Understanding the Research Process
Undergraduate Research Assistant – Summer 2023
As an Undergraduate Research Assistant, I conducted a project investigating microbial communities in soil and water from rivers across British Columbia. This experience introduced me to the foundations of hypothesis generation, experimental design, and appropriate data collection methods. Working under the guidance of my supervisor, I learned to translate broad research questions into testable hypotheses and to select suitable experimental approaches.
COMP 1131 – Winter 2024
This course introduced me to Java and broadened my understanding of coding languages. Many skills were transferable to R, which I later used for statistical analyses in my own research. The course strengthened my problem-solving ability which became invaluable when handling large datasets.
NSERC USRA – Summer 2024
Through an NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award, I expanded on my earlier work by exploring environmental factors shaping microbial community diversity in rivers. This project required me to refine my previous hypotheses, build an experimental design to test them, and interpret complex datasets. This experience emphasized the importance of integrating chemical and microbial data to better understand biodiversity patterns.
Directed Studies Proposal – Fall 2024
I developed a formal research proposal to continue my work on environmental impacts on microbial community diversity. The proposal included a detailed methodology and a structured timeline. Creating this document taught me how to communicate research objectives clearly and anticipate any potential challenges that may arise.
Cell Physiology Research Project – Winter 2025
As part of the BIOL 3520 lab, I collaborated with two others to design a hypothesis-driven project on endothelial cells. We investigated the effects of vitamin C on cell proliferation in high glucose environments, developing a research proposal that outlined our methodology and equipment needed. This project gave me practice in translating literature findings into experimental questions and reinforced my ability to formulate hypotheses and design an experiment.
BIOL 3000 – Fall 2025
This course focused on dataset management and the selection of appropriate statistical techniques. I learned to work in R to generate plots and conduct statistical analyses, applying these directly to my own research data. These skills improved my ability to navigate R and to choose the correct methods of analyzing and presenting my data.
- Self-authored research proposal, project outline, or artist statement
- Research methods courses taken
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