Tina Li Faculty Mentor: Erich Baker, Ph.D

Student Research Spotlight: Tina Li

Year: Sophomore Major: Bioinformatics FacultyMentor: Erich Baker, Ph.D.

From Left to Right: Dr. Erich Baker, Ting-Chen Wang , Tina Li, Iris Chen, and Samuel Shenoi

In light of the recent coronavirus outbreaks that began reaching headlines early last December, student researchers here at Baylor have used the current situation as an opportunity to examine the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The research team is composed of four undergraduates, all of whom are bioinformatics majors, and includes Tina Li (‘22 ), Sam Shenoi (‘21), Ting-Chen Wang (‘21), and Iris Chen (‘21). Their research article, titled “Phylogenetics analysis of SARS-CoV-2 within known coronavirus diversity”, seeks to analyze the SARS-CoV-2 virus from three perspectives: intergenic analysis between SARS-CoV-2 and other Coronaviridae viruses, intragenic analysis within the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and the SARS-CoV-2 relationship to the human proteome. The lab has approached these three perspectives by collecting genomic and protein sequences from SARS-CoV-2 isolates, other viruses from the Coronaviridae family, and human proteins. With these sequences, the team utilizes BLAST software to determine similarity between the sequences. The research currently involves solo work, with weekly group meetings to evaluate the objectives they aim to achieve with their data. Beginning the project also came with considerable challenges. New sequences are added to the global reference databases almost daily, so proper data collection and result reproduction have become paramount. The team has managed to accomplish this by automating much of the work which allows for a fast turnaround when new information about the virus comes to light. Regarding her favorite aspect of their research, Wang said that she finds it rewarding to be able to study a topic that is currently at an early stage of discovery. Since knowledge about the novel virus and its transmission is limited, Wang also acknowledges that it is oftentimes difficult to gather enough data to hypothesize the generalized structure of the virus. For students interested in undergraduate research, Shenoi recommends that they begin to investigate their research interests and find a faculty mentor who specializes in researching those certain topics. For this project, all four lab members took the initiative to reach out to Dr. Baker and propose the idea of conducting SARS-CoV-2 research on campus.

Scientia's Mission

Scientia shall provide a professional platform upon which undergraduates of Baylor University are able to publish personally conducted and outstanding research in the areas of biological sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, and technology.

Accepted Formats

Research Articles (maximum 4500 words including captions and references) presenting major findings performed by current undergraduate level students enrolled at Baylor University. Research articles must include an abstract, introduction, materials and methods, up to six figures or tables, results, and discussion.

Review Articles (maximum 6000 words including captions and references) synthesizing developments of interdisciplinary significance written by current undergraduate level students enrolled at Baylor University. Review articles must include an abstract and an introduction outlining the topic of discussion.

Abstracts (maximum 500 words) proposing research topics currently being investigated by current undergraduate level students enrolled at Baylor University.

Submitting to Scientia

To submit to Scientia for publication, email your research article, review article, abstract, or Student Spotlight Submission to baylor.scientia@gmail.com. As we work to develop our new website for the 2021 edition, you may also be asked to submit your publication on the new website (url currently unavailable). Please check baylor.edu/burst for any updates.

To read previous editions of Scientia online, please visit https://www.baylor.edu/burst/index.php?id=863108

For more information, please email Scientia's Editorial Board at baylor.scientia@gmail.com.

Want to become involved in research at Baylor University and beyond? Learn about Baylor Undergraduate Research in Science and Technology (BURST)!

BURST is the student organization for Baylor undergraduate students interested in scientific research.

Mission

To increase awareness of undergraduate research within the Baylor campus, we aim to provide opportunities for undergraduates to optimize their research experiences, and educate them in the proper habits and techniques of research in scientific fields.

Journal Clubs

Members participate in peer-led Journal Clubs of a variety of fields. Each Journal Club reads through and discusses a selection of research articles. Some Journal Clubs consist of a discussion with a Baylor professor or another expert research about the research that they pursue.

Lab Tours

A tour of the lab in the Baylor Sciences Building (BSB), guided by the Baylor University professor or graduate student of whose research paper was read during the Journal Club preceding the tour allow members to see various research environments across campus. Members have the opportunity to ask questions, visualize the research techniques they have learned about, and occasionally gain hands-on experience with lab equipment.

Scientia

Scientia is the Baylor Undergraduate Research Journal of Science and Technology. First published in the Spring of 2014, Scientia is a yearly publication produced by BURST members and supported by the Baylor College of Arts and Sciences.

Conferences

Members who are currently doing research are encouraged to attend a variety of conferences, where they can present their findings to the scientific community in a professional environment. BURST works closely with URSA during URSA Scholars' Week, the annual Baylor conference showcasing undergraduate research. We will also promote other conference opportunities in Texas and around the nation.

Lab Technique Workshops

BURST organizes a workshop once a semester to teach its members fundamental laboratory skills, such as pipetting and gel electrophoresis. The goal of this workshop is to provide students who have never done research an opportunity to learn fundamental skills that will be useful in their first research experience.

Service in the STEM Fields

BURST organizes opportunities for members to actively engage in spreading interest for the sciences and technology in Waco. Members may choose to serve by tutoring and advising students at a high school in Waco, offer their time with Habitat for Humanity, or even volunteer on campus at the Baylor Beauchamp Addiction Recovery Center (BARC).

Lecture Series

Each semester, BURST organizes a lecture series featuring research experts from both Baylor and beyond. These lectures provide members with an increasing scope of knowledge about current research and how they can become involved.

Academic Workshops

New to research? Come join us for the BURST Research Series where we walk you through each step of the scientific method and even give you a chance to help create a study! Stressed out about your MCAT or GRE? Led by members who have excelled on these exams, BURST offers workshops that will help prepare you and equip you with the resources you need to succeed.

Social Events

Throughout the semester, BURST offers several opportunities to just hang out with other members! Whether that’s playing basketball or volleyball at the SLC, watching movies on the big screens, or playing card games in the BSB, you’ll have a blast getting to know your fellow BURST memebrs!

Research Internship Day

BURST hosts an annual BURST Research Internship Day to increase awareness of the many research internship opportunities for undergraduate students at Baylor. This event allows students to meet with representatives from a variety of internships across Texas, listen to other students speak about their own research internship experiences, attend presentations by BURST officers regarding how to find, apply, and make the most of research internships, and also listen to lectures by Baylor University professors about the research they partake in.

For Prospective Members

Are you interested in joining BURST? Please contact us at burst@baylor.edu. We’d love to get to know you!