I haven't posted anything to my blog in quite some time. I forgive myself for this on many levels. Over the past many months: I was busy teaching science in a Covid-19 world, full of stressful online and socially distantly adapted strategies for faculty and students alikeI was supporting myself and others who were dealing … Continue reading Endings and new beginnings: Books, science, and life
books
Fall reading, part II: Food fights
I'm going to make this a quick post. I'm supposed to be grading end-of-semester exams. Or taking in seasonal fun, like making cookies. But since I titled my previous blog post "Fall reading, part I," I figured I really should follow up with that "part II" before fall solidly gives way to winter! When I … Continue reading Fall reading, part II: Food fights
Fall reading, part I: Math matters
I guess I always thought I'd use more math in my work. I'm trained as a scientist. I now train students in foundational biology concepts and ways in which science and scientists connect with the world. And yet, most of the math I do involves only simple arithmetic, algebraic manipulations, and elementary statistics. It turns … Continue reading Fall reading, part I: Math matters
Summer reading 2019
During the past couple of summers, I read quite a few science-themed books and blogged about them here. This summer, I stayed pretty busy with family adventures, a lot of outdoor pursuits, professional development, and other writing projects instead. However, I did find some time to read for pleasure—relaxing with both beach fiction (yay!) and … Continue reading Summer reading 2019
Reading about scientific writing
I'm gearing up to teach a seminar course for senior undergraduates, starting this week. The course has two main types of activities: a semester-long writing project and oral presentations about scientific findings relating to the course theme. I've already written a bit here about circadian rhythms—the topic I like to use in this course. But … Continue reading Reading about scientific writing
2018: At the intersection of science and ______
Another year is drawing to a close. I'm currently enjoying a break between semesters of teaching, featuring a holiday season spent with family, music, and cookies. I always enjoy this opportunity to retreat from the usual routines and responsibilities and recharge for a fresh start in a new year that waits just around the corner. … Continue reading 2018: At the intersection of science and ______
Scientist fiction
I've always enjoyed reading fiction books. Once I find genres or authors I like, I tend to stick with them for a while until I discover something new. As a child, I read (and re-read) many popular series of the time (the "Little House" books, everything by Judy Blume, etc.). As a teen, I discovered … Continue reading Scientist fiction
Stories of heredity: “She Has Her Mother’s Laugh”
The title refers to a book I just finished reading. I'll tell you more in a moment. But first, I need to report "breaking news." Last night, while scrolling through my social media feeds, a cutesy entry from the pop culture website Buzzfeed showed up: "32 People That Look So Much Like Their Parent You'll … Continue reading Stories of heredity: “She Has Her Mother’s Laugh”
A story about…science?
This week, I finished reading The Woman Who Smashed Codes, by Jason Fagone. It chronicles the life and contributions—mostly behind the scenes—of Elizebeth Smith Friedman, arguably one of the most important cryptography specialists working in the United States during the first half of the 20th century. She and her husband William created useful methods and … Continue reading A story about…science?
From canals to carp–a book about the Great Lakes
I wanted to share a quick post about a book I finished reading this week, The Death and Life of the Great Lakes. In 2017, Milwaukee journalist Dan Egan wrote a compelling "un-natural history" of the Great Lakes, chronicling the shifting relationship modern human society has built with these giant inland seas. Balancing stories of … Continue reading From canals to carp–a book about the Great Lakes
Mulled Science 