I never saw myself as a computer person. The image of spending hours in front of a screen, fingers typing on a keyboard, seemed so distant from my reality. Yet, as I sit here, on the brink of completing this computer science degree and diving into the capstone course, I’m struck by the unpredictable turns life can take.
With a background deeply rooted in biology, my world was one of tangible, natural spaces and wonders. I wasn’t like many of my premed peers, drawn to the human-centric aspects of biology. My fascination lay in the intricate balance of ecosystems, the breadth of biodiversity in both the seen and unseen corners of the world.
Weekends for me were adventures. I would flip over river stones to study the aquatic insects living underneath. Mountain hikes weren’t just for the views, but for the chance encounters with pikas and mountain goats, creatures whose existence told about the health and story of the environment they inhabited. I’d navigate winding valleys, where I would spend hours trying to catch trout in streams so remote, they felt untouched by time.
In classrooms and lecture halls, I found my passion not just in theoretical knowledge, but in the application of science to solve real-world problems. It was here that I was first introduced to powerful tools like GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and R programming. These weren’t just computer programs; they were windows into a new world of understanding. GIS brought ecological data to life, turning numbers into visual stories of our environment, while R allowed me to delve deep into statistical analysis, revealing hidden patterns in biological data.
My affinity for technology continued to grow through hands-on experiences in various biology labs. Here, I engaged in the quantitative side of biology. I worked on projects ranging from the effects of environmental changes on shellfish to analyzing the genetic sequences of salmon. These experiences were my first forays into the world of coding and data analysis. The software tools I used, though sometimes limited, were crucial in my understanding of complex biological phenomena.
This intersection of biology and technology was enlightening. I began to appreciate the immense potential of these tools in bridging the gap between raw data and understanding. They served as my introduction to the world of computer science, revealing the potential to not just aid research but to transform it, making complex ecological data comprehensible and meaningful.
My subsequent experiences in natural resource management with government agencies further solidified this interest. Working in remote locations, collecting field data in various conditions, I encountered the practical challenges of data management and analysis. The transition from traditional methods to digital data collection using field-grade tablets was eye-opening but also highlighted the shortcomings of the software we used. It was often insufficient, especially under the less-than-ideal conditions of fieldwork.
As part of the quality control and analysis team, I saw firsthand how software inefficiencies could lead to data inconsistencies, affecting crucial environmental management decisions. This experience highlighted the dire need for robust, user-friendly data collection systems.
Another significant role involved collecting data on salmon harvesting by recreational fishermen. This labor-intensive process involved manually gathering and entering enormous amounts of data into various government databases. The inefficiency of this process was glaringly evident – a clear indication of the disconnect between data collection methodologies and technological advancements.
These experiences led to a realization that was a turning point for me. I began to see the immense potential of combining my passion for biology with the power of computer science.
Now, as I stand at the cusp of a new chapter in my path, I am driven by a desire to be a part of the solution. My aim is not just to develop software that functions effectively but to create systems that integrate seamlessly with the user’s needs, especially in the demanding conditions of fieldwork. My goal is to craft tools that enhance our ability to manage and understand our natural world, bridging the gap between technology and practical application.
But my vision extends beyond just addressing the challenges I’ve encountered in the field of biology. I see computer science as a crucial bridge that connects real-world problems with tangible, effective solutions. With a vast world of systems that can be improved upon, a landscape of opportunities awaits exploration.
