Farncombe
Phage

Christine and I were privileged to get to feature the incredible discoveries of not one, but two independent groups. It’s one of those wonderful situations where the two groups stumbled upon this, but were able to publish in the same journal, at the same time. And we get to spotlight them!

The first lab Solstice party at the new digs, and this… this is a lab group photo that can’t be beat: 10 lab children! You can click through for the older lab members too, if you like. As usual, we shared a potluck with traditional meals, exchanged Secret Santa Gifts, and the kids roped us into board games (Werewolf!). Next year, we’re going to need to set up a kiddy table for sure…

See, while the cat is away, the mice… still win prizes and represent the lab. Here’s our lab’s inaugural entry in the Gingerbread House Decorating Contest!

A phenomenal keynote. Alex asking surprisingly few questions of the speakers (if people didn’t know I was on new-baby-sleep-deprivation status, I think they’d be seriously alarmed). And our own Hynes lab showcase: That’s three quarters of the poster-presenting crew, with a tired, attempting-to-caffeinate Alex in the background. This IIDR was Niousha’s first ever poster, while Rabia presented her side-story for the first time (and won a prize for it). Plenty of pictures after the jump!

Things might be a little quiet ‘round here for a while. Not like ‘round here’ in the lab, or at home - but on the website, as our latest little one joined us last Friday - a wee bit early - and I’m starting a paternity leave. So far, Alex & Rita: 6, lab students/alumni: 4. A productive lab? :P

The lab entry in the BGSA Halloween Costume - Inside Out 3: Graduate School Edition. We had a script, a performance, a pre-recorded contribution by Gayatri - who couldn’t make it. I thought the best gag was going to be Anxiety being imposter syndrome, and “Fulfilment” just being an older, white-haired version of Imposter Syndrome. Maybe sadness popping the p=0.049 balloon and replacing it with a p=0.051 balloon. But really, the red button being “give up” and the green button being “another replicate” - that… chef’s kiss.

Left to Right: Imposter Syndrome Sr, Jr, Sadness, Joy, Disgust, Embarrassment, Anger. Not pictured: Parental Pressure (Gayatri).

In a heated Halloween Pumpkin contest, we took Superman (and Crypto) to a podium finish - the Jays-themed Brown lab snuck in a win, but that might just be the judges trying to manifest tonight’s result. It’s not just the result, though - I think this was a first ever time carving a pumpkin for both Niousha and Aeysha Ahktar - pictured after the jump.

We managed to gather all the lab not headed away for Thanksgiving for a chill walk ‘round Christie Lake, joined by all the wee-ist ones. I actually, I thought we’d be just walking the the dam and back, but Gayatri seemed game for everyone getting their steps in, as she hauled everyone’s stuff and her baby in the stroller. The weather was fantastic. The photographers… less so. But we did catch a few other nice moments, including (click through).

With Félix back in town for a friend’s defence yesterday, we took advantage of the opportunity to gather and celebrate his paper (out in mSphere last week). We have done Lunches, Suppers… Snacks, but never Breakfast’s before. I guess next is midnight snack? As an additional treat, Gayatri dropped by, and we got to hear all about her little one.

It was a great day for the Hynes lab. In my bike ride to the annual Farncombe Research Day at the Beautiful Botanical gardens, I managed to make it up that insane hill without dismounting. A group published a paper that builds on our work and really inspired me. Ayesha (pictured) gave a great talk closing off the morning session, with an entirely new pitch I am definitely going to steal. Gayatri and Rabia were recognized for their leadership and contributions to the Farncombe (click through for picture), and Rabia picked up an award for her poster too! Oh, not to mention all the great science on display I got to ask questions about…