The Methods to My Madness

Hey readers!

It's been a productive few days -- here's what I've been up to! This past week, I've been working on my Methods Assignment, where we were given the task of honing in on the methods of 4 (I did 5) sources, examining their methods, and applying their findings to my initial idea of my methods. Since I turned it in yesterday, here's what some exciting new information I found.

Dab, Squidward...Dab!

Although going into this project, I definitely knew I'd need a quantitative method to perform tests to optimize the HemaDrop preparation method to create uniform thin solid films of blood. I was like Squidward in this parade: I knew what I wanted to do (dab, aka develop a solid experimental design), but I need some instigation.

Nonetheless, studying the methods of others allowed me to determine specifically the type of experimental procedure I want to conduct. Additionally, sources, like Acharya et al and Dar et al, emphasized the importance of using controls in experimental studies. In this way, I can prove causation from the results from using hyper-hydrophilic films by manipulating variables in a controlled manner.

Triggered...

Additionally, the important aspect of all procedures was the emphasis on consistent, reproducible sample preparation. For this, I definitely need to establish a clear protocol for sample preparation. Another aspect I realized about my methods was that to check sample variability, more participants should be used than just me. In this way, I can greatly increase the validity of my study. To get these participants, I will need to adapt our current IRB approval and consent forms to apply directly to my project. I feel good about this, as I was part of the IRB approval process at ASU, so I have some level of experience. The laboratories we work at are already Biosafety Level 2, which is required for obtaining human blood samples. In this way, my research will also be ethical. I will most likely use fellow interns as participants (convenience sampling), as they will be willing to be pricked (even though it's painless) and at the lab anyways.

That's me crossing over my methods section and nailing the 3-pointer.

An unexpected part of my methods that I uncovered with the methods assignment was that I definitely want to incorporate qualitative observations into my methods. As seen in Acharya's thesis, specific criteria like phase separation, cracking, cratering, and lack of uniformity can be used to classify samples and explain quantitative results. This will really give my research a holistic perspective that would otherwise be lacking.

I also realized that our procedure for capillary sampling can be much more streamlined. Although we did use the correct grade lancet for pricking finger tips, specific procedures, like those outlined in Fan et al, which employ rubefacients (dilate the capillaries) and capillary tubes, increase the validity of the results, as those are the standard of care for obtaining microliters of blood from patients.

Capillary sampling in action!

By following a more standardized procedure, our results can be more standardized and replicable.

Now... what am I worried about?? 

Rip...

A major concern that I have with my research right now is making sure I have enough time to collect data and perform all my experiments within a few weeks. I'm trying to fix this by planning out a clear schedule with Dr. Herbots and getting ahead on testing by starting in January (probably). By next week, I should have a clear picture of my research plan and get a headstart on my proposal!

Well, in the meantime, let's keep loving blood and doing some fun research!

Cheers,
Yash

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Started from the Bottom, Now I'm Here...

Hey readers!

Wow, it's been way too long... more than a month! Since I last posted, so many things have changed (good and bad) -- my literature review has been finished, I submitted some college applications, the weather is nice now, and Donald Trump was elected president. Other things haven't -- the Cardinals suck, the mini-dab is still fashionable, and Ashwath's memes are dank as ever.

Before I get into the meat of my post, I'm super excited to announce that at the 2016 American Physical Society Fall Meeting at New Mexico State University, I presented the research we've done so far on HemaDrop™ and got an award for best undergraduate presentation. Here's the link to a video of my presentation! The reason I'm talking about this experience on my blog -- apart from trying to maximize the views on that video -- is that I think that AP Research, Mrs. Haag and Dr. Herbots's help, the comments from you guys, and my literature review allowed me to understand and articulate information about my project in a way I never could before. So, thanks for that!

That's me getting the certificate and cash from Dr. Zaniewski!

Now, I'm going to talk about how far I've come, where I'm at, and what I have to do. First off, I think I've come a long way from the beginning of the year. Even though it may seem like I had an idea and project from the get-go, I have grown to embrace what I originally feared -- the actual mechanisms of creating a hyper-hydrophilic film. Before, the complexities of surface-energy coatings and substrate smoothness made me a nervous, but since that was where my research gap is, now I am all about those 2 topics. Additionally, I learned much more about the implications of my research and the importance of microliter blood analysis. Although I knew vaguely about anemia, I never understood the nuances of hospital-acquired anemia that I found through the conversation between sources like Thakkar et al, van der Bom et al, and Salisbury et al. Moreover, explaining my project to Mrs. Haag and writing it all out helped me think about HemaDrop in a completely different way, with greater connections between disparate parts like blood properties, hyper-hydrophilic films, and blood testing.

Right now, I've finished my literature review and started embarking on figuring out my methods. My job for the next trimester is to figure out how I want to answer my question and conduct my experiments. Although I know my methods will be quantitative, there are some qualitative aspects for describing samples, which I definitely want to have as part of my results. Additionally, I need to see how studies in the past have conducted testing with many different types of samples and analysis methods efficiently (trying all combinations in the best way to maximize information). Finally, I need to examine different analysis techniques (e.g., atomic force microscopy, three-liquid contact angle analysis, terahertz spectroscopy, RBS, and PIXE) and justify which ones are best to use for the data I want to collect.

Here's to more fun times in AP Research!

Cheers,
YP

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