Out of Many, One

Hello World!
Earlier this year, I had the privilege of being treated to a concert by one of my dear friends. The concert was Sting and Shaggy. You might wonder what Sting, known for rock music, and Shaggy, known for Reggae and Rap music have in common. You might wonder how such a collaboration could work. You might even think it was a publicity stunt. The truth is, from my experience and little surface research- they are true friends, true collaborators, and they make beautiful music together! It was a wonderful show that I am so grateful to have attended. What I loved best beside the great musical synthesis and diverse friendship was the message of diversity and inclusion. Shaggy is from Jamaica awhile Sting is from the UK. They both believe, "out of many, one". Meaning, we are all human beings, we are all from somewhere, from a culture, from a place, from a time, from a sexual orientation, and more. The fact is though, out of all this, we are one. One human race, One person to another, One time in this moment right now. They met out of mutual respect for music and a desire to be a part of it. It is inspiring to hear and to see. Music is a message with an amazing ability to reach so many. I hope this encourages you to consider your next project, who might you include that doesn't look or sound or act or think like you on the surface? What will you find in common? What adventures will you have? Beyond my photos and memories, I have a message and encouragement to continue sharing it!
:)

The science of anesthesia

Hello World!
Sorry for my lack of blogging lately, I’ve been quite literally out. I have learned that doctors achieve this state of being out through chemicals that block nerve signals between brain and body, there are different types (local and general) and scientists and doctors still don’t know exactly how it works (!)
The nature of being unconscious also leads people to ask, what is consciousness, and that too, leaves plenty of room for further study. I am grateful for modern medicine (most of the time) and curious to see what our future holds. Maybe you will find the next breakthrough!

Here are some entertaining and educational links in case you want to learn more

:)

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-does-anesthesia-work/

https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/pages/factsheet_Anesthesia.aspx  (Spanish language available!)

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.newsweek.com/scientists-have-no-idea-why-anesthesia-works-775996%3famp=1

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/322/5903/876

The color of history (and herstory)

Hello World!
I just watched this short but fantastic clip on the colour of history. It combines art, STEM, sociology, psychology, it is really truly fantastic! I hope you will check it out :)
https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p06p9h25/the-artist-who-reveals-the-hidden-colours-of-history

Congrats Dominique Crenn!

Hello World!
Congrats to Dominique on her recent award of three Michelin Stars! She is the first woman to receive this award in the United States. I am not surprised by her awesomeness but I am disappointed that it took so long for her to be recognized, and surprised that Just Now, she is the first. I feel like we truly can do and be anything as a women. This reminds me just how much work it takes and how much more we have to go. It is exciting to share in the success of women though, I think, it inspires me to go for my three stars, Michelin or otherwise!
https://www.yahoo.com/news/michelin-awards-first-u-female-chef-three-stars-210251721--sector.html
:)

Don’t it make my brown eyes blue

Hello World!
I came across this article and wanted to share. Any new understanding for awareness of mental health is important!

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/why-people-with-brown-eyes-may-be-at-higher-risk-for-sad/ar-BBQ86Cb?li=BBnb7Kz

:)

Congrats Insight!

Hello World,
Greetings from blogging while on a bus. I am SO excited today congrats to NASA, Insight and the team of Mars dreamers and doers who achieved success!
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/mars-touchdown-nasa-spacecraft-survives-supersonic-plunge/ar-BBQ99qb?li=BBnb7Kz
Having once’s worked for NASA, I still feel a part of it and appreciate the blood sweat tears, glamour and celebration!  Yeah! I hope to write more when I’m stationary but wanted to share this soon as I got the chance. The sky is Not the limit!!! Can’t wait to see where all go next
:)

Victory!

Hello World!
The other day I met the manager/founder of this amazing institute https://victoryinstitute.org
As someone who supports diversity, inclusion, and the power of creating opportunities for everyone to live their personal and professional dreams, I am excited to share it!
:)

Thank You!

Hello World!
Thank you! On this day of thanksgiving I wanted to say thanks to anyone who is out there reading this, thank you to STEM, and just an all around appreciation for life, friends, and family.

Of course I could not end without a few links that illustrate the science of gratitude- podcasts & more!

Thanks!

:)

https://ggsc.berkeley.edu/what_we_do/major_initiatives/expanding_gratitude/gratitude_multimedia/radio_special

https://www.wnyc.org/story/science-gratitude/

https://www.happify.com/hd/the-science-behind-gratitude/

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.forbes.com/sites/nomanazish/2018/11/21/five-science-backed-ways-to-practice-gratitude-every-day/amp/

The science of complexity

Hello World!
I have been on the road, in the air, and otherwise traveling but I am back! When you think about travel (air or otherwise) it is pretty amazing how people get all those parts, pieces, processes, and systems working as smoothly as it usually does. You could say that the complex feels very simple.
Do you ever feel like your life is too complex? Do you ever think about the complexity of complexity? Have you ever wondered what would happen if physics was applied to sociology?
 If so, this is the link for you! You can find research, courses, and more at Santa Fe Institute Enjoy diving into the known unknown!
:)

Muslim Fashion

Hello World!
This is a blog about fashion as well as science (STEM, STEAM, etc). I love fashion and style for its expression, art, cultural reflections, diversity, and visual stimulation. I am excited to share this link that showcases modest and contemporary Muslim fashion, https://deyoung.famsf.org/exhibitions/contemporary-muslim-fashions?utm_source=gennews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=cmf&utm_content=inline&mc_cid=c5d6171684&mc_eid=4691e05ec3I think you will agree the styles are spectacular!
:)

Happy Halloween Cat Crow

Hello World!
I hope you are having a spooktakular evening that is frighteningly fantastic! My Halloween post provision this year looks at cat crow, or crow cat, whichever way your vision falls

https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/lifestyle-buzz/this-photo-of-a-crow-—-or-is-it-a-cat-—-is-going-viral-on-twitter-and-people-are-seriously-confused/ar-BBP4Bw2?li=BBnbcA0

I like this picture because it is a real life illustration of vision science (my first field of study). Vision science is the physics physiology and psychology of how we perceive the world. There is no denying that our perceptions form reality and yet, they are barely real (vision is an interpretation, a reassembly   of stimuli into a new whole for the brain to act on or ignore as efficiently as possible). The same image sparks different initial impressions, and is subject to manipulation within and between individuals. A dark alley is much darker and a random shadow so much more frightening on Halloween when you are primed to see those things (as often one is with imagination and suggestions). Vision is pretty neat! Nothing scary there. Here is a more in depth article to enjoy, tricking the brain and treating the senses!
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-afterimage-ghost-illusion/
Happy Halloween!
:)

What it means

hello World!
Today I bring to you this article about what it means to be an astronaut
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-nasa-astronaut-in-the-celebrity-space-age-of-elon-musk-and-richard-branson/ar-AAyGRNm?li=BBnb7Kz
It is an interesting reflection of how times have changed, from the days of leaping into the unknown and gaining celebrity status to the new norms where being an astronaut may hold less status in the public celebrity sphere. While it may seem counterintuitive it shows what the new normals are to a degree. It is exciting that the youth of today have grown up with people living in space their entire lives! I remember meeting my first astronaut and being a bit star struck, as my career progressed I met and worked with many space farers. What we have in common is so much than any difference. They tell me is is their job, like anyone else. I hope the rock stars of tomorrow normalize space and our role in it even more, where no one is excluded from the belief that to be a cosmonaut is achievable, worthy, and worth celebrating.
I think either time frame you look at, astronauts are out of this world!
:)

Mars opportunities

Hello World!
I found this interesting article about Mars and thought, who will be the first to solve these challenges?
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/nasa-study-shows-travelling-to-mars-could-ruin-your-gut-and-cause-cancer/ar-BBNP3S6?li=BBnbcA1
Maybe it will be you!
:)

Amazing women in STEM

Hello World!
I just had to share this great article featuring amazing women in STEM! Tell me, who is your favorite and why?
Maybe we will be on this list someday :)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/did-you-know/amazing-female-scientists-to-inspire-your-daughters/ss-BBNzDPc?li=BBnb7Kz

Congrats Donna Strickland!

Hello World!
I just want to say congratulations to Nobel Prize winning physicist Donna Strickland! How cool is her achievement?! You can learn more here https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/nobel-prize-in-physics-shared-by-first-woman-in-55-years/ar-BBNPuN8?li=BBnb7Kz
:)

It is Not lonely at the top

Hello World!
I recently had a work related celebration and hosted friends, family, mentors, and students. We had a wonderful time catching up and being tourists. It is my excuse for not blogging routinely as I meant, and a good one I think. I would not be where I am without friends and family and while our celebrations grew bigger than planned (in a good way), I do not regret the time spent in real life. When I was younger, there were slogans around that to be successful meant you had to sacrifice family time or friend time. While you may need to make a trade off in how time is spent, I don’t think it’s impossible to have all that you strive for- whether in science, arts, or anything. Friends are the jewels in our treasure box and I am grateful for them- in person and on line!
 :)

Greetings

Hello World!
I hope you are doing well. I am pleased to be on the mend and back on line. I am still sorting out my life in tech and the many many opportunities it tempts me with. I have moved places, jobs, left old (work) loves and found new ones and encountered the opportunity to return to the roots of my scientific training in vision science. For the rest of this year, I will try to focus my efforts on a just a few things, like this blog, rather than take on so many things. I am excited to have more balance while still doing things I love (work and non work) with the friends and family I love.

I recently enjoyed watching the new Star Wars Solo movie, it had a diverse cast, relevant messages about respect, a little humor, and lots of adventure. Of course, there is no sound in the vacuum of space, but a movie with no soundtrack would be an odd movie. It is a question I was asked once- what is the soundtrack to your life? I would immediately want to analyze and scientifically examine sound. There is a lot of STEM in that field! I recommend this neuroscience of music documentary http://pbsinternational.org/programs/musical-brain-the/ .
Music and the arts however, are important to experience and enjoy, not just analyze. It reminds me I need to sometimes step away from my mind and just be. Just listen. This also ties to STEM of course, as now mindfulness is being examined scientifically
https://www.mindful.org/the-science-of-mindfulness/

I imagine my life soundtrack has a bit of classical, country, techno, and more, perhaps even, Katy Perry's Roar :)

Greetings from Nigeria

Hello World!
I am so excited to be on the TechWomen delegation team to Nigeria recently. We immersed ourselves in the incredible tech ecosystem that is this beautiful and talented country. I have met so many designer engineers, artist businesswomen, and just all around phenomenal people. I am so grateful for the wonderful experience and can't wait to go back and can't wait to share pictures! I am trying to realign my life a bit, I've moved and changed positions (still STEM) and am taking care of health needs, as well as updating my tech so it actually works instead of getting in my way. I appreciate everyone who still checks this blog out, so much more to come!
:)