A Journey of Curiosity, Exploration, and Purpose
Many of us across our #LinkedIn community ask how we get where we are now #career-wise. Thanks to #NYC — the city that never sleeps — I have met many of you who have shared your unique stories.
There were three pivotal moments that have shaped my experience and vision. Each event, though seemingly small, has contributed to a narrative of trying, weaving together threads of curiosity and teaching me that a career journey can be full of explorations and triumphs.
At 13 — The Tea Shop Epiphany
At 13, I stumbled upon an elegant tea shop. The aroma of floral notes and the delicate dance of petals in the tea leaves captivated me. I was drawn to the intricate beauty of tea in a moment of Zen, and the way that time stood still. I questioned why dry chrysanthemums were considered as tea.
The shop owner was friendly and kind, who suggested to “Have a Try.” I wrote a newspaper article that went viral and was enjoyed by many readers who were inspired by the metaphor of tea. A lifelong appreciation for the nuances of exploration in a fast-paced world was formed.
At 15 — The Power of Storytelling
At 15, I found myself writing a trilogy entitled “Journey”, about embarking on new beginnings. The words flowed effortlessly, as if lives had been simmering beneath the surface, waiting to be unleashed. This juxtaposition of parallel stories let readers ponder on their existence, exploring themes of purpose and mapping points of transformation along the paths.
This work received the first prize from the professional writers’ and children writers associations, which made me realize how we can craft our own narratives.
In My Late 20s — Research, Innovation, and AI
As a researcher in my late 20s, I took a pivotal step into the world of cancer imaging and artificial intelligence as a principal investigator to develop a Neurosurgical Decision Aid for therapies with many talented team members, co-developers, and co-authors.
Curiosity, innovation, and entrepreneurship were our motivators. We were driven by the potential to improve patient outcomes and push the boundaries of surgical planning. Translating scientific discoveries into tangible solutions was purposeful.
The Present — Building the #AI4Purpose Network
Recently, many of us have embarked on a new venture — launching an innovative network, #AI4Purpose, to bring together like-minded individuals to share cutting-edge knowledge and ideas via innovation, connectivity, and mentorship.
This “have-a-try” journey has been filled with breakthroughs and meaningful progress so far. It is a platform for experimentation, growth, and purpose — and together, let’s envision where it will take us in the upcoming years!
Reflections — Threads of a Coherent Journey
As I look back, I am struck by how these events have intersected to influence one another. The tranquility of the chrysanthemum tea taught me to appreciate the joy of sampling. The trilogy revealed the power of storytelling. And my work, such as the STAPLE algorithm for estimating segmentation ground truth, continues to be used by many researchers.
Each experience was a thread in the tapestry of a coherent journey that has brought me — and many of you — to where we stand today, propelled by momentum and curiosity.
Keep trying! 🪴