This photograph takes me back to my very first visit to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine annual meeting in 2004, Philadelphia—an experience that remains deeply etched in my professional life.
Standing at the centre is Robert G. Edwards—the pioneer of IVF and Nobel Laureate, whose work led to the birth of the world’s first test-tube baby, Louise Brown. To his right is my PhD supervisor from the University of Calcutta, A. K. Bhattacharyya, whose mentorship laid the foundation of my scientific thinking.
That year was special for another reason—I presented my first oral abstract at an international congress. For a young embryologist stepping into the global stage, it was both overwhelming and inspiring.
But more than the presentation, it was this encounter—meeting Prof. Bob Edwards—that left a lasting imprint. A quiet conversation, a simple interaction… yet profoundly humbling.
Looking back, that single frame captures not just people—but legacy, mentorship, and the beginning of a lifelong journey in reproductive science.