FRI allows freshmen CNS students to participate in a research lab with the help of mentors and a research educator. There is a wide array of streams available to choose from which teach specialized skills in chemistry, biology, computer science, etc. As a college freshman, I didn’t know what research entailed or about the diversity that existed within the field. I knew that I wanted to work in a lab that focused on health initiatives through an interdisciplinary approach. DIY was just what I was looking for as it aims to create easy-to-use and accessible diagnostic tools for clinical and environmental health purposes.
My first semester was learning lab techniques such as micropipetting, water processing, DNA extractions, 3D printing, and even introduction to coding. Although it prepared me for working in a research lab, I was not fully sure if I wanted to continue working in the stream. This fall semester we had the opportunity to work on our independent projects and that’s when I knew I had made the correct choice. I saw the diversity of projects flourish from my fellow peers in the lab.
There is a group working on detecting various bio markers in Waller Creek for contamination, another one developing an app that analyzes digit ration, and even a group developing LAMP primers for the detection of a p53 mutation to diagnose cancer. I personally had the chance to develop a bilingual app to serve as a depression diagnostic tool for Latino communities. Addressing health inequities is a topic near and dear to my heart and Dr. Riedel encouraged me to pursue what I wanted to work in. This semester, I continued working on a project created by a previous student. Originally the app focused on diagnostic the mental illness of depression. I had the opportunity to make it my own by changing my focus audience to be Latinos in the US. The app now uses a different diagnostic test and is in two languages.
Through this chaotic mess of a place we call lab and late nights, we have formed friendships between all the current members. For me, coming to lab has become something I look forward to during the day. It is also a place where I feel comfortable seeking the help of others and ‘failing’ when I’m working on my project. You will have the support of your fellow peers, mentors, and Dr. Riedel along the way. Participating in DIY has allowed me to immerse myself in the field of research and learn about the varying fields that it consists of. I used to picture a crazy person in the lab blowing up experiments, but research encompasses SO much more than that. I hope you can give DIY a chance and learn to enjoy it as much as I did.