[Nfb-science] Introduction

[John Miller]

Hello John,
This is John Miller, president of the science and engineering division.
Thank you for posting to the list.
I was wondering if it would be possible for you to collect some digital photos of testtubes and the like
That are difficult to discern the analysis.
I could pass such photos along to a professor I work with who is knowledgeable in computer vision.
If we can identify and catalog the problems that face us as blind and low vision scientists, I believe we can find better alternative solutions.

For a short term solution, I wondered if sending images via video chat or with a flash cell phone to a colleague for confirmation might be quite helpful for you.
Sometimes I get stuck in my work and a minute or two of intervention from a sighted peer can lead to many hours of additional independent work for me.
Very best,
John
 

-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-science-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-science-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of John D. Trawick
Sent: Sunday, August 15, 2010 12:08 AM
To: NFB Science and Engineering Division List
Subject: Re: [Nfb-science] Introduction


Thanks everyone for the welcome and advice! If I can offer any perspectives on a career in science as my offering, I'll be happy to do so. Some details: PhD in microbiology from U. of MN/Mayo Grad School of Medicine (a joint program long since dissolved), I am a molecular geneticist and have worked in the biotechnology industry since 1997 with some low level academic experience prior to moving into industry. My employer believes in a hands on approach and that means a lot of lab work but I also do bioinformatic and other computer work. While a hand held magnifier is convenient for reading papers and books, for the computer and lab I am using +3 readers which are far from perfect. I would go for more magnification except I already am getting pretty close to the screen or pipet, etc.Apart from seeing details sharply enough, the other issue in the lab is contrast. Things in shadows or nearly the same color and density of surroundings are easy to miss. The other day I let a polya  crylamide gel slide out of a container because I didn't see it (these gels are very thin and transparent). Found it in the sink a few minutes later, luckily unharmed.
At any rate, I hope that this is the right place to learn as I adapt to the slow but inevitable changes in vision.
Cheers,
John
---- Christine Szostak <szostak.1 at osu.edu> wrote:

=============
Hi John,
Welcome to the list. My name is Christine and I am working toward my second Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology with an emphasis in language processing. I am totally blind and can say that with some innovation, you can still perform quality research without vision, so you should not feel any need to change positions. You will likely need to make adaptations, but maintaining a scientific career is still fully possible. Again welcome to the list.
Many thanks,
Christine


M. Szostak
Graduate Student
Language Perception Laboratory
Department of Psychology, Cognitive Area The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio szostak.1 at osu.edu _______________________________________________
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