Ashley Ringer McDonald
@aringermcdonald.bsky.social
Computational chemist, Professor, Cal Poly SLO. MolSSI Board of Directors. Past Chair ACS COMP.
We have 5.5 contact hours per week. We teach in what we call the studio format, where there is no separation between lecture and lab; you just have ~5.5 hours of class per week (either 3 110-minute sessions or 2 170-minute), which includes lecture, problem solving, activities, and labs.
November 11, 2025 at 2:33 AM
We have 5.5 contact hours per week. We teach in what we call the studio format, where there is no separation between lecture and lab; you just have ~5.5 hours of class per week (either 3 110-minute sessions or 2 170-minute), which includes lecture, problem solving, activities, and labs.
When I was doing Invisalign, my dentist regularly complimented me on my compliance and that I never lost my trays during the whole process. I was feeling really good about myself until I realized that the majority of her other patients were teenagers. 🤣
November 11, 2025 at 12:03 AM
When I was doing Invisalign, my dentist regularly complimented me on my compliance and that I never lost my trays during the whole process. I was feeling really good about myself until I realized that the majority of her other patients were teenagers. 🤣
I am very excited! After students stole (by which I mean borrowed and never returned) two copies of the first edition from my office, I got a second edition, which was just recently stolen! Maybe I’ll hold out for a third edition now!
November 6, 2025 at 3:37 AM
I am very excited! After students stole (by which I mean borrowed and never returned) two copies of the first edition from my office, I got a second edition, which was just recently stolen! Maybe I’ll hold out for a third edition now!
Now that Timothee Chalamet has been Willy Wonka, I just don’t find him credible in any other role. I can only think of Willy Wonka. It’s particularly bad in the Dune movies, but I thought it was silly when he tried to be a serious Bob Dylan too.
November 5, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Now that Timothee Chalamet has been Willy Wonka, I just don’t find him credible in any other role. I can only think of Willy Wonka. It’s particularly bad in the Dune movies, but I thought it was silly when he tried to be a serious Bob Dylan too.
This is the kind that I had success with.
November 4, 2025 at 3:12 AM
This is the kind that I had success with.
This is the kind of plastic wrap you need.
November 4, 2025 at 3:11 AM
This is the kind of plastic wrap you need.
This brand worked for me. It doesn’t say anywhere on the box that it is actually PVC, but it must be.
November 4, 2025 at 3:09 AM
This brand worked for me. It doesn’t say anywhere on the box that it is actually PVC, but it must be.
And the video. I should have poured more sugar but by the time I did a second one, my sugar had cooled too much.
November 4, 2025 at 12:36 AM
And the video. I should have poured more sugar but by the time I did a second one, my sugar had cooled too much.
The hero of our story.
November 4, 2025 at 12:34 AM
The hero of our story.
I kinda did it!
November 4, 2025 at 12:33 AM
I kinda did it!
I didn’t even know the name Saran Wrap originated from the actual polymer name! There is so much polymer chemistry to learn here!
November 3, 2025 at 8:43 PM
I didn’t even know the name Saran Wrap originated from the actual polymer name! There is so much polymer chemistry to learn here!
Glad I didn’t make a special trip to Costco to buy any! Thank you for testing it!!!!
November 3, 2025 at 6:14 AM
Glad I didn’t make a special trip to Costco to buy any! Thank you for testing it!!!!
Which is my theory about why the Costco plastic wrap doesn’t clearly state on the box what polymer it is.
November 3, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Which is my theory about why the Costco plastic wrap doesn’t clearly state on the box what polymer it is.
The sugar is about 115 C when you pour it. Polyethylene’s melting point is as low as 105 so it will never work. PVC’s melting point is about 160 C, so it should be fine. But a twist is that lots of people don’t like PVC so consumer products that use it often try to avoid saying that’s what it is.
November 3, 2025 at 5:39 AM
The sugar is about 115 C when you pour it. Polyethylene’s melting point is as low as 105 so it will never work. PVC’s melting point is about 160 C, so it should be fine. But a twist is that lots of people don’t like PVC so consumer products that use it often try to avoid saying that’s what it is.
Don’t do it unless you can buy some PVC plastic wrap! My internet research suggests that the stretch-tite brand is made from PVC. Some people say the Costco brand in the yellow box is also PVC, but I can’t find any real confirmation of that.
November 3, 2025 at 2:27 AM
Don’t do it unless you can buy some PVC plastic wrap! My internet research suggests that the stretch-tite brand is made from PVC. Some people say the Costco brand in the yellow box is also PVC, but I can’t find any real confirmation of that.
Omg, the American Girl doll. Amazing.
November 2, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Omg, the American Girl doll. Amazing.
Co-sign 100% of this.
November 1, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Co-sign 100% of this.
In my grad school version, I wouldn’t even have actual garlic, just garlic powder 🤣
October 25, 2025 at 1:34 AM
In my grad school version, I wouldn’t even have actual garlic, just garlic powder 🤣
I found the solution to this one. On Canvas, if you go to Settings (very bottom of left side navigation menu) and you scroll through very carefully reading, there is a tiny little checkbox that says “Use course grading scheme” and you can uncheck it! Then it doesn’t display any letter grade at all.
September 18, 2025 at 9:22 PM
I found the solution to this one. On Canvas, if you go to Settings (very bottom of left side navigation menu) and you scroll through very carefully reading, there is a tiny little checkbox that says “Use course grading scheme” and you can uncheck it! Then it doesn’t display any letter grade at all.
Cue small world music! I am the physical chemist who was hired to replace Rod (who is of course irreplaceable) when he left.
September 17, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Cue small world music! I am the physical chemist who was hired to replace Rod (who is of course irreplaceable) when he left.