Our lab is growing! In our Three Questions series, we’re profiling each of our members and the amazing work they’re doing.

This post introduces Katerina Vasilas, Executive Assistant to Dr. Stefanie Haustein and master’s student at uOttawa’s School of Information Studies. In this interview, Katerina talks about what excites her about joining the lab and shares how turning to poetry helps her reflect and gain perspective when she needs advice. 

Q#1 What are you working on at the lab?

I’m excited to be joining the lab and to begin working with Professor Haustein. I’m looking forward to supporting ongoing research, helping with day-to-day lab tasks, and learning from the inspiring work everyone is doing.

Q#2 Tell us about a recent paper, presentation, or project you’re proud of.

Last semester, I took Professor Haustein’s class on Knowledge Organization. The final project was to develop a report analyzing and evaluating the open literature and citation database OpenAlex, specifically their use of Topics. My group analyzed the field of ‘Neuroscience’ using a mixed-methods approach to examine the distribution of 199 topics across eight subfields, the quality of their classification relationships, and indexing accuracy. I really enjoyed using various descriptive statistical models and analyses to illustrate opportunities for classification improvements.

Q#3 What’s the best (or worst) piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Usually, when I need advice, I turn to Mary Oliver’s Devotions and flip through it until I find a poem that feels right for whatever I’m going through. It’s not advice per se, but it often prompts reflection. I’ve found that many of our troubles can be better understood through their connection to the natural world and its cycles.

 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59350/9j4zz-p4f28