Jen Heemstra
@jenheemstra.bsky.social
Professor and Chair of WashU Chemistry. I’m a researcher, but I’m a #MentorFirst. Author of Labwork to Leadership.
Pinned
Jen Heemstra
@jenheemstra.bsky.social
· Jul 26
First copies of my book are here!! As a new faculty member, I realized that in addition to my research job, I also had a leadership job…and I wasn’t prepared for that.
This book is the guide I wish I’d had then, with the goal of helping others now.
jenheemstra.com/book
This book is the guide I wish I’d had then, with the goal of helping others now.
jenheemstra.com/book
Reposted by Jen Heemstra
Highly recommended and should be read by all (future) group leaders! Thanks for sharing your personal struggles also
@jenheemstra.bsky.social 🧪
@jenheemstra.bsky.social 🧪
November 18, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Highly recommended and should be read by all (future) group leaders! Thanks for sharing your personal struggles also
@jenheemstra.bsky.social 🧪
@jenheemstra.bsky.social 🧪
When setting goals, we often focus on achieving milestones like a PhD, job, tenure, or promotion. Those are great goals but they’re not enough.
We also need to think about:
-Why we’re pursuing that goal
-What specifically we need to do to succeed
-The values we will follow as we do the work
We also need to think about:
-Why we’re pursuing that goal
-What specifically we need to do to succeed
-The values we will follow as we do the work
November 14, 2025 at 2:32 PM
When setting goals, we often focus on achieving milestones like a PhD, job, tenure, or promotion. Those are great goals but they’re not enough.
We also need to think about:
-Why we’re pursuing that goal
-What specifically we need to do to succeed
-The values we will follow as we do the work
We also need to think about:
-Why we’re pursuing that goal
-What specifically we need to do to succeed
-The values we will follow as we do the work
Reposted by Jen Heemstra
🚨New book alert🚨 We're very excited to add Labwork to Leadership by @jenheemstra.bsky.social (published by @harvardpress.bsky.social) to our collection! We hope it will be useful and of interest to our PIs and others planning their career in STEMM. #labworktoleadership #chemsky #chematcam
November 12, 2025 at 1:28 PM
🚨New book alert🚨 We're very excited to add Labwork to Leadership by @jenheemstra.bsky.social (published by @harvardpress.bsky.social) to our collection! We hope it will be useful and of interest to our PIs and others planning their career in STEMM. #labworktoleadership #chemsky #chematcam
Super exited to be teaming up with #CASFutureLeaders and @petercarlton.bsky.social again to talk about strategies for growing leadership skills! It’s not too late to register for this free online event - link below.
And a few people will walk away with a signed copy of #LabworkToLeadership!
And a few people will walk away with a signed copy of #LabworkToLeadership!
Back in August, @jenheemstra.bsky.social gave a wonderful talk to our 2025 #CASFutureLeaders. Now’s your chance to hear her strategies for science leadership. Register for this free webinar!
November 1, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Super exited to be teaming up with #CASFutureLeaders and @petercarlton.bsky.social again to talk about strategies for growing leadership skills! It’s not too late to register for this free online event - link below.
And a few people will walk away with a signed copy of #LabworkToLeadership!
And a few people will walk away with a signed copy of #LabworkToLeadership!
Reposted by Jen Heemstra
Back in August, @jenheemstra.bsky.social gave a wonderful talk to our 2025 #CASFutureLeaders. Now’s your chance to hear her strategies for science leadership. Register for this free webinar!
October 30, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Back in August, @jenheemstra.bsky.social gave a wonderful talk to our 2025 #CASFutureLeaders. Now’s your chance to hear her strategies for science leadership. Register for this free webinar!
The more positional authority you have as a leader, the more you have to invite dissent if you want the best ideas to surface. Some of my favorites are:
-I’m not even sure I agree with my idea here…
-Please push back on this…
-I know there are a lot of good options…
-I’m not even sure I agree with my idea here…
-Please push back on this…
-I know there are a lot of good options…
October 17, 2025 at 8:01 PM
The more positional authority you have as a leader, the more you have to invite dissent if you want the best ideas to surface. Some of my favorites are:
-I’m not even sure I agree with my idea here…
-Please push back on this…
-I know there are a lot of good options…
-I’m not even sure I agree with my idea here…
-Please push back on this…
-I know there are a lot of good options…
Reposted by Jen Heemstra
Taiwo Bankole is a doctoral student at the University of Maryland, College Park. No matter what the challenge, she is determined to add “Dr.” to her name. Read more: https://awis.org/project/awis-member-spotlight-taiwo-bankole #WomenInScience
October 17, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Taiwo Bankole is a doctoral student at the University of Maryland, College Park. No matter what the challenge, she is determined to add “Dr.” to her name. Read more: https://awis.org/project/awis-member-spotlight-taiwo-bankole #WomenInScience
Reposted by Jen Heemstra
Excited to host @jenheemstra.bsky.social for our first #CASFutureLeaders webinar next month. If you’re an early-career scientist, don’t miss this opportunity! www.cas.org/resources/we...
October 16, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Excited to host @jenheemstra.bsky.social for our first #CASFutureLeaders webinar next month. If you’re an early-career scientist, don’t miss this opportunity! www.cas.org/resources/we...
Thanks to Scott Hanton for a thoughtful review of #LabworkToLeadership in Lab Manager:
www.labmanager.com/book-review-...
www.labmanager.com/book-review-...
Book Review: Labwork to Leadership
Jen Heemstra offers essential skills for academic laboratory leadership, focusing on self-leadership and coaching others.
www.labmanager.com
October 9, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Thanks to Scott Hanton for a thoughtful review of #LabworkToLeadership in Lab Manager:
www.labmanager.com/book-review-...
www.labmanager.com/book-review-...
Leadership skills are similar to research skills - we aren’t born knowing the best approaches but we can learn.
And just like learning how to be a researcher, growing as a leader involves making mistakes, listening to feedback, and improving over time.
And just like learning how to be a researcher, growing as a leader involves making mistakes, listening to feedback, and improving over time.
September 18, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Leadership skills are similar to research skills - we aren’t born knowing the best approaches but we can learn.
And just like learning how to be a researcher, growing as a leader involves making mistakes, listening to feedback, and improving over time.
And just like learning how to be a researcher, growing as a leader involves making mistakes, listening to feedback, and improving over time.
Reposted by Jen Heemstra
Discovered on #ChemSky on Wednesday
Discussed with manager on Thursday
Purchased Friday
In the Library on Tuesday
Going to be a very useful resource, thanks @jenheemstra.bsky.social!
Discussed with manager on Thursday
Purchased Friday
In the Library on Tuesday
Going to be a very useful resource, thanks @jenheemstra.bsky.social!
September 16, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Discovered on #ChemSky on Wednesday
Discussed with manager on Thursday
Purchased Friday
In the Library on Tuesday
Going to be a very useful resource, thanks @jenheemstra.bsky.social!
Discussed with manager on Thursday
Purchased Friday
In the Library on Tuesday
Going to be a very useful resource, thanks @jenheemstra.bsky.social!
Reposted by Jen Heemstra
Huge thank you to @rescorp.org and @jenheemstra.bsky.social for the signed copy of Labwork to Leadership! Perfect timing as I head into the chemistry faculty job market this year. 👀 #chemsky
September 9, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Huge thank you to @rescorp.org and @jenheemstra.bsky.social for the signed copy of Labwork to Leadership! Perfect timing as I head into the chemistry faculty job market this year. 👀 #chemsky
Making mistakes and failing are inevitable, especially in research. However, how you approach failing can impact your ultimate success.
My latest blog post shares how becoming a professional ‘fail-er’ can prevent you from ‘fail-ure’
www.jenheemstra.com/resources/be...
My latest blog post shares how becoming a professional ‘fail-er’ can prevent you from ‘fail-ure’
www.jenheemstra.com/resources/be...
Mindset: Becoming a professional ‘fail-er’ can prevent you from ‘fail-ure’
Making mistakes and failing are inevitable, especially in research. However, how you approach failing can impact your ultimate success.
www.jenheemstra.com
September 9, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Making mistakes and failing are inevitable, especially in research. However, how you approach failing can impact your ultimate success.
My latest blog post shares how becoming a professional ‘fail-er’ can prevent you from ‘fail-ure’
www.jenheemstra.com/resources/be...
My latest blog post shares how becoming a professional ‘fail-er’ can prevent you from ‘fail-ure’
www.jenheemstra.com/resources/be...
As leaders, we often think about what we need to do each day.
Just as important is to think about who we want to *be* each day.
How we spend our time is important, but what we value and how we treat others is critical to achieving our desired outcomes for ourselves and those around us.
Just as important is to think about who we want to *be* each day.
How we spend our time is important, but what we value and how we treat others is critical to achieving our desired outcomes for ourselves and those around us.
September 4, 2025 at 12:31 PM
As leaders, we often think about what we need to do each day.
Just as important is to think about who we want to *be* each day.
How we spend our time is important, but what we value and how we treat others is critical to achieving our desired outcomes for ourselves and those around us.
Just as important is to think about who we want to *be* each day.
How we spend our time is important, but what we value and how we treat others is critical to achieving our desired outcomes for ourselves and those around us.
Reposted by Jen Heemstra
Wish I had read this book 7 years ago! Luckily, I could still find useful insights to apply tomorrow :) thanks @jenheemstra.bsky.social
September 3, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Wish I had read this book 7 years ago! Luckily, I could still find useful insights to apply tomorrow :) thanks @jenheemstra.bsky.social
Reposted by Jen Heemstra
Traveling sans toddler so devouring this book! Thanks @jenheemstra.bsky.social for sharing your wisdom #Academicsky
September 2, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Traveling sans toddler so devouring this book! Thanks @jenheemstra.bsky.social for sharing your wisdom #Academicsky
The new academic year means new goals, and if you're leading a research group (or yourself!) then some of those goals may be leadership goals.
To celebrate a new year and new goals, @harvardpress.bsky.social is giving 20% off #LabworkToLeadership through Sept.
www.hup.harvard.edu/books/978067...
To celebrate a new year and new goals, @harvardpress.bsky.social is giving 20% off #LabworkToLeadership through Sept.
www.hup.harvard.edu/books/978067...
September 2, 2025 at 2:39 PM
The new academic year means new goals, and if you're leading a research group (or yourself!) then some of those goals may be leadership goals.
To celebrate a new year and new goals, @harvardpress.bsky.social is giving 20% off #LabworkToLeadership through Sept.
www.hup.harvard.edu/books/978067...
To celebrate a new year and new goals, @harvardpress.bsky.social is giving 20% off #LabworkToLeadership through Sept.
www.hup.harvard.edu/books/978067...
New (academic) year, new goals! And one of the personal goals is to get back to training on the MoonBoard. Feels good to be back! #ChemistsWhoClimb
August 29, 2025 at 2:16 AM
New (academic) year, new goals! And one of the personal goals is to get back to training on the MoonBoard. Feels good to be back! #ChemistsWhoClimb
Reposted by Jen Heemstra
Got my Labwork to Leadership book by @jenheemstra.bsky.social today! Can’t wait to dive in #researchteams #researchleadership #PIs
August 27, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Got my Labwork to Leadership book by @jenheemstra.bsky.social today! Can’t wait to dive in #researchteams #researchleadership #PIs
Reposted by Jen Heemstra
The real magic of organic chemistry? The people who do it. Thanks to Professsor Malika Jeffries-EL (@chemdiva.bsky.social ) for sharing her story with us. We look forward to reading and watching yours. Please use #AmplifyOrganic
August 18, 2025 at 2:22 PM
The real magic of organic chemistry? The people who do it. Thanks to Professsor Malika Jeffries-EL (@chemdiva.bsky.social ) for sharing her story with us. We look forward to reading and watching yours. Please use #AmplifyOrganic
I often feel busy or overwhelmed and don't have the time I want for the things that bring me joy. Can you relate?
My latest blog post dives into the question we *often* ask when making decisions about our time and the question we *should* be asking instead.
www.jenheemstra.com/resources/wh...
My latest blog post dives into the question we *often* ask when making decisions about our time and the question we *should* be asking instead.
www.jenheemstra.com/resources/wh...
Jen Heemstra
www.jenheemstra.com
August 26, 2025 at 1:20 PM
I often feel busy or overwhelmed and don't have the time I want for the things that bring me joy. Can you relate?
My latest blog post dives into the question we *often* ask when making decisions about our time and the question we *should* be asking instead.
www.jenheemstra.com/resources/wh...
My latest blog post dives into the question we *often* ask when making decisions about our time and the question we *should* be asking instead.
www.jenheemstra.com/resources/wh...
Reposted by Jen Heemstra
In the new book Labwork to Leadership, chemist Jen Heemstra offers actionable leadership advice to principal investigators.
Read the #ScienceBooks Review: https://scim.ag/4mljVr1
Read the #ScienceBooks Review: https://scim.ag/4mljVr1
August 19, 2025 at 6:49 PM
In the new book Labwork to Leadership, chemist Jen Heemstra offers actionable leadership advice to principal investigators.
Read the #ScienceBooks Review: https://scim.ag/4mljVr1
Read the #ScienceBooks Review: https://scim.ag/4mljVr1
Reposted by Jen Heemstra
Agreed! As we advance in our careers, the paths become more complex, and the need for guidance grows.
✅ Investing in mentorship relationships can bring transformative rewards to both your personal growth and professional development.
@jenheemstra.bsky.social
✅ Investing in mentorship relationships can bring transformative rewards to both your personal growth and professional development.
@jenheemstra.bsky.social
We all need mentors, and the further we go in our careers, the more mentors we need.
Whether it’s dealing with increasingly complex career situations, considering a career transition, or coping with a career ending, mentors can be an essential source of wisdom and support.
Whether it’s dealing with increasingly complex career situations, considering a career transition, or coping with a career ending, mentors can be an essential source of wisdom and support.
August 21, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Agreed! As we advance in our careers, the paths become more complex, and the need for guidance grows.
✅ Investing in mentorship relationships can bring transformative rewards to both your personal growth and professional development.
@jenheemstra.bsky.social
✅ Investing in mentorship relationships can bring transformative rewards to both your personal growth and professional development.
@jenheemstra.bsky.social
Reposted by Jen Heemstra
ACS Council approves the petition to establish the Committee on the Advancement of LGBTQ+ Chemists, 86% to 14%.
#chemsky 🧪⚗️ #acsfall2025
#chemsky 🧪⚗️ #acsfall2025
August 20, 2025 at 1:34 PM
ACS Council approves the petition to establish the Committee on the Advancement of LGBTQ+ Chemists, 86% to 14%.
#chemsky 🧪⚗️ #acsfall2025
#chemsky 🧪⚗️ #acsfall2025
Reposted by Jen Heemstra
Here you go..." Why strong mentorship was essential for my career success in science" JoAnn Trejo has turned mentoring into an evidence-based science, driven by her own exposure to inspiring mentors. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Why strong mentorship was essential for my career success in science
JoAnn Trejo has turned mentoring into an evidence-based science, driven by her own exposure to inspiring mentors.
www.nature.com
August 20, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Here you go..." Why strong mentorship was essential for my career success in science" JoAnn Trejo has turned mentoring into an evidence-based science, driven by her own exposure to inspiring mentors. www.nature.com/articles/d41...