Darcy Murphy (they/them)
Digital Biology MSc student at the University of Manchester
Contact: Email: darcyamurphy@gmail.com
Twitter: @darcyamurphy
What does your job actually entail?
I'm writing up my MSc dissertation at the moment so most days are just reading papers and slowly writing!
When not at work you can be found...
Painting, cleaning fish tanks, or playing board games.
Why did you join the DSxHE community?
The DSxHE Downloads seemed like a great way to learn more about issues around health equity and data, which is important to me as I'm hoping to do a PhD using machine learning and health data!
What should people reach out to your for help on/with?
Interpreting weird Python error messages or opinions on how you should be collecting gender information.
What would you like help with from members of the DSxHE community?
I'd love information about any funded PhDs in the area of machine learning and health data, especially if there's an algorithmic/AI ethics angle.
What's your interest in data science and/or health equity?
I started getting interested in data science during my MSc after taking a module on machine learning. My dissertation project is looking at a technique for removing spurious correlations that a neural network might learn when being trained on multiple datasets, and applying that technique to a model that attempts to predict disease from ECG recordings. I'm enjoying the combination of technical problem solving and domain-specific understanding required.
3. What's a recent article/book/video/blog/event you've come across on data science and/or health equity that you found interesting and why?
I've been enjoying Weapons of Math Destruction by Cathy O'Neil, which is about the ways the use of big data can increase inequality. She gives specific examples and takes you through how they work and what the problems are - it's a bit of a depressing read but I found it very eye opening too!
Which object do you misplace or lose the most?
My glasses - if I put them down somewhere my eyesight is bad enough that I can't see them to find them!
What is the last craft you made?
I sewed some curtains for my mum's weirdly shaped living room window.
What dish do you cook best?
Roast dinner with way too many sides.