Climbing the ladder from neuron to brain in Harold Atwood's laboratory

Twenty years spent in one laboratory is sufficient to build a legacy of publications and a body of work to make an impact. However, the impact of our work was highest at the personal level, and time spent in Harold Atwood's laboratory was not a culmination of my career but rather a crucial path toward learning and maturing as a researcher. During that time, I experienced discoveries and lessons that shaped the next steps of my career. This article is written in gratitude for wonderful experiences and describes a few highlights that were especially memorable and influential.