Lisa writes, “These are simple hydrocarbon chains (nonane, to be exact)– one on each wrist. They end on the bottom sides of my wrists. I am a synthetic organometallic chemistry PhD student at the University of Washington, and I got these linear hydrocarbon ‘bracelets’ as I transitioned into my undergrad chemistry program. When I get my PhD, I want to get a tattoo of the first crystal structure I published (of my first unique molecule synthesized)!”

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Originally published December 16, 2008. Copyright 2008 Carl Zimmer.