Ψ*Ψ (Jes Sherman) started CBC back in 2006, when almost all chemistry blogs covered natural products and pharmaceuticals.  She wanted to create a place for people to discuss the other side of organic chemistry.

Ψ*Ψ is about to finish her first year of a PhD in materials chemistry at UCSB.  Her scientific interests (to describe them vaguely) include carbon-based materials, electronics, and anything involving crystals.  She does a little synthesis and crystal growth, a lot of device and general materials characterization and is always excited to learn how to use a new lab toy (that cost more than her car did when it was new).  Attracted to bright colors and shiny things, Ψ*Ψ is thrilled to work in a field that features plenty of both.  In a more perfect world, she would be designing and testing crayon-deposited organic semiconductors; sadly, such things do not exist, although we can inkjet-print displays now, so the future may hold cause for optimism.  (Sometimes she enjoys being facetious.  That WOULD make for an awesome coloring book, though, right?)

While her native habitat is a laboratory setting, Ψ*Ψ may occasionally be spotted lost in the Santa Barbara area, napping in the sun, stress baking, or facilitating kitty adoptions.

Facebook Ψ*Ψ! Twitter also works; alternatively, expect a quick email response.

A disclaimer and exegesis of sorts:

In case it’s not blatantly obvious, this site is not intended to represent us as professionals.  Our blogging personae are not necessarily a fair representation of us in everyday life.  Our writing here is casual and (mine is) unpolished because it’s done quickly.  The content is not 100% error-free–why would it be? we’re grad students! we don’t know everything!–but we do try to get things right, and we appreciate conscientious and constructive corrections when we fail at that.

When I first established the blog, no one else was writing about organic materials!  I wanted to spread the word to the general public…until it became apparent that other chemists comprised the majority of CBC’s readership.  And then it also became apparent that people working in other fields weren’t always familiar with what we did either. But sometimes they know more about certain corners of our research.  I’m pretty sure I’ve learned at least three times as much from CBC readers as they have from me.

Although we’ve made some great contacts from the blog, our purpose here is not actually to network–it’s to build a community.  I want a place where science is still fun, and is untainted by bad management or evil coworkers or long hours or institutionalized bigotry or concerns for the future of one’s career.  (That’s not to say I want a place that’s free of epic experimental failure. Such a place does not exist, and never will!)  Hopefully this site will remind other scientists that we have incredibly cool jobs (assuming we are employed).  Who else can count on enjoying such challenges at work or learning so much?

We should also be reminded not to take things so seriously, and that is part of CBC’s mission as well.  While we never intend to post anything terribly offensive, this site should be browsed with a sense of humor.  Relax, and enjoy