Devon K
- Research Program Mentor
MD at George Washington University
Expertise
Biophysics, chemistry, biology and physiology, anatomy, medicine, surgery
Bio
I am a doctor in my surgical residency training. I am currently on a two-year sabatical to focus on research in a cardiac surgery laboratory. We focus on clinical and translational science - for example, we create animal models of heart attacks, heart failure, and valvular disease to help develop computer-generated models of disease and to investigate compounds and molecules that could improve heart function after injury. As a physician, I am passionate about all things science, biology and physics - what makes systems work, how they fall apart, and how we can fix them! On a more personal level, I love all things related to music and dance. I value time in nature (hiking, running, biking, and swimming). I enjoy listening to medical and comedy podcasts, reading mysteries/thrillers, and watching horror movies. I speak French fluently, and am working on improving my Spanish!Project ideas
Research Paper
While there are many types of research papers one can write, a Polygence project would likely be best suited to a review article (literature review) or project proposal. At most, one could consider a small cohort feasibility study or survey study, depending on the area of interest. Students who pursued this type of project would learn how to critically appraise research papers and literature, perform literature searches, organize and summarize existing evidence, and generate recommendations and conclusions based on a body of existing research. Students who approach a survey or feasbility study will learn how to generate proposal and garner industry or academic support, how to appropriately phrase research surveys and formulate research questions, and how to extrapolate recommendations from small sample size data.
Podcast
Podcasts have become a valuable tool for education and awareness. For auditory learners, podcasts have become critical to studying for classes and exams; additionally, they are a great too for introductory exposure to learning about a new topic. Plus, they're easy and fun and you can listen while doing other things! In a world struggling to make the most of our 24 hours in a day, podcasts have cornered a market in information dissemination. For a polygence project, a student should select a fairly narrow area of expertise about which they wish to relay information. Educational podcasts are best supported by published research and expert testimonials. A student would therefore gain skills in literature review, organization and summation of existing evidence, and interviewing experts.