DIY Diagnostics was my top pick for the FRI stream sort because the research stream promised a variety of experiences and the opportunity to guide the direction of the research. For example, learning how to code apps strengthened my computer science skills at a level still possible for non-CS majors. I also recognized the potential applications for at-home diagnostics in the medical field, my career path goal.
Since I am a pre-med student, it follows that the FRIome project is my absolute favorite “substream” in DIY Diagnostics. The name plays homage to the FRI while referencing thebiome the project concerns—the human oral microbiome. Simply put, the FRIome project is about finding correlations between the type and abundance of bacteria in your mouth and your health. There are many reasons why I am fascinated by this project. 1) Saliva is much easier to sample than blood or stool and may contain just as much information about what is going on in the human body. 2) Humans have very close relationships with the microorganisms living in or on their bodies—this is a vastly underutilized resource for diagnostics in medicine. 3) Wouldn’t it be cool to spit on a small, cheap sampling device that you could buy in any pharmacy, plug it into your smartphone, and immediately learn whether you have low blood sugar, gingivitis, or the flu? (And maybe even send this information to your doctor right away?)
Whenever people ask me about what I do in my research stream, I talk about the big picture: the creation of inexpensive and easy-to-use diagnostics. Everybody gets excited about DIY Diagnostics. Sci-fi stories have been predicting the future of diagnostic tools for decades (think the tricorder from Star Trek)!
And if I am asked whether it was a good idea to dive into research without any prior experience—I believe beginning research as a freshman (especially in a diverse stream like DIY Diagnostics) was highly beneficial for my development as a scientist. I had fewer preconceived notions about what research entailed and was open to learning anything. In addition, applying the concepts I was learning in lectures to my research in the lab let me experience a sense of discovery. The potential for endless discovery is what has made me a scientist for life, even if I do not plan to continue as a researcher.
Being in research in general at UT has many benefits: hands-on experience, skill-building (including time management), meeting people with similar academic interests, and connecting with faculty. But compared to what students in other labs get to do, I think my research in DIY Diagnostics is much cooler. I have participated in projects that incorporate chemistry, biology, statistics, computer and environmental science. I have coded my own app and designed and executed my own hypothesis-driven experiments. I have contributed to decisions regarding how the FRIome project will proceed in the future. I am a part of original research that has definite, real-world applications in the future.
I would recommend DIY Diagnostics to any students that enjoy open-ended experimentation and variety. If possible, I would also recommend staying on for the summer—I got to know the other people in the stream better by researching over Summer 2014. I was also able to focus on the FRIome project and really become engaged in the work I was doing.