Introduction

Pulmonary Hypertension

Group Research Project

Introduction

Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) is a cardiovascular disease that progressively causes vascular remodeling, which can affect blood flow through the lungs over time. In the project, topological data analysis (TDA) is utilized to examine and understand the anatomical changes that can occur due to PH in pulmonary arterial networks. The research was performed using data extracted from micro-CT scans on both control mice and mice that were artificially induced to have PH.

My Role

Chosen to participate in the 2020 Mathematics Department of North Carolina State University Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program that included several research mentors and other undergraduate mathematics students. Some of my key contributions to the research included:

Gathering background information on various subjects, including:

Heart Anatomy
Fluid Dynamics
Image-Capturing Technology

Skeleton-Producing Algorithms
Pruning Techniques
Topics in Homology

Manualing slicing data from micro-CT scans for later computational purposes
Coding programs capable of producing meaningful data visualizations, plus storing, organizing, and utilizing large datasets needed to calculate various mathematical quantities
Creating and presenting research through posters and oral presentations at conferences
Aiding production of research paper through writing and figure creation

Learn More About REU

Technologies and Skills

Slicer (manual segmentation of data)
Overleaf (LaTeX research paper and presentation builder)
Zoom (remote communication)
Matlab
- Matplotlib
- Pandas
- NumPy
- TDATools Package
- Complex for and while loops
- Importing csv, xlsx, txt, and other files
- Extracting data for repeated use within functions

Microsoft Excel
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Word
Google Docs
Google Drawing
Google Drive
Google Sheets
Google Slides
Mathematical Knowledge In:
- Linear Algebra
- Differential Equations
- Homology
- TDA