Andrius Penkauskas: Gratitude in Motion: Untold Stories and Reflections from the Past Year 

The dawn of a new year often brings an uproar of predictions about what will happen in various fields, and academia is no exception. Forecasts, projections, and promises of breakthroughs are everywhere. It is part of human nature to get excited about what lies ahead. Yet, as fascinating as these predictions may be, I often find them brittle, tinged with excessive grandeur, pride, and vanity. No offence—it is just a personal perspective. That is why I will refrain from making any predictions here. Honestly, even if I had a glimpse into what is on the horizon, I have no interest in spoiling it. 

Instead, I have decided to embrace the slow, reflective pace of the holiday season while writing this blog. With no rush, I would like to look back and share some moments from last year that had a positive impact but have not received enough spotlight or credit. 

Tahko Ski Lift Pitch: A Lesson in Resilience 

Let us start with the Tahko Ski Lift Pitch event. It would be tempting to brag about how far I got with my concept for a postoperative idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus patient monitoring tool. However, this story is not about my success. Instead, it is about something far less glamorous: failure. Though I must admit, my failure came with a touch of luck and a positive twist. 

On the second day of the pitching event, I was en route to the duel-style competition. My car’s GPS was set to “Tahko Panorama Lift,” with a suggested arrival time ahead of schedule. The drive from Kuopio to Tahko took an hour, during which I rehearsed my three-minute pitch repeatedly, feeling confident but tense. Everything was going smoothly—until it was not. 

When I arrived at my destination, I found myself at the base of a cosy downhill skiing resort, not the event venue. My stress levels spiked as I realized the pitching competition was at the top of the hill. A quick check revealed that driving to the spot was not an option within the time I had left. Spotting a surface ski lift nearby, I thought, “This should get me up there quickly.” Oh, how wrong I was. After a lengthy plea with the lift operator, I learned that no skis meant no access. 

With no alternative, I faced the intimidating challenge of running up a roughly 1,000-meter snow-covered hill at a 15-degree slope in flat-soled sneakers and a royal green suit. What I had anticipated to be a challenging day because of the pitch competition unfolded into something much more dramatic. 

Fueled by adrenaline, I ran uphill, occasionally slipping and muttering the event’s tagline, “One hell of a ride,” with bitter irony. Feeling the weight of melting time, I eventually swallowed my pride and called one of the organizers, Tiina. To my dismay, I discovered I was even on the wrong slope. Thankfully, Tiina went the extra mile and promised that a rescue team member with a snowmobile would pick me up from the watchtower on the hill. 

I made it to the top feeling somewhat weary, and a few minutes later, the snowmobile arrived. Even though I managed to enjoy the beautiful, sunny ride, a large magnitude of emotional states boiled inside me, ranging from excitement and pride to failure and disappointment with myself. Did I make it on time? No, I did not. But thanks to the organizers’ flexibility, they rearranged the schedule, allowing me to pitch later. 

Here is where the twist comes in: my uphill misadventure became a topic of laughter and conversation. It drew attention to my pitch in a way I could never have anticipated, leaving a lasting impression far beyond the usual spotlight of competition. 

Takeaways: 

• Despite our efforts at times, we depend on help from others. 

• Asking for help early would have saved me a world of stress and hassle. 

• When plans go south, they can still lead to unexpected positives. 

• Even failures, when met with perseverance, can turn into notable outcomes. 

This mishap became one of the memorable moments, one that sparked laughter, curiosity, and, ultimately, a story worth sharing. And that is a kind of success I would not trade for anything. Needless to say, that would never have happened without the extraordinary support of the organizers, for which I am grateful. 

Besides the avalanche of predictions, the dawn of a new year is even more saturated with self-centred posts and stories—something I am admittedly no exception to, as evidenced by the first part of this blog. However, reflecting on the events from last year, I feel grateful to the individuals who strive to cultivate positive academic environments. Their dedication often goes unnoticed but has a lasting impact on those around them. 

The other two stories in this blog post are less about personal experiences and more about these remarkable people whose efforts truly deserve more credit. Whether through teaching or organizing, their commitment and contributions have been inspiring. 

Scientific Presentation Skills Course: Learning from the Lebruns 

A few years ago, I attended a remarkable workshop on scientific writing led by Jean-Luc Lebrun. This experience was transformative and set a high standard for what an engaging and insightful workshop should be. This training motivated me to improve my communication skills further. So, last year, I took the scientific presentation course by Justin Lebrun, Jean-Luc’s son. At the beginning of this workshop, I wondered if it would meet Jean-Luc’s high standards. However, I was pleasantly surprised as Justin exceeded my expectations. 

Though their teaching and communication styles differ, the family’s devotion to excellence runs deep. Justin’s genuine effort and commitment to share his expertise, reinforced by his remarkable character, left a lasting impression. He went above and beyond, working well past the scheduled hours to address every audience question. Moreover, it was heartwarming to see Justin’s interest in exchanging contacts and offering support beyond the workshop. These were generous and rare gestures. 

My presentation skills have significantly improved thanks to Justin’s guidance. However, more than the quality of the workshop itself, what stands out for me is the person behind it. It is rare to encounter educators who are not only masters of their craft but also invested in the success of their trainees. Such an approach exemplifies not just what it means to teach but what it means to care. Thank you for the inspiration and a reminder of the transformative power of good mentorship and teaching. 

Nordic CompBio 2024: Power of Teamwork 

Recently I was privileged to present my research at Nordic CompBio 2024: Finland, a modest but truly memorable event. I enjoyed the remarkable variety and quality of the presentations. Moreover, Nordic CompBio had a warm and collaborative atmosphere. The presenters and attendees were approachable and enthusiastic about exchanging ideas, creating the perfect environment for meaningful discussions and connections. 

However, at first glance, it was not evident that this event was made possible by the incredible dedication and extraordinary work of a small yet passionate team of organizers. Their commitment to every aspect of the conference proves that a limited capacity is no obstacle to delivering excellence. A special shoutout goes to Ahmed Mohamed, whose tireless efforts behind the scenes ensured everything ran seamlessly. From managing countless emails to resolving last-minute issues, Ahmed’s hard work exemplified the heart and soul behind the event. 

Nordic CompBio 2024 reminded me of the power of teamwork and what can be achieved when like-minded and motivated people come together with passion and purpose. This event proved that it is not the size of the team behind it but their dedication that defines success. 

Thank you to everyone who made this experience happen—I look forward to seeing what the future holds for Nordic CompBio and its vibrant community! 

Reflecting on the past year, I have developed a deeper appreciation for the power of helping others and a respect for those who go out of their way to support them. Success is not defined only by personal achievements but also by the ecosystems that assist, inspire, nurture, and empower us. This reflection is not solely a reminder but a reinforcement of how important it is to put that generosity forward; even small acts of care and kindness can have a profound and lasting impact. 

I know it was a lengthy read, but I truly hope you have made it this far! More importantly, I hope you found it worth your time and took away something valuable. Stay tuned—I will write to you again later. 

Andrius Penkauskas works as a doctoral researcher in the Neuro-Innovation PhD Programme. His research focuses on multimodal data analysis of iNPH (a type of dementia).