It is a genuine pleasure to welcome the three of you as the newest members of our laboratory.

Each of you brings a distinct perspective, and that is precisely what makes this cohort exciting. Pathogen genomics sits at the intersection of computational rigor and real-world public health consequence. The work done here is not abstract. It has direct implications for how we detect, track, and respond to infectious disease, and you will be contributing to that from day one. You are joining a team that values intellectual honesty, collaborative problem-solving, and the kind of curiosity that does not switch off at the end of the workday. You will be challenged, that is not a warning, it is a promise, and you will have the full support of experienced researchers, faculty, and each other to meet those challenges.

Kevin, Abrar, Shrishti- we are not just glad to have you here. We are genuinely interested in where your research takes this laboratory. Welcome. Now let's get to work.