Lab Girl by Hope Jahren

Journey through Transitions

Lab Girl is an autobiography of a modern scientist, that delves into the author’s childhood to her struggles and successes as a scientist. Jahren takes the reader to her time in grad school, her first job at Georgia Tech, her time at Johns Hopkins, Hawaii, and even, Norway.

A pivotal point in Jahren’s life was her time at Georgia Tech. Despite working hard, she faced challenges securing outside funding, illustrating the difficult funding situation in her field. The book vividly conveyed the stress and pressure she experienced during this period.

Later, it was revealed that she battled anxiety, and further into the narrative, it became evident that she was bipolar. The gradual unfolding of these aspects added layers to the story, providing a deeper understanding of Jahren’s journey.

She used to ponder her love life, wondering if she would ever get married and start a family. It was uncertain, given her intense work ethic and dedication, whether she would find the time for personal commitments. The funding situation was a significant factor in this uncertainty, a not too unfamiliar with many other women scientists and career-driven women.

Funding Challenges

The breakdown of the funding scenario was quite revealing. Her research, primarily funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), faced limitations due to a fixed budget – let’s say, for instance, around $100 million to $3 billion per year. According to her estimation, a lab would require a bare minimum of $100,000 a year to function. However, the available funding was insufficient to cover the needs of every scientist.

America says it loves science, but it sure as hell doesn’t want to pay for it.

-Hope Jahren, Lab Girl

Considering at least one environmental scientist from each state, the competition for funding became fierce. The reality was that there wasn’t enough money to go around for everyone, leaving many scientists struggling for survival. It wasn’t a reflection of their abilities but rather a consequence of insufficient funds. Jahren advocated for donations to support science, emphasizing the tough situation scientists face due to limited resources.

Despite these challenges, she moved her lab, perhaps realizing that getting tenure at Georgia Tech might not be feasible. Eventually, she relocated her lab to Johns Hopkins, a strategic move in her scientific journey.

Personal and Professional Struggles

During the period when she moved her lab to Johns Hopkins, there was a part of the audiobook where I was sort of napping, but I gathered that she met her future husband during this time. They eventually got married and had a child. He was a professor or someone in a similar field, aligning with her intellectual pursuits. However, her journey took a turn when she became pregnant, putting a strain on her ability to conduct research, teach, and manage the lab.

Pregnancy impacted her work, leading her to request medical leave for close to a year. Despite attempting to occasionally go back to the lab, she encountered resistance from higher-ups, possibly due to liability concerns. This experience left her distressed and somewhat disenchanted with the institution, even though it might have been for legal reasons.

Following this, she moved her lab to Hawaii, although the details about this transition are not vividly recalled. One notable incident involved her lab manager, Bill, whose father passed away. She arranged a trip for both of them to Ireland to lift his spirits.

Bill, a crucial part of keeping the lab running, faced significant struggles, likely being severely underpaid for an extended period. His life reflected the hardships of a scientist, living in an office on campus and even in a van in a school parking lot. Jahren, at one point, grappled with the challenge of providing him a decent wage, contemplating how his life might have been different without her recruitment to start the lab.

The book also mentioned a dramatic episode where one of her grad students, Teresa, crashed a car during icy conditions. The student was upset, and there was some tension in the aftermath, highlighting the complex dynamics within the lab.

While some details are hazy, the audiobook provided glimpses into various facets of Jahren’s life, including personal and professional challenges.

Botanical Insights

In between various segments, the book delves into botany, offering insights into trees, their life cycles, and how they communicate with each other. It explores their ability to combat threats like invasive bugs and adapt to new challenges through a form of communication.

Literary Influences

Despite experiencing the audiobook version, the writing appears to be well-crafted, as noted by a reviewer elsewhere. Hope Jahren’s background in literature, influenced by her mother who majored in English, is evident. Growing up, she was an avid reader, particularly drawn to poetry, and even wrote her own poems. This literary inclination shines through in the memoir. I think this also supports the idea that interest and participation in endeavors outside of one’s specific field or work can enhance their work in unpredictable ways. One popular example being Steve Jobs’s interest in calligraphy significantly contributing to the innovation of the Macintosh.

Insight Into the Life of a Scientist

Reading the book provides a glimpse into the life of a scientist, though it may not be entirely representative of all scientists. However, certain aspects seem applicable to many in the scientific community. It emphasizes the challenges and non-glamorous aspects of the job, depicting the ups and downs, struggles with discrimination, mental health issues, personal challenges, and the persistent battle for funding. Jahren’s journey involves frequent moves, reflecting the dynamic and demanding nature of the scientific profession. The book offers a rich portrayal of the complexities scientists face, making it a compelling read.

The portrayal of a scientist’s life in the book is far from glamorous, highlighting the difficulties faced by both Jahren and her colleague. Despite the challenges, Jahren effectively shares her story with a well-written and humorous narrative. The humor prompts some wonder about the authenticity of certain aspects, especially the character of Bill. Regardless, the book successfully imparts knowledge about plant life and related subjects in an accessible manner.

Something so hard can be so easy if you just have a little help. In the right place, under the right conditions, you can finally stretch out into what you’re supposed to be.

-Hope Jahren, Lab Girl

Narration Excellence

I have to say, Lab Girl was a good read. I opted for the audio version, and I must mention the narrator – she did a commendable job. Not only did she read fluently, but she also conveyed emotions when the passages demanded it. Whether it was directed or her own intuition, she did justice to the narration, effectively portraying emotions like anger or distress, adding depth to the listening experience.

Update: I checked who the narrator was…it’s the author, Hope Jahren. Makes much more sense now. Even more impressive.

Conclusion

The book is enjoyable overall, offering valuable insights. However, it might be more discouraging than encouraging for someone considering a career as a scientist, particularly those just starting out. While Jahren’s eventual prestigious awards are not explicitly mentioned, the narrative could be more resonant for upper-level graduate students seeking diverse perspectives on life in science. Despite potential discouragement, the book serves as a valuable read for those already on their scientific journey.

Sidenote: One concept that has stuck with me is planting a tree for each child one has.

Original Draft Written in July 2019