2023 in Review

This year has been a rollercoaster, full of ups and downs, but it has taught me a lot about life and more importantly, about myself. I have chosen to share my experiences in an order that mirrors their significance in my life. This isn't just a chronological recap, but a journey through the moments and people that shaped my year. I have prioritized them not by when they occurred, but by the impact they've had on me. From the profound longing for family to the joy of new friendships, every aspect has contributed to my growth and understanding of life's multifaceted nature, in 2023.

• Of course, the most challenging part was being away from my family; AGAIN! Family means a lot to me, and not being able to see them was tough. I missed them deeply but made sure to call them almost every day.
• Despite this, I made a lot of new friends (82 to be exact). Out of these, 12 have become really close; they're the ones I can always rely on.

• I moved apartments three times and finally found a place that feels like home, with landlords I'm truly thankful for.

• I also experienced being in love, although it didn't work out. But that's okay, it's all part of life's journey.

?Academically, I was productive with 13 publications. Among them were

• Contributed in writing 5 research papers,
• 6 review papers,
• and 2 book chapters. I have the lead author spot on 2 of them, however, no first author on the research papers yet, but I'm getting there.
• I also tapped into my creative side, composing 11 music tracks and releasing 35 episodes of my audiobook. (listen to the music here and the audiobook here)
• I also participated in many scientific talks, thanks to the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI) . The most memorable talk of 2023 for me, was Dr. Albert Folch 's presentation on "Intact-TME Cancer Disease Models and Drug Testing Platform." This talk was a highlight for me, not only for its scientific depth but also for Dr. Folch's unique blend of scientific expertise and artistic flair. You can watch this inspiring presentation here.
• I participated in a couple of conferences. Among them, Terasaki Summit 2023 was the best one. I loved the debate Session: “Academic Institutions in the USA Impede Innovation and Commercialization?” I recommend you to watch that.
• I am very happy that I could enjoy 9 music concerts and visit 7 art galleries, exploring my love for the arts.
• Travel was a part of my year too; I visited 8 cities.
• I leased a car, which a colleague called a 'waste of money'. But I enjoyed those short drives- "it's the little things that count".
• I read a few books, including 'In Search of Lost Time' by Marcel Proust and an audiobook about Elon Musk.

This year had its tough moments too. I faced burnout, which was a challenging but enlightening experience. It made me realize the importance of knowing yourself and embracing the many dimensions of life. It's not just about work or one aspect of life; it's about finding what makes you happy, expanding your circle, and being honest with yourself.

I want to end the year by thanking some special people: Ali Khademhosseini for trusting me; Ali Zarrabi , Alireza Roghaee , Arash Jahanbigloo , Mally Shamayeli, CPA, CISA , Negar Hosseinzadeh , Ehsan Ghalamzan, PMP? , Ali Darabi , Saber Amin Yavari , Kasra Karimian , and Amir Nasajpour for their help and their friendship. I would like to extend my special thanks to Vadim Jucaud and Mehmet Dokmeci for their mentorship; and to my great teammates Jia-Wei Yang and Abdul Rahim for their passion for science. I've learned so much from you guys. Here's to hoping for a great year ahead for all of us!!

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Here's to hoping for a great year ahead for all of us.

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