Cancer Biologist & Professor, Lifter of heavy things, Eating healthy not bland & Refining Brawn & Brains IG/FB/YouTube: Scientists Who Lift #scientistswholift
- Tweets 6,768
- Following 732
- Followers 3,774
- Likes 22,581
Does anybody else find it hard to read actual books since going to grad school? Or is it just me? 🤔
163
89
2,022
354,014
Allow me to official introduce myself I’m Dr. Dominique Stephens, Biochemist, powerlifter and creator of Scientists Who Lift. Thought I’d change things up so all my followers could put a face and a name to the brand 😎🤟🏾 #scientistswholift
15
18
465
Just wanted to say thank yall for all the love!! I can’t wait to start this new adventure as an Assistant Professor of Cell and Molecular Biology at James Madison University in the Fall! There’s so much to do in so little time. Oh this is for the people who didn’t watch my announcement video.#scientistswholift
27
26
425
40,132
When I get into academia I want to build a greenbook type of network of safe labs/universities to pursue a PhD.
17
19
306
41,038
Advice for someone preparing for their first interviews for Assistant Professor jobs? Zoom and in person.
45
42
256
173,826
You know what I’m realizing while writing my diversity statement?
Why am I being forced to relive my racism trauma in academia in detail to get a job in academia 🤔
3
14
246
You know what I need and what every scientist needs? A science buddy/friend.
Let me explain: someone when you get a research idea you can call them up and say “hey listen to this. What do you think? Am I crazy or do I got something?” Idk just a thought 🤷🏾♂️
16
21
257
55,721
Im just realizing that I’m probably going to have to teach a class I never took myself 😳 lol how common is that?
50
2
223
81,786
Adding to my microscopy toolkit learning FIB-SEM was daunting but cool at the same time! Look at my first EM image 🤩🤩
#scientistswholift #mircoscope
9
9
162
Had to share with my Scientists Who Lift family!! Just got one step closer to being debt free by being awarded the NIH Loan Repayment Program Award 🤓💰 it’s an honor but this is only the beginning 🤓#scientistswholift
10
8
144
19,801
If I can give all young scientists some unsolicited advice. Make sure you give yearly updates to your past research mentors (if you had a good relationship with them). They love hearing from you and about your journey. they are also a wealth of knowledge to tap into.
1
16
142
I have kept this on the low for awhile now but only the closest people know this but I have decided to take my talents to the University of Texas-Austin to for my postdoctoral studies! So excited to start this new journey! Oh and for now on it’s Dr. Stephens
#scientistswholift
16
6
134
Feels good to see my name on the door when I walk in everyday 🤩🤩
Went from not having a place to sit to having my own office! Feeling official with my name plate outside my office. catch me during office hours 🤓🤓
#newPI
3
4
141
8,822
THE DECISION! (Science Edition)
This fall I’ll be taking my talents to….
#scientistswholift
38
13
130
24,203
You know it’s crazy how many people in the past year have told me you’re gonna make an amazing PI in academia but now I’m sitting here gearing up to potentially leave it. The Irony
10
5
121
Just had the cops called on me at my university gym! Well this is on heck of a welcome 😂
19
5
115
85,406
An exciting announcement!! I have been awarded a T32 Training Grant!! Thanks to all my mentors @phdgprotein86 @stevendamolab1 @CpmlVandy for their diligence in getting this grant submitted and won! Now it’s time to get to work 🙌🏾 #ScienceTwitter #scientistswholift
18
7
115
I would like to see scientists dress up with a bit more flare at conferences when they are presenting their work. We got style too!
13
3
101
This whole job search has really opened my eyes to the type of professor I want to be and how much I won’t be switching up who I am to get a job. Because if they want me then they have to want all of me ✊🏾
4
5
94
10,101
I don’t have a personal twitter account, but I am the founder of @ScientistsLift currently I’m a PhD student in Biochem and powerlifter as well. Just want to promote a healthy lifestyle for all my #stem peeps
3
14
102
This weeks addition of being mistaken as a student:
Sophomore student: Oh I love your shirt! What year are you?
Me: I’m not…
Nearby professor: He’s a professor in Biology
Student: OMG! I’m so sorry. I thought you were on the football team.
Me: 🤣🤣🤣 you’re not the first 🤷🏾♂️
2
2
92
13,740
Cats outta the bag now! I accepted a postdoc position at Vanderbilt University! Can’t wait to make a huge impact! I’ll discuss the whole move on my next podcast episode 😁 #scientistswholift
8
5
91
I’m starting to realize that if I have to be someone I’m not to appease the older generation of scientists. Then academia isn’t for me ✌🏾
10
5
80
18,300
Finally made my return to the platform!
Squat: 622lbs meet PR
Bench: 463lbs meet PR
Deadlift: 700lbs
Went 9/9 for the first time
1st place in 100kg class
Won best overall male lifter
Building back to the national stage! I’m coming so get ready! 😈
#scientistswholift
12
4
92
7,851
I am a PhD Candidate And
I am one of the top powerlifters in the country. I run my own brand/business. Plus I am a black man who loves to hike
2
3
97
Question for all Faculty: What’s your best piece of advice for incoming faculty members?
43
17
82
67,839
Life has been a grind these past few months. I’ve learn so much and I can’t wait to share it with you all, but until then I’m putting myself in a position to fulfill a dream. For the next three weeks I’ll be doing in person interviews so wish me luck 🤓 #scientistswholift
7
1
80
3,609
Had a great time @NCState at the Building Future Faculty program! Imma give everyone some advice when you’re going on the job market get your name out there! The more people who know you the more opportunities there are for you! #scientistswholift
1
2
77
9,877
The day has come and I want you all to be apart of it with me! Tune into my virtual dissertation defense tomorrow Friday May 15th @ noon EST as I present my doctoral work and hopefully become Dr. Stephens 🙌🏾 the link will be in my bio so I hope you tune in
#scientistswholift
9
2
78
Had to make a professional twitter so people stop calling me the scientist who lifts at conferences 🤭 go follow to join me on my academic journey
I think it’s time for me to have a personal/professional twitter as I transition into my role as an assistant professor! Really excited for this new journey! #sciencetwitter
5
2
68
3,361
Meal prep Sundays are always a vibe! Make sure you’re prioritizing your health 🔥 #scientistswholift
4
3
75
9,899
I love when I’m able to give back and teach kids about science 🧬 😌 STEMed in action!
#scientistswholift #science
4
7
67
5,241
Is it just me? But Im a whole scientist, I have a PhD and everything but I’m not treated like one in academia 🤔 where’s the disconnect?
6
2
71
26,317
What is a conversation the older generation of scientists aren’t ready to have??
I’ll go first: just because you went thru trauma during your training years doesn’t mean you have to recreate that trauma for your trainees
2
6
67
6,758
Story Time: I got the cops called on me at my university gym!
#scientistswholift #storytime
13
5
53
16,384
If someone asks…THIS is what a scientist looks like 😏
Like the tank? Go to the website in the bio and get yours just in time for your summertime fun
#scientistswholift
2
4
61
12,265
One thing I’m learning is that I need to be selfish and protect my time as a #newPI because people will try and take your time if you let them
3
4
58
6,297
A huge PR!! One of my goals have always been to rep 600lbs and I’m hype about hitting this and how good it felt! Gotta keep pushing 601lbs x 2 reps #scientistswholift
7
2
54
How am I celebrating Juneteeth?? By doing all the things they said my ancestors couldnt and didnt have the capacity to do! 🤓 Happy #juneteenth yall!
2
2
51
5,850
All I can say is peep the socks tho 👀 oh and I guess the lift was pretty decent too 🤷🏾♂️ ran out of space on the bar smh 600x5
#scientistswholift #fitscientist #powerlifting #weightlifting #gym #fitfam #lifting #blackmensmiling #fitlife #fitness #bodybuilding #deadlifts
3
7
55
As a black male in STEM going through this journey it would have been a huge benefit to have a mentor to help navigate the community. That just means I have to be a mentor to someone else
#mentoring #mentorship #wokeSTEM #blackandSTEM #SciComm #phd #phdlife
3
14
54
Finally got to make a poster and talk about the work I did while at @UTAustin grateful for the opportunity @Sullivan_Lab gave me while I was there and grateful for the future opportunities with @BWFUND @stevendamolab1 @AtHinton
3
4
53
Happy Juneteenth!! ✊🏾❤️🖤💚✊🏾A day of celebration and reflection!
If you haven’t already check out the Juneteenth piece in @CellCellPress that I was able to be apart of! It was certainly an honor! ☺️
#scientistswholift #juneteenth
1
18
48
5,292
Advice for anyone going into a postdoc or plan to:
Have a definitive plan of where you wanna be and the timeframe you want to be it and make sure you communicate that to whoever you interview or take a position with. It’s best to be on the same page!
3
3
52
10,551
Don’t you just love it when you’re asked the question, “how much time you have left on your PhD?”
🙄🙄 your guess is as good as mine
#phd #phdlife #gradschool #scicomm
3
13
52
Late in posting these but still valid. Pretty much in a dungeon for this 605lbs squat. #scientistswholift
5
44
4,185
Sometimes I just can’t stop thinking about that fire 🔥 data I just got!
#scientistswholift
1
5
48
5,072
Advice for new Graduate students:
If you’re in a lab and you start to see red flags when it comes to your PI...GET OUT!! It’s ok to leave and go elsewhere trust me you’ll be happy you did. #ThursdayThoughts #phd #Science #scicomm
5
17
43
My last heavy sessions as a postdoc and they went pretty decent! It’s been a long while since I touched weight this heavy but it’s a good starting place to build from! 💪🏾 time for a new adventure 🤓
#scientistswholift
4
1
43
6,271
Listen applying to Assistant Professor positions is time consuming!! Fingers crossed I get an interview somewhere 🙏🏾🤞🏾
6
1
45
5,447
It’s been one wild ass year! All I can say it thank y’all for the support of this brand we’ve built an awesome community together! But the train don’t stop here! Let’s have more fun and amazing adventures next year! Wishing you all success in 2024! 🫶🏾💪🏾🧬
#scientistswholift
4
46
3,396
Told my undergrads today what my gpa was when I graduated with my bachelors. It was a 2.8, just to remind them if they really want something they have to work to get it. A final thought before the holiday break.
1
3
42
The hardest challenge for me right now is juggling research, my job search/interviews and hitting the gym. I’m tired y’all 😓
5
1
45
5,424
Nothing like hitting a major squat PR with some great gym energy! 630lbs we ready for this comp 🔥🔥
#scientistswholift
5
45
2,071
Last week of doubles before I start my block of heavy singles to end my tenure as a postdoc with a bang 😤💪🏾 #scientistswholift
45
4,917
I don’t think grad school being hard in the traditional sense is the issue but I hear what you’re saying
2
40
39,267
Gonna create a Facebook group where the scientists who lift community can talk to each other and network with each other not only me 😊😊 #scientistswholift
6
1
40
Love how this moved! Me and deadlifts have been fighting here lately but this block tho we see eye to eye 😍 625lbs for 2 #scientistswholift
8
42
4,461
I was blackballed from @GeorgiaStateU chemistry department for speaking up about a professor calling me a racial slur. My PI disowned me and spread lies about me. I was 2yrs into my PhD and had 2 first author papers under my belt. All wiped away #BlackintheIvory #BlackLivesMatter
2
12
41
The Stephens Lab is in full effect and ready to take over the world 🌎 😈
The Stephens Lab on their quest for world domination!! Already have six researchers and they are learning qPCR and data analysis ! They are getting acclimated quickly and becoming the mad scientists that I’m training them to be! Big things coming from my minions! #CancerResearch
3
2
41
3,086
Posting a few lifts from before my trip to Brazil! Building up to something great! 470lbs paused
#scientistswholift
1
40
4,011
Absolutely love this! Lifting weights means better mobility and you still have muscle mass to do this as you age! 🔥
1
3
34
5,690
460lbs on bench and couldn’t be happier to hit this PR it was a long time coming! Also, this dude don’t listen I told him to just stand there! He almost fucked up my PR smh 🤦🏾♂️ 😤😡
#scientistswholift
1
38
6,965
705lbs!! Got my technique down and feeling good this was way faster than expected 😎🤟🏾 #scientistswholift
8
1
39
There needs to be a financial literacy class for every step in education. Undergrad, Grad and Postdoc.
3
1
35
3,983
Sooo I did I thing honored to have won this @BWFUND fellowship! But this is one of many announcements that I have! I’ve been really busy so stay tuned 🤩🤓
Congratulations to the 2022 Postdoctoral Diversity Enrichment Program Fellows bwfund.org/news/2022-bwf-pos… #bwfpdep #bwfrtp
3
4
38
I’m sure my headphones hate when I deadlift but whatever they gonna have to deal with it 😂 top set 560lbs 6reps
#scientistswholift #fitscientist #powerlifting #weightlifting #gym #fitfam #lifting #blackmensmiling #fitlife #fitness #bodybuilding #deadlifts
4
2
40
I had the amazing opportunity to present my work in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and create some opportunities for future collaboration!! This was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had!! And Brazil es muy bonito I might post some pics 😁🇧🇷 #scientistswholift #brazil
3
4
40
3,649
Just like residency when physicians get their MD there needs to be a more organized training plan/structure for postdocs. After our PhDs it’s like we are thrown out to sea without a life jacket and anything can happen!
5
3
41
4,424
Haven’t touched 700lbs in a very long time and this was ugly but there’s still work to be done! Just wait on it #scientistswholift
3
1
42
Been MIA for a good cause presenting my research! Won some money in the poster competition and then got to discuss my project with so many amazing people! Such a great time!!
#scientistswholift #STEM #research #posterpresentation #scicomm #Science
1
1
39
This 645lbs deadlift is the start of me changing up my deadlift technique I’ve been working on all my other lifts now it’s time to tweak this one and let me tell y’all it’s gonna be a tough journey 😤 #scientistswholift
3
1
38
4,929
Preparing to move lab equipment and steal yo girl 😜
#scientistswholift
5
2
36
6,526
This is a big time PR for me!! 440lbs for 2 and they flew!! Get ready cause I’m coming!! 😈 #scientistswholift
2
1
38
3,621
The hardest thing to do as a lifter is get a workout in when you’re at a conference but you can make it work at the hotel gym 💪🏾💪🏾 #scientistswholift
8
38
Really? I couldn’t get back into reading myself cause I’m still reading so many research papers
3
43
3,897
I leave my lab once the work is done. I’d rather do my data analysis in the comfort of my home as long as the work gets done it don’t matter when I leave
1
2
36
The hardest thing to do in a white dominated field is to speak out for fear of backlash but this is not the time to be scared. If a program doesn’t like that fact that you’re holding your white counterparts accountable then that’s not the program for you!
#BlackandSTEM #BLM
7
35
With everything going on I was inspired to continue writing my book about what it took to get a #PhD in #STEM as a black man in this country! I’m putting my story out there for the masses to read I hope everyone else is inspired to do the same! #BlackintheIvory #BlackLivesMatter
1
2
33
Throughout my scientific career most people I’ve came across did not believe that I could make it as a scientist. What keeps me going is that one person that does because without them I wouldn’t be able to move forward. Can I just say a thank you to them 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
1
1
32
Benching 450lbs on a not so stable bench and a self handoff cause I don’t trust people in commercial gyms 🤷🏾♂️ I told this guy behind me to just stand there and make sure I don’t die 😂
#scientistswholift
2
36
5,857
Ah the meet recap! What you’ve all been waiting for!
First off had the honor of lifting among the top 93kgs in the nation in Primetime
Squat: 280kg:617lbs (Lifetime pr)
Bench: 205kg:452lbs
Deadlift: 322.5kg:711lbs (Lifetime pr)
Total: 807kg:1779lbs (Lifetime pr)
Placed 10th
9
31
Who doesn’t like Christmas deadlifts 🎄🎁 585lbs x 3reps
#scientistswholift #fitscientist #happyholidays #powerlifting #weightlifting #gym #fitfam #lifting #humpday #christmas #fitlife #fitness #bodybuilding #deadlifts #math #engineering #fitnessmotivation #MerryChrismas #STEM
5
1
35