Kneading Time, Finding Strength: A Reflective Look at Year Three of My PhD
Somehow, another year has passed. One of my proudest moments of my academic journey happened this year: I published my first first-author paper. It felt like a long-awaited breadth, a small but mighty reminder that the work I'm doing matters - and that I'm capable of contributing something meaningful to my field. I also had the opportunity to present my work at the TMS conference, where I connected with researchers who challenged and inspired me. I got to attend the Women in Nuclear Conference and meet many amazing women in my field. And in a whirlwind of science and scheduling, I traveled to Idaho to complete a rapid-turnaround experiment. But getting there wasn't easy. This year also brought with it one of the most difficult mental health chapters of my life. I went through a heavy, overwhelming depressive episode that made me feel like I’d never finish my PhD. The pressure, the perfectionism, the isolation - it all felt like too much. And for a while, I believed it ...