Over dinner with a distinguished parasitologist, our PI told us that something very important about science is that it makes you meet very interesting people. The formal PhD experience is generally seen as the process of doing experiments, analyzing results, publishing papers, and taking courses. While this is what is usually seen in your CV, … Continue reading The Invisible Education of PhD Life
The evolution of life on Earth is a history of countless successes and failures. The variations arise through chance, but within physical, chemical, and biological organization and limitations. Natural selection acts on these variations, retaining forms that remain functionally viable, while many other variations persist through neutral evolution, shaped not by adaptive advantages but by … Continue reading Comparative Genomics and the Boundaries of Molecular Rules
A violet amethyst crystal, while beautiful on the outside, is a highly ordered structure at the microscopic level, and therefore cannot evolve. In contrast, a gas is highly random and cannot store any form of structure or information. Life sits right there in the middle, a highly structured and complex system with a tolerated degree … Continue reading Why evolution needs noise: in the light of QT45 ribozyme
When you see two teams you don't know playing a sport or watch a movie for the first time, you will often take sides and cheer for a specific team or character to win. Taking sides is a fundamental human trait. Of course, we are not here to discuss psychology or social sciences. Instead, I … Continue reading Taking Sides in Science: A Path to Progress or Pitfall?
Supervising a PhD student is a weighty responsibility that plays a pivotal role in preparing and shaping the next generation of scholars and researchers. A PhD supervisor guides the student through their doctoral studies, ensuring that they are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to succeed in their future endeavors in academia. At … Continue reading Hands-On vs. Hands-Off: Finding the Right Approach in PhD Supervision
In the original Star Trek series, the crew of the spaceship USS Enterprise faced a silicon-based life form called Horta. Of course, this is all science fiction. But is it possible for life to be based on elements other than carbon? If yes, then we are looking in the wrong direction for extraterrestrial life, and … Continue reading Life Beyond Earth: Is Non-carbon Based Life Possible?
In the pursuit of truth, humanity has grappled with the problem in various ways, with science and religion emerging as two major approaches. The decision between them often hinges on seeking personal comfort rather than adhering to what is objectively true, delving into the intricate interplay between personal beliefs and cultural influences. When addressing existential … Continue reading Science and Religion: Nothing is Objectively True
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