I chose a project in the undergraduate research category where I spent around ten hours per week studying cardiovascular disease. I worked under two graduate students, Aaron Argall and Holly Sucharski, in Dr. Peter Mohler’s lab. My project involved mutational analysis of the LMNA gene with hopes of gaining a better understanding of its role in dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias. I performed molecular cloning experiments, worked with mice, and assisted my mentors in various experiments as needed.

This project allowed me to expand on my critical and creative thinking skills. There were many times where I had to stop and evaluate a problem, restart experiments, and develop efficient strategies to reach my goals. Research can be complicated and time consuming. It certainly taught me patience. I now have a much better picture of what it takes to perform translational research. We have many great things in this world, and it is reasonable to state that a significant portion of these things come directly from hard work and effective research by numerous people.

The biggest influence on my change was undoubtedly the wonderful relationships I built with my mentors and co-workers. I was a little nervous taking on a position in lab because of my introverted tendencies. Thankfully, everyone was welcoming and kind. They helped me build communication skills, understand the science behind cardiovascular research, and develop my leadership skills. I now feel more connected than ever and know that I have a lot of support as I progress on pathway to medicine.

Regarding experimental work and my improved thinking skills, I believe the greatest influence was repetitive failure. When you run into a problem and see no obvious way around it, you must take a step back and approach it from different angles. There were countless times where experiments would need optimization, so I spent a lot of time troubleshooting. One of the greatest tools for thinking I began to utilize was metacognition. This thinking strategy allowed for effective and efficient work.

While the project itself led to transformative events, it was not the only thing that helped build the transformational experience. Choosing a project and progressing through the requirements of STEP offered a great challenge. My path to this research project was not an easy one. I was originally going to travel to London to study its scientific roots; however, covid-19 led to cancelation of those plans. Working with STEP faculty to change my project was valuable as it forced me to branch out and seek help from a lot of different people. The process taught me how to problem-solve, initiate change, and communicate effectively with faculty.

This transformative experience helped prepare me for medical school. The knowledge I gained, connections I built, and skills I progressed shaped me into a stronger applicant. I have big dreams and to achieve those dreams, I must become the best version of myself. I feel that the areas of growth this project targeted are valuable and necessary. I am incredibly thankful for this opportunity and would encourage all students to consider a project in research.

This image is a representation of experimental failure in pursuit of a goal. It often takes persistence to achieve success.

My STEP Project focused on analyzing the activity of the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) MALAT1 in human lymphoma. To study this question, I conducted a literature review, drafted a series of research questions with the help of my advisor, and finally, quantified gene expression using a method new to me, the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

My STEP Project proved transformative in multiple ways. My research being novel, not previously conducted in the same manner, I developed the confidence to ask research questions and gained the skills to identify the most salient points of my project. I also learned how to communicate with those whose skills I can learn to advance my own work. The teamwork that comes from such an association allows research to expand across multiple areas over time. For instance, my work with Dr. Lalit Sehgal and with Anuvrat Sircar allowed me to develop an interest in related areas of study. I will be able to use my new confidence in developing research questions to move forward along these new research paths, hopefully finding a connection between my past, current, and future work. Likewise, I can pass the patience and hard skills they taught me to the next hopeful researcher, acting as the next link in research recruitment.

Fundamental to my growth in this area of study was the patience Dr. Sehgal showed me as I developed my project. He encouraged me to collect background information, emphasizing the importance of understanding the extant information before moving forward. By allowing me to present this information in lab meetings and by agreeing to meet with me when I encountered difficulties, Dr. Sehgal guided me in my inquiry and my professional development alike. Some of the resources he suggested were options with which I had had little previous exposure. GenBank, a database of genes within various biological systems, was one such source. I have since been able to use this resource to gain a deeper understanding of my coursework and the tasks therein. Likewise, data mining the sample sequence for our target information was a new skill that Dr. Sehgal showed me. Using this skill, I may one day be able to more accurately annotate sequences and identify mutations that could be causing the phenotypic change.

Anuvrat Sircar was also immensely helpful in this process. When the lab reopened with new COVID-19 protocols, Anuvrat trained me, showing me how various lab processes occur. The techniques he showed me have been very useful in my Microbiology coursework and continued to be helpful as I used them independently while conducting my research. Many new lab assistants have difficulty trying to understand such math-based tasks such as formulating a master mix for the PCR or understanding what the curves of at RT-PCR chart indicate. Anuvrat was instrumental in my learning these skills. This was much appreciated as these skills have a variety of important functions. He allowed and encouraged me to ask questions during my training and I found that he was available to help me understand various aspects of my project when I was unsure what to do next. These are awareness skills that I hope to bring with me as I establish myself professionally.

These relationships brought me to one of the more exciting parts of my experiment – the analysis of MALAT1’s gene’s activity. Using the information to which Dr. Sehgal and Anuvrat Sircar directed me, I was able to make sense of my collected data, determining the critical information that the long, non-coding RNA MALAT1’s precursor DNA is in fact present in lymphoma cells. While this is an important piece of information to learn, it emphasizes, however, that scientific inquiry constantly builds on itself – not every piece of information learned can be a congratulatory show, but each piece builds on the last to eventually create and interlinked column of discovery that can be applied in many ways. This is perhaps a new way of thinking for me – it is okay if not every question results in a breakthrough. Negative results mark that trail off and allow new, more promising ones to be explored instead. This became an important fact to me because my project is inherently health-based.  I hope that with time, my research may pile up in such a way that it can positively guide future research.

This project is significant to me because it complements and advances my understanding of scientific inquiry in medicine. I hope that my work may one day positively affect those affected by lymphoma. In my research at the James Cancer Hospital, I see many patients dealing with such a difficult condition – they encourage me to keep working. Hopefully, I may one day be able to serve them as a doctor, staying up to date on the latest treatment options and upcoming clinical studies. By conducting this project now, I have been able to strengthen the critical skills that will allow me to find and analyze the research that may most affect my future patients. Only by stating now can I begin to follow new information as it arises. STEP has allowed me to do so and will have a great impact on my future.

My STEP signature project was a research experience, my undergraduate honors research thesis. For this project, I worked in an environmental geochemistry laboratory, and researched the presence of lead in tap water depending on the composition of the building’s service line and the lead sampling protocol used.

One of the key goals I had in completing my two major research projects was deciding a couple things about my research interests and thoughts for the future. The first question I hoped to answer was whether or not a career in environmental contamination research was for me, and if yes, which specific type of environmental contamination did I want to study. Throughout this project, I was paying attention to the concepts I liked about this research, and the parts that I enjoyed more in my internship experience at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for which I studied marine microplastics. My understanding of myself and my future goals changed significantly during this time period. Over the course of my STEP signature project, I honed in on my preferred field of study for post-college jobs and graduate school and gained skills to help me acquire a job. I also strengthened my skills related to research and applying academic knowledge.

My skills in instrumentation and hands-on skills increased significantly throughout the portions of this project involving data acquisition. This study utilized the Clean Hands/Dirty Hands method of trace element sampling, which is a method that must be done carefully to prevent contaminating the samples. Understanding why this is done and how to do it is a valuable laboratory skill that will help me in future research endeavors. Similarly, I analyzed the samples in an Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer to determine the lead concentration in each, as well as an Ion Chromatograph to determine ion concentration. Understanding the process happening within the instrument and the technical processes involved in operating it will be valuable to running analyses on samples in future studies. Analyzing the raw data afterwards to create the results of the study and apply them to the hypothesis is another very useful skill to have.

Taking this data acquired through instrumentation and using it to determine the results of the study was a transformative activity, as was writing and presenting it afterwards. After using JMP and Excel to form graphs and perform statistical analyses, I applied the results to the original hypothesis and extrapolated on what this could mean for the environmental policy guidance being examined. Having the experience of writing each portion of the study into a thesis will be valuable in showing my skills to potential future employers and graduate schools, and makes me more confident in my abilities as a scientist. In addition to writing, I have presented the details of my study at the Denman Undergraduate Research Forum in the form of a poster and have plans to present orally at the Geological Society of America conference in Cincinnati, OH in April. This is transformative to my future careers as this experience can tell potential employers and graduate schools that I have the ability to communicate orally and in writing.

Most importantly, this experience was transformative due to the knowledge it gave me on the field of environmental contaminants and chemistry, and allowed me more insight into which environmental contaminants I plan to study after graduation, and which research areas I find most rewarding. The activities that helped with this the most was in reading previous scientific publications and applying them to my research, as well as comparing this study to my previous research internship in microplastic polymers and additives. While I found the concepts behind organic chemical contaminants more interesting, it was more than made up for in that my STEP project research had direct applications to human health. It is an incredibly rewarding field of study to increase the field of knowledge in areas that directly impact human and environmental health. Similarly, this study has shown me that I prefer to do research that can influence policy. Moving forward, I plan to study organic chemical contamination with the goal of educating public health or environmental legislation, so that agencies such as the EPA or CDC can better protect people.

Having these skills and knowledge are very significant to my life and future career. The way this impacts my personal life the most is that I am very passionate about what I do, and I found it rewarding to put time and effort into researching lead in drinking water. As per my future career, I am confident that this experience makes me a far more qualified candidate to both potential graduate schools and potential employers than I would have been without it. I have plans to work for a couple years and then go to graduate school to obtain a master’s degree or PhD, and I will put the skills gained in this experience to the test when I am working at a future job or designing studies to do for my graduate thesis. More broadly, I have goals to be a career researcher in environmental chemistry, and this experience has opened the doors to other opportunities in research through the skills I gained. Now that I have real research experience under my belt, I know what subject areas I would like to research full-time, after graduating from undergrad.

My STEP Project was conducted in the Baskin Research Laboratory. During my project in the Baskin Lab, I analyzed the role of the novel cardiomyokine GBAS (glioblastoma amplified sequence) on interorgan communication and metabolic rate. Most of my time in the lab was spent analyzing DNA and RNA, doing exercise trials with GBAS overexpressing mice, and developing an in-vivo model of GBAS overexpression through sequencing.

While my STEP project provided me with multiple opportunities to grow academically, it also gave me a greater view of myself and the world. Prior to my work in the lab, I always thought that you needed a degree to conduct research. I viewed bench science as this grand, unattainable goal that I wouldn’t be able to contribute to unless I had a PhD. What I learned through my placement in the lab is that anyone can do research; you just need to be willing to learn. As a member of the lab, I was able to learn new skills, analyze data I collected, and consult with other experts in my field. I felt connected to the work that I was doing, but also to the research community as a whole. The sense of camaraderie I built with the other members of the lab was unexpected, but exciting. My project also taught me that research can be disappointing and frustrating, but that perseverance in the face of adversity totally pays off. Now, as I look forward to a career in the medical field, I want to continue contributing to the scientific community and advance biomedical research.

I have many fond memories of my STEP project that helped contribute to my personal growth. One moment in particular that helped me gain confidence in my research skills was when I first had to learn how to run my mice. Part of the protocol for my project required me to have our GBAS overexpressing mice run on a treadmill. The first time I was asked to do this, I was absolutely terrified. While I had worked with mice at times before, I wasn’t super comfortable handling them while they were alive and energetic. After learning the basics of how the mouse treadmill worked, it was my time to actually run the mice. The first couple times did not go well; I was so scared of touching the mice, taking way longer than I should have to complete the protocol because of my nerves. As I got more comfortable with handling animals, I saw my treadmill run data improving and felt myself get into the groove of exercise research. My growth in this particular skill showed me that with dedication and hard work, I can improve my skills for anything I put my mind to.

While working on my STEP project gave me many successes, it also taught me how to deal with failure. If I’m being fully honest, there were lots of aspects of my project that did not go well. There was a large struggle to get my mice to show the phenotype we were looking for, and weeks of effort felt wasted in an attempt to verify that the mice were genotypically expressing what we wanted. At the beginning of this, I was very discouraged. I felt like I was working so hard just to make no progress. Rather than let myself wallow though, I learned how to get back on my feet and learn how to cope with failure. The constant stumbling pushed me to be a better student and work hard to come up with innovative new solutions to the issues that I was facing. Now, I feel confident in my ability to go forward and succeed after failure in multiple aspects of my life. I’ve learned the value of letting the disappointment roll off my back and focus instead on bettering myself for the next attempt.

Finally, this project showed me how important it is to build connections with others. Throughout my time working in the Baskin Laboratory, I had to work alongside many other scientists to meet my goals. From other members of my lab to my PI to others within my department, I realized the value of fostering genuine connections and asking for help. Because I took on an ambitious project, I needed help from others to make sure that everything got done. Before this project, I usually would have overloaded myself, attempting to take on everything myself. Throughout this project, however, I learned that I had to trust others and communicate effectively so that I could manage all of the moving parts. Since I spent so much time communicating with others in the field, I now feel confident in the network of other STEM professionals that I am connected to. I can even happily call some of them my friends. Going forward, I am going to be more intentional about asking for help when I need it and building community within the spaces that I work in.

Overall, my STEP project has given me skills that are going to be valuable in a multitude of different areas in my life. In the academic sphere, working in undergraduate research gave me skills that will make me valuable for future employers and further education. I have an amazing story to tell about how working in the lab transformed me, something that I think will carry over into the rest of my life. On a personal note, I believe that my STEP project planted the seeds I needed to foster personal growth in many areas of my life that needed it. The confidence, independence, and academic growth I exhibited have me excited about how I will continue to grow in the years to come. I am so grateful to the STEP program for giving me the funding necessary to complete this project, and I will forever be thankful for the transformation that occurred during my project.

Throughout the course of my experience at the Aquatic Ecology Laboratory at The Ohio State University, I had the opportunity to work on several ongoing research projects. I spent my time as a lab assistant processing chlorophyll samples, doing spectrophotometry, counting and measuring an invasive species of plankton from Lake Erie, filling chemicals, and buffering aquatic samples. During my time at the lab, I learned about different chemicals and what they are used for, different methods for aquatic research, and gained experience working in a lab setting with other scientists. 

Leading up to my STEP project, I already had experience collecting scientific data in the field, and had already worked as a park ranger. As someone who isn’t entirely sure of what I want to do in the future, I felt it was important to experience working at a lab. Although every lab operates differently, my entire perception of how science really happens has changed. I understand that there is a designation of responsibilities amongst different classes of workers at a lab. There are the head researchers, coming up with hypotheses, permanent lab assistants, and student lab assistants. It was interesting to see how people communicated in a lab, and how a typical work day goes. My schedule was very flexible, which is a trait I value highly in a work environment and hope to have at future employment opportunities. I enjoyed how my team let me be independent, allowing me to gain confidence and trust in my abilities. I am also someone that finds great peace in repetition; it just doesn’t get boring to me. Some days at the lab I would spend several hours repeating the same process of adding chemicals to samples, and I loved it. This project has given me the opportunity to assess whether I would enjoy working in a lab in the future.

Imposter syndrome is something a lot of people struggle with, especially when they first enter the workforce. I believe my experience at the Aquatic Ecology Lab has given me the confidence I need to feel comfortable enough making tough decisions in scientific research. I feel as though in the past, most homework assignments and other projects are very guided, and your work is checked and graded for errors meticulously. I’ve learned that I am qualified to work as an assistant at a lab, and am quite good at it. 

Throughout the course of my project, I had several devastating things happen to my family. I lost two grandparents in the course of a week, and several weeks after that, my mom was hospitalized and diagnosed with a life threatening condition. I was devastated, and reached out to my advisor at the lab regarding my circumstances. They were so understanding of my situation, and insisted that I put my family first. Working in an environment where I don’t have to sacrifice my mental health, and am able to continue supporting my family during difficult times was transformational. 

Additionally, during my project, I have gotten to know my coworkers’ backgrounds. As someone who is pursuing a career in STEM, it can be difficult to know when to stop or continue your education. I got to know people who have a wide range of degrees, ranging from undergrad, to masters, to a PHD. I got to know what path they took, and what they would do differently if they could. I am grateful to have gotten such powerful advice from other experienced scientists. 

Reassurance is something else I received from my coworkers. Ecology is a difficult field with not a ton of funding. Finding long term careers is difficult and the pay is not so great. As someone who is getting ready to graduate in just a few short months, the idea of applying for jobs is extremely daunting. I am constantly questioning whether I am qualified for the jobs I see online, wondering if I need to pursue a masters. My position in this field is uncertain, and I am not sure what organizations would be willing to hire me with just a bachelor of science degree. I shared some of these concerns with my more experienced coworkers, and it was such a relief just to hear that they have all struggled with these thoughts. Although they confirmed my fears of this being a difficult career field to pursue, it was calming to hear that it is doable, and I will be able to find a job after college. The lab manager assured me that defining success looks different for everyone, and it is okay to take different paths than others. 

This project has given me the confidence to make difficult decisions in science. 

I am more familiar with different chemicals and different ecological techniques. I understand the hierarchy of a lab environment and I now understand exactly how tasks are designated amongst employees. I have been reassured about the future of my career, and am excited to continue working in the sciences. I now understand the pros and cons of having a laboratory assistant job, and I am excited about how much I liked the flexibility and independence of the position. As a soon to be college graduate, gaining this confidence is crucial to my survival in the real world. Especially during such difficult times, being able to say that I have worked as a lab assistant at The Ohio State University means more than I can put into words.

Description of my STEP Signature Project:

During this past Autumn semester, I worked in Dr. Paul Janssen’s cardiovascular physiology lab. I had the opportunity to work on several different projects, focusing on both human and animal mechanisms of cardiovascular function, and gaining valuable insight into the process of scientific inquiry. Overall, my experienced focused on both hands-on data collection, as well as the process of data interpretation and drawing conclusions—both of which helped to strengthen my understanding of the scientific method.

What about your understanding of yourself, your assumptions, or your view of the
world changed/transformed while completing your STEP Signature Project?

I believe these experiences have informed my future aspirations in at least four ways. First, I value a training model in which one studies to be both a scientist and a practitioner, relying on evidenced-based interventions, and likewise contributing to the body of professional literature. I also find the intersection of research and practice to be tremendously productive and fruitful. For instance, I find myself applying an analytical mindset and research-oriented analysis to everyday problems, seeing in this great potential concerning medical diagnosis and treatment. There is also the direct benefit of simply understanding the literature on a given topic, and considering the applied ramifications of research in clinical settings. Second, I have observed several surgeries as a function of my research involvement, and this has spurred interest in the area of applied cardiology. Third, my research involvement has anchored in me the utmost respect for the sacrifice of those who have donated their hearts for the sake of others. This notion resonates with me deeply, as a key aspect of my identity is being a person who strives to help others. Fourth, I have been afforded a significant degree of independence as a researcher, and this has forged a strong ethic of conscientiousness and responsibility. Knowing that I am investigating a donated human heart, I realize that this person’s sacrifice must not go to waste, and regardless of the time of day, or duration of the process, I remain committed to seeing this project through in its entirety, to the very best of my ability–I consider this a personal duty of the researcher. I know this is a characteristic I would hope to find in my own physician, and it is a quality I will continue to embrace throughout medical training.

What events, interactions, relationships, or activities during your STEP Signature
Project led to the change/transformation that you discussed in #2, and how did those
affect you?

I feel very fortunate to be attached to a research lab in which I am personally involved in the procurement of human hearts directly from donors, used immediately in studies focusing on how medications affect cardiac functioning. What began as an introductory experience consisting of general laboratory duties has evolved into numerous and advanced responsibilities. Along with directly assessing cardiac function as a component of existing studies, I am also independently developing and conducting experiments, writing research abstracts and papers, and assisting in problem identification and resolution. In short, I am functioning as a lead team member furthering overall laboratory operations. I find that each of these newfound responsibilities has helped me to grow in my understanding of research itself, and how it can be used to benefit the world around me. When conducting experiments, I have both succeeded and failed in obtaining results numerous times, ultimately furthering my commitment to the work I am doing. When writing papers and abstracts, I am reminded of the universal effort that goes into any such work, and the fact that the small role my article plays could make a difference in someone else’s life. Lastly, I cannot fully express the personal rewards I have experienced working with this team. I believe that asking for help and guidance was something that I initially struggled with when entering this lab, but after learning all that I have through those mentoring me, I not only have come to greatly value this aspect of teamwork, but to even look forward to all the future guidance I will receive in this lab and beyond.

My lab experience stands apart from my other educational experiences due to the scope and depth of my involvement, and the magnitude of what we are accomplishing. It has been a catalyst for personal and professional growth that uniquely exemplifies my entire Biomedical Science specialization. I am awed when I reflect on the gravity of what I am doing, being respectfully present during a donor’s final moments, witnessing the surgery, and then transporting their heart to the lab, committed to doing whatever it takes by way of time and effort to ensure that this sacrifice is put to meaningful use. It is a solemn yet inspiring undertaking.

Next, the strong research emphasis is another characteristic that makes this experience uniquely meaningful, as I am developing an applied scientific skill set that will inform all that I eventually do as a medical practitioner. Additionally, I have moved past being a student and have transitioned into being a colleague and team member, with essential responsibilities, autonomy, and novel contributions that are well-received by other professionals. The relationship with my mentors, anchored in trust and willingness to challenge, has enabled me to grow personally and as a scholar, an important step in my transformation toward becoming a doctor and aspiring professional.

In sum, the diverse experiences I have been a part of through this lab have broadened my outlook on medicine, my understanding of science, my value of teamwork, and my commitment to those who helped advance this lab’s efforts.

Why is this change/transformation significant or valuable for your life?

I have known for several years now that I wish to pursue a career in medicine. While I have remained grounded in this goal since early in my academic career, I believe that certain key experiences in my life have shaped the kind of physician I aspire to be, with my time spent conducting research being one of them. First, I believe this opportunity guided me toward viewing healthcare on a more global and holistic level. Originally, I viewed care as working with an individual on a specific set of problems, and I knew very little about research, the work that is done behind the scenes, which can at so many times affect entire communities. Realizing the magnitude of what can be accomplished through research, I am confident this will remain an avid aspect of my career as a physician. Next, this was one of the most impactful mentoring-based relationships I have had to date. Experiencing both the professional and personal rewards of such a relationship has certainly made this part of academia a priority of mine, and I have already tried to echo the same mentoring styles in my own roles as a leader. Finally, this experience has allowed me to witness firsthand some of the highs and lows of healthcare. At times it was difficult, and at others it was rewarding. Through it all, I have become more aware of the emotional breadth of healthcare, and committed to working towards help others in the future.

My STEP Signature Project was focused with me working in a research laboratory on campus in the field of Biomedical Engineering. During the fall of 2021, I was able to help with research in the Injury Biomechanics Research Center (IBRC). In the IBRC, I was able to help significantly with testing of cadaveric and live subjects in order to collect data to better understand how the human body reacts to different loading mechanisms.

This project gave the opportunity to open my eyes to the world of research. I had never been in a lab before the IBRC, so this experience showed me what exactly “research” is, and all of its benefits with advancing society. Specifically with this lab, I was able to see how different aspects of my life all were determined by research conducted by other people. Specifically with this lab, I was able to see how car crash test dummies can be improved to make safer vehicles for nearly everybody. I had previously never thought about that part of the design process for something I use nearly ever day: somebody behind the scenes was completing biomechanics research in order to provide me with a safer ride. Additionally, this experience showed me that research is a group effort with many people providing different forms of contribution all to the common goal of advancing society. Lastly, I learned that completing some of the biggest projects in research can be achieved through incremental steps along the way.

In practice, my view of the world changed was with practical applications of interdisciplinary teams. In classes, I had worked on multiple team projects with diverse teams from different backgrounds. In this lab, I was able to see this model of teams applied to actual work. Specifically, I worked on a project that utilized the help of students in Athletic Training, Mechanical Engineering, as well as Biomedical Engineering. This multidisciplinary background was extremely useful with different aspects of a project. The athletic training students were able to take body measurements the engineering students had studied, and the engineering students took part in data collection and analysis. Overall, seeing interdisciplinary teams in practice solidified their importance and benefits outside of just the classroom setting.

This experience in the IBRC also demonstrated to me what a career in academia would look like. First and foremost, any career would require a PhD, which entails much more school after undergrad. Laying out different career paths for Biomedical Engineers is extremely useful for me planning out my near- and long-term future. Specifically, I realized that I want to earn a master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, which I had not previously considered. After being accepted into an OSU BME MS program, my future became a lot clearer. A master’s allows me to stay in research for several extra semesters, while also permitting me to pursue my initial goal of work in industry with significantly more background and depth of knowledge in Biomedical Engineering. Overall, my STEP Signature Project aided in making my future plans at Ohio State much more definite.

Lastly, my experience in research allowed me to understand how the scope of several projects can span multiple years. Previously, I had never taken a class for more than one semester, and they rarely had projects extend past several weeks. With research, I had learned about projects that had been occurring for nearly 5 years, and still had significant room to finish. The key to these projects was always keeping an eye on the end goal to formulate incremental steps that guide the path to the ideal outcome. Whether that be something simple such as cleaning and utilizing the equipment in a more efficient manner or something complex with altering data analysis, small manageable actions were key to advancing projects one step further. Building up many of these actions in a row is how you lead to large, impressive final deliverables in the end. With my project and capstone courses, I can take this new understanding and apply it to other projects.

Several key events shaped me in ways that are translatable outside of research completely. Some of my key contributions came on projects that I volunteered to help with. Faculty requested help from undergraduate students, and I answered with my time and effort. This mindset is what will carry over into any profession. Opportunities are there for the taking; they only require a mindset of sticking oneself out to be in a position of taking advantage of those opportunities. In the case of the IBRC, I was able to start working on a project with pediatric shoulder motion that I will then over for future semesters of undergraduate and graduate school. Being involved in something I enjoy and continuously learn from was only possible by me deciding to get my feet wet when I had no idea what that might entail. This notion of making the most of one’s opportunities is what I hope to carry over to any career setting.

Images from IBRC:

Pediatric test dummy in seat for measurements:

Adult male and pediatric crash test dummies before impact testing

For my STEP project, I completed a part of my undergraduate honors thesis. My thesis defense date is in April, so there is still work to be done in Spring 2022. My research attempts to make sense of the significance of such ethnographic change from two angles. The first part of my research investigates how different types of Chinese migrants acclimate to local communities and how they shape local economic and cultural development. The second part gauges ways Africans respond to such demographic shifts through analyzing public opinion data in peer-reviewed articles and relevant cases of conflict and mutual support.

Striving to paint a realistic picture of the struggles and resilience of Afro-Chinese communities in African countries, my work will unveil how social outcomes of the government-led developmental agenda (BRI) are manifested on local levels. The findings will provide valuable insights in understanding the effect of BRI on China-Africa ethnographic integration, which remains a recent phenomenon calling for more research. With the hope to adapt my research paper for mainstream media publications and to present my findings at research forums, I aspire to help the general public overcome bias and bigotry by dissecting esoteric political conflicts into human struggles relevant to our lives.

In my thesis, I examine and connect historical context, economic development data (such as FDI, knowledge transfer, local employment rate, and so on), the presence and absence of cross-cultural organizations, popular opinion studies, and existing ethnography research that documents the lives of Afro-Chinese communities in various African countries. The dominant narrative reduces Chinese involvement in Africa to neocolonialism and notions like “debt-trap diplomacy.” However, my research revealed that the tensions and obstacles that African and Chinese migrant groups face are mostly due to a lack of legislative assistance and socioeconomic initiatives.

Conducting my undergraduate research has inspired me to pursue a Master’s in Social Anthropology to continue exploring the implications of Chinese migration to Africa and the impacts of state agendas on such a phenomenon.

In grad school, I will conduct fieldwork by interviewing a few Chinese migrants and their African counterparts who live in the liminal spaces of multicultural communities. Through my research, I have cultivated the wish to always put human experiences at the center of policymaking.

To translate my research to implementable social actions, I feel inspired to found my NGO one day to design migration support programs. There is a lot of potential in the field I explore to use ethnography to drive effective problem-solving and provide the social support needed for migrants and their receiving communities.

During grad school, I would also love to write a column that expands on my fieldwork, which will document the everyday lives and struggles Chinese migrants face in their new homes. I attempt to find my voice as a writer that amplifies the commonalities between people despite cultural differences.

(There is no relevant image for my research currently. My final thesis will be published in the Knowledge Bank in April 2022.)

1. During my STEP Signature Project, I designed, managed, and carried out a research project to investigate methods to improve detection of microcystin-LR, a liver toxin common to cyanobacterial algal blooms in lakes which is harmful to both humans and ecosystems. In particular, I built three regression models to predict MC-LR concentration in water from Raman spectral data: kernel support vector machine (SVM), deep neural network (DNN), and partial least squares regression (PLSR). As I continue my research, these three models will continue to be compared using root-mean-square-error (MSE) to evaluate their efficacy for predicting MC-LR concentrations in the range of  0.002 to 12 μg/L.
2. Throughout my STEP Signature Project, my ability to collaborate effectively but efficiently significantly improved. Coming into this research project, I assumed that each collaborator would have a distinct role based upon their domain experience. I also underestimated the volume of specialized knowledge I would build that was sometimes not central to the main research question. I assumed that I knew what I needed to learn coming into the project, but in reality, I had to regroup, evaluate what knowledge I had, and discuss my problem with others to see if I might need to add a new, unanticipated tool or method to my skill set. Each of these assumptions were challenged during the course of my project. In reality, my project ended up processing in an atypical sequence, as I had to jump between data collection, data analysis, and re-collection of data several times. As a result of this nonlinear progression, my preparation for collaborations became highly essential in order to use time effectively and learn what changes I needed to make to correct my mistakes during data collection. Additionally, as this project was the first research project I led, my assumptions about prototypical trajectory and goals of research projects were challenged. A key takeaway I had was that in research, it’s okay if you can’t always anticipate all of the possible outcomes. As long as you adopt an open-minded approach and develop robust explanations for results as they are collected, interesting discoveries can be made, or you can at least help point future investigators down the path to discovery. 
3. • Coming into this project, I had the assumption that a research project consisted of discrete opportunities to write a procedure, carry out data collection, analyze a full dataset, and draw conclusions. In reality, few projects in research or industry are completed start to finish with no deviation from the proposal timeline and objectives. The idea that I could be working toward a slightly different goal now compared to the objective I set out to accomplish upon the proposal was not something I expected. In particular, though I am still using Raman spectroscopy and machine learning to predict the concentration of microcystin-LR in water, the motivations for the project have changed from applied to theoretical. As we are collecting data in a controlled environment, the applicability of models trained on a simple solution of distilled water and microcystin-LR have limited overlap with methods that might be used to detect microcystin-LR in the field. However, as a result of the nonlinear progression of my project, I have become interested in exploring the impact different concentrations of the toxin have on the vibration of water. In practice, this means that the focus has shifted to a more fundamental problem exploring the impact microcystin-LR could have on the shape of the peaks in the water region of a Raman spectrum. Conveniently, I can still frame the problem as a comparison of machine learning algorithms to explore the viability of using this phenomenon as a proxy to predict the concentration of the toxin in a controlled environment.  
   • Partially due to the progression of my project, the collaboration that occurred was very nonlinear and heterogeneous in nature. Each conversation I had with mentors in the lab helped me better understand a problem I was experiencing or clarify the solution to a problem. For example, during my data collection, I discovered that the instrument and experimental design I had chosen would not provide high enough resolution to capture the known peaks of microcystin-LR in its fingerprint region. After regrouping a opening a discussion with my PI and my graduate student mentor, they noticed that while we may not be able to distinguish between conventions of microcystin-LR in its fingerprint region, we might be able to use the effect microcystin-LR has on water at different concentrations. This conversation led me to try to measure the concentration of microcystin-LR indirectly by focusing on this Raman signature of the perturbation of hydrogen bonding of water in the samples. As I learned more throughout the research project, I was able to share this knowledge and receive increasingly pointed guidance from my mentors. In retrospect, the repeated rounds of data collection and analysis paired with continuous collaboration with my mentors helped me both obtain higher quality data and build communication, chemistry, and machine learning skills in the process. 
   • Also, I found it particularly helpful to prepare a list of key topics and questions for meetings with my mentors in order to create an environment best suited to forward progress. I came to understand that it is essential to provide concise, up-to-date, goal-oriented updates during meetings in order to receive the best guidance possible during collaborations. For example, during the early stages of my project, I thought it would be helpful to share every small detail that I worked on, even if it wasn’t central to the current problem I was asking for assistance with. However, during the later stages, I built proficiency at concisely communicating only the most important ideas, and keeping the hypothesis at the center of the conversation. It was easy to go down rabbit holes when I was having challenges with instrument resolution, but I learned that it was important to keep moving toward the central objectives I set at the beginning of the project.
4. My next academic goal is to pursue a PhD in Biomedical Informatics, where I am interested in leveraging machine learning to advance diagnosis methods. These transformations during my STEP Signature Project were important to me for two key reasons. First, the experience I gained from planning and building an end-to-end machine learning research project relevant to human health has helped prepare me for future graduate study in biomedical informatics and data science. Second, the general lessons I learned from collaboration and planning during this project will help me become a stronger team member and leader in future professional roles I hold.

Image of 100 vials of microcystin-LR solutions at varying concentrations.

1. My step project was an undergraduate research project that aided to identify the genes conferring disease resistance, yield, and quality traits and, in soybean, examined how best to integrate these alleles for the development of improved varieties. In the lab, we hypothesized that the widespread use of Rps genes has led to shifts in pathogen virulence.
2. Growing up, I have always wanted to be a doctor. Every step in my academic life, extracurriculars, and my free time has all revolved around that. The thought being able to impact someone’s life in a great positive manner and possibly even save it, is an opportunity that many individuals do not get to experience. I want to make sure that the small amount of time that I have in this world can lead me to make a change in people’s lives, and I know being a doctor is something that will allow me to be true to my values and beliefs.

I have chosen to reaffirm my decision of my career path of medicine through getting exposure through undergraduate research within a professional setting. My role within this undergraduate research lab was to aid in ongoing experiments for the study. I participated in ensuring that the plants are growing well and getting the required nutrients, so I was able to assist the team with research documentation as needed. Being in a professional setting was as serious as I anticipated, and it was eye-opening to see how passionate the team was about the research they were conducting. Their passion for research and mine for medicine was very similar and I honestly think it changed by world by reassuring me that my path was right.

3. I formed a lot of amazing relationships with my coworkers at the research lab. This played a big role in reaffirming my career decisions. Everyone I talked to gave me both professional as well as personal advice on how to further my career.

For example, one of the goals that I had when entering this research lab was that it would aid in reaffirming my career path. I hoped that through the professional exposure that I would get through this research project, would make me more confident in my career path. I also believed that this reassurance would inspire me to work harder in my classes so I can make sure I achieve my dream of medical school. Getting that reassurance would greatly impact what steps, decisions, and classes that I will take in the upcoming future.

Through the opportunity that step provided me, this research lab and the people within it, did just that. I was able to see what my future could possibly entails and it inspired me to move further with my life goals. Being able to see the impact that your research provides to others was very honorable and got me excited to pursue my future in medicine.

4. The reassurance changed my life by reaffirming my career path which is a very valuable thing to me. My goal in life is to pursue a career in medicine because patient care is something, I am very passionate about and I think there is no better job or pleasure in life than to be able to help and care for others in need. And through STEP and my research lab members, my goals became clearer to me. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be able to work in a professional setting and can’t wait to see what other opportunities are to come.