After sleepless nights and failed PCR reactions, Teju finds solace in karate and the philosophy of persistence. Through countless troubleshooting sessions and kata repetitions, she discovers that both plants and people thrive on rhythm.

This story was told live at Bivouac Ciderworks on October 29th, 2025 as part of the "Little Lab of Horrors" SASSY event. Teju Patil is a master's student in the UCSD biological science program