Mahantesh Biradar

1. You feel like an imposter all the time 2. You worry that your students will outsmart you 3. Sometimes you read what you’ve written and find you’re in awe of yourself 4. You are addicted to studying 5. When your research is going well, you get so engrossed you practically forget to draw breath 6. You go through nocturnal periods 7. You dream about your research 8. You are more likely to quote papers written by people with memorable names 9. You know where all the cheapest coffee shops are 10. You know exactly where all electrical outlets are located in all the cheapest coffee shops 11. You know more than anyone in the world about one teeny tiny thing… 12. …But you’re the only person who cares about that teeny tiny thing 13. You bore even yourself sometimes 14. You get really excited if your research topic is even tangentially relevant in every day life 15. Your idea of fame is being quoted in New Scientist 16. You can’t...