When I was originally looking at the different FRI streams as a freshman, I didn’t really have a particular area of research that I felt very passionately about, but I did have some interest in the areas of biological and medical research. Coming into FRI, I also didn’t have any prior research experience, so I was looking for a FRI stream that would be a good fit for my academic interests while also allowing to me gain a broad range of skills and experiences. When I first heard about the DIY Diagnostics stream, it seemed to have many of the qualities I was looking for in a FRI stream. The main reason I chose the DIY Diagnostics stream was that it seemed to offer a very holistic experience in research. It allows students to learn not only wet lab techniques but also coding skills as well, and this was a skill I really wanted to get some exposure to. Also, the people I met who were already part of the stream all seemed like really nice people, and they reassured me that prior research and coding experience was not required to do well in the stream. The structure of the lab also seemed a little more relaxed and flexible than some other streams, which I liked.
Through my time in the DIY Diagnostics stream, I have gained some useful skills and experiences. Learning how to code was quite a struggle for me, and I still have a lot to learn. However, I definitely know more than I did when I started, and I feel that I have the foundation I need to keep learning on my own. I have also learned how to use many different types of laboratory equipment and proper laboratory techniques. In addition to the personal skills I have developed, I have also had the opportunity to be exposed to some really cool projects in the DIY Diagnostics Lab. One that I have personally worked on is the UV Wearable Project, where we have been creating a UV Wearable that can calculate total UV exposure that a person receives over time. Another really interesting current project is the Parkinson’s Keystroke Analysis Project, which is using analytics of typing to diagnose the progression of Parkinson’s Disease.
Besides just gaining research experience, I feel that being a part of the DIY Diagnostics stream has been very beneficial to my overall success so far at UT. Mostly, this has been because of the awesome team of people I have met through DIY. From the very beginning, group work was encouraged, and since a lot of time is spent in lab, there was a lot of bonding time. Working together with my peers in the DIY Diagnostics lab made me understand how much of a collaborative effort science and research truly is. This lesson extended past just working in the lab. It also made me realize how beneficial collaboration can be in studying for other classes as well. I have made many good friendships through my participation in the DIY Diagnostics stream. It has provided a good network of people for things such as studying, scheduling advise, and general moral support!
While I have learned a lot of useful skills in the DIY Diagnostics stream, I also learned one really important thing about myself: research is not something that I want to do with my life. I went into FRI not really expecting to love research, but I did go in with an open mind. I have learned a lot and had some really great experiences, but I personally do not like doing research that much. It can be an incredibly frustrating and long process, and more often than not, things don’t work out the way you expect them to. Although I have found that research is not really my “thing”, I am very glad that I had the opportunity to participate in the DIY Diagnostics Stream. I learned a lot not only about science and research but about myself as well.
-Meghana