Exam
April 29, 2008
My PhD oral exam (defense, viva, or viva voce, depending on where you’re from) is tentatively scheduled for next Tuesday afternoon, May 6th.
This is dependent upon the two examiners (one proteomics, one placenta) getting their reports in on time like they said they would. Once the Graduate Centre has them in hand, the room will be booked. Hopefully this will happen in the next two days.
GPCW, Placentologist, and I have been writing a paper based on the two biggest (and coolest) chapters of my thesis, and it’s just reached the penultimate draft stage. Keeping an eye on this paper has helped me feel like I haven’t completely lost touch with my thesis topic. However I am pretty worried that I won’t be able to explain big chunks of the work once I get in a room with the three other people who will be there. Only two of those people will actually be judging me, and they are both proteomics people, so I think I can stand my ground there. Thank goodness I won’t have a placental person in the room.
Now to cram. Unluckily, I have a cold. Luckily, I should be well over it by next Tuesday.
Entry Filed under: Uncategorized. Tags: defense, gradschool, PhD, thesis, Work.
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1.
Jennifer | April 29, 2008 at 9:05 AM
Good luck and feel better! And for those of us who have been out of touch with you for roughly a decade…what exactly is your thesis on anyway? In layman’s terms of course (if possible.)
Also, how is the unfortunate haircut coming along?
2.
Dr. Brazen Hussy | April 29, 2008 at 9:42 AM
Ooh, good luck! I’m sure it will go well.
3.
Grumpator | April 29, 2008 at 9:45 AM
Good luck! I’m sure you’ll amaze and astonish them with your incredible, and dare I say witty?, oracular skillz and knowledge of the topic. You’ve certainly steeped in it long enough. Don’t stress, and soon it will be all over.
4.
Kelly | April 29, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Thanks for you well wishes! I’m feeling slightly better today and I’m hoping for a smooth exam.
Jennifer:
I’m a protein biochemist and I’ve spent the last [redacted] years comparing the proteins in blood from pregnant women to find biomarkers for a pregnancy disorder called preeclampsia. It causes high blood pressure and swelling, and can lead to big problems, but I’d never heard of it before I started this PhD work. What I do is use a technique called “proteomics” (study of all proteins, like “genomics” is the study of genes/DNA/RNA) to produce two-dimensional maps of proteins in blood where each protein looks like a spot, and then I compare the spots between samples to find spots that might be associated with preeclampsia. It’s interesting, but I’m glad it’s coming to an end.
5.
Mom | April 30, 2008 at 4:44 AM
You GO, DD!!!! We know you CAN DO IT!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!
6.
Rayeann | May 3, 2008 at 3:16 PM
I know you will fly thru with flying colors!! I will be thinking of you and sending positive energy!!!!!
7.
Celine | May 6, 2008 at 4:43 PM
Saw the latest entry just in time to send my thoughts your way–you’ll ROCK! Remember to breathe (blood flow to the brain is always better that way) and drink a glass or two for me
Here’s thinkin’ of you tomorrow (wait, was your tomorrow today? I’m so confused!)