Over the course of three years spent working on the same research project, University of Wisconsin-Madison undergraduate Katherine Breen made a fundamental self-discovery that went beyond any data she\u2019ll publish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI decided I really liked the research process,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since her sophomore year, Breen has worked on a project in the lab of Justin Boutilier<\/a>, an assistant professor of industrial and systems engineering, studying tuberculosis recurrence in Kenya. The research is part of a collaboration with Keheala, a mobile platform that helps patients manage their conditions by delivering reminders to take medications and providing other support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With mentorship from Boutilier, she\u2019s been able to stretch her independence as a researcher, reviewing existing literature, using machine learning and other computer science techniques to format often-messy data, analyzing recurrence rates, and turning it all into a coherent written thesis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s an experience that\u2019s inspired her to pursue a PhD at the intersection of computer science and healthcare. And it\u2019s an experience the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering<\/a> hopes to replicate for other undergraduates who are serious about exploring pathways in research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ISyE is launching a new honors in research option for undergraduates to formalize that experience, give students a tangible credential for their extra efforts, and teach them about the research process and graduate school opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe creation of this was really driven by students, honestly\u2014not anything that they necessarily knew that they were asking for, but we\u2019ve had so many students who want to get involved in research as undergrads,\u201d says Amanda Smith<\/a>, an assistant teaching professor and the department\u2019s associate chair for undergraduate affairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Participating students will take two courses covering the fundamentals of research\u2014like conducting literature surveys, writing proposals and presenting research in different formats\u2014and preparing for graduate programs. The department will pair students with relevant faculty mentors, in whose labs they\u2019ll conduct research leading to a senior thesis and poster presentation during an annual research showcase event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n