About the Author
Hi, I'm Lavanya Acharya. This is me on vacation listening to my three-year-old.
My name is easy to say but hard to remember how to say. Hopefully this helps, but if not, I go by La to my kith and kin, and Anya for coffee and restaurants. So you always have something easy to fall back on.
How to say my name:
Lavanya: Lava (as in the stuff that comes out of a volcano) - nya (like lasagna or piñata).
Acharya : A (say ahhh) - char (like charred or charm or charmander) - ya.
My Story
I'm a poet, woman, mother, and scientist; at times an artist and a student of music; and always an eager learner. I'm also someone living with chronic illnesses and invisible disabilities. I've been writing poetry since I learned how to write and I am passionate about using my work to explore themes such as finding joy in the little things, living with and healing from emotional trauma, and living life in a body working against me. My goal as a writer is to describe my world and my experience, and invite you to describe yours so we can see how very much the same we are.
I have a formal education as an engineer and neuroscientist—a weird journey that took me from circuits of one sort to circuits of another. As a neuroscientist, I poked around in the brain for about 10 years trying to understand how it learns, remembers and recalls (it's complicated, and I don't know). When my body decided it was time for a desk job, I switched gears and jumped head-first into data science. I love what I do. It's fun and I'm learning something new every day.
I'm here to share, learn and spread the love. At Ink and Insight, I will be sharing my poetry, my internal experience of my conditions, and my search for answers through published scientific works. Ink and Insight will also serve as a place where others like me can share their stories as students, parents, caregivers, or essential workers... as people. Welcome!