
The Struggling Scientists
The Struggling Scientists Podcast is a show by and for scientists, aspiring scientists, and science enthusiasts. It aims to bring back the fun in science by discussing the scientific field and the people behind it. The hosts talk about the challenges and joys of science, helping listeners reconnect with their passion.
Episodes
Why You Struggle to Do Deep Work During Your PhD and how to fix your focus
Learn how to apply the core ideas from Deep Work by Cal Newport to your life as a PhD student, postdoc, or early-career researcher.In this episode, we break down what Deep Work actually is, why shallow work can take over your best energy, and how to use the four Deep Work methods: monastic, bimodal, rhythmic, and journalistic.If you want to protect more focused time for writing, reading, analysis,
The Worst AI Mistakes in Published Research
AI is already being used in academic research, and some of it is going very wrong.In this video, we break down real cases where the misuse of AI led to serious problems in published scientific papers. This includes fake references, copy pasted AI text, and completely incorrect AI generated figures that somehow made it through peer review.From a hospital librarian discovering that most references i
Questions That Destroyed Years of Research (Academia Stories)
Academia can go wrong… very quickly.In this episode of Academic Tea, we react to real stories from researchers where a single question at a conference, lab meeting, or thesis defense completely changed — or even destroyed — someone’s research.From missing control variables… to flawed assumptions… to realizing your entire project might not be based on the right idea — these are the kinds of moments
Episode 87: How to Actually Focus During Your PhD (Without Burning Out)
Most PhD students don’t struggle with focus because they’re lazy.They struggle because their attention is constantly being pulled in ten different directions.In this episode, we break down a simple framework to help you actually focus again — without burning out or relying on motivation.If you’ve been feeling scattered, stuck, or mentally drained, this will help you lock back in.------------------
Episode 86: What a Dutch PhD Defense is Actually Like
Did you know that in the Netherlands, by the time you defend your PhD… you’ve already passed?Unlike in many other countries, the Dutch PhD defense is usually not the final exam that determines whether you get your degree. Your thesis has already been approved, failing is extremely rare, and the defense itself feels more like a formal and historic ceremony than an exam.In this video, I take you beh
Episode 85: Academia Stories That Are Almost Too Awkward to Be Real
Academia can get weird fast. In this episode of Academic Tea, we react to real Reddit stories about awkward academic interviews, PhD supervisor dilemmas, and thesis mistakes that every researcher will recognize.Would you like your story to be (anonymously) featured in a future episode?Submit your story here:https://thestrugglingscientists.com/stories/-----------------------------------------------
Episode 84: 7 Tips to nail your PhD interview with a future supervisor!
Got a PhD interview coming up?This isn’t just another job interview, it’s the start of a 4+ year research partnership. In this video, we share 7 essential PhD interview tips that most applicants overlook. From your first email to the toughest interview questions.If you want to stand out, impress your future supervisor, and feel confident walking into your graduate school interview, this is for you
Episode 83: PhD's Worst Fears: How to Avoid These Grad School Disasters
In this special Halloween episode, we dive into the scariest real-life PhD horror stories submitted by our listeners. From crashed software hours before a big deadline to lab disasters and terrifyingly toxic supervisors, these tales of PhD struggles will leave you on the edge of your seat. We’ll share our thoughts and advice on how to navigate these grad school nightmares—so you don’t have to face
PhD's Toolkit Series: Scite AI, Your Personal Research Assistant?
In this episode of the PhD's Toolkit series, we put Scite AI to the test! Join us as we review this AI-powered research assistant and evaluate its features for PhD students and researchers. From smart citations to personalized dashboards, we break down how Scite AI can streamline your literature search and improve your research workflow. Is it really as good as it sounds? Tune in to find out o
Episode 82: Managing Procrastination in an Academic World, With Kate Ahl
Struggling to stay productive and meet deadlines in your academic life? In this episode, we dive into the common challenge of procrastination with expert insights from a psychotherapist specializing in helping academics. Learn why procrastination isn't just about laziness and discover practical strategies to overcome it, boost your productivity, and improve your mental well-being.Whether you&#
PhD’s Toolkit! Vizly, Data Analysis by AI — A Complete Review
Curious about how AI can simplify your research?In this episode of PhD's Toolkit, we dive deep into Vizly, the AI-powered data analysis tool that promises to make coding a thing of the past. Join us for a full review, where we break down its functions, ease of use, pricing, and impact for researchers.Whether you’re struggling with data or just want to speed up your workflow, this is an episode
Episode 81: PhD Unions, A New Era in Academic Labor Rights
In this episode of The Struggling Scientist, we're diving into a powerful movement that's reshaping academia—PhD unionization. As more students band together to fight for fair wages and better working conditions, they're not just making waves—they're sparking a new era in academic labor rights. Join us as we share the stories, struggles, and successes behind this growing movement.W
Episode 80: From Lab to TV: The Life of a Scientist in the Media With Prof. Giles Yeo
Join us for an exciting chat with Professor Giles Yeo, the geneticist who made a splash on Channel 4 and the BBC! In this episode, Giles shares his journey from lab research to TV fame, and how he became a leading voice in nutrition and obesity science. Get ready for behind-the-scenes stories, expert insights, and tips on balancing science with media.Learn more about:- The thrill of making science
PhD's Toolkit! Jenni AI, your academic writing assistant?
🚀 Boost Your Academic Writing with Jenni AI! 📚In this video, we review Jenni AI, an AI-powered writing assistant perfect for academics and PhD students. Learn how Jenni AI can help you overcome writer’s block, manage citations, and streamline your writing process.⏰ TIME STAMPS0:00 - Introduction to The Toolkit0:19 - Jenni AI Overview0:42 - Jenni AI Tour1:18 - Dealing with Writer's Block2:33 -
Episode 79: The Science Behind Weight Loss, Obesity, And Diets With Prof. Giles Yeo
Weight loss isn't complicated, but that sure as hell doesn't make it easy. With so much (mis)information out there, we decided to talk with an expert to get the facts!This week, Suzanne Van Wouw and I recorded a new episode with the wonderful Prof. Giles Yeo on the science behind✅ Weight loss✅ Obesity✅ Nutrition✅ and much moreExpect to learn 🧠 :⭐Universal and science-based nutritional advi
Episode 78: Vlogging the PhD Journey: Behind the Scenes with Nathalie Reilly (Life and Sunshine)
🔬✨ Dive into the vibrant world of vlogging a PhD journey with Nathalie Reilly (@Life_and_Sunshine), an inspiration for aspiring scientists and PhD students everywhere! In this episode of "The Struggling Scientists," Nathalie shares the highs and lows of her unique PhD experience, offering a rare glimpse behind the lab coat. 🎓📸Episode Highlights:🎥 The Art of Vlogging a PhD Journey🏄♀️ Balan
Episode 77: Science News, From Sci-Fi Realities to Scientific Missteps
In this episode of the Struggling Scientists podcast, we're peeling back the curtain on some of the most riveting and significant moments that have recently captivated the scientific community. Join hosts Suzanne and Jayron as they delve into a mix of groundbreaking discoveries, unexpected challenges, and curious incidents that highlight the dynamic nature of science today:❄️ The Freezer Fiasc
Episode 76: Academic Writing in the Time of AI, with Prof. Lennart Nacke
In this episode of the Struggling Scientists podcast, we dive into the world of academic writing in the era of artificial intelligence. Join hosts Suzanne and Jayron as they talk to Prof. Lennart Nacke, a pioneering figure in user experience, human-computer interaction, and game design at the University of Waterloo.Lennart, with an impressive portfolio of over 200 papers and 30,000 citations, shar
Episode 75: AI in Academia: Research and Writing Tools to Reduce the Struggle
In this episode, we peel back the layers of how artificial intelligence is transforming the academic landscape. Whether you're a seasoned researcher or just science-curious, this discussion is packed with insights on leveraging AI to streamline your work and foster innovation.What you'll discover in this episode:🤖 The Evolution of AI Tools in Academia: Beyond ChatGPT, uncover specialized A
Episode 74: The Science of saying No, Tackling Science FOMO with Shane Hanlon
In this episode of The Struggling Scientists Podcast, we delve into the world of Science FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) with our special guest, Shane Hanlon. As an ecologist turned science communicator, Shane brings unique insights into the challenges and excitements of a career in science. Tune in as we explore:- The Overwhelm of Choices: Learn how the abundance of opportunities in the scientific fie
Episode 73: Mastering Academic Knowledge Management and Note Taking With Ilya Shabanov
Dive into the intricate world of academic knowledge management with our expert guest, Ilya Shabanov, in the latest episode of The Struggling Scientists Podcast! Join us as we unravel the secrets of efficiently organizing and synthesizing vast amounts of academic data. This episode is a must-listen for researchers, students, and academics keen on streamlining their research process. Tune in to expl
Episode 72: Very Merry Christmas Science
Dive into the festive season with Episode 72 of the "Struggling Scientists" podcast, where we unwrap the science behind Christmas! 🎄🔬 🎅 What does the real Santa look like? We delve into an intriguing study attempting to scientifically determine Father Christmas's facial features.🍽️ Discover how Christmas dinner with your in-laws could be influencing your gut microbiota.❄️ Learn about t
Episode 71: Life after Winning a Nobel Prize. with Prof Martin Chalfie Nobel Prize Laureate for GFP
In this episode of The Struggling Scientists, we are honored to have Nobel Laureate, Martin Chalfie, as our special guest. Join us as professor Chalfie shares his remarkable journey in science, from the initial struggles in the lab to the groundbreaking discovery that would ultimately change the field of biology. Since he was kind enough to talk with us for over an hour this episode will be split
Episode 70: Life Before Winning a Nobel Prize. with Prof Martin Chalfie Nobel Prize Laureate for GFP
In this episode of The Struggling Scientists, we are honored to have Nobel Laureate, Martin Chalfie, as our special guest. Join us as professor Chalfie shares his remarkable journey in science, from the initial struggles in the lab to the groundbreaking discovery that would ultimately change the field of biology. Since he was kind enough to talk with us for over an hour this episode will be split
Episode 69: Surviving Academia with ... Coffee!
In this episode of The Struggling Scientists podcast, Suzanne and Jayron dive into the captivating world of coffee and its significance in the lives of PhD students and academics. From the complex composition of roasted coffee to the bioactive compounds it contains, they explore the science behind how coffee affects our bodies and minds. Discover the optimal timing and dosage of caffeine intake, t
Episode 68: Leaving Academia for a non-academic career, with Ashley Ruba
Welcome to The Struggling Scientists! In this episode, we dive into the world of non-academic careers for PhD holders. Our special guest, Ashley Ruba, shares her remarkable journey from academia to a fulfilling role as a human factors engineer in the medical device industry. We uncover the challenges academics face, the stigma around non-academic careers, and the misconceptions that often hold bac
Episode 67: Tales of the PhD. Halloween Edition
In the spirit of Halloween, The Struggling Scientists bring you their most bone-chilling episode yet: "Tales of the PhD". Join hosts Suzanne and Jayron as they delve into the terrifying world of PhD horror stories. From lost data to deleted thesis drafts, and even a lab transformed into a cutthroat battleground, get ready to be spooked by the nightmarish experiences of fellow scientists. G
Episode 66: Nobel Prizes 2023, Celebrating Science's Finest Hour!
On this episode of The Struggling Scientists Podcast, hosts Suzanne and Jayron dive deep into the prestigious world of the Nobel Prizes. From the emotional impact of receiving such an esteemed award to the collaborative efforts behind groundbreaking scientific discoveries, they explore the highs and lows of the Nobel Prize experience. Join them as they discuss the winners, their research topics, a
Episode 65: The Hidden Costs Of Doing A PhD
In this 65th episode of The Struggling Scientists podcast, Suzanne and Jayron delve into the hidden costs of pursuing a PhD. They asked their audience about the drawbacks that are not immediately apparent when starting a doctoral program. The responses flooded in, covering financial concerns, strained relationships, mental health struggles, work-life balance challenges, and missed personal milesto
Episode 64: Laugh, Learn, and Ig Nobel: The Weirdest Science Awards
Welcome to the 64th episode of The Struggling Scientists Podcast! In this exciting edition, we dive into the hilarious and thought-provoking world of the Ignoble Prizes. Prepare to be entertained as we explore the winners in categories like Chemistry and Geology, Literature, and Mechanical Engineering. From the bizarre science of rock-licking to the peculiar phenomenon of jamais vu, we uncover the
Episode 63: Demystifying the Tenure Track with Prof. Emmanuel Tsekleves
Welcome back to another exciting episode of The Struggling Scientists! In today's episode, titled "Demystifying the Tenure Track," we have the privilege of interviewing Emmanuel Tsekleves, a professor and research director with extensive experience in academia. Join our hosts, Suzanne and Jayron, as they dive deep into the intricacies of the tenure track process and discover the key fa
Episode 62: Academic Burnouts: When The Struggle Becomes Too Much
In this episode of The Struggling Scientists, we delve deep into the pervasive issue of burnout. Join hosts Suzanne and Jayron as they sit down with guest Cevdet Acarsoy, a psychologist and PhD student, to discuss the impact of burnout on productivity, motivation, and mental health in the academic world. Uncover the vicious circle of exhaustion, procrastination, and anxiety, and learn how to detec
Episode 61: Inhaling the Truth, Delving Into The Science Behind Air Pollution
In this episode of The Struggling Scientists, we dive deep into the world of air pollution, uncovering its lesser-known effects and surprising sources. Join us as we explore the intricate relationship between air pollution and human health, shedding light on the toxic vs. non-toxic substances that fill our atmosphere. Our special guest, David Gonzalez, a postdoctoral scholar at the David Geffen Sc
Episode 60: The Power of PhD Internships With Dr. Kristina Ulicna
Are you a struggling PhD student looking for ways to enhance your research skills and boost your career prospects? Well, you're in luck! In this episode of "The Struggling Scientists," our hosts Suzanne and Jayron, along with special guest dr Kristina Ulicna, dive deep into the world of PhD internships. They discuss the importance of internships for PhD students, the benefits of steppi
Episode 59: From Perfect to Progress, Embracing Imperfection on Your Scientific Journey with Kate Ahl
Are you tired of constantly striving for perfection? In today's episode of "The Struggling Scientists," hosts Suzanne and Jayron tackle the topic of perfectionism and its detrimental effects on one's scientific journey. They are joined by an insightful guest, Kate Ahl, a renowned psychotherapist specializing in working with academics, scientists, and knowledge workers. Together, th
Episode 58 The Final Battle: Navigating a Dutch PhD Defense
In this episode of The Struggling Scientists Podcast, Jayron shares his experience defending his PhD in the Netherlands. Topics include preparation strategies, unexpected questions, and overcoming self-doubt. We hope our listeners can gain some insights that help them with their own PhDs!If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or papers we really need to read, you can reach out to us via
Episode 57: Bridging the Gap: Transforming Your PhD Thesis into an Engaging Magazine with dr. Liza Cornet
In this episode, we interview Liza Cornet, an expert in making PhD theses more approachable for a broad audience. We discuss her fun and innovative magazine, which translates theses into engaging stories, and offer tips for PhD students looking to communicate their research. We also talk about the challenges of striking a balance between simplifying research and keeping its message intact. Overall
Episode 56: Science News, Children born with DNA from 3 people, wavy wounds heal faster, and elefant peals banana's faster than humans.
Another episode about all the Science that has made the news recently! We get you completely up to-date (kind off) with everything you need to know. We talk about:Your native language impacts the wiring of your brainYellow Crazy Ants create chimeras to reproduceElephant peels bananas faster than humanBeetle drinks water using it’s butEarth wobble might mean your zodiac sign is not what you think i
Episode 55: Finding Your Perfect Match: Qualities to Look for in a PhD Supervisor
Choosing the right PhD supervisor can make or break your experience in graduate school. In this episode, hosts Suzanne and Jayron discuss the important qualities to look for in a PhD supervisor, such as mentoring skills, communication skills, and expertise in the field. They also provide advice on how to figure out what you need in a supervisor and how to find out more information about potential
Episode 54: Upgrade Your Productivity: The Ultimate List of Chrome Extensions for Academics and Scientists
Are you a PhD student or scientist looking to boost your productivity? In this episode, the Struggling Scientists share their ultimate list of Chrome extensions for academics and scientists. From reference management to writing assistance, these tools will revolutionize the way you work. Tune in to learn how to upgrade your productivity and streamline your research process.If you have any question
Episode 53: The Struggles of Science Communication with PhD Life Coach dr Vikki Burns!
Science communication has many benefits both for society and yourself. But it isn't always easy.In this episode, we talk with Dr Vikki Burns from the PhD Life Coach Podcast about the struggles of doing science communication and anything new in general. If you are interested in her work or amazing podcast check out Vikki's website: https://www.thephdlifecoach.com/If you have any questions,
Episode 52: Ai in Academia, With Mushtaq Bilal
Today we have another amazing episode for you! We are talking with Twitter-validated Ai expert Mushtaq Bilal about AI tools for academic writing. We get to know him first and then we discuss how to use AI tools to make academic writing more efficient, how to stay up to date with new AI tools, and the best ways to use them. Tune in to this episode to learn more about the exciting ways AI is changin
Episode 51: Science News.... Male contraceptive pil, heartbeat causes wrinkels in time and Hansel and Gretel
Today we have another Science News episode again! Filled with amazing Science that reached the news recently. We will discuss it all with a lot of laughs and fun!The topics we discuss in this episode:Robot can print 3D cell structures directly on your organsOur heartbeats can cause 'wrinkles in time'Bugs use a butt-flicker to launch pee at 40G'sDodo's next inline for de-extinctionN
Episode 50: How we got started with our Science Communication Journey
Our 50th Episode! Can you believe it?In this episode, we reflect on our science communication journey and answer questions from our fans. We discuss why and how we started the podcast, growing on social media, and our plans for the future, including adding courses on science communication. We also answer questions from our fans about our most rewarding experience as science communicators, changing
Episode 49: Open Acces Publishing with Chirag Jay Patel
Open Access Publishing has been a significant development for the Scientific world. Today we talk with open access expert Chirag Jay Patel from R Discovery about this topic. We discuss:What led to the open access movement?What have been the biggest benefits of open access publishing?What aspects could still be improved?What developments are occurring with open access?How is R discovery using open
Episode 48: Ai in drug discovery with assistant Professor Francesca Grisoni
In this episode, we talk with assistant Professor Francesca Grisoni about AI in drug discovery! Her research group focuses on deep learning and we ask her about how AI is used in the lab, how it outperforms (or not) traditional methods and the challenges of AI research.If you have any questions, comments suggestions, or papers we really need to read, you can reach out to us via our website: https:
Episode 47: PhD Productivity, let's get organised!
Today we introduce a new series to our podcast: PhD Productivity, and discuss the why, how, and what of the series. We are going to discuss tools and resources to help PhD students and other Scientists become more organized and productive. And more importantly, feel in control again! We also introduce the first tool, Notion, and discuss how it can be used to capture ideas, manage projects, and mor
Episode 46: Science News: Bee vaccines, Robot worms and cancer cured by CRISPR
We have for you another fun Science News episode, so much amazing Science has reached the News recently that it was difficult to choose! But we made a selection and will bring you up to speed with the actual science behind the news!Bats channeling their inner death metal singerThe first vaccine for Bees approved in USMale and Female stem cells created from a single personCuring Cancer with CRISPRP
Episode 45: A Climate Change Christmas Special with Ernst Jan Kuiper
On this second Christmas day, we have a very special gift for you! A Christmas episode about standing up for your Science and Climate Change!Ernst-Jan Kuiper, a former scientist, and current climate change activist, joined us for this episode to discuss his experience with climate change research, activism, and advocacy. He discussed what it is like to join protests as a scientist, the main findin
Episode 44: Winter is coming! The Science behind Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Yesterday we had the first real frost here in the Netherlands, and now that we have the first real evidence that winter is finally here we knew we needed to do a special winter-themed episode. So today we are going to talk about the winter dip, more officially called seasonal affective disorder (SAD). We are ready with a warm cup of chocolate or thee on this cold cold day to talk some science! We
Episode 43: Ig Nobel Prize winners 2022
Today we discuss the Ig Nobel Prize winners from 2022. Ten interesting pieces of research that were awarded this prize for Science, that first make you laugh and then think.Some highlights include:A Moose Dummy master thesisAncient ritualistic Maya enemasIcecream as a treatmentConstipated scorpionsIf you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or papers we really need to read, you can reach out
Episode 42: Detecting Fraud in Science with dr. Elisabeth Bik
In this episode we interviewed dr. Elisabeth Bik about detecting fraud in scientific publications. She is an expert in detecting image tampering and has already found problems resulting in the retraction of over 900 articles.We talk with her about:The percentage of publications that have fraudulent imagesWhat steps to take if you find a fraudulent paperWhy do serial offenders keep committing fraud
Episode 41: The Science Life.... 10 things we learned from the PhD
Today we are talking about things we learned from the PhD besides our scientific knowledge. We picked 10 of our biggest learning moments and are sharing them with you.If you have questions/comments/suggestions or topics we really should discuss you can reach out to us via our website: thestrugglingscientists.comAlso, check out our science-inspired merch!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com
Episode 40: Career talks... From Academia to Consulting
We talked with the very interesting Bryan Quoc Le about how he switched from academia to consulting after his PhD. Or more precisely already during his PhD! He has a lot of tips for people considering consultancy as their next step.If you want to learn more about him check out his website: www.bryanquocle.comIf you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or papers we really need to read, you ca
Episode 39: The Science/PhD Life.... Imposter Syndrome/Experience!
Today we talk with dr. Marc Reid, a Pi from Glasgow who wrote a book about imposter syndrome or as he would prefer to call it the imposter experience. We have a lot of questions for him about his own experience and his tips for dealing with feeling like an imposter.If you want to know more about Marc Reid, or get his book about the imposter experience, check out his website: dr-marc-reid.comIf you
Episode 38: Science news! Doppelgangers share DNA, robot spiders, and grapes make you live longer.
We are back with another Science news episode! Not only will we bring you up to date on the most interesting (and funny) Science that has reached the news since our last episode and give you all the facts you need to astonish people at your next social event. We will also fact-check the actual research papers to make sure it actually shows what the journalist wrote about them. Which does not alway
Episode 37: The Science/PhD Life... Academic Writing tips from a professional!
Today we interviewed Anna Clemens who became an academic writing coach after doing a PhD in chemistry. She specializes in helping researchers write really good papers and has courses you can sign up for. She really looks at the contents of the paper, how to get your story more clear and concise and how to get your paper more easily accepted.We got in contact after our previous episode on writing t
Episode 36. Career talks... Switching from academia to industry with Nicole Betz
Today we talk with Nicole Betz from the US who recently switched to industry after her PhD and Postdoc. She now is a marketing researcher and talks with us about all the tips she has about getting a job outside of academia and about the job she has now.Together with some friends she also started a Twitter account called AltAcChats. They aim to help people switch to industry, definitely check it ou
Episode 35: The Science/PhD Life... Defending your PhD with Dr. Maria Clemente
In this episode, we talk with the newly graduated Dr. Maria Clemente about what it is like to defend your PhD in the Netherlands. While there are clear differences in the defense between countries that are interesting to hear about, she also has some very good tips for people preparing for their PhD that are useful for PhDers all around the world.In future episodes, we want to highlight what it is
Episode 34: The Science/PhD Life... Scientific Writing Tips
Our episode is a week late because Suzanne was finishing up her second paper. So we decided that this was the perfect timing for some academic writing tips! What have we learned from our experiences and what tips do we have? Check it out now!If you have any questions, comments, suggestions or papers we really need to read, you can reach out to us via our website or email:thestrugglingscientists.co
Episode 33: Invited Scientist Dr. Dave Speijer- Symbiogenesis, the evolution of eukaryotes
Today we invited dr Dave Speijer again, to talk about some science with us! We talk about one of his favorite topics, namely evolution, and this time specifically about Symbiogenesis the evolution of eukaryotes.If you have any comments, questions, suggestions, papers we really need to read, or other content you would like to share. You can reach us via our website: thestrugglingscientists.com or e
Episode 32: Science News: Moon dirt, your mom's voice, and nasal Vaccines
Today we are back with another cutting-edge research episode. But instead of talking in detail about one paper, we are going to discuss a broad range of papers that made it into the Scientific news recently. We will discuss:Nasal Vaccines against Covid-19Scientists grew human skin on a robot fingerSleep-deprived mosquitos prefer sleeping over eatingIbruprofen in combination with two commonly used
Episode 31: The Science/PhD Life.... Going to an International Congress
This week Suzanne went to an international congress in Milan. We talk about her experiences, Milan, the conference, and her colleagues almost dying. You know, typical PhD stuff!If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or papers we really need to read, you can reach out to us via our website: https://thestrugglingscientists.com/Would you like to know more about becoming a guest on our podc
Episode 30. Cutting-Edge Research?!? ... Screaming at Rats causes fertility issues
Do you ever wonder what other subjects you could have studied during your PhD? Well, this Podcast is here to tell you all about the cutting-edge research you could have done! And today we discuss a paper that was just published, where researchers found that screaming at rats for 3 weeks causes fertility issues. Intrigued? Then definitely listen to us discussing this paper.If you have any questions
Episode 29: Career talks... How to start a Start-up
In this episode, we talked with the CEO and CTO of a startup in Switzerland, named Bigomics. We interviewed them about what it was like to start their own company. They talk about their journey and have some nice tips for future entrepreneurs.Career talks is a collaboration between The Struggling Scientists and the Alumni association Bio-medical Sciences of the University of AmsterdamIf you have a
Episode 28: The Science Life.... Relaxing after the PhD
Today we have another science life episode. We all know it is important to relax and unwind after a long day of the PhD life. But how do you do this? We discuss meditation, mindfulness, hobbies, and how our colleagues and fans relax after work!If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or papers we really need to read, you can reach out to us via our website: https://thestrugglingscientists
Episode 27: Cutting Edge Research?!?..... Can you gamefy your way into Nature?
Today we discuss a very interesting paper recently published in Nature. This paper proposes that people that grew up in the city are less good at navigating than people who grew up in the countryside. And even more excitingly they investigated this in a very interesting way... with a mobile game! Listen to this episode to learn more!Paper: Entropy of city street networks linked to future spatial n
Episode 26: The Science Life.. Our experience as 4th year PhDs
Today we talk about life as a 4th year PhD student and reflect back on all the struggles throughout the years. What did we enjoy, regret, and expected during this PhD.If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or papers we really need to read, you can reach out to us via our website: https://thestrugglingscientists.com/Would you like to know more about becoming a guest on our podcast or spo
Episode 25: Cutting Edge Research?!?.... Obesity Accelerates Hair Thinning
Today we discuss a Nature paper from Morinaga et al., They wrote a really interesting paper that is called Obesity Accelerates Hair Thinning by Stem Cell-Centric Converging Mechanisms.They show quite convincingly that obesity is a risk factor for baldness and the mechanism behind this. We discuss what we learned reading this paper and discuss it.If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or
Episode 24: The Science Life..... Talking with PhD advisors
Today we talked with 2 PhD advisors from the AUMC doctoral school, Jordy and Mandy. They coach and advise PhD students in our institute and help them with the problems they face. We talked about their work, the most common PhD problems, and what they would advise.Do you have a problem during your PhD, definitely check out if your institute has something similar!Follow their blog on: https://amster
Episode 23: The Science Behind ..... Cold Showers!
You might have heard that taking a short cold shower has health benefits. We heard things like increased metabolism, more energy, and helps with weight loss. But this made us wonder, is there actually a scientific basis for this? So we decided that it was time for us to dive into the world of Scientific Research about Cold Showers. Curious about what we found? Listen to this fun episode!If you hav
Episode 22: First author talks..... with Denise van Uden about her Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension paper
In the First Author Talks series, we talk with the first authors about their papers, the Struggles to get to this point and life as a Scientist.In this episode, we invited our good friend Denise van Uden to talk about her life as a PhDer and all the struggles that came with publishing her first first-author paper.Paper: Central Role of Dendritic Cells in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Human an
Episode 21: Invited Scientist international FameLab winner Alex Cloherty
In this first episode of the year, we talked with Alex Cloherty. She won the international Famelab competition for science communication in 2021! We talked with her about this competition and about science communication in general. She has a really nice blog Microbial Mondays and a Youtube channel Alexgoesviral. Check her out if you are interested in learning more about microbes, from bacteria to
Episode 20: Christmas Crossover with the Grad School Confessional Podcast
For this Christmas special, we decided to make a crossover podcast with two other podcasting scientists. dr Yoah Sui and Ana Sui from the Grad School Confessional Podcast based in Canada.We talked about the differences between doing a PhD in the Netherlands and doing a PhD in Canada.Be sure to check out the Grad School Confessional Podcast on your favorite streaming platform!If you have any questi
Episode 19: Cutting Edge Research?!?..... Butt-Breathing
In this episode of our cutting-edge research series, we talk about a very interesting paper: Mammalian enteral ventilation ameliorates respiratory failure. Or as many people call it now Butt-Breathing! A super interesting paper that is at the same time pretty funny.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medj.2021.04.004If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or papers we really need to read, you can
Episode 18: Invited Scientist Dr. Dave Speijer- Does other intelligent life exist in the universe?
In the new invited scientist series, we invite scientists to talk with us about their favorite subjects. In this episode, we spoke to Dr. Dave Speijer about how likely it is that other intelligent life exists in the universe.Dr. Dave Speijer is an expert in the field of Molecular evolution and Mitochondrial research. Now he might not know this but he was also one of the inspirations for us to star
Episode 17: The Science Behind... Dreaming in Black and White
Today we discuss the Science behind Dreaming in Black and White. We never knew there is actually a percentage of people that dream in black and white. So when we learned about this we wanted to know more! In this episode, we dive into the science behind dreaming and talk about what is known about dreaming in black and white.If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or papers we really need
Episode 16: The Science Life... Why do I love doing a PhD?
We have highlighted the Struggles of doing a PhD many times before. However, there are also so many amazing sides to doing a PhD that, at times, fade a bit to the background. Today I felt it was necessary to unapologetically tell you about why I love doing a PhD.If you have any questions, comments suggestions, or papers we really need to read, you can reach out to us via our website: https://thest
Episode 15: Cutting Edge Research?! The Mozart effect in Epilepsy.
Today we discuss a paper about the Mozart effect by Quon et al., (2021) that has been recently promoted on the Nature Facebook page, namely: Musical components important for the Mozart K448 effect in epilepsy.This paper shows the beneficial effect of Mozart K448 for 2 pianos in D major for patients with epilepsy. We were very interested in how this worked and decided to read more about this Mozart
Episode 14: Tips For Future PhDs... Part 3. Tips for During the PhD Application Process
This is the third part of our miniseries with tips for future PhD students. We talk about how to get the most out of the PhD application process. This is not only your time to apply for the position but also your time to find out if this specific position is a good fit for you!Also check out Part 1 where we discuss if a PhD is something you should do, and Part 2 where we discuss how to find a PhD
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