’25 Wrapped

30th Dec 2025

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Reflecting on 2025, it has been a year truly for the books. A year so profoundly challenging in many ways, yet deeply rewarding. As a scientist, my biggest lesson was making peace with the understanding that not every problem has a solution. I am learning to show up with greater consistency in how I approach my work and in the kind of researcher I aspire to become.

This year brought milestone after milestone: publishing my first paper alongside incredible scientists and dear friends, passing my candidacy exams with unanimous approval from my committee, presenting my PhD work at multiple conferences, and winning awards for both a poster and a three-minute thesis presentation. I mentored an additional student, taught a senior-level biochemistry class and was called a ‘biophysics superstar’ by my dear PI. I also joined a graduate support group focused on intentional goal-setting. Looking back, the list stretches further than I ever expected.

“Wherever life plants you, bloom with grace”

This was also my most traveled year yet. I had a few ‘adventures’: I watched more crime shows, was on a cruise ship for the first time, got more plant babies, tried tennis for one day (maybe 3?), saw new cities and cooked a lot more. Ultimately my PhD, just like life, is a continuous, often challenging process of becoming better than my past self. I look forward to more adventures in the new year.