While working on my Computer Science degree, I was invited to participate in an undergraduate research project that allowed me to combine my interest in programming and biology. I converted a predictable, but simplified, model of inhalation anthrax to a model that accounts for the probabilistic nature of biological systems (i.e., deterministic to stochastic). The project was a collaboration between two UNC Asheville professors:…
A Trans Woman’s Thoughts on Being a Former Freemason
Ten years ago, I joined a fraternal organization known as Freemasonry. One of its primary missions, outside of public charity, is to provide an environment where men are meant to support each other on a path of personal and spiritual growth. There is a focus on providing a ritual framework that guides its members through life’s changes & challenges. There’s an abundance of symbolism,…
Analysis of 007: James Bond Films
The James Bond films are the longest running series in cinematic history, with a total of 24 films since Sean Connery’s debut as James Bond in 1962’s Dr. No. It is one of the highest-grossing franchises of all time with an estimated worth of approximately $15 billion USD. This is a data analysis project that I’ve considered doing for a while. In 2006, when Daniel…
MTF vs AMAB – How I perceive my gender identity
Admittedly, there was a time in my life that I literally tried to study how to be a good man. I even wrote a paper in college about what I thought defined a good man. I took the stance that I couldn’t relate to manhood because I had my own definition of what being a man meant. I felt entirely separated from the way…
An analogy for verbal difficulty & audio processing disorder
You’re on an interview via Zoom and trying to put your best foot forward so you’re already a little nervous. The interviewer asks you a question, but their audio keeps dipping out randomly. “Hi! It’s ni-[unintelligible] meet [unintelligible] -re you?” You smile and nod, not entirely sure what they said at first until you realize, due to context, that they are asking how you…
Exploring a Science Fiction Utopia
The year was 2048 A.D. when scientists made a huge breakthrough in observational astronomy. Astrophysicists had been skeptical for decades, but a naked singularity had finally been discovered as part of the Alpha Centauri system. A singularity such as this could house a wormhole allowing us to travel through hyperspace and into the far reaches of the universe. It was close enough to visit,…
Self-reflection on Kacey’s Dream
The following is a self-reflection that was appended to Kacey’s Dream, an essay I wrote for a class (“Science Fiction & Utopia”) which is based on an idea for a short story sci-fi story I had several years ago. That original idea was in turn inspired by a dream I myself had after staying up too late one night while studying astronomy and supernovae…
Kacey’s Dream
Kacey bolted upright in her bed, soaked in sweat and trembling in terror. “What the hell was that about?!” she said to herself. The frightened young woman reached for the notepad she kept on her nightstand ever since she started living on her own, only three short weeks ago. That’s when the “nightmares” first started. Before too much time had passed, Kacey started writing…