James Casey
What does your work entail, and what are some of your current projects?
I work a lot on artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning and data management. I am currently developing a classifier for a labeling study and exploring large language models for various projects related to undersea technologies. I am also architecting a knowledge management system to handle large volumes of data.
How has your career at the Laboratory evolved?
I started at the Laboratory in 2020 as a contractor developing software and then was hired in 2023 as a technical staff member developing algorithms. Now, I am working with junior developers and other technical staff at the Laboratory as well as external partners to build out some interesting projects in AI, data science, and data management.
Why is the Laboratory a good fit for you?
With the Laboratory sitting on the boundary of academia and industry, I can observe and participate in various areas of cutting-edge research and see some of that work implemented in the real world.
What are your interests outside of work?
I love to fly, and I am a private pilot. I do amateur radio, scuba drive, and read. I play a few musical instruments, admittedly not as well as I would like. Mostly these days, I spend a lot of time walking and playing with my dog, Minnie, a lab mix. She has a ton of energy and keeps me busy and in shape!
Where have you traveled or would like to visit?
I have been to a couple dozen countries and all seven continents. I spent a little over a year at the geographic South Pole in Antarctica. At the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, I calibrated and maintained the world’s largest neutrino detector, which is built into the extremely clear ice that has formed over thousands of years. Six months of daytime were followed by six months of nighttime, and there was one sunset and one sunrise, each lasting a couple weeks. Being able to walk out and see the stars or the aurora in the middle of the Antarctic winter was an amazing experience, especially for someone like me with a passion for astrophysics. After getting off the ice, I went scuba diving off the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, toured the Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia, and walked through the Taj Mahal in India. I then flew to Africa, where I stood on the side of one of the pyramids in Egypt and camped in the Namib Desert. The two places I would really like to visit now are the North Pole and Iceland. I guess I just can't stay away from the cold!