It is my second month at the ICG in Lubeck and I can’t help but marvel at the serenity and beauty of the city and the academic and research endeavors of the ICG family.
I am a guest scientist visiting ICG on invitation from Prof Jeanette Erdmann for a period of three months. It has been an eventful first month since I came, learning something new and exciting every day in the arena of cardiogenetics.
The highlight of my visit till now has been the two-day lab retreat by the beautiful Ratzeburger See, a beautiful lake in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. The resort was located by the lakeside and gave a stunning view of the vast blue-green water glistening under the golden sunlight surrounded by the lush greenery.
The retreat unfolded as a perfect platform for scientific discussions. The first day comprised of a series of meticulously planned sessions; new data discoveries, problem solving, and AI tools in research. Thought-provoking presentations were delivered, and each lab member had the opportunity to engage in constructive debates. I personally loved the problem-solving session. It gave the lab members the opportunity to bring their problems from the lab bench to center stage. Everyone pitched in, from the PIs to the technical staff and students, all offered their help and support to mitigate the concerns.
The first day ended with water-cycling activity, a scrumptious dinner and a ‘Nachtwächterführung’ or Night watchman tour. The night watchman of the Ratzeburger city took us on a 2-hour tour through the old city, stopping after every few streets to narrate interesting stories from the past.
The second day of the retreat was dedicated to the future research projects and goal setting for the ICG by Prof Jeanette. This proved to be a great opportunity to step back from day-to-day responsibilities and contemplate the bigger picture. The ICG lab members engaged in deep conversations with peers and mentors, re-evaluated research goals and methodologies and ensured that they remained on the path to scientific excellence. It was heartening to see young researchers, students and post docs invested into the future of the institution and planning to bring it to new heights.
The retreat ended in the afternoon with an asparagus lunch.
The retreat was a valuable investment as it achieved what it was aiming for; open communication, collaboration, creativity, team bonding, reflection on practices and wellbeing. This will go a long way in terms of enhanced research outcomes and a thriving scientific community.
P.S. I tasted asparagus for the first time in my life after coming here a month ago. After being served asparagus on numerous occasions, I have started to develop a liking to the vegetable!
Satwat Hashmi
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