Sendurai Mani: 25 Hours for 25 Minutes – The Value of Showing Up for Science
Sendurai Mani, Associate Director of Translational Oncology at Legorreta Cancer Center, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“25 Hours for 25 Minutes – The Value of Showing Up for Science
Just returned from the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) conference in Hong Kong — and I’m still reflecting on what a truly special meeting it was.
Huge thanks to Stephanie Ma, Vivian Li, and Justin Lathia for organizing one of the most impactful scientific meetings I’ve attended. You created a space that fostered learning, connection, and inspiration – and I’m deeply grateful.
The conference brought together a remarkable group of scientists, including Hans Clevers, Ankur Sharma, Anna Golebiewska, Axel Behrens, Wai Leong Tam, Loic Deleyrolle, Huiping Liu, Karuna Ganesh, MD, PhD, Erwei Song, Walid Khaled, Shaheen Sikandar, Terence Lee, Justin Lathia, Tyler Miller, MD, PhD, Dean Tang, Prajwal Rajappa, M.D., M.S., Sheila Singh, each contributing powerful insights during this unforgettable gathering in Hong Kong.
When I first boarded the plane for a 25-hour journey each way, I questioned whether a series of 25-minute talks could justify such a long trip. Couldn’t this have just been a Zoom meeting? But being there changed my mind completely.
These in-person meetings remind us of what Zoom can’t replicate – human connection, spontaneous conversation, and shared passion.
I met scientists who left their families and traveled across the globe not for recognition or compensation but to promote science, support the next generation, and, above all, help cancer patients. That kind of commitment is contagious.
It’s also important to recognize the invisible labor behind the scenes. Scientists who organize these meetings often do so without pay, driven purely by purpose. Thanks again, Stephanie, Vivian, and Justin, for going above and beyond.
And to the brilliant students I met, keep going. You are the future of science.
If you’re ever debating whether to attend a faraway in-person conference, I say: go. You never know what conversation, idea, or connection might change your perspective or even your work.”
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