Distributed Drug Discovery Research

Introduction 

When I joined the Distributed Drug Discovery (D3) lab, I was in the first half of my junior year. I was looking around at different opportunities for me to gain experience in real lab work, not just student labs. I wanted to deal with issues faced in real lab situations and learn how to overcome those problems. The D3 lab works to create novel medications for neglected illnesses. In recent years, we have been focused on alternatives to the COVID-19 medication nirmatrelvir. A unique aspect about D3 is that we run student labs at Indiana University Indianapolis, other universities in the US, and international universities. This is how I was introduced to the lab; I participated in the Organic Chemistry II lab that they put on. The following semester, they were in need of a chemist, and I applied. Since then, I have been working there as an undergraduate research assistant. 

Skills Development 

When I started at the lab, I needed a lot of help with the work I was doing. I began with simply characterizing samples that were already made with thin layer chromatography (TLC) and purifying them using column chromatography. My mentor was very kind and helped me through learning this process that was basically brand new to me. I had learned about these methods in my lectures and had a very introductory lab class involving them, but I had never performed a TLC or column chromatography with no set procedure. After a few run-throughs with help, I was able to do this alone. 

Once I had gained enough confidence in performing TLC characterization and column chromatography, I was trusted to run samples on a liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer and high performance liquid chromatograph. Much like everything else I do in the lab, I started with a lot of help. I learned how to prepare the samples, set up the column on the instrument, and run the software. Now, I am confident enough to prepare and run samples with no assistance. 

In the D3 lab, the main method we use to make our target molecules is solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). This method allows for a high product yield that is relatively pure. I am now comfortable using SPPS to synthesize peptides with little to no help. In fact, I am just now beginning a project investigating different amino acid protecting groups and will be using SPPS to synthesize my products. 

In addition to improving my lab skills, I have gained more confidence in my ability to communicate effectively, both with those in my lab and those unfamiliar with my work. I am able to collaborate more effectively after having worked on projects with another lab member. Through our lab group meetings and the poster presentation I took part in, I have become far more confident in my presentational and public speaking skills. After encountering many challenges in my lab work, I have greatly improved my ability to effectively problem solve. 

Reflection 

When I started in in the D3 lab, I was unsure and not confident in basically everything I was doing. Now that I have been a part of the group for nearly a year and a half, I am confident and comfortable carrying out procedures alone that were once impossible for me to do without help. Importantly, though, I am not afraid to ask for help when I need it. 

The careful lab practices that I have been using with the D3 lab are vital for my prospective career in forensic chemistry. I have been preparing clean samples and avoiding contamination for quite a while now. As a forensic chemist, I will have to be able to prepare and analyze samples while being certain that no contamination occurred. Maintaining the integrity of samples is important in any lab, but especially in a forensics lab where the test results influence criminal cases. 

The development in my problem solving will applicable to many areas of my life, but my practice problem solving in a lab setting will be particularly helpful. I will be working in a forensic lab analyzing case samples where I will undoubtedly come across samples that are complex and will require this skill. 

Communication is perhaps the most useful skill that I will carry on to my career. As a forensic scientist, I will have to be confident in my public speaking ability when testifying as an expert witness. In this role, I will have to be able to effectively communicate complex analytical techniques to people who have little to no science background. Additionally, communication is vital to any workplace and will help me greatly wherever I go.