
From chore to creative hobby
How a busy grad student can find joy in cooking
We’ve all been there—work drags on longer than expected, protocols need troubleshooting, and by the end of the day, the idea of cooking feels more and more like another chore. Why didn’t I meal prep this Sunday to avoid this current dilemma? Energy levels are low and take-out sounds so good. As a fourth year […]

The beauty of Boston’s bánh mìs
The magic behind these fantastic sandwiches–and where to find them
There’s no sandwich more beautiful than the humble bánh mì. Part of its beauty lies in the sandwich’s symphony of flavors and textures: savory, sour, sweet, spicy, umami, crunchy, soft, and tender, all at the same time. But another part comes from what the sandwich represents. Between the baguette buns hides a rich history and […]

The TA Chronicles: Being volunteered as tribute
Coming to terms with my TA assignment
There exists a poignant event in the career of all PhD students that truly tests their mettle… Come to think of it, there are actually many of these – but there’s one in particular that fills me with a little extra anxiety. I’m talking about none other than the dreaded teaching assistant (TA) assignment. Depending […]

A photographic ode to Cambridge and Boston
A picture perspective on making a city home
Sunsets over the Charles River have my heart ❤️ What is home for you? Everyone has a different concept of home. For some people, a space enclosed by four walls in which they live is home, and for some it is a certain city or town. People like me who have traveled across the globe […]

Asking for help is not weakness
Conquering classes after a year of industry
I don’t know if I can do this, I thought. Did I make a mistake? I was in just the second week of the chemical engineering PhD program and my eyes, worn by the glare of my laptop, were struggling to stay open against the sea of notes and colored pens scattered across my kitchen […]