29 DAILY MICCAI away from science. I enjoy stepping away from computers and AI and whatnot. I actually really enjoy going to nature. I would absolutely go on a hike, go to the mountains, or go skiing. I would spend that time doing something that takes me away from computer screens. You’renot originally from California. No, I'm not. You're right. I am from Romania. Tell us about Romania. [hesitates for a moment] Romania in my life has been very important until I finished high school. I was in Romania until I finished high school. I left for college and since then, I've been away from Romania. I have actually been away from Romania more than I've lived in Romania. But I've lived now in California for six years, in the United States for 17, and away from Romania for about 24years. Wow. So, do you recognize yourself as mixed identities, or do you still have only one identity? What are you? [laughs] Good question! I think about myself as being a citizen of the world. I don't necessarily associate myself with being Romanian because I left young, and I also grew a lot. My trips and my life afterward have made me into the human that I currently am. I am very, very different than I used to be, of course, which I think it's normal. When I left, I was only 19, but I also changed my character. I mean, the world showed me life. Maybe for better or worse, I'm the human that I am right now. Your answer is not obvious, actually. I left Italy when I was 19, and I feel 100% Italian. [both laugh] You are the result of your own experience and choices. Did you have good choices and good experiences? I had good choices and good experiences. I've been very lucky to be allowed to make my choices! This is a big component of my development as a human right now. Also, taking responsibility for them. I think I made good choices. My current life is very busy for me, but it's also very fulfilling. Between the team that I lead and my personal life, kids included. I have two little kids; one is five, and one is two and a half. So, I'm at that level in my life where I have the career that I love. The position in which I am in, being a PI of a research team, is very exciting. It's all my ideas, my baby ideas. It’s like my baby but it’s my “idea” baby. And along with it, I can also kind of develop and ensure that I can take care of my own family. Tuesday Mirabela Rusu
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