Researching complex topics at the collegiate level can be daunting for any high schooler. That didn’t stop seniors Liane Mathew and Snigdha Arun from investing countless hours into researching and sharing their scientific findings with students worldwide through Johns Hopkins’ 2024 Global Health Leaders Conference.
AI for pediatrics
Mathew’s passions for pediatrics and service heavily influenced the research she conducted for the conference. She focused on the effects of various medical artificial intelligence-based technologies on children’s health.
“I’ve always loved kids because of their optimism and excitement, so I wanted to become a pediatrician,” Mathew said. “I began my research by deciphering some of the most common diseases or health issues affecting children globally.”
After two weeks analyzing case studies on visual impairments in rural clinics, she presented a seven-minute lecture on using AI to address refractive errors, which occur when the shape of the eye prevents it from perceiving light properly.
“I had done research focusing on the health of children living in impoverished countries, but an opportunity to share my findings verbally was extremely rare, so I was excited to present such niche research to other students,” Mathew said. “With the confidence in public speaking that I gained from the conference, I want to continue being the voice for children in the global frontier, especially those who cannot afford the same lifestyle that many of us take for granted here in Irvine.”
Check out Mathew’s lecture by visiting www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg38IU0O4vE.
CRISPR for cancer
After watching a family friend struggle with cancer, Arun’s curiosity about the potential of genetic therapies inspired her to examine how CRISPR could be used to modify expression of cancer genes.
“Before attending the conference, I had been more exposed to the writing aspect of research,” Arun said. “Putting together a presentation of all of my research and hearing myself talk about it professionally was one of the coolest experiences ever.”
Arun’s role as the founder of Northwood’s Skin for Skin and Research Society clubs at school fueled her research initiative. These platforms have allowed her to explore the promising field that bridges her interests in genetics and oncology, a specialty focused on diagnosing and treating cancer.
“The conference gave me invaluable insights into the complexities of global health challenges,” Arun said. “Through discussions with experts and peers, I gained fresh perspectives on how my research could make an impact across local and global healthcare landscapes.”
Moving forward, Arun hopes to help advance research about gene editing technologies so cancer patients can receive more effective treatment.
Check out Arun’s lecture at www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX
pW25Q7RHo.
