075906634520641536/video/1
My bibliography section whenever I even whisper that two of the 500 references that are not even in this manuscript might need to be merged:
#PhD365
https://twitter.com/RealBoasy/status/1075906634520641536/video/1
All of my friends who started at the same time as me are handing in their theses or doing their vivas soon and I'm not close to that yet.
It is motivating but I also feel like a complete piece of shit.
#PhD365
It is motivating but I also feel like a complete piece of shit.
#PhD365
Wowwwwwwwwwww.
Chapter 2 has been gutted.
Wow.
Fucking wow.
Fuck Mendeley's Microsoft Word plugin.
#PhD365
Chapter 2 has been gutted.
Wow.
Fucking wow.
Fuck Mendeley's Microsoft Word plugin.
#PhD365
final results chapter is slowly killing my soul but the end is so near that i can taste it #PhD365
Me: "I'm gonna get through this literature review chapter and the small part of my brain that makes me want to stare up at the ceiling all day will just have to take a break"
Small part of my brain:
Small part of my brain:
thank god for dropbox #PhD365
Any image in my word document when I try to resize anything or make a tiny formatting change to text #PhD365
tbh that was just an excuse to post my favourite bit of my favourite live performance of my favourite "let's not be depressed right now" song
Another person who started the same time as me is having their viva tomorrow. How the fucking fuck am I not writing fast enough?
Unrelated question: can someone give sertraline a cool "3 am in a nightclub bathroom" name so I can start snorting it? #PhD365
Unrelated question: can someone give sertraline a cool "3 am in a nightclub bathroom" name so I can start snorting it? #PhD365
But for real, I have had to work jobs to get ££££ now that I have no funding. But still, this shit has taken too long wtf how did my supervisor say that some people smash this shit out in 2 months who's their plug? #PhD365
got that word count up but i still haven't finished #PhD365
Almost entirely sure that (someone in) my department follows me on here and my supervisor has seen this thread but I don't care anymore tbh #PhD365
#PhD365
Not gonna lie, I haven't been updating much cos everytime I do, I have to see this "stuck in a room filled with solvents so he has an ashy epidermis" dickhead. #PhD365
Pro: new first author paper 
Con: my supervisor knows my @ and I tweet recklessly
#PhD365 https://twitter.com/ChemicalBiology/status/1136261421900206085?s=19
Con: my supervisor knows my @ and I tweet recklessly
#PhD365 https://twitter.com/ChemicalBiology/status/1136261421900206085?s=19
For context, the work I did for this paper starts here and I only cried in the department's rest room once #PhD365 https://twitter.com/thermoflynamics/status/1067539563403456512?s=19
I swear to god if CHKDSK and friends don't let me get my final results chapter back, I might fucking snap. #PhD365
THANK YOU DIGITAL GODS.
LEARN FROM ME.
- DOWNLOAD @MACRIUMREFLECT
- BACKUP EVERYTHING ONLINE AND TO A EXTERNAL HD
- CREATE RECOVERY MEDIA
- CREATE A NEW SYSTEM RESTORE POINT
- CREATE A DISK IMAGE
#PhD365 #phdchat #phdlife #gradschool #blackandSTEM
LEARN FROM ME.
- DOWNLOAD @MACRIUMREFLECT
- BACKUP EVERYTHING ONLINE AND TO A EXTERNAL HD
- CREATE RECOVERY MEDIA
- CREATE A NEW SYSTEM RESTORE POINT
- CREATE A DISK IMAGE
#PhD365 #phdchat #phdlife #gradschool #blackandSTEM
yes writing while looking for employment is going fine why do you ask? #PhD365
My laptop being fixed also meant that I found some experimental data that I thought I lost.
omg i can get this final results chapter out today i am so happy
#PhD365
omg i can get this final results chapter out today i am so happy
#PhD365
Banged out the ting. Up all night like a mug. Gonna have a quick nap and do the figure legends and intro section.
Then I can send that shit off to my supervisor, have another nap and some weetabix and finish my lit review.
#PhD365
Then I can send that shit off to my supervisor, have another nap and some weetabix and finish my lit review.
#PhD365
This chapter was genuinely the hardest thing I've ever written and - considering that I had to write a eulogy for my gran for a funeral I couldn't go to - that's saying a lot.
#PhD365
#PhD365
CONCLUSION TIME 
(I've been changing how I deal with anxiety. I'd usually just pull out hairs from my beard but now I've channeled my inner @ShivaniDave and have amassed 5 lip balms to anxiously apply to my face everytime I rewrite a paragraph) #PhD365
(I've been changing how I deal with anxiety. I'd usually just pull out hairs from my beard but now I've channeled my inner @ShivaniDave and have amassed 5 lip balms to anxiously apply to my face everytime I rewrite a paragraph) #PhD365
Ran into @Bobby_Seagull outside @sciencemuseum today and he's like "have you submitted yet? I've been following you on twitter!"
Sorry, are you my father?
Sorry, are you my father?
Between working and writing, I've not slept for almost two days. These bouts of insomnia are really unhealthy and something I try to avoid.
I guess it's kind of paid off because I just got this email and, yeah, it's happening people! #PhD365
I guess it's kind of paid off because I just got this email and, yeah, it's happening people! #PhD365
Now that they know that I'm almost done, my parents have really begun to probe my immediate post-PhD plans.
#PhD365
#PhD365
One thing I have to wait for I can press submit is really annoying
Cos I'm doing an "alternative format" thesis (thesis by publication), I'm waiting to hear from doctoral college if using my published paper PDFs is acceptable (even though journal/uni guidelines say yes)
#PhD365
Cos I'm doing an "alternative format" thesis (thesis by publication), I'm waiting to hear from doctoral college if using my published paper PDFs is acceptable (even though journal/uni guidelines say yes)
#PhD365
"This format is meant to make it easier for people writing their thesis to create chapters that are easier to publish. Oh, you've already published and want to use your own work? Nah mate, you have to wait for us to check your permission from the journal"
Wa gyme paa.
#PhD365
Wa gyme paa.
#PhD365
Just did an analysis of my Spotify history over the last 6 months and I'm here acting like number 12 negates what is otherwise a repetitive 3AM sadboi thesis writing playlist #phdlife #phdchat #PhD365
It's arrived from uni!
From 4 years of work, I've got 185 pages.
Not gonna lie, I could've filled another 200+ pages with all the things I tried that didn't result in anything other than more work. #PhD365
From 4 years of work, I've got 185 pages.
Not gonna lie, I could've filled another 200+ pages with all the things I tried that didn't result in anything other than more work. #PhD365
More than half of it would be on getting people to properly respect equipment booking systems #PhD365
I want to show big big 
to @AngelaDSaini @AdamRutherford @HanaAyoob and so many others (especially especially especially @steve_x) for helping me find freelance gigs this year that kept me out of my overdraft while writing with no funding.
#PhD365
to @AngelaDSaini @AdamRutherford @HanaAyoob and so many others (especially especially especially @steve_x) for helping me find freelance gigs this year that kept me out of my overdraft while writing with no funding. #PhD365
I say this because my examiners decided that my viva next Friday is at 9.30am and I'm actually able to go 50/50 on a hotel with my partner for the night before.
#PhD365
#PhD365
Will be defending my thesis this time tomorrow
oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god I'm freaking out
#PhD365
oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god I'm freaking out
#PhD365
Me attempting to find God rn knowing full well the disgusting behaviour found in my last 10k tweets #PhD365
Mum: "Don't worry, my prayers are strong. You will prosper"
Dad: "You have worked hard for this. If you are still worrying, you know what to do"
Me: "What?"
Dad:
Dad: "You have worked hard for this. If you are still worrying, you know what to do"
Me: "What?"
Dad:
Also because I don't really drink, my supervisor got the off-brand supermalt for my office celebration.
All based off the couple of times I wore my @Supermalt Xmas jumper last year
Boyyyyy
All based off the couple of times I wore my @Supermalt Xmas jumper last year
Boyyyyy
Okay so when my external examiner walked in to my viva, they told me that they hadn't received my thesis - just an empty envelope 
So they got out a packet with every single page of the pdf printed inside and I was suddenly back in every job interview I've ever had
#PhD365
So they got out a packet with every single page of the pdf printed inside and I was suddenly back in every job interview I've ever had
#PhD365
Smart watches need to have a way of manually changing "exercise zones" to "anxiety sessions"
#PhD365
#PhD365
My thesis is finally printed and it's beautiful and I never want to see it again.
(My parents wanted me to put them in the acknowledgements so I did one better than that)
#PhD365
(My parents wanted me to put them in the acknowledgements so I did one better than that)
#PhD365
