Learning even while you're eating

“You better eat this now at the metro. I don't think you will have time to have lunch by the time we get to the lab.” Yes, those were the words of the young woman who lead the way to my first lunch@labsession. I was puzzled… but, since I was hungry I followed her advice.

As soon as I got to the Lausanne University Hospital, CHUV, I realized she was right. I was still having lunch when I entered the room where I met two marvellous scientists. As soon as I saw them it confirmed what I found out at WCSJ2017 in San Francisco: you never stop learning during this conference, even while you're eating.

Those scientists told me wonderful things about their research on sleep: how they measure what constitutes a good sleep, how they study insomnia or parasomnias, how they try to help people that have problems getting to sleep. I even learned about what happens to our brain when we are dreaming!

The next day, it was the same story. I was eating a sandwich at the University of Lausanne, UNIL, but at the same time, I didn't want to miss anything about new science on how to spot an athlete's doping, so I kept taking notes.

I must admit I love to learn at every single possible moment, even if that means trying to manage taking notes while eating. I can't wait to see what else this conference has to offer. And, yes, I have already started looking, sandwich in hand.

The Costa Rican delegation: At the back, Diego Arguedas, and in front, left to right, Irene Rodríguez, Debbie Ponchner, Monserrath Vargas and Michelle Soto.