Solutions to modern societal challenges require multidisciplinary teams composed of unique individuals with differing backgrounds, strengths and skill sets. Approaching complex problems from this multidisciplinary angle allows unique perspectives when brainstorming ideas and implementing solutions. The value of interdisciplinarity was cemented in my mind when I worked on the Mobile Apps and Machine Learning for Noninvasive Anemia Diagnosis Bass Connections team.

During my master of medical physics program, I have focused most of my thesis research efforts on investigating novel X-ray diffraction methods for breast tumor imaging. This research included mentors and colleagues from diverse departments such as electrical engineering, pathology and radiology. This combination of backgrounds allowed me to garner exposure to many perspectives, resulting in a project of interest to multiple disciplines. The collaborative nature of my thesis enticed me to seek other team-oriented experiences working on significant societal problems. After searching through courses that would fit the description I was looking for, I discovered Bass Connections. Bass Connections checked all the boxes to integrate important aspects of my graduate experience at Duke.

As part of the “Operations and Outreach” subteam of the larger Noninvasive Anemia Diagnosis team, I focused on developing skills such as crafting Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications, setting up collaborations with researchers in the United States and globally, and contributing to building a learning dataset for the proposed machine learning algorithm. I was excited to find that Bass Connections allowed me to develop both technical and soft skills. I became competent in IRB writing while working on transparent and efficient communication skills in a small team setting. Unlike traditional college or graduate-level courses, Bass Connections offers a unique approach to learning and education by integrating teamwork and collaborative problem-solving alongside independent research. The team’s diversity was the most rewarding aspect of the year-long project. I learned significantly more from interactions with fellow team members than from working independently on assignments and general research.

Bass Connections has dramatically influenced how I plan to work on team projects in the future, including as a Ph.D. student in bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania. In previous collaborations, I often overlooked the perspectives and the “thought pathways” that led team members to their respective conclusions surrounding a challenging problem. Diving deeper into these thought pathways spurred out-of-the-box thinking and simplified a seemingly complex problem. While challenging, this is a helpful mental exercise when approaching complex issues.

Working on the Mobile Apps and Machine Learning for Noninvasive Anemia Diagnosis team increased my desire to be a part of something larger and more significant than myself. In my future doctoral studies and professional career, I will actively seek out and engage in collaborative efforts to address exciting and intricate problems. I recommend participating in Bass Connections to any student interested in developing new skills, searching for solutions to real-world problems and pushing the boundaries of their educational experience.

May 2023