Perspectives

From curiosity to conversation: My first science café

“Why was I so nervous? I’d spoken in hundreds of seminars and classes, in front of large audiences.” But this was the first time Ed Eisenstein was explaining his research “to a crowd of nonscientists relaxing over food and drink at a local tavern.”

‘One word or less’

For a long time, Howard Steinman thought this phrase was a joke: “Less than one word is no words, and you can't answer a question without words.”

Can we make grad school more welcoming for all?

The students and faculty at most of the institutions training the next generation of STEM professionals do not reflect the country’s diversifying demographics, leaving a gap in experience and cultural understanding.

I am not a fake. I am authentically me

Camellia Moses Okpodu explains why she believes the term “imposter syndrome” is inaccurate and should be replaced.

Where do we search for the fundamental stuff of life?

Recent books by Thomas Cech and Sara Imari Walker offer two perspectives on where to look for the basic properties that define living things.

Scientists around the world report millions of new discoveries every year

Science is a collaborative endeavor, and international teams have contributed to a huge rise in scientific output.

Being a whole person outside of work

Creating art, community service, physical exercise, theater and music — four scientists talk about the activities that bring them joy.

Molecular impressions of water as cuneiform cascade*

Inspired by "the most elegant depiction of H2O’s colligative features," Thomas Gorrell created a seven-tiered visual cascade of Sumerian characters beginning with the ancient sign for water.

Water takes center stage

Danielle Guarracino remembers the role water played at two moments in her life, one doing scary experiments and one facing a health scare.