In general, I find many different things interesting, and I think this summer has definitely allowed me to both discover new interests and to focus the scope of my interests. My project revolved around data analysis, and although I may not have acquired much experience in wet lab procedures, the tools I have been using to manipulate, visualize, and ultimately analyze and learn from big data is a practical skill I can see many applications for. In the beginning I remember being extremely intimidated by how to even begin tackling a big data problem – it felt like information overload. The main purpose of my research was to generate a more practical algorithm to detect atrial fibrillation, and it was rewarding to actually be able to create a robust and specific model by personally choosing the important features I wanted from the vast amount of potential features assessable.
I didn’t expect my summer to involve so much independent work, but I think the independence I was given during my project truly gave me a taste of what it’s like to ask my own questions and learn how to navigate big data to attempt to answer those questions. Although I was fortunate enough to be given a lot of independence, I relied heavily on the guidance of my mentor, Dr. Henriquez, and am extremely grateful to have been able to discuss and work out problems with him.
Hearing from so many faculty about their research and just being surrounded by so many fellow peers and mentors who have a passion for science has been an extremely inspiring environment. I love listening to people talk about what they are passionate about (I know that must sound like a weird favorite thing to do). But passion, especially passion for science, is definitely contagious. I am so thankful to have been given the opportunity to participate in this program. As of now, my future goal is to focus my interests and discover what about the biomedical field I can see myself passionately exploring and affecting (and infecting?) others with.
