A Warm Welcome to Jennifer, Our New Master's Student!
Introducing Jennifer, our new PiV member, currently pursuing her master's degree and working on her thesis. Jennifer, could you share a bit about yourself and the focus of your work within the project?
I am, Jennifer Janani Antonythasan, and have an undergraduate degree in molecular biology from the University of Bergen and am currently pursuing a master's degree in biomedical sciences at the same institution.
My master's thesis focuses on digital pathology using Python to establish initial results for image registration on histology slides obtained from non-neoplastic kidney biopsies. Image registration is the process of aligning multiple histological images to enable comparative analysis. The potential benefits are substantial, including uniform section display, comprehensive glomeruli visualization, and groundwork for detecting various kidney issues like edema, tubular damage, inflammation, atrophy, and fibrosis.
I chose this research field based on my firm belief that the integration of computational techniques into medical research and applied diagnostics represents a profound opportunity for the future. Thereby, the collaboration between pathologists and computational scientists to shape the landscape of pathology diagnostics is truly remarkable, particularly in this era driven by artificial intelligence.
As a student with background in molecular biology and biomedical sciences, working with Python has presented its share of challenges. Nevertheless, I have found the process of debugging Python issues to be surprisingly enjoyable. Another noteworthy challenge has been the need to continuously adapt and refine the project’s methodology as it evolves, primarily due to limited available literature. However, this dynamic nature has sparked creativity and added an intriguing dimension to my thesis work, making it more engaging.
One remarkable aspect of collaborating with Sabine, Hrafn, and Nazanin is their unwavering positivity. Despite their hectic schedules, they consistently prioritize addressing my inquires and steering me in the right direction for my master’s thesis. Their weekly check-ins and support have proven to be invaluable. I must also extend my appreciation to my two new colleagues in the lab, Radwan and Luca, for their contributions to cultivating this positive and inclusive atmosphere. Furthermore, I am thankful to the entire lab for collectively establishing a welcoming environment.
I have already acquired significant expertise in problem-solving, improved my literature review skills, and deepened my understanding of general research methologies, even though my time at Eitri has been brief. I appreciate these valuable experiences and look forward with enthusiasm to the upcoming phases of my project.