Celebrating a milestone like tenure feels a bit surreal—equal parts relief, gratitude, and excitement for what’s ahead. Rather than marking the occasion quietly, I had the pleasure of celebrating it in the best possible way: with the lab.

We kicked things off at the bowling alley, which quickly revealed that pipetting accuracy does not necessarily translate to bowling precision. There were a few impressive strikes, plenty of wildly unpredictable throws, and a lot of laughter in between. It was a reminder that while our day-to-day work revolves around careful experiments and data, the spirit of the group is just as much about camaraderie and shared moments outside the lab.

Afterwards, we headed out for dinner, where the pace slowed down but the energy didn’t. Conversations drifted from science to travel plans to the occasional debate about the “right” way to analyze data—some habits never switch off. Sitting there, it struck me how fortunate I am to work with such a talented, driven, and genuinely fun group of people.

Tenure is often seen as an individual milestone, but it’s really built on the support, collaboration, and inspiration of those around you. I’m incredibly grateful for this team and proud of what we’ve built together—and I’m looking forward to everything that comes next.