Dr. Paul Critser

The morning of June 3rd, Paul defended his thesis for his PhD! His thesis had to do with ECFCs (Endothelial Colony Forming Cells). If you want any sort of explanation, I invite you to contact Paul himself because I can't come close to explaining it, nor did I understand most of his hour long presentation!

What I can explain is how incredibly proud I am of my husband! He has put so much time and effort into this degree... during his graduate studies he published 7 articles and 3 book chapters, and his PI and colleagues had nothing but good things to say about him. I know he has really enjoyed working/studying in this lab and it was fun to be a part of this culminating event with him!

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to be there to watch/listen to him during his presentation. Mind you, I did not understand 95% of what he said (I consider the 5% I did understand a huge success on my part!), but what I enjoyed so much was getting to see him in his element. When he discusses his work with me at home he dumbs it down so that it can be in terms that I understand. This means I often forget just how smart he really is.

After the presentation he had a 2 hour questions/andwer session with a pannel of professors who were previously determined. He had a few minor revisions to make to his thesis but otherwise passed with flying colors! Now that he's finished his PhD he has the last 2 years of medical school to complete. He starts his first rotation in July and in the meantime has been finishing a few projects in the lab and studying/reviewing things from the first 2 years of med school.

I am so proud of this accomplishment... when we were seniors in undergraduate and we were looking ahead at this combined graduate degree, it seemed like it would take forever (well, eight years, but it felt like forever!) Six years later Paul has finished the first degree and done so not only with amazing academic acheivement, but also has maintained a wonderful family life and friendships. I could not be a prouder wife!!

Cheers to you, Dr. Critser!!