Happy Birthday Ben!

To celebrate Ben's birthday, Johanna made a banana cake.

Happy Birthday Ben!

Moving Day!

To make better use of our lab space, on Wednesday the Mayer lab flexed their muscles and MacGyver-abilities to move a glovebox and a giant high vacuum line. Thanks to everyone who helped out, and to Ben Horst for documenting the day.

Why is this line so big and complicated? Tom is not amused.

One of several manometers. All the glassware was hand-moved to the other lab.

Mercury everywhere. Cleaning it up using an appropriate spill kit.

Many hands makes for easier work.

Carlos guiding through the doorway.

In its new home.

Clamps unmoved, before the glassware. 

Glassware in place. Aligning a high vacuum line is not easy.

Tom mopping the floor for the glove box.

It should fit through the door, right?

It does not fit through the door. (Is that solenoid necessary?)

Taking the wheels off.

Progressing down the hall.

Tom working in the box while we're moving, you just can't stop chemistry. Two small girls pushing the box.

1/16th of an inch of clearance?

Re-setup. Whew, it's done.

Tom's General Exam

On April 24th, Tom (4th year graduate student) passed his general exam! We celebrated with French champagne (brought by Caroline) - although it wasn't officially from Champagne so Jim made sure we knew to call it "sparkling wine".

Congrats Tom!

Happy Birthday Jim!!!

The group surprised Jim with cakes and singing on his birthday! Carolyn scheduled a "meeting" with Jim so that he would be in his office, Jo baked a delicious maple cake, Caroline baked a "Reine de Saba" chocolate cake, and Sarah brought cookies. Then we all got together and quietly walked to his office and surprised him.

Happy Birthday Miles! and welcome to two new visitors

We celebrated Miles' birthday with a lovely Gruyere tart that Caroline made. Happy Birthday Miles! We're also happy to welcome two new visitors to the group - welcome Sarah and Dr. Qian!

Happy Birthday Shoshanna!

There are quite a few birthdays here in the Mayer group. Here's the first set of pictures I can dig off my computer.

Happy Birthday Shoshanna! Jennifer made delicious grain-free cupcakes:

Tristan's Thesis Defense

On July 18th (2012), Tristan Tronic successfully defended his Ph.D. thesis: “Understanding Proton Shuttling with Pendent Bases in Catalyzing the Interconversion of Dioxygen and Water.” Congratulations Tristan!!!