1. Please provide a brief description of your STEP Signature Project. Write two or three sentences describing the main activities your STEP Signature Project entailed.

My STEP Signature Project involved me taking part in manufacturing research. Over the course of a few months, our team created an intelligent system that could autonomously coat aircraft parts and improve itself with human feedback through an augmented reality environment. More specifically, I designed, developed, and integrated a novel user interface in an augmented reality environment. I worked specifically on honing my development skills as well as learning the industry standard.

2. What about your understanding of yourself, your assumptions, or your view of the world changed/transformed while completing your STEP Signature Project? Write one or two paragraphs to describe the change or transformation that took place.

Over the course of this project, I learned a great deal a great deal about the field I intend to go into. With the majority of my computer science experience coming from course material, I had grown used to the constrained nature of academic assignments along with the objective grades associated with them. Once I began my STEP project, I quickly realized this experience would be quite different. The questions and problems are so incredibly open ended there were times where I didn’t even know where to start. It’s not like a class project where I can look at the notes, see we learned about a certain data structure or algorithm, and use that. This project really showed me the open-endedness of the problems in the field and forced me to learn how to apply the foundations I learned in my coursework to construct a possible solution to these problems.

I also learned a lot about myself during this project. Before I started this, all of my personal projects were half baked ideas that only got worked on for about a week before being lost to the sands of time. Because of the challenging nature of this project, I had to force myself to be productive in a way that I have never had to before. Like most procrastinators, the fear of the deadline is a main motivator, and as a result work does not get done unless there is a deadline. With the only deadline being months away, it was difficult to get started din the beginning. To try to get around this, my coworker and I created something called a sprint sheet and applied the agile development methodology, a common standard in many software development roles, to create artificial deadlines. This is now something I use not only in other group projects I take part in, but also my personal life. On top of this, I also learned a lot about how to better communicate with people in the ways I would have to in industry.

3. 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? Write three or four paragraphs describing the key aspects of your experiences completing your STEP Signature Project that led to this change/transformation.

I learned about the open-endedness of my field almost immediately when I started. On the first day, I was handed a HoloLens and was told that it somehow had to connect to our ROS network (essentially, it needed the ability to commutate to the rest of the robotic system). Development for the HoloLens is already a very niche topic, let alone trying to make it communicate with ROS, another very niche topic. The open-endedness and lack of material on the subject made it incredibly difficult to make progress at first. However, extensive research and testing with the tools available allowed me to find a solution and move on to implementing the rest of the project.

While implementing this project, the way I think about my coursework transformed as well. In the past it has been purely a numbers game. Do whatever it takes to get a good grade. While getting good grades is a generally beneficial thing, it is entirely possible to get good grades while also learning nothing. For some topic and classes, this is exactly what happened. There were many cases where I had to apply the things I learned in class. For example, the error calculation for our path planning took too long on the HoloLens’ limited resources and as a result we had to move it onto a different thread to help the frame rate, a topic that I learned about in my Systems II class. We also had to implement our own custom data types and we had to choose our foundational data structures, topics I learned about in Foundations II and Software II. Without the knowledge gained from these courses, I would not have been able to complete the work I did especially in the capacity that I was able to. This clear application as truly changed the way I will approach my future courses.

Lastly, this project has transformed my communication abilities. Before this, I was not very good a public speaking and was generally unable to clearly communicate my points. As I mentioned earlier, I had used the agile development methodology to help me make progress on my work. Part of this system involved giving a weekly “stand up” which consists of talking about the progress that was made in any given weeks along with roadblocks and other updates. This weekly update helped me learn how to deliver technical updates in a clear and concise manner, a skill that will be incredibly useful in my career. During this project, I also attended a poster session where I presented the work I had completed. This was my first time at a poster session and the first time I had to present something I had put all of my time and effort into. While it was incredibly challenging at first, I was eventually able to get the summary of my work down, and I was able to clearly portray how and why implemented thing the way I did as well as why my research was important.

4. Why is this change/transformation significant or valuable for your life? Write one or two paragraphs discussing why this change or development matters and/or relates to your academic, personal, and/or professional goals and future plans.

The skills I learned and the transformations that took place during this project will be incredibly helpful throughout my career. When I first started, I had to learn how to effectively use new technologies, frameworks and languages that I have never used before and apply them to an problem I had no idea how to solve. This taught me how to learn incredibly quickly and taught me how to use that new information to solve problems that don’t really have an answer. Talking with the people I met during this project has taught me that many of the problems and projects in the field are similar and will not go away any time soon, making this a great skill to have as I try to progress my professional career.

The transformation of my communication skills will also be incredibly useful, not just for my academic career but in just about every aspect of my life. The ability to clearly and effectively communicate points, especially in a technical position, is very useful and the practice and help I got during this project is incredibly valuable.

printhandler.ashx (pdf version since the image is blurry)

 My STEP Signature Project involved working as an undergraduate researcher at the Woyach lab at The Ohio State University. I primarily focused on the BTK (Bruton’s tyrosine kinase) and MALT1 (Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1) pathways in the context of blood cancers, particularly chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). My main activities included conducting experiments with BTK cells, analyzing the role of c-MYC and CLYD-NT in these pathways, and using various lab techniques, such as Western blot analysis, cell culture, and media preparation.

Completing my STEP Signature Project led to a significant transformation in my understanding of myself and my academic interests. Prior to this experience, I had never worked in a wet lab setting, and I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy it. However, I discovered that I had a strong passion for laboratory work, and I found it far more enjoyable than I had initially anticipated. I not only gained valuable technical skills, like proficiency in various lab techniques, but I also developed a deeper appreciation for research and its potential impact.

In addition to discovering my passion for laboratory work, I was fortunate to gain invaluable technical skills during my project. These skills included performing Western blot analysis, preparing and maintaining cell cultures, creating specialized cell culture media, Real-Time PCR, and overall learning how to read all the lab data found. These practical abilities not only empowered me to actively contribute to the lab’s research but also broadened my horizons, enabling me to engage with a wide array of scientific techniques that I had only previously encountered in textbooks. This transformation in my technical proficiency has broadened my capabilities as a pre-med student, setting me apart as someone who is not only academically driven but also equipped with practical skills gained from a research setting. This newfound passion and skill set have not only enriched my academic journey but also opened up new doors for personal growth and exciting professional opportunities.

 Several factors contributed to the transformation I experienced during my STEP Signature Project, as I transitioned from a first time lab undergraduate researcher to a more confident and capable contributor in the laboratory. Working closely with my lab mentor and principal investigator (PI) was pivotal in this journey. Their mentorship allowed me to forge a stronger connection with them, creating a supportive and collaborative environment where I felt comfortable asking questions and seeking guidance. It was through these interactions that I learned not only from my mentor’s expertise but also from their deep-seated passion for research. Witnessing their dedication and enthusiasm further ignited my own eagerness to explore the scientific world.

Engaging in hands-on experiments and immersing myself in scientific literature played a crucial role in my transformation. I rapidly honed my skills and learned how to read and comprehend complex research articles effectively, a skill indispensable for future academic and professional endeavors. Discussing research findings with lab members during group meetings and informal conversations broadened my perspective and enhanced my ability to critically evaluate scientific information. These interactions not only exposed me to different research approaches but also allowed me to contribute meaningfully to the collective knowledge within the lab, reinforcing my sense of belonging and purpose.

Furthermore, my involvement in lab meetings and presentations helped me build my confidence and communication skills. Presenting my research findings and engaging in discussions with colleagues, including more experienced researchers and faculty, not only bolstered my understanding but also enhanced my ability to articulate complex scientific concepts. These experiences were instrumental in shaping my identity as a researcher and contributing to my overall personal and professional development.

The change I underwent during my STEP Signature Project holds immense significance for my academic, personal, and professional aspirations. As an aspiring medical student, this experience has provided me with a robust foundation in research, enhancing my capacity to critically assess and interpret medical literature. This skill is invaluable for my academic journey, as it equips me with the ability to stay abreast of the latest medical advancements and incorporate evidence-based practices into my future medical career. Furthermore, the project reaffirmed my passion for research, and I am now committed to continuing this pursuit throughout my medical career. I aspire to contribute to the ever-evolving body of medical knowledge, actively engaging in research that can advance patient care and therapeutic interventions. The transformation in my perspective and skill set, rooted in this research experience, has not only enriched my academic pursuits but has also opened doors to profound personal growth and exciting professional opportunities in medicine and research.

Here is a picture of my first western blot before adding the secondary antibody and wash for the project I was doing over the summer.

My STEP Signature Project  

I worked as an undergraduate research assistant in the Z-lab, a developmental cognitive neuroscience lab, and I helped to collect and analyze fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and DTI (Diffusion Tensor Imaging) data for two projects! The first project I assisted on used fMRI data to investigate a uniquely human area of the brain that is selective to visual word forms (the VWFA or Visual Word Form Area) and how it develops. I also began a second project for which I am playing a more integral role, which is using DTI data to create a white matter atlas of the structural connections between subject-specific functionally defined regions of interest (in simpler words, we are mapping which areas of the brain that are active during various cognitive functions are connected to each other via bundles of myelinated axons).

A Metamorphic Transformation!

My STEP Signature Project transformed my understanding of my strengths and capabilities, confirmed and added nuance to my academic interests, and revolutionized my understanding of academic research! For one, working as a research assistant has grown my confidence in my ability to effectively apply field-specific skills including conducting MRI scans and participant interactions, analyzing fMRI and DTI data, completing literature searches, coding and debugging, and participating in experimental design. I also became much more confident in several soft-skills, including public speaking, presenting research-related topics in academic settings, staying organized while working on complicated projects, and group collaboration. Essentially, I came to realize that I can thrive in research settings, as well as professional settings more generally. 

My research experience was also my first time applying the concepts that I have learned in my neuroscience courses beyond the classroom by investigating novel concepts in the field. Enjoying this generative process, in addition to the more absorptive process of learning in undergraduate classes, reinforced that I am studying a field that I love and to which I can contribute productively! My understanding of academic research was also transformed! I learned just how much intentionality goes into each step of the research process. I realized that at the day to day level, research is often tedious, but that I enjoy the problem solving required to move past each setback. With a new and thorough understanding of what cognitive neuroscience research entails, I am now thoroughly confident that the field aligns with my interests and skills.

What sparked this transformation?

Learning fundamental skills in data organization and analysis helped me become a much more competent and confident contributor to the field of cognitive neuroscience research! Our computer system runs using Bash, which I was completely unfamiliar with prior to my STEP Signature Project. In Bash, I learned how to run scripts to complete various functions and to register files (like MRI activation data) from one time point to another or from one brain space to another. I also learned how to use MATLAB to create subject-specific functional regions of interest and to analyze functional connectivity using resting state data, both of which are widely applicable techniques in cognitive neuroscience. Furthermore, I became familiar with how to use Freesurfer (brain imaging software) to view images and run visual data quality checks. Learning these essential skills has made me a much more confident cognitive neuroscientist! 

Over the course of my STEP Signature Project, I completed two presentations at lab meetings, which are weekly meetings that all members of my lab attend. For my first presentation, I spoke about a new original research article in the field and how its results related to ongoing projects in my lab. For the second presentation, I presented the outline of the new DTI research project and how previous research sets up our project to acquire novel findings. These presentations required me to not only work through my fear of public speaking, but to learn how to present and synthesize academic research topics in a clear and concise way. Not only did I gain widely applicable presentational and public speaking skills, but I also became much more confident in these areas in which I previously harbored a lot of self-doubt because I received very positive feedback from my research mentors. Working on my new DTI project along with my graduate student mentor also helped me develop other soft skills in collaboration and communication, since it is vital for us to work together effectively and be on the same page. 

Throughout my STEP Signature Project, the welcoming support and mentorship that I received from my lab mates played a significant role in the tremendous amount of learning, growth, and enjoyment that I experienced! I worked closely with two graduate students, who both taught me the fundamental skills but also challenged me to explore new techniques on my own (with their help close at hand if I got stuck). Since they encouraged me to constantly try new methods, my problem solving skills advanced significantly and quickly. However, they were always willing to go out of their way to answer my questions and my mentors always took the time to explain the “why” and “how” behind each technique. They also did a great job providing feedback on my work, which played a significant role in my major confidence growth. Knowing that my mentors found me to be a capable and productive researcher made me realize that I can be a valuable contributor to the field of cognitive neuroscience! 

The Future?! 

Because I so thoroughly enjoyed the research process, My STEP Signature Project helped me realize that I would like to earn a PhD in either cognitive neuroscience or clinical psychology! In the shorter term, my experiences also led me to decide that I will be continuing my research in the Z-lab through graduation, and I even intend to complete an undergraduate thesis! Additionally, the improvements in my academic research skills, presentational skills, public speaking ability, interpersonal skills, and confidence will all be advantageous for the rest of my career trajectory! While the softer skills that I improved will be beneficial for the rest of my professional career, the research specific skills will certainly be handy while I conduct research in a PhD program! After earning my PhD, even if my career is not directly tied to academic research, it will be incredibly helpful as a scientist to have a first-person understanding of the research process. 

Perhaps most importantly, the confidence that I gained in my ability to dive head-first into new and challenging experiences will motivate me to be more adventurous and open to novelty in all aspects of my life. I will understand that the discomfort that comes with inexperience in a new job or endeavor is not only completely normal, but also a prolific motivator to push ahead and learn more! 

Prerana Rao

October 2^nd, 2023

STEP Project Reflection: Studying Nociceptive Receptor presence in Elasmobranchii

My 2023 STEP Project was Undergraduate Research at a Neuroscience and Developmental lab at California State Northridge. In particular, I worked in the DeBellard lab studying presence of nociceptive receptors within sharks. This entailed frequent usage of immunohistochemistry which is a technique that stains neural or general tissue with antibodies that will bind to the proteins of interest.

Before working in this lab, I was wrestling with the typical college student dilemma of contemplating my major. I had just decided to switch from Microbiology to Neuroscience and was both excited and nervous to experience the environment of a Neuroscience lab. However, this lab helped me realize how much of a deep interest I have in Neuroscience, particularly in understanding the cellular and molecular origins of how our nervous system works. Being able to utilize a technique and understand how it works and the purpose behind it showed how much I value being able to understand our cognitive and neurological functions down to its very core.

This allowed me to better understand what I want out of the remainder of my undergraduate experience. I now know that I want to learn about neuroscience, but in an application that is less psychological and behavioral and more molecular. I want to take courses that examine how our nervous system affects various biological processes in our bodies: courses such as Neurogenetics, Developmental Neuroscience, Stem Cells and the Brain, and much more. It also has helped me navigate how I want to continue after graduating from undergrad. I have now solidified my feeling towards aiming to get into a PhD program. My current research at OSU in conjunction with the research I completed over the summer has confirmed my interest and passion towards research. I look forward to being able to navigate further opportunities for research and am excited that I finally have a distinct pathway to follow in the future.

One of the first interactions to happen to me that was impactful was when I came into lab and the post doc in charge of training me gave me time to read the grant proposal for their ongoing research project. When I started working as an undergraduate research assistant at OSU, I often felt that with the overwhelming number of techniques to learn I didn’t have time to sit down and truly grasp the overview of what is I was working on. In my summer research experience, having the ability to look at the breakdown of the hypothesis, the scientific background, and the methods that would be used really helped me catch on when trying to understand the purpose behind why we were doing certain experiments.

I was also able to positively interact with many of the members within the lab. There was a mix of undergraduate students, graduate students, post docs, and more. All of these members were incredibly welcoming, and I was able to discuss their experiences in a way that helped me frame what I wanted to do. I was able to learn alongside the undergraduate students, experiencing moments where they were able to teach me the knowledge they knew and I them. I was able to also talk to graduate students currently in the process of receiving their PhD and they gave me advice on important courses to take, and how to start the process of looking for PhD programs that interest me.

Despite how positive my interactions with others was, one of the most impactful momens I experienced at the lab was in a day where I was allowed to work on my own and complete an experiment. In this day I was given liberty to structure my lab schedule and complete the necessary experiments like immunohistochemistry to stain for nociceptive proteins and qPCR to study relevant genetic sequences. I was in lab for a while, and had to figure out many small details on my own. I frequently have questions while carrying out lab protocols, and rely on whoever is training me to help me. But in this moment, having the independence that forced me to decipher the protocol on my own instilled a confidence in me that I didn’t previously have.

This entire experience was very valuable to me and my life as a student. The semester before I was having a crisis on what I wanted to do with the remainder of my time here. I was burnt out from taking the required coursework of my major at the time, and felt this nagging feeling in the back of my head. I took time to reflect and realized that the major I had chosen for myself up until that point wasn’t right for me. I had always had an interest in Neuroscience, since I was a child, but because of limited exposure to academia I didn’t realize there was an avenue where I could study cellular and molecular sciences within Neuroscience. I made the switch to the neuroscience major, but still was incredibly nervous since I had spent the last two years focusing on a very different aspect of science. The experience I had in this lab was the positivity I needed to convince myself that I had chosen the right pathway for myself. Learning all the new techniques I did, and seeing this innate interest in what I was learning for the first time in a while was a welcome feeling for me, especially since I had been feeling so lost before. I now understand what aspects of Neuroscience I like and which ones I prefer less, and I also know that I want to continue working in a research oriented environment in the future which is why I have decided to follow a PhD program.

1 – My STEP project involved me being a research assistant in a project within the College of Public Health. My role was collecting data regarding the availability and accessibility of healthcare providers according to Affordable Care Act Marketplace insurance databases.

2 – I think the biggest transformation occurred in my worldview. Healthcare access affects millions of Americans, especially lower income individuals and families. I had a first hand look at how difficult it was to obtain doctors appointments. Without the opportunity to view these hardships, I never would’ve understood what it is like to have to work around work schedules and having kids to schedule a doctor’s appointment. On top of the availability of one’s schedule and the doctor’s schedule, many individuals have to worry about transportation and sometimes the nearest available doctor could be well over 10 miles away.

One understanding about myself was that this is an area that I want to pursue going forward. I want to advocate for people that cannot advocate for themselves. Many of these families that are impacted by a lack of access to healthcare providers do not have the opportunity to push for better availability of providers. I want to help expand the scope of healthcare providers so that people don’t have to worry about where their care will come from. As long as they can get care and pay for the care then that is all that matters.

3 – One activity that led to the transformation was investigating all the different insurance databases. While searching through different insurance providers (United Healthcare, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, etc.), I discovered the number of healthcare providers that weren’t within a reasonable distance for a person to drive to. On top of that, I investigated the appointment availability for healthcare providers which was drastic. It is hard to receive necessary care if there aren’t enough providers offering care. 

A few interactions also led to my transformation during this project. I talked to many doctors’ receptionists throughout the projects. They were understanding and very helpful in looking at schedules. One thing that really stood out to me was their empathy that they had for people that had to work around work and life to get to the doctor. One quote that I remember was “I know how hard it is to get appointments post-COVID.”

Lastly, discussions with my principal investigator helped strengthen my understandings about myself and my assumptions about America’s healthcare system. She shared similar values about the healthcare system requiring reform. There aren’t enough doctors to provide care to all the people. People either cannot get to the doctor or schedule appointments. These discussions allowed me to express how I want to make my impact in the world.

4 – This transformation is valuable to my life because it gave me direction. Public health is such a large field, and after this project I feel like I have a better understanding of how I want to apply myself in public health practice. It is a personal goal to advocate for people that cannot advocate for themselves. I have developed a sense of urgency to make change and health policy is the way I am going to do it. The direction that I gained showed me a clearer path for my academic goals within graduate school after graduation.