Dr. Christine Beavers
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xtalgrrl.bsky.social
Dr. Christine Beavers
@xtalgrrl.bsky.social
1K followers 220 following 4.6K posts
Crystallographer with far too many opinions. Shouldn't have to say these things but Black Lives Matter and Transwomen are women. She/Her
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xtalgrrl.bsky.social
For those of you keeping score, I'd like to think that @crystengcomm.rsc.org hasn't gone so far down hill since I was a guest editor in 2019 but this AI cover does not fill me with confidence
A screenshot of the CrystEngComm website, with two smiling people and the following text: Editorial The effects of extreme conditions on molecular solids lain D. H. Oswald and Christine M. Beavers Welcome to this themed issue of CrystEngComm entitled: 'The effects of extreme conditions on molecular solids'. From the themed collection: The effects of extreme conditions on molecular solids The article was first published on 18 Jul 2019 CrystEngComm, 2019,21,4420-4421 https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CE90109D Download PDF Article HTML
September 9, 2025 at 6:16 PM
xtalgrrl.bsky.social
@crystengcomm.rsc.org what are we doing here? All the crystallographers are sharpening their pitchforks... #chemsky
A journal cover from the chemistry journal CrystEngComm where the concert image features a very nonsensical molecule in front of a probably AI generated rainforest.
September 9, 2025 at 12:39 AM
xtalgrrl.bsky.social
For anyone who needs to explain science to their non- scientist friends & relatives, I wrote this.... maybe it helps. #chemsky #scisky
Screenshot of text from a Facebook postby me: So recently, I scrolled by a post where someone asked something to the tune of "why won't people be as critical of Fauci as RFK??" I thought it was sarcasm at first, and left a laugh react, but then I realized it wasn't. That post reminded me that the average person has no idea what a scientist goes through, when they do science. It's not some meme factory where you can say whatever you want. It's messy and conflict-ridden and nothing like what TV, movies and even some scientists portray. If you're a budding scientist and you want to do a graduate degree, you're asked to develop (or given, if you're lucky) a project. This is essentially a question that you aim to answer or a hypothesis that can be tested with evidence gathered, using the techniques in your field of study. So first off, you need to learn how to use these techniques, essentially the tools of your field. In chemistry, I learned how to analyze chemical compounds with various instruments. The results from using these techniques are often your evidence, that you use to answer the question. Screenshot of text from a Facebook post, 2of 4: But just having evidence is not science. You need to show that your proposed answer/hypothesis could be wrong, and what kind of evidence would demonstrate that. You can't just build your project to only collect data that supports your theory. You need more than one type of evidence as well, and you need to understand the limitations of your evidence: why it might be less trustworthy, what scenarios might make the results look more or less favorable. Why, you might ask? Because, as every scientist will tell you, your evidence must stand up against peer review. This is where you make a case for your theory, explaining all your evidence and how it supports your theory, and your "peers", i.e., other scientists in your field, try to tear your tidy little story apart. Many PhD students have their first peer review experience in the form of an oral exam that they must pass before ascending to PhD candidate; just you and your 5 page proposal against 5 professors, in a small room, for 3 hours. This academic trial by fire isn't (necessarily) hazing, as it serves a purpose; peer review is how science advances on solid ground. if you can justify your conclusions with robust evidence, they will be ... Screenshot of a Facebook post by me, 3 of 4: ...considered valid and part of the scientific consensus, until someone can provide robust evidence that shows otherwise. Critique is the lifeblood of science. When a scientist tries to publish their work, their manuscript undergoes peer review; the people tearing into your work could be your rivals, colleagues, or complete strangers. You can't disregard their comments, you must either acknowledge them or demonstrate their assertions are unsupported by the data. You can't just call them a shill and plug your ears. Which brings me back to RFK and his supporters, who have reveled in their echo chambers, and have never experienced true critique. They've never had to prove anything with robust evidence. They think a meme and a YouTube video from an anonymous source are the same as years of patient data gathering and statistical analysis. Anyone who disagrees with them is just a shill and a sheep, or part of a vast conspiracy "hiding the truth," which is incredibly laughable. Anyone who thinks scientists are all friends/colleagues, all secretly agreeing to hide some world-changing truth, while rubber-stamping each others studies/publications has never spoken to a.. Screenshot of a Facebook post by me, 4 of 4. Text with a fragment of a photo showing a blonde white woman using a binocular microscope. Text as follows: ...and statistical analysis. Anyone who disagrees with them is just a shill and a sheep, or part of a vast conspiracy "hiding the truth," which is incredibly laughable. Anyone who thinks scientists are all friends/colleagues, all secretly agreeing to hide some world-changing truth, while rubber-stamping each others studies/publications has never spoken to a scientist before. We're messy, proud, ambitious, full of conviction and devastated when we fail. We've been through the scorching fires of review and rejection and then we get back to our lab benches, computers, field sites, libraries, workshops and/or beamlines and try again. Photo for the algorithm- this was me, doing some PR-photo sciencing years ago
September 8, 2025 at 12:19 AM
xtalgrrl.bsky.social
So I realize that most scientists believe themselves totally against the right wing agenda but when I see you organizing symposia with one woman, i get the feeling you aren't as far from that agenda as you think you are.
A flyer for GISAXS 2025, with the text as follows: From October 27 to October 29, 2025, the international workshop GISAXS2025 will be held in Hamburg, Germany. This workshop brings together different communities working in the field of thin films, nanostructures, surfaces, and interfaces to gain insights into the very powerful method of grazing incidence small angle x-ray scattering and related techniques. In keynote and invited lectures, the possibilities and new trends in GISAXS and GISANS will be highlighted with a special emphasis on real-time investigations and data analysis. DEADLINE for abstract submission: 1st September 2025 The program is divided into two parts: In the first part, introductory lectures will be combined with expert lectures by leading expert scientists of grazing incidence technology and application. In the second part of the workshop, we will have hands-on GISAXS, focusing on online data treatment and simulation of GISAXS data. In addition, we will offer a visit to the micro-and nano-focus beamline dedicated to GISAXS at the 3rd generation synchrotron radiation source PETRA II Keynotespeakers October 27-29, 2025 Alexander Hexemer LBNL (USA) Adrian Rennie, U Uppsala (SWE) Xinhui Lu, U Hongkong (PRC) Invited speakers Heinz Amenitsch,U Graz (A) Renjun Guo, KIT (GER) David Kosbahn, TUM (GER) Sarathial Koyiloth Vayalil, DESY&UPES (GER&IND) Dileep Kumar, UGC Indore (IND) Peter Müller-Buschbaum. TUM (GER) Ththiärn Dattorecon KTHISIE) Stephan V. Roth, DESY&KTH (GER&SWE) Apostolos Vagias, ILL (FRA) Cheng Wang, LBNL (USA) GISAXS 2025 organized by S.V. Roth (DESY, KTH) & P.Müller-Buschbaum/(TUMünchen) TUT IEONISO MONCH IIVERSIINI HELMHOLTZ GEMEINSCHAFT DESY. Keynote & Invited lectures, contributed poster sessions, visit to PETRA Ill & hands-on training: From the effective interface approximation to theory and simulation https://indico.desy.de/e/gisaxs2025
July 30, 2025 at 5:43 PM
xtalgrrl.bsky.social
Can I suggest
The main characters Jinshi and Maomao from the hit anime the apothecary diaries
February 22, 2025 at 5:22 PM
xtalgrrl.bsky.social
If you see this, post a photo from your device with no explanation.
A latte with whipped cream in a paper McCafé cup, next to a pain au chocolat and two macarons. Everything is sitting on a white plastic tray.
February 13, 2025 at 9:27 AM
xtalgrrl.bsky.social
Cowards
A screenshot of the webpage faxzero.com where you can fax your congresspeople for free,, cropped down to just the two California senators, Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff. Both of the CA Senators are shown to not be accepting faxes.
January 29, 2025 at 6:06 PM
xtalgrrl.bsky.social
Hey @adamschiff.com this form letter reply does not reassure me one bit. No urgency, no acknowledgement of anything.

Do better.
Form letter response that totally doesn't discuss the issue at hand: Dear Dr. Beavers: Thank you for your message. I am always grateful to hear your ideas and priorities, and I am heartened by the record levels of engagement and activism we have seen across the country in recent years. My staff and I keep track of every message we receive from Californians like you, and your feedback is invaluable in guiding my priorities as we build an America with opportunity and prosperity for all. As your Senator, I will continue to focus on solutions that will improve the lives of all Californians, including policies that bring down the cost of living, build more housing that’s affordable, expand access to quality and affordable childcare and health care, protect our planet from climate change, and safeguard our democracy and freedoms for future generations. Please be assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind when considering the issues that are important to you. Transparency has been a goal of mine throughout my time in Congress. You can find detailed information on every bill introduced in the Senate on Congress.gov, including the summary and full text of the legislation, which Senators have co-sponsored it, and the most recent action taken by Congress. An ongoing job of a Senator is to help constituents solve problems with federal agencies, access services, and get their questions answered promptly. On my website, I offer a guide to the services my office can provide, as well as a contact form where you can share your priorities with me. You can also connect with me online via Facebook or Twitter, and you can always reach my office by phone at (202) 224-3841. Thank you again for your thoughts. I hope you will continue to share your views and ideas with me.
January 29, 2025 at 4:18 AM
xtalgrrl.bsky.social
Without downloading any new pics, where are you mentally?
A cartoon of the genshin impact character Kaveh, in smol form, surrounded by drawings at a desk. His eyes are big and watery and he's wearing a sad frown. The caption reads "my work isn't done but I sure am."
January 24, 2025 at 12:05 PM
xtalgrrl.bsky.social
I travel a lot for work. Here's one simple trick i use to not be constantly sick: I wear a mask.

If not these KN95s, then my Flomask. Do I get strange looks? Yes. Do I get sick? Not usually. Covid is still here + many other nasty things. Do future-you a favor and wear a mask. #StillMasking
A white woman with grey and purple straightened hair and a black face mask is taking a selfie.
January 17, 2025 at 4:09 AM
xtalgrrl.bsky.social
Dis you?
January 14, 2025 at 3:49 AM
xtalgrrl.bsky.social
How are we feeling about the annual challenge that is the #GCHQChristmasCard ?? I've tried to hide the picture by calling it graphic. 😅
Answers for this year's GCHQ Christmas card, with the all the answers bolling down to the solution which i will give, please stop the screen reader if you don't want a spoiler... last chance... the answer is "united in protecting the kingdom"
December 13, 2024 at 5:03 AM
xtalgrrl.bsky.social
Post a picture you took (no description) to bring some zen to the timeline
Twilight over the San Francisco Bay area. The sky is purple at the top, gradually shifting to a glowing pink at the horizon. The lights of Berkeley stretch out in the foreground until the shore of the bay, with the silhouette of mount Tamalpias interpreting the horizon
November 17, 2024 at 1:33 AM
xtalgrrl.bsky.social
If I had friends here with me, I would have dragged them into a karaoke joint, but since I don't, I'm getting a hojicha milkshake instead🤷🏼‍♀️
A photo of a busy street in Shibuya, with many people bustling in front of a backdrop of shops featuring neon signs, some of them bearing the katakana for karaoke.
November 16, 2024 at 11:05 AM
xtalgrrl.bsky.social
Feels like an eternity ago. Now as I prepare to jump from this sinking ship, I look around and see hollowness and grift where world-changing interconnection used to exist.

Fuck you Elon Musk.
#MyXAnniversary
November 3, 2024 at 12:33 PM
xtalgrrl.bsky.social
Watching all these crystallographers headed to #ECM34 from #SRI2024 in Hamburg like
November 3, 2024 at 12:33 PM
xtalgrrl.bsky.social
#wrex
November 3, 2024 at 12:34 PM
xtalgrrl.bsky.social
I don't know if the Boba shop guy knew that I was irritated, but he gave me a free mochi doughnut anyways. A hero the people needed.
November 3, 2024 at 12:39 PM
xtalgrrl.bsky.social
More memes, more fun at the CCCW today.
November 3, 2024 at 12:39 PM
xtalgrrl.bsky.social
Memes from my resonant dispersion talk today.
November 3, 2024 at 12:34 PM
xtalgrrl.bsky.social
I guess I missed #lightsourceselfies yesterday? Dang.

Anyways, here's me and two colleagues after we finished up at @esrfsynchrotron and visited the snowy peaks nearby.

Learn about your local light source at <a href="http://lightsources.org" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">http://lightsources.org
November 3, 2024 at 12:34 PM
xtalgrrl.bsky.social
Last day at the APS user meeting and I still have a bunch of cool swag to give away and super fast detectors to yap at you about!
November 3, 2024 at 12:34 PM
xtalgrrl.bsky.social
My phone camera laughs at my attempts and gives me an eclipsed sun as an afterthought.
November 3, 2024 at 12:45 PM
xtalgrrl.bsky.social
Best I could do🤷🏼‍♀️
November 3, 2024 at 12:39 PM
xtalgrrl.bsky.social
Doing some low budget eclipse viewing. 33% of totality is still something!
November 3, 2024 at 12:34 PM