Kirsty the Scientist

It's the final countdown... ♫  So, here it is, the final stretch, I've had all the time possible in the lab, and now it's time to wrap this story up into 5,000 words.  Due to all the disruption I had at the start of my project, I was given a one week extension to my deadline date, which allowed me the time to finish off a few experiments and have a similar length of time in the lab to my peers. The day a week before my deadline was the weirdest feeling, watching the clock tick down and seeing everyone's hand in pictures fly in on every social media channel. It was so odd knowing everyone's else's hand in was finished, and here I was working away in the library still. Knowing I had all the relevant paperwork to say this was exactly where I should be, it still felt very strange! My submission day was a bit of a surreal experience. I was ready to submit the day before my deadline, which was good. Did the final checks and then printed it all out at home, starte...

One of the members of our research team has his viva today - a presentation and 4 hour grilling of your PhD thesis, but also the last big step/assignment before your release into the world as a Dr.  This guy who had his viva today has been the person who has been supervising me the most and basically took me through everything whilst I've been learning in the lab. We're also now good friends and this guy is a friendly and likeable person to be around in the lab - so everyone was right behind him and supporting him today! Before and during his viva, there was such a low-key nervous buzz around the lab, with everyone anticipating how he would get on - all pretty confident he would do great, but going through the emotional rollercoaster with him!  And he did fantastically in the end and then we all headed out to the pub (with a huge card and presents, of course!) and then his favourite restaurant to celebrate. Loads of fun for a Tuesday!