How We Celebrate Wins in the Lab

Last week, we celebrated a special moment in the lab: our student Sofia officially completed her degree, and I had the joy of “crowning” her with a handmade graduation hat. Her bachelor’s thesis was accepted, and with that, she crossed the finish line of her academic journey—at least for now.

A bachelor’s thesis might be shorter than a dissertation, but that doesn’t make the achievement any less meaningful. We grow with our challenges, and every step forward deserves recognition. In science, where experiments often fail, hypotheses get contradicted, and lab work can be mentally and physically exhausting, celebrating every win is essential.

Studies gradually become more complex and demanding. Looking back, I remember how stressful it felt to finish my master’s project and prepare for the defense. At the time, it seemed overwhelming. Now, with some distance, I realize how doable it was—but only because I had grown through the process. That’s the beauty of academic work: we evolve with each task, each challenge, each success.

It’s become a personal tradition—together with Andreas Kohler—to DIY a graduation hat for every student who completes their final degree. Not everyone is still in Umeå when their degree ends, but we’ve found a way to honor their journey too: every student who finishes their stay with us receives a “Tested and Approved by Kohler Proteostasis Lab / Kohler Mito Lab” button. It’s a small but heartfelt token of appreciation for their work and growth.

So here’s to every student who made it through the long hours, the failed experiments, the revisions, and the doubts. You did it—and that deserves a crown.