"Got into neuroscience because the brain fascinated me, you know? That and maybe a bit to figure out why we do the things we do. Mornings start with a jolt, literally, because without that first cup of strong black coffee, it feels like my neurons aren’t firing up. Breakfast is something I can eat with one hand while scanning the latest research articles—usually a banana or, if I’m lucky, a bagel. Work’s a mix of lab meetings, patient interviews, and hours hunched over a microscope or a stack of data that just doesn't make sense yet. It's challenging, especially when a hypothesis you’ve bet months on falls flat. But then, there are days when everything clicks, and you find something—a tiny clue about how the brain works—and it’s like discovering a hidden treasure. Lunch is when I try to step out of the lab; there’s this little sushi place nearby, nothing fancy, just quick and fresh. Helps clear my mind. Afternoons are for writing, more experiments, or mentoring young PhD students who think they have the next big theory on cognitive function. By the time dinner rolls around, I'm usually back at home, trying to switch off the 'science mode.' My partner’s good at dragging me back to reality. We cook together, something therapeutic about chopping vegetables or stirring a pot of risotto. It’s simple, grounding. Speaking of food, my absolute favorite has to be the local pho from this tiny Vietnamese spot we found. It's all about the broth for me, rich and aromatic, feels almost medicinal after a long day of decoding the brain. Just like the research, it’s all about the ingredients, right? How they come together to make something greater than the parts."
