Contributors
Courtney Chandler
Articles by Courtney Chandler
Advice
Facing the challenges of an M.D./Ph.D.
Dec. 6, 2024
Grad school and med school are very different in their structures and priorities. So what鈥檚 the best strategy for doing both at the same time?
Training
Who decides when a grad student graduates?
Nov. 15, 2024
Ph.D. programs often don鈥檛 have a set timeline. Students continue with their research until their thesis is done, which is where variability comes into play.
Advice
Balancing research and classes in graduate school
Oct. 25, 2024
Our careers columnist talks to a doctoral candidate about managing lab and study time by carefully scheduling classes, getting to the lab early and 鈥渢imeboxing.鈥�
Jobs
Can grad students have (other) jobs?
Oct. 4, 2024
Between classes and research, working toward a Ph.D. or master鈥檚 degree is basically a full-time job. Careers columnist Courtney Chandler dives into the question of juggling a side gig in grad school.
Advice
Making the most of meetings with your mentor
Sept. 13, 2024
Everyone has a slightly different relationship with their mentor, including how often they meet. Careers columnist Courtney Chandler dives into how to make meetings with your grad school adviser useful and productive.
Advice
Advice for first-year grad students
Aug. 23, 2024
A second-year and a fourth-year grad student share their tips on choosing the right lab, getting through tough courses, keeping up with your non-research interests and more.
Advice
Should grad students live in campus housing?
Aug. 2, 2024
Most schools offer housing options specifically for graduate students. Our careers columnist suggests you check them out before deciding where to live.
Advice
How to get the accommodations you need in grad school
July 12, 2024
Nathalie Weissman, an access specialist within the office of student life disability services at Ohio State University, answers some key questions.
Advice
A primer to starting grad school
June 28, 2024
No matter what program you've chosen, the first few weeks can be challenging. Here are a few tips for smoother sailing in your first month.
Training
The importance of lab rotations
June 7, 2024
Choosing the right lab can affect your happiness and success throughout your studies in grad school. So, how do you make this decision?
Training
Grad students: Get to know your program coordinator
May 17, 2024
They provide advice about interviews and admissions, curriculum, degree requirements, graduate program policies and information, campus services and more.
Interview
Retiring a research lab
May 3, 2024
Careers columnist Courtney Chandler talks to Art Spector, a former principal investigator, about making a graceful exit from the bench.
Professional Development
So, you went to a conference. Now what?
April 12, 2024
Once you return to normal lab life, how can you make use of everything you learned?
Professional Development
How to plan a conference symposium
March 22, 2024
Are you eager to organize a session at a scientific event? Our careers columnist offers some pointers courtesy of Gina DeNicola, who is co-leading a symposium at Discover BMB this weekend.
Advice
Tips for a successful talk
March 1, 2024
Here's some advice to take your presentation up a notch.
Jobs
Changing labs in grad school
Feb. 2, 2024
Nobody sets out planning to switch, but sometimes it's necessary. Here's some advice for those of you considering it.
How-to
Preparing to defend
Jan. 19, 2024
Our careers columnist shares some advice for getting through this multi-month process.
Jobs
The past year in academic careers
Dec. 22, 2023
Our columnist reflects on what she learned in 2023 about training undergrads, inching toward equity, avoiding unpromotable work, and what not to ask a grad student or postdoc.
Jobs
There are unions for grad students?
Dec. 1, 2023
They're multiplying and making headway in their effort to increase stipends and benefits.
Education
Overcoming the grad school slump
July 14, 2023
Feel like you're on a hamster wheel? So did careers columnist Courtney Chandler. Here's her advice for getting through it.
Professional Development
The silent toll of unpromotable work
June 9, 2023
Extra commitments are everywhere in academia. Many take time and effort but do not advance a faculty member鈥檚 career.
Education
'I wanted to give students a sense of the whole process'
May 5, 2023
Our academic careers columnist talked to veteran scientist and educator Joe Chihade of Carleton College about designing an effective lab course.
Funding
Promoting equity in academic collaborations
April 21, 2023
Our academic careers columnist talked to a co-PI for UMass Amherst's NSF ADVANCE grant.
Professional Development
Preparing undergrads for conferences
March 17, 2023
Our careers columnist spoke with Jeremy Johnson of Butler University, who has served on 91亚色传媒鈥檚 undergraduate poster competition committee for the past three years.
Professional Development
Making the most of a conference as an undergrad
Feb. 24, 2023
Tips for first-timers as #DiscoverBMB nears.
Jobs
When does a postdoc end?
Jan. 27, 2023
This question doesn鈥檛 really have a one-size-fits-all answer.
Jobs
A year of academic advice
Dec. 30, 2022
Our careers columnist reflects on what she鈥檚 learned from reporting on jobs in the academy.
Jobs
Trainees are no longer 'independent agents'
Dec. 2, 2022
Kevin Struhl offers his take on how collaboration and competition have changed mentee鈥搈entor relationships.
Jobs
Taking time off around the holidays
Nov. 11, 2022
Our careers columnist talked to two principal investigators about their policies and preferences when it comes to requests from trainees for time off.
Annual Meeting
Booker catalyzes progress in science and outreach
Oct. 31, 2022
A Penn State professor and HHMI investigator, he has won both the 91亚色传媒鈥檚 Ruth Kirschstein Diversity in Science Award and the 91亚色传媒鈥揗erck Award.
Jobs
A career at a primarily undergraduate institution
Oct. 21, 2022
鈥淚t鈥檚 a different job than working at a large research institution, but it鈥檚 not an easier job,鈥� John Tansey explains.
Jobs
Authorship in academia
Sept. 30, 2022
Our academic careers columnist talked to Nathan Vanderford about how to discuss and advocate for the credit you deserve.
Advice
Free digital tools for grad students
Sept. 2, 2022
Our careers columnist curated a list of what she found to be the most helpful.
Jobs
The latest look at tenure
Aug. 5, 2022
AAUP finds improvements in timeline leniency and DEI efforts, but threats to tenure remain.
Professional Development
Making the most of your graduate student association
July 15, 2022
These campus groups advocate on your behalf, offer professional-development programming and sometimes even provide funding to those in need.
Professional Development
Budgeting in grad school
June 24, 2022
Starting a Ph.D. program soon? Check out these tips from our academic careers columnist, who knows a thing or two about living on a stipend.
Training
So you're going to grad school
May 27, 2022
Our careers columnist offers advice relating to housing, getting supplies, budgeting, advocating for your needs and planning.
Education
How are Ph.D. students funded?
May 6, 2022
Our academic careers columnist breaks down some of the most common arrangements.
In Memoriam
In memoriam: Henry A. Harbury
May 2, 2022
He was a biochemist, renowned educator and member of the 91亚色传媒 since 1958.
In Memoriam
In memoriam: John Josse
April 11, 2022
A biochemistry researcher and medical practitioner, he joined the 91亚色传媒 in 1963 and was a member for almost 60 years.
Journal News
From the journals: MCP
March 31, 2022
New tools to capture O-GlcNAc modifications. A new domain in ubiquitin binding. The unknown of a parasite鈥檚 lysosome. Read about papers on these topics recently published in the journal Molecular & Cellular Proteomics.
Event
A hybrid symposium on mass spec
March 23, 2022
This conference is coming to Cambridge and a computer near you this fall
Education
Choosing the right grad school for you
March 4, 2022
Close to home or far flung? Urban living or quiet retreat? What about stipends and teaching opportunities? There's so much to consider.
Diversity
Ernie Simms 鈥� a groundbreaking researcher and mentor in St. Louis
Feb. 22, 2022
The first Black man to hold a tenured academic appointment at Washington University School of Medicine didn鈥檛 have a college degree.
Journal News
From the journals: MCP
Feb. 17, 2022
Using automated UbiFast to profile ubiquitination. Picturing light, dark and protein degradation. Identifying an enzyme that promotes pancreatic cancer. Read about recent papers on these topics.
In Memoriam
In memoriam: L. Mario Amzel
Feb. 14, 2022
A professor and former director of the biophysics and biophysical chemistry department at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, he wanted to build a diverse faculty that celebrates cultural differences.
Journal News
SUMO and stem cells
Feb. 1, 2022
Researchers identify modified proteins associated with maintaining the pluripotent state of human stem cells.
In Memoriam
In memoriam: Joel S. Bennett
Jan. 17, 2022
He was the first to discover that a protein produced by the liver called fibrinogen binds platelets.
Jobs
Getting information about industry
Jan. 14, 2022
After covering industry careers for more than two years, columnist Courtney Chandler is taking up a new beat. But here is some parting advice about informational interviews.
Profile
Student starts chapter to make science the focus
Jan. 10, 2022
A cold email to a researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago opened the door for Nicki Nouri when she was still in high school.
Jobs
Looking back at 2021
Dec. 10, 2021
"Every interviewee said something that surprised or stuck with me," our industry careers columnist writes. "I wanted to share those thoughts and recap what I鈥檝e learned this year."
Award
Toker recognized for 鈥榮eminal contributions鈥� to lipid biology
Dec. 7, 2021
Alex Toker has won the 91亚色传媒鈥檚 Avanti Award in Lipids recognizing outstanding research contributions in the area of lipids
Journal News
Flipping the switch
Nov. 23, 2021
Researchers identify a structural bond that allows a key protein complex to regulate the mTORC1 nutrient-sensing pathway.
In Memoriam
In memoriam: Alexander Glazer
Nov. 22, 2021
A renowned biochemist and environmentalist, Glazer died July 18. He was 86.
Jobs
Working on the pandemic response in industry
Nov. 19, 2021
Our industry careers columnist spoke with scientist Amit Srivastava about what it has been like at Pfizer.
Jobs
Meet Amit Srivastava
Oct. 29, 2021
The Pfizer vaccine scientist has worked in academia, the nonprofit world and industry.
In Memoriam
In memoriam: Jean Wilson
Oct. 25, 2021
He was a renowned endocrinologist and an 91亚色传媒 member for more than 50 years.
In Memoriam
In memoriam: Gertrude Forte
Oct. 18, 2021
The first woman to be named editor-in-chief of the Journal of Lipid Research died June 9.
Observance
Addressing accessibility in STEM
Oct. 12, 2021
"Stigma and internalized ableism are preventing conversations about how to be more accommodating and supportive," says Alyssa Paparella.
Jobs
Improving mentoring to increase inclusion in science
Oct. 8, 2021
Meet Diana Azurdia, director for recruitment and inclusion for UCLA's Graduate Programs in Bioscience.
Jobs
Applying your experience as a field application scientist
Sept. 24, 2021
Our industry careers columnist talked with Dominique Gales鈥揃adea at Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies about her professional journey.
Health Observance
Cholesterol Education Month 2021
Sept. 1, 2021
Research highlights: genes, bears and bugs (of the viral variety).
Jobs
Account managers as problem solvers in industry
Aug. 27, 2021
Learn how Cleyde Helena helps academic clients get the instruments they need to move their research forward.
In Memoriam
In memoriam: Shelby Kashket
Aug. 23, 2021
The 91亚色传媒 recently learned that this member, known for his research on the formation and prevention of dental caries, died late last year.
Jobs
What we鈥檝e learned about careers in industry
Aug. 6, 2021
Industry careers columnist Courtney Chandler and staff writer Laurel Oldach team up to offer advice for job seekers.
Observance
Research roundup: Olympics edition
July 23, 2021
A snapshot of science relevant to sports in the spotlight at the Tokyo Games.
Jobs
A primer on performance reviews in industry
July 16, 2021
Our industry careers columnist provides an overview of what you can expect and how to handle a lukewarm or negative review.
Jobs
Climbing the research ladder in industry
June 25, 2021
Our industry careers columnist offers brief descriptions of entry-level, mid-level and senior-level positions in the R&D world.
Jobs
How an interest in circuits led to a career in medical devices
June 4, 2021
Our industry careers columnist spoke with Damini Agarwal of Infinite Biomedical Technologies.
Jobs
Working on sustainable science in industry
May 14, 2021
Our industry careers columnist talked to Jake Courtney of Conagen, a biotechnology company that focuses on synthetic biology, about his role as a scientist in industry.
Health Observance
The impacts of COVID-19 on women鈥檚 mental health
May 12, 2021
As the pandemic has stretched from weeks to months to over a year, data have emerged showing the unequal toll it has had on women鈥檚 mental and emotional health.
Jobs
Moving from medical liaison to medical lead
April 23, 2021
Our industry careers columnist talked to Jason Howard, who works in the medical affairs department of Sanofi Genzyme, a company that develops therapies for patients with rare diseases.
Professional Development
Free biotech and pharma training
March 26, 2021
Our industry careers columnist collected free classes, courses, seminars and certificate programs for those of you interested in biotech or pharma.
91亚色传媒 Annual Meeting
Kountz tracks methyls in microbe metabolism
March 12, 2021
As a JBC Herbert Tabor Early Career Investigator Award recipient, Duncan Kountz will present his work at the 2021 91亚色传媒 Annual Meeting.
Jobs
Finding a fulfilling scientific career in industry
March 5, 2021
Our industry careers columnist talked to Sadiye Amcaoglu Rieder, who has worked in biotech for more than five years and currently works at Viela Bio.
Diversity
Securing space for Black women scientists in a crooked room
Feb. 3, 2021
Spelman College has developed approaches to train and retain STEM grads. Will other institutions follow suit?
Jobs
What is a project analyst?
Jan. 22, 2021
Our industry careers columnist talked with Surya Sundar, a project analyst for Emergent BioSolutions, about what his job entails and how he landed it.
Wellness
Celebrating together, apart
Jan. 11, 2021
When a good friend earned an award, Courtney Chandler didn鈥檛 let social distancing stand in the way of a party.
Jobs
Transferable skills for industry
Jan. 1, 2021
Convince hiring managers of your value by highlighting your experience working in teams, meeting deadlines, communicating clearly and using technology.
Jobs
Looking to 2021 with industry in mind
Dec. 11, 2020
Highlights of and takeaways from a year of industry career columns.
Jobs
The development side of R&D jobs in industry
Nov. 20, 2020
Brandon Anjuwon鈥揊oster talks about being a research scientist and project manager at PPD, a global contract research organization.
Jobs
Time, place and pay
Oct. 30, 2020
These three factors significantly influenced Brandon Anjuwon鈥揊oster's decision to take a job in industry rather than continuing on the academic research path.
Jobs
Bridging industry and academia to improve community health
Oct. 9, 2020
Our careers columnist Courtney Chandler talked to Sunita Dodani about her professional journey, which has spanned the medical, research, and healthcare industries.
Jobs
Starting your own company in graduate school is possible
Sept. 18, 2020
Neurophotometrics CEO Sage Aronson offers an inside look at going from Ph.D. to biotech startup.
Jobs
Job variety and stability in the food and beverage industry
Aug. 21, 2020
Careers columnist Courtney Chandler continues to explore careers in the food sciences. This week she talked to Jody Renner鈥揘antz of DDW, The Color House, a global manufacturer of natural colors.
Journal News
JLR鈥檚 new article format puts images at the forefront
Aug. 4, 2020
鈥淚mages in Lipid Research鈥� series aims to celebrate the images scientists create.
Jobs
Colorful research in the food industry
July 31, 2020
Our industry careers columnist interviews a scientist who works for a company that develops natural colorings for the food and beverage industry.
Jobs
Fall internships in industry
July 10, 2020
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, companies are still looking for interns with all levels of experience.
Jobs
A year in regulatory affairs
June 19, 2020
Industry careers columnist Courtney Chandler talked with Kendra Seckinger about her first year as an associate program manager of regulatory affairs at the biotechnology company Genentech.
Jobs
An introduction to regulatory affairs positions in industry
May 29, 2020
Industry careers columnist Courtney Chandler spoke with Stephen Amato, department chair for regulatory affairs, quality assurance and advance manufacturing at Northeastern University in Boston.
Jobs
What are industry technology specialists, and what do they do?
May 8, 2020
Our careers columnist explores the role of technology specialist by talking to Jonathan Levine, a next-generation sequencing specialist with the synthetic DNA company Twist Bioscience.
Jobs
What are industry account executives, and what do they do?
April 17, 2020
Careers columnist Courtney Chandler talks to Chad Whitman, an account executive with the digital genome engineering company Inscripta, about his job.
Jobs
Internships in industry
March 27, 2020
If you鈥檝e been looking for a chance to try your hand at industry work, these internships are a great way to start.
Journal News
How spider venom could help relieve pain
March 20, 2020
Does the key to safe, effective pain treatments lie in modified tarantula venom? A recent JBC article from Janssen Research and Development offers an answer.
Jobs
Embracing diversity in industry
March 6, 2020
Our careers columnist talked to Biogen's Cherié Butts about her career path and advice for underrepresented scientists interested in careers in industry.
Jobs
Program highlight: BD鈥檚 Technology Leadership Development Program
Feb. 14, 2020
The medical technology company BD has a training program for new scientists who want to get experience in different business units and roles. Our careers columnist spoke to a program participant about her experiences.
Diversity
Inclusive Excellence aims at lasting change
Feb. 13, 2020
鈥淲hile these 鈥榝ix the student鈥� interventions might help the students who participate, they generally do not result in lasting change.鈥� 鈥� David Asai, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Reworking your résumé for industry
Jan. 24, 2020
Interested in entering or moving up in industry? Michael Matrone, associate director of the Office of Career and Professional Development at the University of California, San Francisco, offers tips for creating an effective résumé.
Jobs
The best of both worlds: careers in tech transfer
Dec. 23, 2019
If you鈥檙e passionate about academic research but are interested in industry, technology transfer and commercialization may be the career for you.
Jobs
Tackling the job market 鈥� with a little help
Dec. 5, 2019
Our careers columnist writes about recruitment companies and other businesses that work with life science professionals transitioning into the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
Annual Meeting
Blending clinical, research perspectives to define early lipid disease
Dec. 1, 2019
After Rotonya Carr had trained and practiced as a primary-care physician, the JLR junior associate editor went to work in a lab studying the biology of fatty liver disease.
Jobs
Industry insights: an interview with Isaiah Hankel
Nov. 13, 2019
Our careers columnist interviewed Isaiah Hankel, founder and CEO of Cheeky Scientist. His company specializes in helping Ph.Ds. transition into careers in industry.
Award
Johnson innovates in the study of a neglected parasite
Nov. 1, 2019
She won the 2020/2021 Alice and C. C. Wang Award in Molecular Parasitology.
News
Bacterial invasion may explain recurrent urinary tract infections
Nov. 1, 2019
Kim Orth, Nicole DeNisco and a team at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center have found that a variety of bacteria, not just one strain, correlate with recurrent urinary tract infections.
Jobs
Networking in industry
Oct. 24, 2019
Our careers columnist writes about how to network for jobs in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.
Jobs
Taking translational research out of the lab: working on clinical trials
Oct. 4, 2019
Our careers columnist writes about the duties and skills required of research scientists, research coordinators and research associates working on clinical trials.
Journal News
From the journals: June/July 2019
June 1, 2019
Tackling an incurable blood cancer. Sharpening an arthritis drug鈥檚 aim. Preventing atherosclerosis. Read about this work and more in our latest roundup.
Research Spotlight
Understanding the link between metabolism and aging
June 1, 2019
Melanie McReynolds, a postdoc at Princeton, studies how the molecule nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, which decreases with disease and age, is produced and used. She also shares her insights to motivate younger scientists.
Award
Chng a 鈥榬ising star鈥� in bacterial membrane lipid research
April 1, 2019
In the field of bacterial lipid trafficking, Shu-Sin Chng has defined the biochemical mechanisms of the membrane lipid asymmetry system in Escherichia coli and reported that the Tol-Pal system is actively involved in phospholipid transport.
Award
Bankaitis a 鈥榯our de force鈥� in the field of lipid biology
April 1, 2019
Vytas Bankaitis is recognized for his work on elucidating the role of lipid transfer and phosphatidylinositol exchange proteins in cell biology.
Annual Meeting
Lipoprotein researcher to talk about structure studies
March 1, 2019
John Melchior refined a technique to separate high-density lipoprotein particles based on the presence of certain proteins.
Journal News
From the journals: March 2019
March 1, 2019
What鈥檚 the lipid situation in bone cancer? How can a scorpion venom vanquish viruses? How does a protein block cell fusion in chemotherapy? These and other research questions are addressed in our roundup.
Annual Meeting
Investigating genetic variants that underlie abnormal lipid phenotypes
March 1, 2019
Jacqueline Dron investigates genetic variants that underlie abnormal lipid phenotypes.
Annual Meeting
Using cross-linking to analyze protein interactions in mitochondria
March 1, 2019
Fan Liu uses cross-linking mass spectrometry to describe the interactome of intact mitochondria.
Journal News
From the journals: December 2018
Dec. 1, 2018
How early screening can help cure a rare genetic disease in newborns. The connection of genes, brains and immune cells in a risk factor for obesity. The difference between white and brown fat cells. Read about this research and more in our roundup o鈥�
Feature
Novel gene function in breast cancer
Dec. 1, 2018
Janice Knepper鈥檚 most recent paper focuses on the function of a protein called Zc3h8, which her lab at Villanova University 鈥� staffed largely by undergrads 鈥� found can contribute to aggressive tumor behavior in breast cancer models.
Journal News
From the journals: September 2018
Sept. 1, 2018
What鈥檚 the link between lipids and sleep apnea? How is obesity related to fertility? What鈥檚 the fastest way to screen heart drugs? Read about these topics and more in our roundup of recent papers from the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the Journa鈥�
Award
Orth a 鈥榮cientific trailblazer鈥� in the field of bacterial pathogenesis
April 1, 2018
Kim Orth of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute has worked to elucidate the activity of bacterial virulence factors on the molecular level.
Award
Ion channel researcher receives Tabor award from journal
Jan. 1, 2018
Manu Ben鈥揓ohny, a postdoc at Johns Hopkins University, studies the molecular and physical properties involved in channel fine-tuning and how synthetic proteins can modulate channel function.
Journal News
JBC: How green tea affects cells
Oct. 1, 2017
Researchers explore why the bioactive ingredient epigallocatechin gallate has complex and sometimes opposing effects on cellular signalling pathways, in a paper in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
Journal News
JLR: Thematic series highlights Alzheimer鈥檚 greatest genetic risk factor, ApoE
Sept. 1, 2017
The eight articles in this Journal of Lipid Research review series study a lipid carrier protein that greatly increases the risk of developing Alzheimer鈥檚 disease.
Journal News
JBC: Zinc homeostasis and autophagy: beyond protein recycling
June 1, 2017
A study in the Journal of Biological Chemistry by the lab of Nobel laureate Yoshinori Ohsumi revealed that the cellular-degradation system known as autophagy is another consequence of zinc starvation.
Award
Haucke鈥檚 work has 'high impact' in membrane biology
April 1, 2017
Volker Haucke at the Leibniz Institute for Molecular Pharmacology is recognized for defining the roles of membrane lipid homeostasis in cellular transport.
Award
Yang a 'highly accomplished crystallographer'
April 1, 2017
Wei Yang at the National Institutes of Health wins 91亚色传媒's Mildred Cohn Award.
Journal News
JBC: Another role for c-Myc, one of cancer鈥檚 biggest players
Feb. 1, 2017
It turns out that hepatoblastomas are no different in needing c-Myc for tumor growth.
Journal News
JLR: How a single-cell marine organism makes fatty acids
Nov. 1, 2016
Thraustochytrium are an important source for dietary omega-3 fatty acids. New research shows how they produce such quantities.
Journal News
JBC: Targeting semen amyloid fibrils to reduce HIV infectivity
Oct. 1, 2016
Gallic acid prevents a specific human factor from increasing the ability of HIV to cause infection.