Vaidehee Lanke -- Science, Research & Society

Vaidehee Lanke is an undergraduate student in the College of Arts and Science, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, with a focus on bioinformatics. Aside from academic pursuits, she is also the director of the Science, Research & Society Club, a student group created with the support of Dr. Merle Massie (PhD.) and the Undergraduate Research Initiative, Office of the Vice President Research at the University of Saskatchewan.

Beginning young

Vaidehee found STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) research at age thirteen. Eighth-grade science class allowed her the opportunity to investigate mechanisms and ingredients contained within common cosmetics products. “I learned many lessons from that project in microbiology, mass spectrophotometry and analysis, but most importantly, I learned I wanted to continue to ask questions to explore the world through research,” she says.

From her elementary start, Vaidehee has moved on to conducting research at the post-secondary level. Through her work, she addresses global issues such as infectious diseases, climate change and the adaptation of agriculture.

“Currently, my research focus is in developing and strengthening deep learning models to use genomic data to predict plant phenotypes and anti-microbial resistance phenotypes for a variety of antibiotics, which can have important implications in crop breeding and public health,” Vaidehee explains.

“My current research supervisor is Dr. Tony Kusalik, from the Department of Computer Science. Dr. Kusalik is an amazing mentor on this project, but also on general matters of bioinformatics and computer science, and is always encouraging me to ask questions and critically think. I believe science, technology and data are key to identifying global issues, developing solutions and implementing them.”

The key to research success

One of Vaidehee’s biggest insights is recognizing the importance of critical thinking and the ability to analyze the world around her.

“So much of research involves thinking, whether that be about how to approach your research question or asking what techniques to apply to understand your data from experiments,” she says. “Understanding and applying that critical thinking is as equally important in the laboratory as it is in every other context in our lives.

“Today, we come across so much information from a variety of sources and experiences, and having the ability to ask questions, investigate further and draw conclusions based on evidence is important to understanding the world and being active global citizens.”

Identifying intersections in the research world

Through her research experiences, Vaidehee began to recognize how the skills she was learning and applying to her own work could also be applied in other contexts, both academic and personal.

“STEM and research are incredibly important. However, from my time as a science student, I’ve come to realize that far too often we, as a society, in education and daily conversations alike, tend to think of science as only a body of facts, not a process of asking questions, making hypotheses, investigating and constantly adapting and updating our knowledge of the world,” she says.

This line of thinking – and the realization that there are many cross-overs present in different types of research, academic and student experiences – led to the development of the first student-led initiative with a sole focus on the interactions between science, research and society in context.

Vaidehee recognized the lack of a space available for students to discuss and discover important topics related to their own experiences in scientific, artistic and societal research on campus.

“I aimed to cultivate a safe space for students from all majors and backgrounds, involved in research or not, to come together to have critical discussions at the intersections of science, research and society,” she explains.

Science, Research & Society Club

This interest led to the creation of the Science, Research & Society Club. Every Friday at noon, the group meets via WebEx for discussions, roundtables, guest speakers and diverse conversations. The club is supported by the Undergraduate Research Initiative, and often draws students affiliated with the Student Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) co-curricular program.

When asked what students can expect to see at an SRS Club meeting, Vaidehee provides an overview:  “This semester, among the many conversations, we had round table discussions on science communication and how best to communicate public health guidelines, the role of science in politics and how best dismantle gender barriers in STEM,” she shares.

“Next semester we will continue these conversations and hope to dive into topics like science education, how online classes have impacted learning and how to find belonging in the world of STEM.”

The group has also been fortunate to have many diverse guest speakers from a variety of academic backgrounds, including Dr. Erin Prosser-Loose, a Research Equity and Diversity Specialist from the College of Medicine; Rebekah Bennetch with the Graham School of Professional Development in Engineering; Dr. Kimberly MacKay from the Global Institute for Food Security; and Brooke Coller, the senior editor of the University of Saskatchewan Undergraduate Research Journal (USURJ).

“The intersection of science, research and society is vast and deep, covering a plethora of topics. Every SRS session I have learnt something new from my fellow university students and guest speakers about the world,” Vaidehee reports.

Besides conducting discussions, the Science, Research & Society Club aims to provide a social experience for students. A sense of connection can be lacking in the remote environment that is now the norm. Allowing students participating in research experiences and those who are interested to connect with each other, share thoughts and develop critical thinking skills fills a crucial portion of the student experience hindered by current global conditions and public health orders.

“I hope this club is a space for students to ask questions about research, grow as critical thinkers and reflect on the human elements of STEM and research that are often overlooked. Essentially, if you want to be a part of a community that explores topics in the intersection of science, research and society, this club is for you!” Vaidehee says.

Everyone is welcome to join Vaidehee and the student community in the Science, Research & Society Club in the new year for discussions every Friday at 12 pm live on WebEx. Register here: https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/SRSclub