Thinking I should have some "presence" on the web that is independent from Facebook, Linked In, Academia.edu and others of their ilk, I have spent the last few weeks tinkering with a new homepage. Like everything else in my world, it is managed by the beneficent Google. It may one day even show up in the Google search results when you look for me!
What prompted all this? Perhaps I am starting to get the sense that I am building a career, and this is a way to get my name out there. Along those lines, I've put up my CV, publications, and descriptions of my research meant for either the lay reader or for people in the fMRI world. To add a charming dose of humanity to the all-business picture being painted, I've kept a page for music.
So please, have a look. Extra please, give some feedback! Dave has already painstakingly brought me from my first to the current draft. There is a lot of room for improvement, and your comments are welcome! http://sites.google.com/site/mollybright/home
Monday, January 28, 2013
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Fellowship of the Wheelie Bin
Today I received an email from my department. An email that simply stated "please see the attached document," pointing to a pdf file. And that pdf file contained a letter only a few sentences long. Typically these signs do not point to success... but in this case I nearly jumped up and down in the middle of Starbucks when I read my application was successful and I have been awarded a one-year fellowship to fund my own independent research at CUBRIC.
In truth, the fellowship doesn't affect the specifics of my daily scientific life very much. My boss and I already decided to extend my contract with him for one more year, but this fellowship means that he doesn't have to pay my salary, and this makes travel and other perks much easier to arrange. We will still be partners in crime (er, science). But what it does change is that now I am a Research Fellow instead of Associate, and I have shown I am capable of bringing in my own funding, and these facts will look very good on my CV when I look for my next job or next fellowship.
It also feels very nice to receive some love from the Wellcome Trust after not being successful with the big 4-year fellowship application I submitted to them earlier this year. I don't regret that earlier application, even though it ate up countless hours of productivity and sleep over months of my life. I learned a lot from that process, and it directly affected how I approached the little 1-year fellowship that I now managed to win. The successful proposal was sleek, tidy, and concise. I selected only one of three topics from the big app, then reduced that topic by half, and then simplified it. I made it obvious why the work was important, showed how other research would be directly impacted by my results, linked in other researchers who would contribute to the project to our mutual benefit... look at me, learning grantsmanship slowly but surely!
What's this wheelie bin, you ask? The work I have proposed involves the lower body negative pressure chamber that we are constructing. It has been slow going, mostly because Kevin and I have been focusing on other stuff and not able to literally hammer out a prototype. Our proof of principal setup involved an empty yellow wheelie bin (big trash can, for the US readers) hooked up to a standard household vacuum cleaner and sealed with a neoprene kayaking skirt. Hopefully we are on the road towards a more professional looking piece of equipment... it really doesn't look right next to a multi-million dollar brain scanner! The idea is that the "chamber" seals around your lower torso/legs and is hooked up to a vacuum pump. By changing the air pressure in the chamber, you can change your systemic blood pressure. I want to use this to measure the interaction between physiology and neural activity. Fingers crossed... I've got the money, the time, the independence (but also the support)... now all I need is some science!
In truth, the fellowship doesn't affect the specifics of my daily scientific life very much. My boss and I already decided to extend my contract with him for one more year, but this fellowship means that he doesn't have to pay my salary, and this makes travel and other perks much easier to arrange. We will still be partners in crime (er, science). But what it does change is that now I am a Research Fellow instead of Associate, and I have shown I am capable of bringing in my own funding, and these facts will look very good on my CV when I look for my next job or next fellowship.
It also feels very nice to receive some love from the Wellcome Trust after not being successful with the big 4-year fellowship application I submitted to them earlier this year. I don't regret that earlier application, even though it ate up countless hours of productivity and sleep over months of my life. I learned a lot from that process, and it directly affected how I approached the little 1-year fellowship that I now managed to win. The successful proposal was sleek, tidy, and concise. I selected only one of three topics from the big app, then reduced that topic by half, and then simplified it. I made it obvious why the work was important, showed how other research would be directly impacted by my results, linked in other researchers who would contribute to the project to our mutual benefit... look at me, learning grantsmanship slowly but surely!
What's this wheelie bin, you ask? The work I have proposed involves the lower body negative pressure chamber that we are constructing. It has been slow going, mostly because Kevin and I have been focusing on other stuff and not able to literally hammer out a prototype. Our proof of principal setup involved an empty yellow wheelie bin (big trash can, for the US readers) hooked up to a standard household vacuum cleaner and sealed with a neoprene kayaking skirt. Hopefully we are on the road towards a more professional looking piece of equipment... it really doesn't look right next to a multi-million dollar brain scanner! The idea is that the "chamber" seals around your lower torso/legs and is hooked up to a vacuum pump. By changing the air pressure in the chamber, you can change your systemic blood pressure. I want to use this to measure the interaction between physiology and neural activity. Fingers crossed... I've got the money, the time, the independence (but also the support)... now all I need is some science!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Finally getting some winter!
I've been working remotely (the perks of academic life!) in Oxford over the last several days, in time for the first proper winter weather this season. I have an open-ended ticket back to Cardiff, so technically I could stay a while longer... However, I will likely get a train sometime tomorrow and get my nose back to the science grindstone before my boss returns from his honeymoon. I did get a "reader's card" here in Oxford though, so I can work from the beautiful Bodleian library and Radcliffe Camera when the mood strikes.
These are two pictures from my daily wander around town with the new camera. The camera is an excellent pet: it encourages you to go for walks but can actually come with you when you travel. Both pics are very cropped down from the original image, but hopefully any change in image quality is undetectable. I've noticed that I have a weakness for Oxford's many walls and gates, which are featuring heavily in my miscellaneous albums. The more moss and rust the better! Pheasants on said walls are just icing on the cake.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Playing with Photography: Baby Steps
Dave and I are still getting used to our new camera... it is definitely smarter than we are, for the moment. With every YouTube tutorial we watch, with every book we peruse, we get a little bit more comfortable with the gazillions of options provided by our little Nikon. But, ultimately, I sense that most of our education will be from taking pictures and then looking at them.
With that in mind, we're trying to take the camera on little walks around Oxford, to get some "exercise." Dave lives right on the Oxford canal, and it is a glorious walk up to Port Meadow, a large expanse of free land where anyone can let their horses and cows graze. Grass can't get any greener.
Even with our photography education in its infancy, pictures do just "look better" with the D5100. It could be a placebo effect, I suppose, wanting our expensive investment to bear fruit, but I think the colors are instantly more vivid and the focus much sharper than anything I could achieve with a little point-and-shoot. I'm enjoying the flexibility I have with choosing what is in focus, and obviously also what isn't in focus. Already we talk about wanting different lenses to play even more with this depth-of-field idea, but Dave and I have made a pact to not invest in any new lenses for at least six months while we really figure out what we're doing.
And, just in case it looks like only I am holding the camera and only Dave will be in any pictures, I promise that we do trade off from time to time! Here is me being silly in Dave's kitchen:
These aren't full size images, so please click on one for a more impressive view of all pics in this post. I'm going to probably dump all our photography play into one Picasa web album where people can check out the full photos if interested. Hopefully tomorrow I can head out in the snow (the UK was just gifted with a few fluffy white inches) and get a bit more practice in! Suggestions, advice, criticisms, encouragement all welcome as I try to make better pictures.
With that in mind, we're trying to take the camera on little walks around Oxford, to get some "exercise." Dave lives right on the Oxford canal, and it is a glorious walk up to Port Meadow, a large expanse of free land where anyone can let their horses and cows graze. Grass can't get any greener.
Even with our photography education in its infancy, pictures do just "look better" with the D5100. It could be a placebo effect, I suppose, wanting our expensive investment to bear fruit, but I think the colors are instantly more vivid and the focus much sharper than anything I could achieve with a little point-and-shoot. I'm enjoying the flexibility I have with choosing what is in focus, and obviously also what isn't in focus. Already we talk about wanting different lenses to play even more with this depth-of-field idea, but Dave and I have made a pact to not invest in any new lenses for at least six months while we really figure out what we're doing.
And, just in case it looks like only I am holding the camera and only Dave will be in any pictures, I promise that we do trade off from time to time! Here is me being silly in Dave's kitchen:
These aren't full size images, so please click on one for a more impressive view of all pics in this post. I'm going to probably dump all our photography play into one Picasa web album where people can check out the full photos if interested. Hopefully tomorrow I can head out in the snow (the UK was just gifted with a few fluffy white inches) and get a bit more practice in! Suggestions, advice, criticisms, encouragement all welcome as I try to make better pictures.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Oh heyyy there
Dave and I have a new toy! Meet George, our Nikon D5100
Once we wrap our heads around how and what to photograph, we'll provide some eye candy.
Once we wrap our heads around how and what to photograph, we'll provide some eye candy.
Celebrating in Dublin
After a wonderful Christmas at home with family, I boarded yet another plane and headed back east. But unlike previous years, my plane was white and green with a shamrock on it, and headed to Dublin!
Kevin (my friend in Cardiff who happens to also be my boss) married Fiadhna just outside Dublin on New Year's Eve Eve. They'd been together for, er, roughly ten years I think, and are brilliantly well-matched. The wedding was constructed to make everyone feel welcome, and it incorporated boatloads of music. Fiadhna's family is seriously involved in Irish music, and the whole clan turned up with instruments. When I say seriously, think of them as an the von Trapp family of Ireland. The father of the bride wrote the music played as they walked down the aisle, performed by her brothers, and later on an entire room was colonized by the McEvoy clan and friends and the occasional impromptu ceilidh dance. Guests could meander between the band, the bar, and the folk music and back again, bumping into new friends and even catching a moment with the bride and groom over a proper pint of Guinness. The newlyweds were goofy-happy, and everyone was smiling with them. It was a joy to be around such a giddy pair of generous and hilarious people!
As seems to be the fashion, the wedding had a "part two" on the day after, which happened to be New Year's Eve in this case. Kev hired out the top floor of his favorite pub in the center of Dublin, the Stag's Head. He waxed poetic about the perfectly poured Guinness and the gentle care taken with the pipes, and I'll admit it was more than tasty. Almost everyone stuck around for the second night, the stress of the previous day disappearing with every pint.
I've learned that Ireland really is a tiny place... Alan (a friend from lab, but also from Dublin) brought his girlfriend Sinead as his plus-one, and she recognized several family friends! Ireland is friendly... even though it felt a little bit like junior prom, Alan's dad very kindly picked the four of us up in the wee hours of the morning to avoid us needing to drive after the wedding reception, and delivered me and Dave to our guesthouse, 30 minutes away. Ireland is tasty... we passed so many places I wanted to eat at! I'm already planning my next trip to Dublin with Sinead and Alan, because I really didn't get to see enough on this visit.
Now, I'm not particularly attached to the magical "midnight" moment of New Year's Eve, so I ushered Dave and me onto the airport shuttle bus about quarter of an hour earlier (rather like Cinderella, if I'm being generous, or like a fuddy duddy, if I'm being honest). About three hours of sleep at the airport hotel later, and we were back to the terminal and checking in to our flight to Edinburgh, where Dave's dad was very kindly picking us up. Another four days of rest and relaxation in Northumberland with his folks and we were speeding south to Oxford by train, and a day after that I finally made it back to my Cardiff flat, 3 weeks after I set off. Sure, my washing machine broke and my cold tap water smells worryingly of skunk, but it is good to be home.
Excellent traveling though!
Here is an album with captions from the Ireland portion of the trip:
Here are two videos from the wedding, including Fiadhna dancing with Kevin's dad and later joining in on concertina with the family band:
And an example of the family playing a big proper venue:
Kevin (my friend in Cardiff who happens to also be my boss) married Fiadhna just outside Dublin on New Year's Eve Eve. They'd been together for, er, roughly ten years I think, and are brilliantly well-matched. The wedding was constructed to make everyone feel welcome, and it incorporated boatloads of music. Fiadhna's family is seriously involved in Irish music, and the whole clan turned up with instruments. When I say seriously, think of them as an the von Trapp family of Ireland. The father of the bride wrote the music played as they walked down the aisle, performed by her brothers, and later on an entire room was colonized by the McEvoy clan and friends and the occasional impromptu ceilidh dance. Guests could meander between the band, the bar, and the folk music and back again, bumping into new friends and even catching a moment with the bride and groom over a proper pint of Guinness. The newlyweds were goofy-happy, and everyone was smiling with them. It was a joy to be around such a giddy pair of generous and hilarious people!
As seems to be the fashion, the wedding had a "part two" on the day after, which happened to be New Year's Eve in this case. Kev hired out the top floor of his favorite pub in the center of Dublin, the Stag's Head. He waxed poetic about the perfectly poured Guinness and the gentle care taken with the pipes, and I'll admit it was more than tasty. Almost everyone stuck around for the second night, the stress of the previous day disappearing with every pint.
I've learned that Ireland really is a tiny place... Alan (a friend from lab, but also from Dublin) brought his girlfriend Sinead as his plus-one, and she recognized several family friends! Ireland is friendly... even though it felt a little bit like junior prom, Alan's dad very kindly picked the four of us up in the wee hours of the morning to avoid us needing to drive after the wedding reception, and delivered me and Dave to our guesthouse, 30 minutes away. Ireland is tasty... we passed so many places I wanted to eat at! I'm already planning my next trip to Dublin with Sinead and Alan, because I really didn't get to see enough on this visit.
Now, I'm not particularly attached to the magical "midnight" moment of New Year's Eve, so I ushered Dave and me onto the airport shuttle bus about quarter of an hour earlier (rather like Cinderella, if I'm being generous, or like a fuddy duddy, if I'm being honest). About three hours of sleep at the airport hotel later, and we were back to the terminal and checking in to our flight to Edinburgh, where Dave's dad was very kindly picking us up. Another four days of rest and relaxation in Northumberland with his folks and we were speeding south to Oxford by train, and a day after that I finally made it back to my Cardiff flat, 3 weeks after I set off. Sure, my washing machine broke and my cold tap water smells worryingly of skunk, but it is good to be home.
Excellent traveling though!
Here is an album with captions from the Ireland portion of the trip:
 |
| Dublin Celebrations |
Here are two videos from the wedding, including Fiadhna dancing with Kevin's dad and later joining in on concertina with the family band:
And an example of the family playing a big proper venue:
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
A Very Bright Christmas 2012
Christmas was perfect... it was good to be back home after a year away. Hopefully 2013 will find me back in Bayport more than once!
Our family tradition is to extend Christmas morning as long as possible. This used to be done with lots and lots more presents, but now with two "adult children" (as mom now calls us) this is done with many breaks for baking, coffee making, and eating. Now, I really love this in principle, but this year we were a little ridiculous! At one point I had to lay down the law and demand a continuous string of 4 presents in a row. Then I ate another sticky bun.
Christmas begins on Christmas eve of course. First we have the neighbors (plus a few almost-neighbors) over for brunch. This year I realized that Emma, the one actual child that comes to this event, has been going to this her entire life. It feels rather special to know that this new tradition, which I remember being created almost 10 years ago, will be one of those things she always associates with Christmas.
I usually open one present before midnight mass, which inevitably ends up to be something I can wear to church. This year I had a festive red scarf to go with my new little black dress (Yes, mom and I had an impressive pre-holiday shopping adventure that resulted in multiple dresses. If you are going to go shopping before Christmas, it is important to go with the person who has bought most of your presents so that you avoid overlap!)
Midnight mass was at 10 pm, obviously. The actual service was preceded by half an hour of music, and it was the usual suspects of assorted instrumentalists (plus Kate Stocker! Yay!) joining the massive choir that emerges from the woodwork for this one holiday and this one holiday only. Us musicians, well, we don't exactly rehearse for these gigs, so we can all be pleasantly pleased with how decently it comes together for the performance.
The next morning, before presents even begin, the sticky bun dough made the night before and left to slowly rise overnight is stretched and pounded into shape and rolled up into perfect parcels of cinnamon butter delight.
Presents were stretched out into mid afternoon, across many sessions of sticky bun munching and general fuss in the kitchen. I also had to slip out to make my challah bread dough to fulfill my part of the family Christmas culinary traditions:
Barbara and Charlie from across the street joined us for our evening feast, making Christmas dinner about half the work it normally is and adding twice the company.
What I don't have pictures of is the rest of this very relaxing visit home. Andy arrived late in my visit, as he was sent on a last minute business adventure to Japan this year. At least he made it home! Still, he displayed very entertaining jetlag, and often took over my dad's job of randomly dozing while the rest of us watched Smiley's People. As an extreme example of his condition, on his first night he was fading fast at 7pm. Knowing that it is important to power through, I put him to work icing cutout sugar cookies until 10. Andy.... icing cookies.... while half asleep.... this year's batch was "varied" to say the least :-p
I caught up with old friends as well. Cailin Wilke and her mom came over for a mother-daughter (and red wine) viewing of the movie Brave. Kate Stocker, following her impressive debut at Our Lady of the Snow, met up with me at Starbucks, the local reunion spot of choice, for a Boxing Day Lattay™. The next day I returned to Starbucks to see Glenn Dengeles, whom I hadn't seen since high school (ten years!). I know that I am not particularly attached to the Bayport community at this point, but coming home and reconnecting with people felt wonderful.
So family, friends, food... what more could a girl ask for? Merry Christmas everyone!
 |
| Our tree! |
 |
| Before anyone could have known I would be a music nerd, my Christmas stocking had three musical Santas |
I usually open one present before midnight mass, which inevitably ends up to be something I can wear to church. This year I had a festive red scarf to go with my new little black dress (Yes, mom and I had an impressive pre-holiday shopping adventure that resulted in multiple dresses. If you are going to go shopping before Christmas, it is important to go with the person who has bought most of your presents so that you avoid overlap!)
Midnight mass was at 10 pm, obviously. The actual service was preceded by half an hour of music, and it was the usual suspects of assorted instrumentalists (plus Kate Stocker! Yay!) joining the massive choir that emerges from the woodwork for this one holiday and this one holiday only. Us musicians, well, we don't exactly rehearse for these gigs, so we can all be pleasantly pleased with how decently it comes together for the performance.
The next morning, before presents even begin, the sticky bun dough made the night before and left to slowly rise overnight is stretched and pounded into shape and rolled up into perfect parcels of cinnamon butter delight.
 |
| The family tradition of sticky-bun making on Christmas morning |
 |
| Mom looking lovely in front of stockings hung by the chimney with care |
 |
| My 8-stranded braid of challah bread... baked it twice this holiday! |
 |
| Mom and Barbara give a wave on Christmas day |
What I don't have pictures of is the rest of this very relaxing visit home. Andy arrived late in my visit, as he was sent on a last minute business adventure to Japan this year. At least he made it home! Still, he displayed very entertaining jetlag, and often took over my dad's job of randomly dozing while the rest of us watched Smiley's People. As an extreme example of his condition, on his first night he was fading fast at 7pm. Knowing that it is important to power through, I put him to work icing cutout sugar cookies until 10. Andy.... icing cookies.... while half asleep.... this year's batch was "varied" to say the least :-p
I caught up with old friends as well. Cailin Wilke and her mom came over for a mother-daughter (and red wine) viewing of the movie Brave. Kate Stocker, following her impressive debut at Our Lady of the Snow, met up with me at Starbucks, the local reunion spot of choice, for a Boxing Day Lattay™. The next day I returned to Starbucks to see Glenn Dengeles, whom I hadn't seen since high school (ten years!). I know that I am not particularly attached to the Bayport community at this point, but coming home and reconnecting with people felt wonderful.
So family, friends, food... what more could a girl ask for? Merry Christmas everyone!
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