For my STEP signature project, I worked with Dr. Castro and other students in the Nanoengineering and Biodesign lab to restart the OhioMOD student biomolecular design team at Ohio State University, a student organization that dissolved almost five years ago because of the pandemic. We recruited a team of eight undergraduate students, and with the help of our two graduate advisors and Dr. Castro, we completed a summer research project in the Nanoengineering and Biodesign lab. We designed, folded, and polymerized a 3-arm reconfigurable structure made from DNA. Our goal is to compete in the 2024 BioMOD Jamboree held in Japan.
Going into this summer, I wanted to give undergraduate students a chance to experience laboratory work, and what research as an engineer looks like. Before this project, I had become comfortable performing experiments guided by an advisor. I had never had to design a project from the start or lead a team of researchers. I gained a lot of confidence in my knowledge of the field of DNA origami and became more comfortable making suggestions and presenting new ideas. By taking a step back from in-lab work, I was able to practice thinking critically about applications of our structure and what experiments would allow it to perform its function.
I also gained experience on the financial side of research during this project. I had to recruit members to perform experiments and help design project deliverables. With the competition being overseas, I had to gain enough financial support for travel and registration fees. I had very little experience in these areas coming into this project, but with the help of my graduate research advisors and the team, we were able to get great experimental results to base these deliverables on and enough support to travel to Japan.
Before this project, I was hesitant to make suggestions on other research projects, and I rarely made decisions on the projects I was on without asking an advisor. I did not have confidence in my understanding of DNA origami, and I assumed other members of my lab would think of the same things I did. While coming up with applications of our structure and designing our research project, I talked to a lot of people about possibilities and read a lot of papers about related projects. I started to gain more confidence in my knowledge of the field. I began offering experiment ideas for other projects, was able to ask more specific questions, and became confident enough to make decisions about experiments without asking an advisor.
Working with a team of students on many different deliverables felt chaotic at times. I had to delegate responsibilities to other members while staying up to date about what was going on. It was especially difficult to keep up with the experimentation without being in lab. I had to rely on a team to get experimental results and make progress on certain deliverables while I focused on fundraising and recruitment. I was lucky to have a team made up of dedicated and hard-working students who were willing to help out with whatever was needed.
The fundraising and recruitment aspects of this project improved my communication. I was able to discuss our project in simple terms to people who had no experience in the field. I was also more comfortable asking for financial support and writing emails that provided just enough information for possible donors. We needed to raise enough money to travel overseas and compete in the BioMOD competition. The support we have received thus far has made me excited for the possibilities this student organization has.
Starting a student organization required me to take on a leadership role and practice many skills that I have never used before. I feel more prepared for graduation and beginning a career having experience developing a project, designing deliverables, leading a research team, and professionally communicating for financial and recruitment purposes. I have a stronger understanding of DNA origami, which will help me in furthering my education or starting a career in the biotechnology industry. I am also excited for the future members of OhioMOD and hope the student organization will continue to help undergraduate students get research experience.
We still have a long way to go with fundraising and competition deliverables. I am grateful for the support we have received so far from the Nanoengineering and Biodesign team, the Chemical and Biomolecular engineering department, and the Second-year Transformational Experience Program. I’m looking forward to the competition and the future of the OhioMOD student organization.
