First things first: This fall, I am starting graduate studies at Purdue University, where I'm looking to get a PhD in statistics. The acceptance came after over months of nail-biting and demoralizing news from other schools. I was impressed with Purdue's department when I visited the campus last week, and I'm really looking forward to being a part of the academic community there.
I've been offered a funded position in professor Rebecca Doerge's research group on bioinformatics. This is a branch of stats that I've been considering for some time, and involves learning about genetics, biology, genomics, and programming, in addition to statistics. I'm excited to get to start on projects right from the first year. Professor Doerge is reputedly a great mentor, and it is very likely that she will eventually advise my dissertation.
While in India I thought off-and-on about trying my hand at travel writing, or freelance photography, or continuing on indefinitely with my nomadic life. But taking this break away from school only reconfirmed my conviction to return to academics, where I most belong.
However, there is still a summer ahead of me before I relocate to West Lafayette, Indiana, and I'm really going to milk it.
During the month of May, I will go to Hong Kong for a week or so. After that, I want to head to the mainland and see some of the southern countryside, with its green rice paddies, villages, and mountains. June and July will be spent visiting relatives in Hunan province and attending the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai which promises to be a huge affair. If I do some sweet-talking, I'll have my father's professional SLR camera on loan while in China, in which case one of my primary goals while traveling will be to capture beautiful images.
For the first time in a year, I feel secure in my future plans. Uncertainty had its place, but right now, it's a relief to look forward to something concrete.
Saturday, April 03, 2010
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7 comments:
Faye, congratulations! I'm from West Lafayette, so I'll definitely visit you when I'm home :-D.
i already said it, but congratulations! the midwest will be happy to have you for a few more years. :)
Faye:
Delighted to hear of your plans. I have enjoyed reading this blog during your travels
Dr. Bob
Thank you, all!
comment reply:
hahaha faye i felt the same way! but i liked it as a collage ... lol
comment reply:
hahaha faye i felt the same way! but i liked it as a collage ... lol
(lexie on jacob's computer)
Faye, have you read any of the Food Lab stuff on serouseats? vinaigrette emulsion thing.
I think I remember you saying something about emulsions on your blog, this reminded me of you. All his stuff is good though.
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