Published online 7 May 2008

Postdoc journal

Going with your gut

Zachary Lippman

Zachary Lippman is a postdoctoral fellow at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's faculty of agriculture.

I strive to find the best hummus — and the best experimental approach.

The hummus in Israel is made from freshly cooked chickpeas yielding a creamy, delectably rich spread that complements fresh pitta and Syrian olives. I find conversations flow easily with hummus — whether debating who has the best hummus in town or the best interpretation for a set of experiments. It's a wonder how simple things can be interpreted so differently. Yet, just as the quest for the ultimate hummus can lead to new destinations; so too a simple band on a gel can direct me to one experiment and my colleague to another.

Differences in interpretation that may initially seem trivial could have a crucial impact on the direction and take-home message of a project. I think part of becoming a seasoned scientist is learning how to build confidence in one's ability to interpret data independently and to defend those interpretations.

I experienced this recently while preparing a manuscript. I debated with my colleagues on how to interpret a key phenotype in a pepper mutant. In the end I went with my gut — which, I am learning, is a wise move for a good scientist, and for a hummus aficionado. Now, when I discuss data with friends, it is at my chosen restaurant. Who would have thought my ability to choose between hummus with a touch of cumin or a 'shpritz' of lemon would help me defend my experimental interpretations?

Postdoc Journal Keepers 2008

  • Jon Yearsley

    Jon Yearsley is a senior postdoc in evolutionary genetics at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland.

  • Zachary Lippman

    Zachary Lippman is a postdoctoral fellow at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's faculty of agriculture.

  • Amanda Goh

    Amanda Goh is a postdoctoral fellow in cell biology under the Agency of Science, Technology and Research in Singapore.

  • Aliza le Roux

    Aliza le Roux is a postdoctoral fellow in animal behaviour at the University of Michigan.

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