A couple of weeks ago, I came across a paper where the authors had used machine learning to discover the best predictors of blood donations. Why was this an important application? Because blood donations save lives; and because, despite its importance, blood harvesting is, usually, a not for profit venture. Thus, any insight that can … Continue reading The easiest, safest, fastest way to save someone’s life
Category: Personal
The Race for a Vaccine
This week, I had my Covid-19 booster jab, which came with some nasty side effects. I was feeling very sorry for myself – on the one hand, unable to sleep because my arm hurt; on the other, unable to do much else because of high fever and a splitting headache. So, I decided to revisit Intelligence … Continue reading The Race for a Vaccine
What I have been reading #6
16th book of 2021 - “Jog On” by Bella Mackie Neither brilliant prose, nor glorious storytelling. This book reads like a chat with the author about how exercise - or, rather, running - has helped her and many others to manage anxiety, panic attacks and other mental health problems. And maybe that’s the right tone … Continue reading What I have been reading #6
November 2021 round-up
This month was significantly better than the last one. It was my busiest month, as far as teaching is concerned, and there were lots of things going on in the home front. However, I did not feel like the month was slipping through my fingers, as I had felt in October, and I managed to tick … Continue reading November 2021 round-up
October 2021 round-up
October was not a good month, overall. Productivity was low, I burned some bridges, and there was a bereavement in my other half’s side of the family. I even thought about not writing a round-up post this month. But, in the spirit of authenticity that I try to bring to this blog, here is a … Continue reading October 2021 round-up
September 2021 round-up
I heard on a podcast, at the start of the month, that “September is the new January”, with its inherent sense of fresh start. That’s certainly the case for me, with the kids going back to school / university and a new term starting for me. The “fresh start” was also evident in the return … Continue reading September 2021 round-up
What I have been reading #5
13th book of 2021 - “The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales” by Oliver Sacks I added this book to my “to read” list back in 2015, when I read Oliver Sacks’s obituary in The Guardian, and became really intrigued about Sacks and his work. Sacks was a neurologist, … Continue reading What I have been reading #5
July and August 2021 round-up
July and August definitely had a taste of “wrapping and moving on”, for me. I wrapped up a long running writing project and started a new one; I wrapped up the academic year and prepared the new one; I wrapped up the divisional lead role and planned for the next stage; and so on and … Continue reading July and August 2021 round-up
My anti-racist journey – 1 year in
This post was inspired by Sarah Hart-Unger’s reflection of her own journey towards learning more about structural racism, in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death; and triggered by the disgusting racist comments made by fans of the England team, in the wake of the Euro2020 finals. It is not an “how to” post, and I … Continue reading My anti-racist journey – 1 year in
What I have been reading #4
10th book of 2021 - “Reservoir 13” by Jon McGregor. I read this book for the book club created by my friend Regina Duarte. It was a very surprising read. On the surface, it seems that this is a murder mystery, examining the disappearance of a 13 year old girl, who was holidaying in a … Continue reading What I have been reading #4
Ana Canhoto 