It was an especially exciting meeting for our lab: Z and Kamena gave talks, sharing our latest work, and Grace and Amisha absolutely crushed the poster session. Watching trainees confidently explain their science, field tough questions, and spark genuine excitement never gets old — it’s one of the best parts of conferences like ASCB.

Beyond our own talks and posters, ASCB reminded us why these meetings matter so much. You get exposed to wildly diverse science, hear ideas far outside your immediate bubble, reconnect with old friends you haven’t seen since the last preprint dropped, and — just as importantly — make a few new ones. Conversations spill out of poster aisles, continue over coffee, and sometimes turn into collaborations you didn’t see coming.

By the end of the meeting, we were all feeling supercharged about science — brains buzzing, notebooks full, motivation levels restored.

By the end of the meeting, we were all feeling supercharged about science — brains buzzing, notebooks full, motivation levels restored.

And of course, no trip to Philly would be complete without a mandatory Philly cheesesteak experience. Opinions varied. Strongly. Some of us are still debating cheese choices. Scientific consensus has not yet been reached.

All in all: great science, great people, great food (mostly), and a fantastic reminder of how fun this community can be. Already looking forward to the next one. 🧠✨🥪