Inside DELTA: 5 Questions with Laura Chen

DELTA is composed of four units and almost 100 staff members, each with a unique set of skills and talents. The series “Inside DELTA: 5 Questions with DELTA Staff” is dedicated to learning more about the individuals who contribute to achieving DELTA’s mission. A new monthly feature will unveil the life of DELTA staff in their day-to-day work routines and their interests outside of the workplace.

The first feature highlights Laura Chen, a database administrator at DELTA since 2005. Chen is responsible for ensuring all DELTA databases are running smoothly.

Previously, Chen worked for NC State’s Provost Office as a web developer/technology support technician where she created and maintained multiple web-based systems.

Chen also is an artist who explores the intersection between technology and art. Her work is on display from January 14 to March 11, 2017 at the Durham Arts Council’s SunTrust Gallery.

If you were explaining your position to someone unfamiliar with DELTA, how would you describe what you do?

Chen manages Oracle, MySQL and Microsoft SQL. “In most organizations, the database administrators only work with one or two different types of databases. But at DELTA, I have the opportunity to work with all three plus running Oracle on Windows,” she said. Chen is a certified database administrator in Oracle but said, “running Oracle on Windows makes things rather interesting.” She explained the great thing about her job is being able to delve into each database and continue to learn more about them every day.

Along with maintaining the databases, Chen also troubleshoots and tests the systems regularly. “We figure out what is best for our users and how to optimize the performance of the databases,” said Chen. Another part is replicating and backing up the data. “We have plans to protect data from software and user errors.”

What has been your most recent favorite project you’ve worked on?

“Upgrading from MSSQL 2012 to MSSQL 2014 was exciting to test out the enhancements and new features and see how it is going to benefit us,” Chen said. “The memory optimization and its use of concurrency control mechanisms should eliminate many of the delays related to locking. The integration solid state drive can be used as buffer pool expansion when memory is maxed out,” she explained.

What makes your job special? What do you enjoy most about your job?

“The people whom I work with make this job very enjoyable; they are all really good at what they do,” said Chen. The environment at DELTA was also something Chen noted as interesting. “The environment is innovative and cutting edge; we are a fun and creative group.”

According to Chen, she enjoys being able to work on multiple databases and gain valuable experience from them. “I like having time to investigate other software; I am more aware of what is out there,” said Chen.

What do you like to do in your spare time/outside of work?

Chen’s passion for technology led her to a new passion just six years ago. According to Chen, she accidentally discovered the iPad app ArtRage when the iPad was first released and created a few pieces of digital artwork with a stylus using the app. Fellow DELTA colleague Cathi Phillips Dunnagan gave Chen positive feedback. “I remember showing it to Cathi, and she was so kind and made some very encouraging comments,” she said.

“I first thought I liked digital art, but then I began painting, and it was like a new world to me,” Chen said. She added Dunnagan gave her valuable critiques after she started painting on canvas. “I guess I have Cathi to thank for discovering this exciting new world of art,” she said.

Now, Chen’s work is on display at the Durham Arts Council’s SunTrust Gallery. According to Chen, it is a privilege to show her work alongside well-known artists since these shows are rather competitive. Titled “Sense of Scene,” the exhibit focuses on the artist’s exploration of scenery through differing techniques. “It is going to be a great show,” said Chen.

Chen’s art is inspired by the geometric shapes, lines and dramatic colors of historic houses in Raleigh. By recreating these homes in her artwork, Chen hopes to capture the effort put into restoring and keeping the homes lively.

What do you like about art? Does it relate to your job here at DELTA?

“I like art because what one person sees or thinks can be different from what another person sees or thinks about a piece,” said Chen. She also noted how art can make people feel certain ways. “It is my own way of presenting beauty in hopes of somehow evoking emotions and reactions,” she said.

“I like the abstract quality of things and the way shapes and lines interact with light,” she said. For her pieces that depict old Raleigh, Chen expressed that she is fascinated with these historic buildings. “Their simple geometric shapes and structure have a lot of character and dignity,” she said.

Chen feels her artwork is just an extension of the problem solving she does at work every day. While her job produces a very definitive result, art is much different. “I use values and complementary colors to solve the problem; there is no clear way of doing things when it comes to painting.” For Chen, painting is problem solving in a much more relaxed way.

Chen learned how to use her skills from two very different fields to solve problems. “Everything is connected in a way,” she said.

Related Links:
Sense of Scene Review

Photo credits:
Feature photo: Sherry O’Neal (with art and light direction by Cathi Dunnagan)
Inset photos: Samantha McCuen