Here he is in the main hall of his lab building.
Graduation ceremony, of course, isn't until May, but that's all just paperwork. He is done! It has taken SIX years and lots of blood (a new baby and a severely cut thumb), sweat (it is freaking hot down here! ALL the time!), and tears (of frustration, cranky babies being loaded in the car to pick him up on late nights, and PMS). All so worth it!
Aaron has had several interviews and may have a couple more soon. So far Harvard and UC-Berkeley seem the best. Harvard has offered, but still has to get funding finalized. Berkeley has already given an offer and has the money ready.
Here's a copy of the mass email he sent out today.
Yup, today I defended my thesis!!!! WHOOO HOOOO!!!!
Celebrating tonight and tomorrow. It's been a crazy couple of days for me.
Here's how it went down, in bullet form for easy digestion!
- Two weeks ago i turned in my thesis to my committee
- Committee: 3 professors, including my boss
- Thesis: all my work from the last 5+ years
- 3 papers (one published, other two under review)
- 3 appendices (extra stuff)
- Last two weeks: post-doc interviews
- Post-doc: middle state between grad student and professor
- Oxford: too far away, hard to transition back afterwords
- Stanford: pretty good, i would have to fund myself with a fellowship
- Berkeley: really good, full offer
- Harvard: really, really good, they are trying to get money together
- Defense (today)
- 45 minute presentation about the research (it was the same talk I've been giving for the last few weeks)
- 30 minutes of questions from the public audience
- Private exam
- Everyone but the committee asked to leave
- Normally, at this point, the grilling usually begins. Private questions, like an oral exam.
- Except, that doesn't really happen in the biosciences
- All the big questions were asked previously
- Just given some instructions on how to re-write some sections.
- They shook my hand and I was a Doctor!
That's it! Thanks all and loves! Gonna be a hard decision next :)
5 comments:
Michael's exact words upon hearing about Harvard and Berkley were, "Wow. He's super big time." Yes, he indeed is super big time.
HUGE CONGRATULATIONS!!! To the both of you! supporting him through these 6 years has been nothing short of amazing! What a big relief and onto the next part of your lives - how exciting for you guys!
Harvard! Harvard Harvard Harvard! Although Berkeley would be much closer to family ... Yeah. Tough choice. Good luck and lots of prayers for that! And congratulations again!
Congratulations to both of you!!!
So excited for you guys! Congrats all around--can't wait to hear what adventure is next for you all.
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