December 2025

Papers:

From the lens of early-career researchers: bridging science, technology, arts, and humanities to tackle antimicrobial resistance

Bhalla N., et al. 2026. Nature Communications 17.

A very interesting read suggesting a more holistic approach to tackling AMR, including the integration of basic and translational research, policy, and the public. I particularly found the stress on using art to engage the public very interesting. And of course, always love to see an emphasis on early-career researchers for selfish reasons!

Books:

"The Golden Spoon" By Jessa Maxwell

A little light reading over the holidays.

Podcasts:

Creating a Satisfying Academic Career with Jo Van Every

November 2025

Papers:

Multiscale structure of chromatin condensates explains phase separation and material properties

Zhou H., et al. 2025. Sci 390.

This is a really great multi-scale study of condensates in chromatin. As someone who worked on chromatin organization a while ago, it was interesting to read their findings from that angle. Equally as neat to see how their findings push the condensation field forward as well.

Myths and facts about getting an academic faculty position in neuroscience

Hsu N.S., et al. 2021. Sci. Adv. 7: eabj2604.

A little bit dated and not from my field, but very good to see some actual statistics on what matters (or I guess more precisely doesn't matter) in the faculty search process.

Books:

"Even A Geek Can Speak" By Joey Asher

A great read for any scientist looking to hone their communication skills.

TV/Movies:

A Spy Among Friends

October 2025

Papers:

Accelerated design of Escherichia coli reduced genomes using a whole-cell model and machine learning

Gherman I.M., et al. 2025. Cell Syst 16: 101392.

With the current climate, it's interesting to read about how people are using ML in research. This is an interesting use! But I'm always interested in ML research in where the model fails. What is it about the single deletions that the model gets wrong?

Individual-based modeling unravels spatial and social interactions in bacterial communities

Wang J., et al. 2025. ISME J. 19:

Been reading up on agent-based modeling of bacterial communities and enjoyed this recent review.

Books:

"Yellowface" By: R.F. Kuang

"BoyMom" By: Ruth Whippman

Sorry, faculty applications are cutting into my reading time and I'm still working in these two ...

TV/Movies:

Deep Cover - really enjoyed watching this the other day while I was getting over a cold!