Late last year, I completed my Ph.D. and successfully defended my dissertation, titled “The investigation of songbirds’ cortical-basal ganglia neural sleep dynamics through an Open Science-inspired computational framework.“ In this project, I developed and integrated an Open Science-inspired infrastructure for data collection, management, analysis, and sharing to support research on how zebra finches learn and consolidate their songs. The four years I devoted to this work were both challenging —true to the nature of most Ph.D. journeys— and rewarding. I gained invaluable knowledge, met great people, and grew personally and professionally. Most importantly, I gained clarity about the paths I want to pursue —and those I don’t— after my defense. While the thesis itself tells one story, I always recommend reading the acknowledgements section and the appendix. It’s there you’ll find the real heart of the project: the incredible people who walked alongside me and helped me reach the finish line, and the side projects that kept me motivated throughout the years.
If I can recommend something to anyone who decides to pursue a Ph.D.: build communities, take care of yourself, and dedicate time to side projects that bring you joy.
Eduarda Centeno 