I've been busy

Basically, the past week has been really busy and that's why I haven't updated my blog. You see, I'm trying to publish a scientific paper now. This is the 8th lab I am working in and still Zero first or second author papers in my name. That's lousy! I'm 24, almost...some ppl publish much younger than that. Alright, my previous stints were maybe a few months to half a yr at most, but the latest one was a year long. Although I managed to publish (sth like 7th author in a list of like 10+ authors in an impact factor 4+ journal and 3rd author on a review paper in another lousy-average journal) still, my achievements have been rather mediocre. Most importantly, I don't feel like I mastered the field, or even feel like I can speak intelligently on my former area of research in that lab.

My current stint in a molecular oncology lab is nearing full-term, just about 11 months. At least I get to handle my own project in this lab. I'm working towards publishing my own paper although it's prolly gonna be in another mediocre journal . However I feel like I've learnt a lot from the whole process.

Besides being busy repeating experiments and tidying up my data, I was also given two students to look after in the lab. One is a new grad student who's actually a yr older than I. He's pretty independent, so my presence is minimally needed. The other, however, is a 16-yr-old who is not interested in research but who was forced into a 4-week stint at my lab by her father, who is a PI and whose lab we're collaborating with. So, as you can guess, I'm also kinda obliged to take good care of her in view of these political ties. I was partially flattered to be 'named' her babysitter at first, but that quickly fizzled when I realized that babysitting a bored 16-yr-old ABC (american born chinese) is no fun at all. Especially when i have my own work to do, and a lot of it at that.

In addition, I have 3 months to write a review paper for my boss. He's giving me the opportunity to author a review, with his guidance, which I think is invaluable. I feel indebted to him for the time and effort he's putting into grooming me.

Although...I will still keep my options open for which lab to join for my PhD. I feel like I will be neeeding greater breadth, bigger clout, and deeper expertise for my PhD lab. But I will feel guilty for abandoning my old boss.
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