I was fortunate to have Sayan as my PhD advisor. He was incredibly kind, patient, and supportive, and always willing to offer guidance and encouragement. He had a remarkable ability to balance his sharp intellect with a warm sense of humor, and always knew how to cut through the anxieties of research with a well-timed joke.

Sayan went above and beyond to make me feel included in the research community that he was such a major part of at Duke and beyond. He always encouraged me to try new things and pursue new angles, and lifted me up when I made mistakes. He went above and beyond to get to know me as a person, meeting for the occasional drink even during summer internships or after graduating. Sayan was so generous with his time and I am sure he would do these things for any student - but he did them for me and it made a world of difference. I am so grateful to Sayan for his mentorship and friendship.

He was an amazingly skilled researcher, and a dedicated advisor who genuinely cared for his students as individuals. He will be deeply missed.