Gail McCormick

Science writer, paper artist, stage manager, jigsaw puzzler, owner of Mango and Wally. I write about research for @PSUScience. Opinions my own. she/her

[Gail McCormick @scissorsfiend]

@sheetz Was hoping today's update would help, but the iphone app still just crashes immediately when I try to open it. Since the last 2 updates. Lack of sheetz is sad.

[Penn State Biology @PennStateBio]

The Department of Biology at Penn State is searching for a new professor of Ecology. Apply here: https://t.co/x1YG9bK138 #blackinstem #latinxinstem #indigenousinstem #diversityinstem #LGBTinSTEM #womeninstem @PSUScience

[Penn State Eberly College of Science @PSUScience]

Alyssa Connell, a research technologist in Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Scott Selleck's lab, has been working with him on research related to neurodegenerative diseases since she was an undergraduate student.

Learn about her experience⬇️

[Penn State Eberly College of Science @PSUScience]

Do you know why giraffes have such long necks? There have been many theories, and a team led by #PennState biologists found that female giraffes have proportionally longer necks than males.

Read the full story at https://t.co/Fg6VHLm1i7

[Charlie Anderson @CAndersonLab]

Why are cellulases so slow? Check out this news article about our work to reveal the molecular mechanisms that inhibit the deconstruction of plant biomass for bioenergy and biomaterial production: https://t.co/FNMeWjIJHx. Thanks to @scissorsfiend for excellent science writing!

[Gail McCormick @scissorsfiend]

Last up was the individual final. I end up in 32nd overall, which was just outside of my goal of top 30. I did struggle with glare on this one. But was happy to meet this artist too--I usually love his bright rainbow colors!

[Gail McCormick @scissorsfiend]

I'm competing in the USA Jigsaw Nationals in San Diego next week! (Yes, competitive speed puzzling is a thing!) @UsaJigsaw is live streaming the event on youtube. Here's when you can watch me compete!

[Gail McCormick @scissorsfiend]

Next was the pairs final--this time a 1000pc puzzle on half a table, which was a space management challenge.. We came in 13th! Although it was also quite busy, it wasn't as challenging as the team puzzles. I do love this artist and had her sign the puzzle.

[Penn State Eberly College of Science @PSUScience]

Galaxy, an open-source software co-developed by Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Anton Nekrutenko, is revolutionizing genetic sequencing. This program is making it easier to assemble genomes and further understand evolution.

Read more: https://t.co/k0mumGOJxt

[Penn State Eberly College of Science @PSUScience]

Cui-Zu Chang, Henry W. Knerr Early Career Professor and associate professor of physics, and Chao-Xing Liu, professor of physics, were co-authors on a recently released study about a new combination of magnetic materials.

Read more about the study at https://t.co/G28O9favqz

[Penn State Eberly College of Science @PSUScience]

A team of #PennState researchers, which includes Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics Jane Charlton, are using NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope to determine the age and mass of star clusters.

Read more about this new study at https://t.co/82oAsq5Hb6

[Penn State Eberly College of Science @PSUScience]

An international team led by #PennState researchers has discovered the second- and fourth-most-distant galaxies — nearly 33 billion light-years away — using the James Webb Space Telescope! https://t.co/nnRkKeKKYq @NASAWebb

[Gail McCormick @scissorsfiend]

@joelkarnold I can't imagine how difficult this year+ has been. Think ing of you, and wishing you both some peace today and this holiday season.

[Gail McCormick @scissorsfiend]

@melliferocity That is absolutely preposterous.

[Gail McCormick @scissorsfiend]

I often put on music on youtube while I work, including when I'm not directly at my computer. That means I can't always easily skip ads. This ad was AT LEAST 32 MIN LONG! Yes those are minutes--it took me several to press skip. WTF And it was only the first ad??

[Gail McCormick @scissorsfiend]

@Asmodee_USA Are y'all backlogged with launch sales? What's a good estimate for when orders might ship? (The 5 days stated on the website doesn't appear accurate at the moment.)

[Gail McCormick @scissorsfiend]

My office (@PSUScience) is hiring a Social & Digital Media Specialist to help generate/manage content for our social channels and newsletters and help with some writing. On site in central PA, but we work a hybrid schedule. #scicommjobs #socialmediajobs https://t.co/PIgT7gzyR7