Apps for the academic: Checking in with the iPad

Clay Clark

Clay Clark – @biochemprof I'm on ScienceSeeker-Microscope

I’ve had my iPad2 for about a year, and I find myself using it more and more for work-related activities as I try to move to a more “paperless” existence. Based on a discussion recently on Twitter, I thought that it might be useful for my students (and others) to see a list of apps that I use the most, and why. I’m a scientist and an educator, so I tend to use apps that I find useful for my work. I note that I don’t use the iPad much for games, and when I do, the games tend to be solitaire or the like. So, if you are looking for iPad games, I suggest you look here or here. I also note that I don’t have an iPhone, so my apps are not optimized for use with both devices.

This list is divided into four categories: Productivity, Protein Visualization, Social Media/Others, and Miscellaneous. Apps that I use on a daily basis are denoted by an asterisk (*). As you may note in the descriptions, the list is a work in progress, so please leave comments and let me know how you use your iPad (or other device) at work.

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Advice to young scientists: 110 characters and a URL

 

An open letter to my graduate students and post-docs 

Clay Clark

Clay Clark - @biochemprof

Dear Students and Post-docs,

I’ve learned a few things as my career in science has progressed from graduate student to post-doc to assistant, associate and finally professor. I’d like to share some of these pearls of wisdom with you in hopes that you’ll be able to use them during your journey as a scientist. I post these suggestions here because, although I see you working diligently in the lab, we haven’t had enough time recently to drink beer together and have this discussion.

Favorite Belgian Beers

Great Belgian Beers

A few years ago, when I was in graduate school at Texas A&M University, I was involved in a protein folding project. This was a new project started by my advisor, so there was a sense of urgency to spend the time required to learn new techniques in order to collect data, to attend classes and seminars, and to learn material on broader topics related to our work. This also helped me develop a passion for science. You too should develop a sense of urgency. JAYFK recently posted a blog entitled “5 Things you should know before dating a scientist”, and I repost point #4 here. Although this is a very funny and irreverent look at science, there also is good advice in this particular blog:

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