Graduates Past, Present and Future

Good news from the graduation front! The three girls on the pictures have all passed their PhD defense. Congratulations (from left to right) to Dr. Panchatapa "Tapa" Jash, Dr. Aashani Tillekaratne and Dr. Jelena Jelic (from India, Sri Lanka and Serbia, respectively). Tapa had actually graduated in July, Aashani yesterday, and Jelena today. However, the photo was taken yesterday, at Aashani's celebration (that's why she is the only one dressed formally), and therefore the image is entitled "Graduates Past, Present and Future". Note that Aashani and Jelena are inclined toward Tapa - does that mean that they lean toward the past, and hence the PhD is actually elusive? In other words, citing the high school graduation motto of a college friend of mine, you are "King (Queen) for a Day, Fool for a Lifetime"? Well, I may contribute my own experience: although I don't go by "Dr. Alex" myself, this is how I am typically introduced to scientific guests to our lab and also potential new members of our group. Then new graduate students do treat me respectful, and for undergraduates I am already part of the academic establishment and hence to be ignored. Hence, welcome to my world, Dr. Tapa, Dr. Aashani and Dr. Jelena, but don't worry - I think it's definitely worth it!