The Committee Meeting!

Defending my science to my graduate committee!

Trying to document grad school one YouTube video at a time, from lab equipment to genetics lessons to interviews with other students! Each week is a new view into life as a grad student, and the rollercoaster that is getting a PhD.

Twitter: @AlexDainis
Instagram: Alex.Dainis

(All thoughts and opinions are my own and do not reflect the thoughts or opinions of my institution.)

[StoryTableProductions]

Hey Alex! I just wanted to say that I'm glad that you were able to get some good advice from your committee meeting. I've been following you since your bite-sized days, and it's inspiring to see how far you've come. I hope you keep making videos and follow your passions. As you say, "Go forth and do science"!

[littlemikey]

You rock Alex! You really inspire me for when I start back at uni next year. I've been unable to study for a few years due to my health and I'm about to start back up again and it's so scary.

[anja]

Haha, I was in the same boat. I was extremely stressed before my committee and then it turned out to be wonderful. The criticism was framed in a way that it was obvious they were on my team. I'm also in the same boat where I figured out mid-way through my graduate degree that I wouldn't continue in Academia. I can't believe I only just discovered your vlogs!

Best of luck on your meeting! :) (Unless it already happened..) In which case, I hope it went well! :)

[MagnetoNova]

Hey Alex, what do you think about the very different timelines it takes to get a PhD in the states compared with Europe. I'm doing a PhD in cosmology in the UK and I'm expected to produce a thesis within 3-3.5 years (18 months left everyone panic). Do you think it's better or worse that the states generally has people doing them in 5-6 years?

[elliottmcollins]

It helps me to hear you talk about these things even though I'm in a very different place in my grad school timeline.

Also, both of your shirts were nice.

[darkendkefka]

Alex, the people who follow you on Youtube have been so well educated my your videos.... You shouldn't worry about your legacy. It's already been laid in concrete. Just do you, and do your best.... You can't fail now, just succeed more than you thought you could....! Cheers from Denver!

[Seegalgalguntijak]

What else instead of academia did you have in mind for the time after grad school?

[rgalt]

Two things Alex. I have been through all these formalities during my PhD. They are very stressful but I never regretted pursuing grad school. Second, even if you do not want to pursue an academic career you can still continue contributing to science. The landscape has been changing a fair amount in the last decade. Industries have been investing in science and researchers directly as opposed to wait for academia to make the breakthroughs.

[pokemonstarfoxpie]

Hi Alex. What do you plan to do after graduation? Carious.

[hubalek]

I have a question: in the USA, do you call all teachers at a college 'profesors' or do they have to earn the degree/title? Thanks for your response :)

[whoselauraisitanyway]

It's super interesting to hear what the PhD process is like for you over there! I'm currently doing a PhD in Australia, and don't have this type of 'committee meeting' - sounds very beneficial (if a bit scary at times!)

[dreamdancer]

Did I hear right that you don't want to stay in academia after your PhD? Just wondering what you were wanting to do post PhD? I have 4 months to finish my honours degree and honours dissertation in psych, and then I intend (hopefully!!) to start my PhD next year. But I have the intention of staying in research/academia post PhD. Was it your PhD experience that changed your mind? PS Love your vids!

[Fredjikrang]

Alex, could you do a video on some of the ethical issues in genetics and what your thoughts on them are?

[Cncrdance]

I made the DUMBEST decision about my grad committee. I picked people from fields fairly distant from my own thinking they would be less likely to ask impossible questions about my own research. BIG mistake. BIG. They had the most bizarre questions, and two of them took my defense as an opportunity to educate me in the finer points of their own fields. My hands shake a little thinking about that day... glad to have it over with. Sorry it's still ahead for you, Alex.

Also, I think a post-doc is when you really get productive and are expected to produce your magnum opus.

[haqnmaq]

Ok, now what's QUALS? Biology, genetics, and grad school are so foreign to me, but I love watching your videos and learning new things! Keep up the good work! BTW, you are long overdue for an Aaron Carter lip-sync video!

[amymorris]

That position opens up your lungs (runners use it, and people with anxiety disorders are sometimes told it'll help) maybe when you recognize you are doing it take a few slow deep breaths :) i have anxiety so any amount of stress can send me tail spinning

[Seegalgalguntijak]

But you look good in that shirt! It looks like it's really comfortable, and so you look like you're totally comfy in that lab of yours, wearing this shirt! It suits you! :-)

[stingerau]

Aim Higher! I might not deliver a Nobel prize piece of research in my field (astrophysics) but I sure am going to try, push the limits of what is possible. Who knows what may be discovered.

Love the video's, this was me about 7 years ago except in a physics lab of course! Wouldn't trade it for anything

[von]

when you 'learn' to function Without experiencing stress ... you will excel

[edwardlucile]

Your videos motivate me, thank you!^^