The Tulane Data Analytics and Science Hub, a new club whose membership spans the School of Science and Engineering, School of Medicine and Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health, hosted one of its first events of the semester last month. The event, a panel featuring Tulane University undergraduate student Nikhil Modayur and medical student Sarah Knopf, focused on how to get involved in research as a student.
DASH uses public databases to address health disparities through research and connect student and faculty researchers across disciplines.
DASH President Maggie Huang founded the organization in September 2024 while pursuing her Master of Science in public health in the Department of Biostatistics and Data Science. She said the idea came to her after hearing from friends who were not sure what to do with their research projects and from students who were intimidated by research.
Through DASH, Huang wants to help students feel less intimidated by research by hosting skill-building workshops and inviting guest speakers.
At the panel, Knopf presented strategies for reading research papers, sharing resources and methods she uses in her own research projects.
Modayur focused on how students can apply for research opportunities online, walking panel attendees through where to find openings, what to consider when writing a personal statement and how to approach requesting recommendation letters.
Huang said it can be difficult for students to break into research because faculty members are often busy, making it harder to find mentorship or guidance. She created DASH to foster collaboration between researchers of all levels, from undergraduate students to medical and Ph.D. students.
DASH also helps students explore opportunities for publishing their research in scientific journals.
“I think that publication is an extra confidence boost,” Huang said. “I’m trying to make this experience accessible to everyone else … by connecting people with the right question and people with the right skills.”
Huang is considering expanding the club beyond its public health and medicine focus to students interested in social science and data science research.
One of Huang’s favorite aspects of the club has been collaborating with people from different disciplines. Students interested in joining a DASH project may find summer or winter break the best time to get involved, but Huang said students can participate at any level throughout the semester.