As a Biomedical Engineering major, I never would have thought I could ever make a phone application. Yet, here I am coming in on the last stretch of completing my project for the summer. As a Center for Undergraduate Research in Viterbi Engineering (CURVE) Fellow, I have been able to work in the Biomedical Microsystems Laboratory which has led me to my current project. Among other things this summer, my biggest task has been to build an app that would allow for the data acquirement and visualization of implanted microneedles.
The Challenges
I’m sure you can imagine that, as a biomedical engineer, I didn’t exactly have the easiest time creating a project that is typical done by a computer science student, for example. Thankfully, I had already taken the opportunity of learning Python through the Information Technology Program at USC. However, although it helped, applying them in my context was a completely different challenge.
This process has been time-consuming and arduous, but, above all, it has been incredibly insightful. Insightful in not only a technical sense, but also insightful in the tenacity, problem-solving skills, and dedication that it takes to accomplish such a thing.
The Future
As I head back to campus, I am so excited to finally be able to test what I have been working on this summer. Upon testing and fixing any bugs, I will be able to publish it and allow anyone with a similar project to use it. Ultimately, my project would contribute to a system that would allow an individual with our microneedles to track a desired biomarker (molecule) for their own health.
Although my summer wasn’t the most typical and/or expected, I am very grateful to be a part of an impactful and multi-faceted project. As I finish off this project, I am incredibly excited to see it come to life and be fully applicable to the ultimate goal.
