Taking some time for myself... (and a new role)

(Original post from late Fall 2024): This is a bit of a personal post, but times have been quite... heavy. I must also appreciate the fact that it is a huge privilege to receive unwavering support from my husband during this life transition. With that said, I will be candid about what I am going through because I am definitely not the only one experiencing something like this and/or being close to someone who is sturggling with health issues. I recently contracted COVID-19 for the 4th time, around a year after a severe infection with acute covid in late 2023 resulted in long-term symptoms (i.e., post-exertional malaise, chronic fatigue, neurological symptoms and migraines). Long-term COVID has completely altered my energy levels, daily life, functioning, and ability to progress in my graduate program at this time. I am a bit discouraged and have reached a breaking point with my life and health situation, as well as STEM graduate life in general. I've had so much fun at Davis up until this point and it was definitely tough to make the call to withdraw from the program. The reality was that I felt that I needed a serious break-- to both simplify my schedule and leave more time to focus on my personal and family needs, the most important being getting rest and recovery. Additionally, I had been helping manage family health emergencies and recently decided to commit to assisting more frequently with ongoing caregiving of my loved ones.

Many people who know me also know that I usually put a solid effort into troubleshooting and doing my best to continue when challenges arise. For MANY reasons (not limited to basic wellness and financial), simply being "resilient" and "just doing it" is not a viable option for me at this time. Thus I've decided recently that I will not be continuing in my graduate program. When the universe tells you to rest over and over again, you simply do it. Thanks to all of the people who continue to remain in my corner and are proud of me regardless of my academic output. I'll be back to work, to educate and keep doing science in some form. For now, I don't know what exactly that is going to look like. Blue skies, as a very cool mentor of mine always says :)

(Spring 2025 Update): I have been busy enjoying being outdoors, arts and crafts lately, and working on pre-prodcution of my planned YouTube video series. I have also continued with job searching and establishing tutoring/professional development clientelle. More updates to come in Spring 2026!

Enjoying being out in the spring weather:

(Summer 2025 Update): Hobbies, Arts & Crafts (and first educational YouTube video is complete and in the editing phase :D)

Great news everyone! I have obtained my first part-time faculty position! More details to come soon and I'll also be updating photo captions at some point.

Illustration inspired by the following research study:: Phillips et al. 2024