Here's the Stats for my PhD 2025 Wrapped:
* # of hours spent Ca2+ imaging: 50
* # of Glucagon ELISAs run: 15
* # of lab birthday parties planned: 5
* # of mid-afternoon lab coffee runs: ~197
* # of times I cried in my PI's office: 2
* # of times I remembered I genuinely love my job: 362

When your team takes “sugar science” a little too literally… Happy Halloween from the Ben&Ms! Studying diabetes with this crew is such a treat. 🍬

Honored to share that I’ve been awarded an NIH T32 Predoctoral Research Fellowship! As I start my 3rd year of PhD training, I’m incredibly thankful for the mentorship, encouragement, and community that make this work possible. I'm excited and humbled by the opportunity to keep learning and growing.

Annual Benninger/Hughes lab Grad Student meet-up — equal parts friendship and science! Whether in Madrid or the Midwest, always grateful for time spent talking science (and life) with this islet biology buddy 🧫🔬☕️

So far my list of strengths is just “nice” and “in a band”, hope that’s good enough for the NIH…

If I ever say “I’m going to go clear my head”, what I really mean is “I’m going to go eat Uncrustables on top of a mountain”.

Anyone trying to talk to a second-year PhD student the week before comps...

Comp Exam stress hits different, but so does having lab mates who constantly support, encourage, and cheer you on. Forever grateful for my people.

Thank you St. George for an unforgettable weekend! Between the brutal course and racing in 96 degree heat, this was definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done - mentally and physically. Loved the opportunity to do something so amazing and challenging in such a beautiful place!

Reason 1,547 to get your PhD in Colorado: Sunday morning tree runs 🏂🏔️ ➡️ Sunday afternoon long runs 🏃🏽‍♀️‍➡️🌞.

You spill something ONE time and this is what greets you in lab the very next day 😒

One thing about our lab is we will take any excuse to be silly and run with it (literally). First Annual Lab Onesie 5K was a great success🦒

Now that the NYT has forced me to learn what a “butty” is, I have some serious questions. For starters: why?

Happy birthday, little one. Life is so much better with your endless joy, constant snuggles, and daily bodyslams. Here’s to another year filled with lots of cheese, long walks, and amazing sunsets together 🖤🤍🤎

I’m giving a BDC Research In Progress talk on Monday! Come hang out and learn about the importance of gap junction coupling in pancreatic delta cells! 🥳🧫🔬

I have been waiting 6 months for this PLEASE NOBODY TALK TO ME OR INTERRUPT ME FOR THE NEXT 79 MINUTES THANK YOU.

In 2024, we skied in Switzerland and danced in Canada. I competed my first 70.3 Ironman, joined my thesis lab and presented my research in Spain. I spent as much time as possible in the mountains, and was surrounded by the best humans every step of the way 🥰 Here’s to an amazing 2025!

Celebrating the end of the year in our lab, and feeling beyond grateful every single day I get to come to work with these humans, do exciting science, celebrate accomplishments, set new goals, and learn new things. Looking forward to all that 2025 holds in store!