Ink and Insight

Hi, I'm Lavanya Acharya. 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.

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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! 

My name is easy to say but hard to remember how to say. Hopefully this helps, but if not, I go by La to some and Anya at Starbucks.

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