Writing
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Preprint Fetcher just got an audio upgrade
June 08, 2026
After several months of using Preprint Fetcher, I can say that it has transformed my daily reading. My preprint feed is curated to my exact research interests, both project-specific and broad, and fully automated. Since the papers are pulled from bioRxiv daily, there is not much that I miss, and if there is a title that doesn’t make it, I still have other RSS feeds and platforms that fill the gap. I strive to begin each morning with reading, but on days where I am on-the-go, I’d still like to have a method to check my preprint feed. Therefore, I’ve now added a feature (again with the help of Sonnet 4.6) that converts the feed into audio, in addition to...
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Curate a personal preprint feed with this tool!
March 14, 2026
If I want to know what’s latest in the literature, if I’m not reading preprints, I’m behind. I’ve experimented with several approaches, from science social media to RSS feeds - which, out of all the options, has been the most effective when following the Fraser Lab method. RSS feed categories and customizations such as keywords and authors have worked well for journal publications, but are too broad for the way I engage with preprints in particular - it helps to aggregate, but not curate. I found myself craving an easy-to-digest, niche, field-focused, automated, preprint-only system to accompany, not replace, the methods I already use. With the help of Claude (Sonnet 4.6), I vibe coded something I’m now pretty happy with...
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Finding the plan: an IDP guide
February 23, 2026
The first time I completed an individual development plan (IDP) was as an undergraduate. I will admit it was initially daunting, but at each stage of my training I learned how to better utilize it. The IDP is an NIH career development tool, and when used effectively, it is a powerful tool. This post is primarily geared toward early stage students who may be completing an IDP for the first time or are exploring career development opportunities and trajectories, but hopefully some thoughts here are also broadly applicable. General advice: Take the IDP seriously - it is academically tailored but a format that reoccurs across many sectors and is a framework for the entire year Take time, sit with the...
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Developing a foundation in the scientific literature
May 26, 2025
As the saying goes, “chance favors the prepared mind.” The process of scientific discovery begins with a deep understanding of the knowns, such that we can address the unknowns. Each project I’ve worked on as a biochemist has required its own literature foundation, and as a scientist who likes to study a variety of proteins and work on multiple projects in parallel, I’ve developed a system for rapidly building a foundation in the scientific literature. Entering a new scientific field is as exciting as it is challenging, and in my career, happens often. While the unifying theme is always structural biology and enzymology, the exact systems I’ve studied have been distinct and required a careful understanding of their specific scientific...
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A space for independent exploration
April 24, 2025
When I think back to the concepts that first drew me to biochemistry and biophysics, it begins with chemical bonds. Atoms sharing or exchanging electrons — a seemingly simple concept — gives rise to complex geometries, spatial arrangements, and chemistries. These patterns form the foundation of the macromolecules and cellular pathways I’ve worked with every day. I often find myself returning to the core principles of organic and physical chemistry to make sense of the scientific literature I’m reading and topics I’m thinking about. In doing so, I’ve felt a growing urge to share more questions, more ideas, and more independent exploration. This writing page is meant to be that outlet: a space to investigate small-scale scientific questions, offer practical...
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