I Know, My Son is 29, But.....

....a mom can still be proud!  Jim completed his requirements this week to receive his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University.  So, let me brag just a bit, if I may.

We had the fabulous opportunity to travel back to Baltimore this week to participate in Jim's Dissertation Defense.  What an honor it was to be present as his advisor, Allison Okamura, introduced him to the audience as  "an extraordinary student" who was "willing to dive into new topics" and was "a hard working, generous, and wonderful member" of her lab.  She praised his diverse research, saying that Jim was "equally comfortable with people, monkeys, and robots!"  This quote will be a classic.

After introductions, Jim stood and "Wow'ed the Crowd" which consisted of his Committee (four professors from Mechanical Engineering, Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, and Computer Science), several other professors and faculty, many graduate students and former lab mates, and his parents and wife.  For one hour, he took us through the most professionally prepared slides I've ever seen, describing his extensive and interesting research.  And using a lot of big words.  Like "Discretized" and "Palpatory."

After the presentation of his dissertation, which is "Tactile Sensing and Display for Robot-Assisted Minimally Invasive Surgery:  Detecting Lumps in Soft Tissue," the committee met with Jim  for another half hour to quiz him and ask more questions before giving their approval to grant him those three letters--P, H, and D!    Then, they brought him to the lab to celebrate with cake and goodies!

 In deference to Jim's abstinence from alcohol, the Hopkins team replaced the usual bottle of celebratory champagne with a bottle of Sparkling Apple Cider.  His two advisers, Allison Okamura and Steve Hsiao, offered their congratulations with a non-alcoholic toast!

 During the course of his education, Jim has been published in multiple journals, been a guest lecturer in Haptics Systems at JHU, presented research at an international Haptics Conference in Japan, been a teaching assistant in Biomedical Engineering Instrumentation and BME Models and Design, performed multiple experiments on (humans and other primates), written a chapter for a Surgical Robitics textbook, and spent a year as a visiting researcher at Stanford University.

 His work ethic was mentioned multiple times by his adviser, Allison, who noted that Jim was the first student arriving in her lab every morning--usually the only one there when she arrived.  She said she's never had a student complete a PhD program this quickly.  His other adviser, Steve, described the enormous amount of research he compiled as part of his dissertation, describing his work as "far above and beyond" what is normally seen and expected.

The faculty advisors treated all of us to a celebration dinner at one of Jim's (and our) favorite places to eat in Baltimore, The Mt. Washington Tavern.  It was such a great way to end Jim's...uh...Dr. Gwilliam's exciting day.

It wasn't just Jim who had an exciting day.  Kathie ALSO has been working hard for over 5 years and almost 3 kids later!  Jim honored her at the end of his presentation, and really...that's the only part of the day that made me emotional.  Because she HAS been fantastic.  Jim calls her his warrior and appreciates how she has stuck by him through his long hours and stressful deadlines.   So, I also give honor to Kathie, for she has more than earned a PhD as well--Patiently Helping the Dream!  We love her so much!

Congratulations to you both!

Okay, done bragging.  For now.