Eternal Sunshine of Mel: I'm done!

Finally!

March 8th, 2007

After ~5.5 years, it was time... On March 8th (my mom's birthday. Happy Birthday, Mom!), I presented and defended my thesis. Whew!

The title of my thesis was TBCE and Regulation of Microtubule Dynamics: Insights from Autosomal Recessive Kenny-Caffey Syndrome. The seminar was at 1:30pm with the defense following. I was EXTREMELY nervous as the room I picked was packed full of people! Yikes!... I had a strategy -- picking a room in an obscure building (Atran Building) and not advertising my seminar. Hence, I was hoping for a nice small cozy group of friends... My plan backfired as I found out later, the department sent an announcement that morning about my seminar... And then many of my classmates showed up which I was not expecting. Very flattering AND nerve-wracking at the same time...

George introducing me (Notice my committee in the first 2 rows)

Starting the seminar

The seminar definitely was not one of my best oral presentations. I had a difficult time getting in the groove as every time I looked out into the audience, I was shocked by the number of people, and whatever I planned to say next flew out of my mind.... Eeek!...

Anyways, after it was over, I was looking forward to the oral defense with my committee. That went really well! And after a brief 45 minutes, it was over... Time for celebration! (Heather did a wonderful job of preparing a post-exam champagne fest, dinner, and a gathering for drinks!)

3 of 4 members of my committee hanging out at the post-pain party (+ Sarah and friend, Heather, and Ektor)

One of my committee members says there's a tradition that people who successfully complete their defense have to leave their mark at their institution. We were wary of doing this in the newly renovated Atran building, but what the heck, it's tradition, no? Besides, Bruce was out of town, so he won't know. :) ha ha...

George loosening up the cork for me

POP!

My mark (it's actually the little brown smudge next to the big line, right side)

Luciana, Dave, Me, Heather, Maria, Christine

What in the world was Maria and Christine doing?

Melanie and Cheryl

Dinner at Carmine's

Dave, Me, Mel's head, Becky

Kelvin, Ektor, Heather (pooh, missing Christine in this pic)

Maria, Becky, Tuba, Shruti, Avnish's arm, Me, + Cheryl's fingers

Waiters brought out a tiramisu singing "Congratulations to you" to the "Happy Birthday" tune. I laughed so hard (see my big mouth), I almost died. The best was when another waiter ran over to join in the song and started singing "Happy Birthday" and made a big ol' mess of the song. Ha ha ha, hilarious!

(Me, Cheryl, Maria, Becky)

My Ex-Aron-Hall-roomies. Great girls.

Tuba, Me, and Shruti

Since dinner was with a small group of good friends, we followed it with a gathering at a cozy bar/lounge in order to celebrate with more Sinai and Ultimate friends! (I don't have many pics, but here are the few that I do have)

Gathering at The Ginger Man