Research Science is Detective Work

Research science is detective work. It's all about discovering the culprit behind whatever is happening; isolating the variable that causes something to do what it does. Coincidentally, there are also PI's in the science world. Every research project has a P.I. or Principal Investigator who is responsible for supervising and completing the scientific study. In my lab, which is full of interns, Dr. Dimitri Deheyn is the Principal Investigator. However, for many experiments he hands much of the responsibility over to a single intern for them to figure out, test, and process results mostly by themselves.

There are also other remarkable comparisons:
Every scientific detective always keeps a notebook containing details about all the different things that happen during experimental procedures. They always make sure not to contaminate the evidence and always wear gloves. Precision instruments are necessary, and improvisation (of tools and apparti) is often employed to get things done. Of course, if the procedures are not consistent and there are questionable experimentation practices, then the evidence and consequent conclusions will probably not be approved in the court of peer review. Also, no detective seems to be able to work without caffeine. Whether it is a fancy espresso machine or a trusty old coffee-maker, the morning cup and subsequent ones throughout the day are vitally important to Principal Investigators.

"Noah Schlottman - [Notes] - Summer 2011"

The Black & Decker, well-worm and stained from everyday use, remains an important, life-giving source in the Deheyn Lab.

Dr. Dimitri Deheyn, Principal Investigator of the Lab I work in, peers diligently into a light microscope to view the microscopic ossicles that are collected in a small Eppendorf tube.