2.2 Analyze data quantitatively and develop testable models of that data.
In my years at Longwood, I have had many instances where I have had to analyze data quantitatively and develop testable models. This is a critical skill for those working in research and even in course labs. These are skills that will help me also in my professional career where I will hopefully be working in a research lab. Most of my courses have implemented this at some point, but three in particular stand out to me where I did gain very valuable experience doing this. These include most of my experiments in Quantitative Analysis, Introduction to Genetics and Cell Biology, and my own research that I work on with Dr. Erin Shanle.
Determination of Water Hardness by EDTA Titration
In quantitative analysis, we participated in a lab where we determined water hardness through a titration. This was done by measuring the molarity of magnesium and calcium ion in a water sample. We conducted a titration to quantify these amounts and shared our results in a lab report, displaying the data in tables with three trials, and enough data to test our accuracy.
Microbial Diversity Compared Between and Murky and Clear Ponds in Farmville, Virginia
When I took Introduction to Genetics and Cell Biology, I conducted a project where I took water samples from a clear water pond and a murky pond in Lancer Park in Farmville, VA and studied the microbial diversity. In order to draw conclusions, I quantified the amount of colonies that grew from each sample. From this, I determined that the murky pond had higher microbial diversity due to its higher level of biomass. I presented these results in a poster at the Longwood Fall Showcase for Research and Inquiry in 2017. This project allowed me to experience quantitative analysis of biological data to help me draw conclusions in an experiment, and also allowed me to share this data in a way that could be repeated or tested in the future.
Cancer Mutations Alter the Coactivator Activity of p300 Core
For several semesters, I have been working on a research project with Dr. Erin Shanle in which we have been investigating the effects of cancer mutations in the protein p300. I used a gRNA-Cas9 system to target specific locations on the genome of human cancer cells. Once I mutate the protein and introduce it into the human cells, I measure gene expression of these cells using quantitative PCR. This quantitatively measures the concentration of DNA to allow me to analyze gene expression levels. This is what actually helps me draw my final conclusions in my research regarding the effect that the mutations have on human cells.