Last Wednesday I defended my dissertation. About twenty people came to see it which I really appreciated and it was great to have the support. I felt really positive about how my presentation went as I stepped out into the hall so that my committee could talk for a few minutes before I came back into the room to answer questions. Instead of asking me to come in for questions, my adviser came out into the hall, gave me a big hug, and said "Congratulations, Doctor!"
They passed me without questions! We did talk some more afterward but all the pressure was off. This picture is me popping champagne so that the cork dents the ceiling in the lab. Then I got to sign the dent"Dr. Ellen Quillen."
