"In the scientific world, the laboratory is the fundamental place where ideas are tested, hypotheses are proven or disproven, and breakthroughs emerge. Behind every successful experiment, there is a team of dedicated people who work tirelessly to push the boundaries of knowledge. We should always celebrate the lab colleagues who make a real difference in our days. Whether through their dedication, extra effort, boundless support, or the creation of a positive work environment, they contribute to the success of our scientific goals. Scientific inquiry often involves uncertainties, and overcoming setbacks. In such times, the importance of supportive colleagues cannot be taken for granted. Viditha is for me that colleague, friend. For example, she is always ready to offer a helping hand, a listening ear, or words of encouragement to create an environment where challenges become opportunities for growth. Moreover, a positive work environment is the lifeblood of creativity and innovation and some colleagues, like Viditha, possess a remarkable ability to infuse positivity into the lab's atmosphere.

Another pillar of a thriving laboratory is the dedication of its members. Viditha is certainly among those who put in extra effort, working late into the night to troubleshoot an experiment or refine a procedure. For this I believe she deserves a special recognition and thanks. Her resilience and tenacity not only contribute to the project's success but inspire others to strive for higher standards. The success of any laboratory is, indeed, a collective effort not merely measured by the experiments conducted or papers published. A great lab is when, with the time, it becomes more than just a workspace; it transforms into a dynamic environment driven by the collective efforts of its members.

So, it is important to recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions of lab colleagues who make a real difference every day. For this reason, I nominate Viditha Rao as my Lab Hero."

Nominated by Silvia Radrezza, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Germany