Big Ideas Lab, Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University
Using wearable technology to detect early symptoms of COVID-19
Status: Completed
Start and End Date: (Summer 2020- Spring 2021, Spring 2022-)
Description:
I worked in the CovIdentify Project in the Big Ideas Lab during the onset of COVID pandemic. The CovIdentify Project seeks to build machine learning models from wearable device data (such as: heart rate, step count, sleep activity) that predicts early symptoms of COVID-19. The study recruits participant and records their wearable device data to obtain the necessary biomarkers. In addition, the study is coupled with daily symptom monitoring surveys that is accessible on an Iphone application and via email. I worked on various parts of the project including, data pipeline building for the wearable device data, data analysis and visualization of the symptom monitoring survey, and participant recruitment and engagement. https://covidentify.covid19.duke.edu/
GC Focus Connection:
This interdisciplinary project focuses on precision medicine and science communication, both of which are crucial to my GC goals. With large omics data in tissue engineering, the data analysis and machine learning skills I learned in this project will be crucial for creating personalized medicine in tissue engineering. In addition, the science communication skills I learned is important for conversing ethical issue surrounding tissue engineering as well. This project tackles the scientific research and interdisciplinary component of my GC goals.
Segura Lab, Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University
Using MAP hydrogel to increase M2 macrophage growth for wound healing applications
Status: Ongoing
Start and End Date: (Spring 2021 – Fall 2021)
Description:
In Segura Lab, I worked on applications with Microporous Annealed Particles (MAP) hydrogels. MAP hydrogel is a new class of injectable biomaterial that provides an interconnected microporous network, increasing tissue reformation and material degradation. Specifically, I worked with a graduate student to investigate how the microporosity of MAP hydrogels increase M2 Macrophages proliferation. Increased proliferation of M2 macrophages ultimately leads to faster wound healing and tissue regeneration. My task was to make the MAP hydrogels, and image and analyze cells grown under different mesh sizes of MAP hydrogels.
GC Focus Connection:
Investigating wound healing with MAP hydrogels is closely related to my interest in using synthetic biology for tissue regeneration. I seek to build on this study and investigate how MAP hydrogels may affect stem cell growth and differentiation in tissue regeneration, and work towards my goal to create personalized medicine. This research tackles the scientific research component of my GC goals.