Jen Heemstra (@jenheemstra) / X

Jen Heemstra

11.1K posts

Jen Heemstra

@jenheemstra

Professor and Chair of @WashUChem, proud member of @HeemstraLab. I'm a researcher, but I'm a #MentorFirst. Author of Labwork to Leadership.

St. Louis, MO she/her

linktr.ee/jenheemstra

Joined July 2014

Pinned
Jen Heemstra
@jenheemstra
Jul 25, 2025
First copies of my book are here!! As a new faculty member, I realized that in addition to my research job, I also had a leadership job…and I wasn’t prepared for that. This book is the guide I wish I’d had then, with the goal of helping others now. jenheemstra.com/book
82K
Jen Heemstra
@jenheemstra
May 21, 2018
By 35, you should know that the Oxford comma is essential for clear, correct, and accurate writing.
Jen Heemstra
@jenheemstra
Mar 23, 2022
At the end of my career, I will not care at all what my h-index is or how many papers I published. However, I will care tremendously whether I was a good mentor and had a positive impact on the lives of others. I want to live those values every day from now until then.
Jen Heemstra
@jenheemstra
Jul 23, 2019
Sure, we need scientists in academia. But, let’s not forget that: We need scientists in industry We need scientists in government We need scientists in journalism We need scientists in law We need scientists in policy ...and so much more! There is a world beyond academia.
Jen Heemstra
@jenheemstra
Jun 19, 2020
No, I will not “take it as a compliment” when someone asks me if I’m a grad student I’m 42 years old I’ve worked hard to be where I am I’ve overcome discrimination I’ve overcome harassment I don’t want to be praised for my appearance I want to be respected for my expertise
Jen Heemstra
@jenheemstra
Jan 24, 2019
This morning, I received an email from my PhD advisor that was so encouraging and kind, it made me tear up a bit. I finished my PhD almost 14 years ago. Great mentors are mentors for life. If you’re just starting out, choose your PhD advisor wisely. You deserve a great mentor.
Jen Heemstra
@jenheemstra
Sep 13, 2020
You are not your publications. You are not your awards. You are not your grants. You are not your CV. You are a human being.
Jen Heemstra
@jenheemstra
Sep 30, 2020
I just found out that my department voted unanimously for my promotion to full professor!!! This is just the first step in the process but it’s an important one, and the last time I was in this situation it went very differently. A thread.
Jen Heemstra
@jenheemstra
Aug 31, 2020
In academia, people need to stop calling something an “opportunity” when what they really mean is “unpaid labor.”
Jen Heemstra
@jenheemstra
Mar 29, 2020
What it's like to be a woman on social media: me: posts a thread about clinical diagnostics aimed at non-scientists some guy: You're not quite correct. If you want, I can explain it to you at a molecular level me: Uh...I have a PhD in chemistry. The "molecular level" is my life
Jen Heemstra
@jenheemstra
Jul 26, 2020
One of the biggest mysteries of Covid-19 has been why some people become very ill, while a large number of people who are infected show no symptoms at all. It turns out that this protection may be linked to the most mundane of illnesses…the common cold. A thread.
Jen Heemstra
@jenheemstra
Sep 4, 2019
If you're choosing your PhD advisor, remember that the research you will do for the next 5 years is important, but even more important is finding the person who will be your mentor and champion throughout your career. You will never regret choosing a great mentor. #PhDchat
Jen Heemstra
@jenheemstra
Jun 7, 2021
I’m realizing that I’ve been trying to recover from mental exhaustion with physical rest, and it unfortunately doesn’t work that way.
Jen Heemstra
@jenheemstra
Nov 5, 2023
The impact (good or bad) that you have on people through your teaching and mentoring will likely be greater than the impact of your research on society.
Scientists Who Lift
@ScientistsLift
Nov 3, 2023
What unpopular academia opinion would get you in this situation?
744K