Research institutes delve into data analytics, DNA sequencing, picture books

Eastern Connecticut State University began its summer session with three week-long summer research institutes, culminating in a final presentation on June 6 in the Student Center Theater. Students and faculty from the art, business, and biology departments collaborated on projects and showcased results to their peers.

Business administration Professor Fatma Pakdil gave her students an opportunity for undergraduate research in her institute titled “Data Analytics-Oriented Undergraduate Research: Industry 4.0 and Big Data Analytics in Healthcare.” The institute focused on building technologies that benefit the healthcare industry. 

“We are focusing on total hip replacement, total knee replacement patients, length of stay, and readmission probabilities,” said Pakdil. “Students are volunteering for this because they want to learn more about undergraduate research. They can get a lot of good information out of this program from improving skills like data analytics.” 

Junior data science major Henry Bustell explained that the project showed him how to work with real-world databases with practical applications. “The experience in the summer research institute with Professor Pakdil has been beneficial for me,” he said. “I enjoyed learning more about the healthcare industry, as well as interacting with the other participants who also seemed interested.”

Art Professor Lora Lee’s students bound art with prose in her institute, “Tell Your Story Through Picture Books.” According to Lee, storytellers learned how to plan, write, and illustrate books that reflected their voices and personal stories. 

“Books are a powerful medium. They allow us to express creativity, connect with like-minded people, and produce something tangible that’s fun to make, read, and hold,” said Lee. “I’ve always been amazed by how creative and unique our students are. They have so many ideas and compelling stories to tell.” 

Senior art major Nathan Greene said that the project challenged him to consider a variety of artistic media when crafting his book. “Since the premise of the project is photo editing as opposed to traditional illustration, I’ve ended up creating art that’s different from anything I’ve done before,” he said. 

He continued: “This institute has been a really great opportunity to socialize and find a way to do something meaningful over the summer.”

Biology Professor Barbara Murdoch’s students experimented with DNA sequencing in her institute, titled “Hands-on Undergraduate Research with Cutting-Edge Sequencing Technology: Transforming Abstract Concepts into Tangible Discoveries.” According to her, the project brought together students from a variety of scientific disciplines to experiment with powerful research technology that’s not typically available to undergraduates. 

“The participants included biology, psychology, and health sciences majors, none of whom had prior experience with molecular biology or DNA sequencing,” said Murdoch. “The participants are to be commended for their phenomenal results from DNA sequencing, interpretation of their data, and for their poster presentations.” 

Sophomore health sciences major Felicia Silva explained that she and her fellow participants were the first at Eastern to utilize some of the cutting-edge technology. “We got hands-on experience using Nanopore sequencing technology that allowed us to better understand and communicate the diversity of life,” she said. “This research institute was a valuable learning experience because of the engaging material.” 

Senior biology major Zachary Kelly served as a peer mentor to Murdoch’s students and was able to provide himself and the students with layers of new experiences.  

“Whether or not they realize it yet, the experience the students went through is nearly akin to that of a workplace or independent study,” said Kelly. “The institute gave me a chance to test my communication and educational skills as I guided students through this process.”