About

The Road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

And I must follow, if I can,

Pursuing it with eager feet,

Until it joins some larger way

Where many paths and errands meet.

And whither then? I cannot say.

– J. R. R. Tolkien –

I am a young, female, American-born and -trained scientist–and a Southerner. None of these may change how I do science, anymore than any individual’s personality does. However, many people seem to think this is an unusual combination, and these traits do affect how I am perceived–for better or worse.

After 5 years in grad school and 5 years as a postdoc (at 2 different institutions), I’m now off on an exciting new path that (if all goes well) will bring together my scientific training and my interests in writing and social media to, just maybe, help change the way scientists talk about science.

There and (hopefully) back again…

A nod to one of my favorite books, the original title of my blog also alluded to part of the adventure and challenge of science and academia. Often we step out the front door of our cozy little world and find ourselves in places or situations we perhaps did not intend. We may think we know where we’re trying to get, but the path forward is not always so clear.

At the outset of this blog, the there was the Northeast and the back was the Southeast. Over time, though, other theres and backs entered the picture. The blog was (and still is) a place to share my experiences, frustrations, ponderings and musings along the way. I’ve collected links for some of my favorite posts here.

When you take these journeys, though, you’re never quite the same as you were when you started.

Ever on & on

Much has changed since I started blogging, and I realize now that the adventure isn’t about going back. It’s in moving forward. It’s about forging a path that carries me not to who I used to be, but to who I strive to be. That striving has been and, I suspect, will always be perpetual. I’ve never been one to be satisfied with where I am, and in some ways, I hope to never be. I may never make it back again, and that might not be such a bad thing. Regardless I keep moving down the road that goes ever on and on.