Drexel University sophomore Jessica Wu chose electrical engineering to
satisfy her curiosity about everyday technology. "I wanted to know how
things like my phone and TVs work, and how electricity can be used to power
the entire world," Wu said, explaining her academic focus.
What Wu didn't expect was that her major would lead her to the cutting edge
of genomic science. This summer, through Drexel's
Students Tackling Advanced Research (STAR) program, she found herself analyzing DNA sequences - a far cry from
circuit boards and power systems.
The diversity of research opportunities in electrical engineering delighted
Wu. Under the mentorship of
Gail Rosen, PhD, professor of electrical and computer engineering, she worked on a project
that used computer techniques to identify and categorize DNA sequences from
microorganisms.
Wu's research focused on a method called the Naive Bayes Classifier (NBC), a
tool that helps analyze large amounts of genetic information. "Researchers
collect new data very often, so being able to [quickly and efficiently]
identify new DNA sequences and genes would be very helpful," Wu explained.
The project aimed to improve our understanding of microbial communities,
with potential benefits for medicine, biotechnology, and environmental
science.
To tackle this complex task, Wu broke down DNA sequences into smaller
pieces, like solving a puzzle. She then used a computer program to count how
often these pieces appeared in different DNA samples. This process helped
identify patterns in the DNA that could distinguish different types of
microorganisms.
Wu tested her method by asking the computer to identify DNA sequences it
hadn't seen before. She found that looking at longer pieces of DNA helped
the computer make more accurate guesses about unknown sequences.
The transition from classroom learning to hands-on research presented new
challenges. "Dr. Rosen told me there was going to be a lot of independent
work, and I found that I had to search for a lot of my own resources and
stay on top of what I was doing," Wu said.
She also experienced the collaborative aspects of research through weekly
lab meetings. These introduced her to ongoing work in genomics and
computational biology. "Seeing what kind of research was being done in these
areas made me want to explore them more in the future," Wu said.
The STAR program required Wu to significantly expand her computer
programming skills. "I hadn't done much programming outside of my classes,"
she said. "Using new software [such as Bash] was hard, but I wanted to work
on a project with programming components because I felt I would learn a lot
more from that."
Through this experience, Wu gained insight into potential career paths. The
project increased her interest in Drexel's combined bachelor's and master's
degree program and in applying engineering concepts to medical research. It
also showed her the importance of continuing to improve methods for
identifying DNA sequences in future research.
Wu found the STAR program beneficial for students new to research. "It was
great for someone who didn't have previous experience," she said. Her advice
to other undergraduates considering research is straightforward: "Go for
it."