MICCAI 2021 Daily – Wednesday

29 DAILY MICCAI Wednesday If you could share one lesson to your younger self, what would it be? Take breaks more often! During my PhD, I was doing 24/7 work. It was non-stop for four or five years. Taking breaks has shown me that I can be more productive when I’m not tired on Monday morning. I would tell PhD students, take breaks more often. Even small breaks will help with productivity and less stress. I hope this interview counts as a break and does not count as work! This is a lovely break! [ laughs ] You have spent time in many different countries. Don’t you miss being in one place, having roots and stability? I’ve been here since the pandemic. Actually, I’m hoping to see my family in December. It has been two years on the ground. I would say home is not a physical place. I feel pretty much at home here. Don’t you miss people you’ve met along the way? Of course, but in the end, we always meet. Now we have the pandemic, but before we would meet in conferences. We would find a place to meet in the middle. If you are in Europe, we’ll travel somewhere close to there. With technology, you get to chat with them every day if you like. Then, if the opportunity arrives, you can meet them in person, at events or on vacation. You have a very positive and upbeat attitude. Where will this lead you next? I never plan more than two years ahead in my life! I don’t have very long-term thinking. There are two things: be flexible and keep an open mind. Let go of your preconceived notions. If you are skeptical about something, and you avoid it because you have some preconceived idea towards that topic, if you can push forward anyway, you would land in amazing projects. I usually try to keep an open mind on projects, so that I can learn! Celia Cintas “I feel pretty much at home here!” “This is a lovely break!”