This day that felt so far off when I was elected vice president, those 3 long years ago, has inevitably arrived. It has been an honor to serve as president of the American Society of Parasitologists, and I thank the membership for providing me with this opportunity. I've learned a tremendous amount about the society and its governance, and overall found the experience to be enlightening and at times exhilarating (as well as occasionally exasperating). I am looking forward to calmer days ahead, but I intend to continue contributing in the future. Just give me a few months to recover.
I have to admit that I had a serious problem coming up with a topic for this address. Starting around January I woke up several times to a recurring nightmare in which I was sitting in talks here, at this meeting, without a prepared address! I admit I did some...