Sorry, but this is a long one.

Will Holland told me while back that when a good student graduates, it will leave me with a hole in my heart. Because you put your soul into helping them bring their very best. 1/7

Today, the last of the trio students that made me a mentor defended his dissertation. @TVerkerke @Ferrara_PJ @JMJohnson43 all joined my lab when I was making my start @EastCarolina. In a sense they took a chance on a new guy like me with no promise for success. 2/7

I had a tremendous PhD mentor in Dr. Greg Cartee @UMKines. He created a lab environment that I wanted to recreate. I made lifelong friends that I would do anything for. It was tough but we grew together.

This was the driving force for me to pursue a career as an academic PI. 3/7

Early on I spent many sleepless nights thinking how I could help lift their careers. How do I distill rigor without wearing them out? They all responded with energy and enthusiasm. I had nothing to worry. 4/7

Half way thru their dissertations, I was confronted with a choice to relocate @UofUDMRC. I wasn't sure what I were to do if they chose not to move with me.

Instead they all had my back. No, it was not an easy choice for any of them, but they understood the opportunity I saw. 5/7

So today I have a hole in my heart not because I poured my soul for them, but because they poured their souls for me.

I can promise that I will have their backs for the rest of their careers because of the friendships they showed. 6/7

Surely, great things will continue to happen in my career with the great set of trainees I currently have. But,

For me, 2020 is a year I successfully mentored @TVerkerke @Ferrara_PJ @JMJohnson43.

Thank you three for the great last six years. 7/7