After returning to “normal life” following #PAG33, I’ve found myself still reflecting on just how much I gained from the meeting. PAG has a unique way of compressing a year’s worth of inspiration into a few days: new ideas, new tools, new datasets, and those moments where a single conversation helps you see your own work from a fresh angle. 

What I value most about PAG is the mix of deep science and genuine community. I’m grateful for the chance to catch up with colleagues I don’t get to see often, to reconnect in a way that goes beyond email threads and Zoom calls, and to have the kinds of informal, in-between conversations that spark real collaboration. At the same time, I met new people whose work I’m excited to follow, and I left with a longer list of papers, methods, and concepts to dig into (the best kind of “to-do list”). 

I also appreciated the breadth of science represented this year. Across sessions, posters, and hallway conversations, I kept seeing the same thing: the field is moving fast, and the questions we can now ask and answer are getting more ambitious. It was energizing to be surrounded by researchers pushing boundaries, sharing early insights, and building connections that will shape what comes next. 

And yes, on a lighter note: I already miss the San Diego sun and the food. The combination of great science and a great setting made it even easier to stay curious, engaged, and excited about what’s ahead.