Featured EyeWirer: Karen Lynn Robinson
A behind the scenes look at the EyeWire community.
Meet the EyeWirers who are mapping the retinal connectome. This week’s Featured EyeWirer is Karen Lynn Robinson.
KarenLynn Robinson aka @blissdish on EyeWire, hails from Bend, Oregon, USA where she works as a technical support advisor.
Why do you play EyeWire?
I play for three main reasons:
- the selection process is a satisfying artistic expression… I appreciate that the human eye’s discrimination is superior to computers… (and my art-degree-trained eye perhaps more so)
- the opportunity to help advance science
- the NeurOlympics stats satisfy my competitive streak
How did you discover EyeWire?
Share a short story that helps the world get to know you.
I’m one of those left-brain/right-brain folks who’s comfortable with both technology and art. Initially one of two female engineering students at the University of Akron (in 1980), I was introduced to computers as an artists’ tool in 1986 and eventually shifted to an art major, with constant emphasis on computers. I eventually got employment creating speaker presentations on computers (before Macs or PCs had Persuasion/PowerPoint/Keynote) which further cemented the relationship between computers and graphic art. A few years later, I became an independent graphic artist… also offering photo correction/reconstruction. Birthing two children in 18 months took the wind out of my entrepreneurial sails, and I’ve had several jobs since. To continue to satisfy my artistic bent I make and sell BlissPillows (blisspillow.com) with organic millet hull filling and beautiful slipcovers… and suddenly a metaphysical picture book!
Anything else you’d like to share?
I am SO grateful to be a part of the important work/play that is EyeWire… looking forward to further meets.