Cell biologist Leigh Nicholson @smeighfickelson joined RealScientists in November. Applying her background in reproductive biology to cancer research, Leigh covered a wide range of topics from embracing mathematics as a scientist, to the array of supermarket items that find a use in laboratories.
Leigh also demonstrated agility, and a willingness to embrace change by taking full advantage of the recently-introduced Twitter poll feature.
Do you also think that focal adhesions are one the coolest things about cells?
— realscientists (@realscientists) November 1, 2015
Here Leigh is demonstrating some important qualities of all successful scientists – attention to detail and a willingness to admit when you are wrong.
You know, its been 12 hours and I only just realised there was a typo in that poll tweet. Goddammit.
— realscientists (@realscientists) November 2, 2015
And let us not forget the REAL reason so many of us go to work every day; the possibility of eating cake someone else has made.
But more importantly, right now someone in my lab made profiteroles pic.twitter.com/IUaS5UPzmW
— realscientists (@realscientists) November 2, 2015
More expert polling
Should I have another profiterole?
— realscientists (@realscientists) November 2, 2015
There were also some beautiful confocal microscope images just like this one.
Aight. This is a decon image. It's showing the uterine lumen. One of my first images so don't judge. pic.twitter.com/tqQHyvPsxH
— realscientists (@realscientists) November 3, 2015
Leigh kindly answered our post-curation survey, and we share with you her answers below.
In general terms, how did you find your week as a curator?
It was great! I really enjoyed speaking about my work with people from different fields and different levels of understanding. It was also nice being able to banter over some non-science stuff as well.
It can be a shock talking to so many. Did you find the sudden rush of interactions (good and bad) daunting?
Not too much. I’ve done similar curating before so it wasn’t totally unexpected. But I really like interacting with so many people like that, especially on a scientific topic, so it was very welcomed!
What were the highlights? Were there any lowlights?
A few times I would tweet about something stressful or troublesome for me and it was very affirming to have so many people tweet back with similar experiences. For example, when I was tweeting about my issues with Maths and the way it is taught. It was very supportive to hear other people’s stories or having the same feelings.
No lowlights – loved it all.
Is there anything you wanted to get out of / do on the RS acI had no plan.t that you didn’t manage to fit in?
I probably would have liked to talk a bit more about culture and diversity issues in science while I had the chance with such a large audience.
Do you have any tips or advice for future RS curators?
Maybe make a bit of a plan so you remember to talk about everything you want to.
What other people or accounts should people follow if they enjoyed your tweets this week?
Thanks once again Leigh from all of us here at RealScientists HQ. If you missed anything from her week, the tweets are all collated at the following link.
