Hana Shinzawa: A Journey Beyond the Textbook with a Budding Biologist

Meet Hana Shinzawa, a beacon of inspiration from the BioBuilderClub who joins us to recount her experience as she discovered her passion to do and communicate science. Her AP Bio class captured her imagination leading her to relaunch the BioBuilderClub at her school. In this podcast she reviews her experience embarking on a project that converts scientific curiosity to a real-world application, culminating in the design of a yeast-based sensor for Salmonella detection.

Hana's voice carries the pride of presenting her research to a discerning audience, reflecting the maturity and readiness for her future academic endeavors at MIT. This episode is a testament to the transformative power of problem-based learning, the fusion of biology and engineering, and the importance of making the complex comprehensible. If you're intrigued by the interplay of science, communication, and writing, you won't want to miss the insights Hana brings to the table.

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:02

Hello and welcome to Life-Changing Science, the BioBuilder podcast. I'm your host, zeeshan, and my guest today is Hannah Shinzawa. Hannah has been involved with the BioBuilder Club for the past two years at Montreux School in Metfield, massachusetts. Their team has been working on a yeast-based sensor to address salmonella illness in places that need it most. One of the most wonderful things is that Hannah received her offer of admission to MIT on Pi Day while she was at MIT presenting that idea. I'm super excited to talk to Hannah today, so let's dive right into this episode. I wonder if you can share the moment or experience that first sparked your interest in science, and what was it about that moment that captivated you? Sure, yeah, the moment or experience that first sparked your interest in science, and what was it about that moment that captivated you?

Speaker 2: 0:49

Sure, yeah, so I've definitely always been a little bit interested. Like as a kid I would read through like my little book about anatomy or like biology, stuff like that. But then when I really got into it was around sophomore year. I got the chance to take AP bio and in the class we were doing like projects about some like diseases and like how that affects like cell signaling, stuff like that. And in that moment I was like wow, like this is so interesting, I wish I could do it, you know, like outside of class and like keep studying this kind of thing. And then I was like wait, like this is kind of like my thing, like I really want to do science and keep studying this sort of sort of topics.

Speaker 1: 1:33

Yeah, yeah, that makes sense. I want to come back to the self signaling part is super fun until you get to like second year biochemistry when you might have to memorize like 50 million parts, but it's still cool. I want to quickly just touch expand on. You know you brought your my Little Book of Anatomy. What else were you interested in? Reading? Just general science topics, watching Discovery Science and that geo. What were some of the things that you're interested in?

Speaker 2: 2:07

Definitely all of those sort of things. Like we watched Wild Kratts a lot in my house. It was all kind of like you know, like nature, like a little bit science, like go out and figure it out for yourself, a lot of magic school bus and that was kind of that was really fun for me because I like like looking at the world and seeing how you know each little bit works. So I've definitely always been drawn to that sort of thing.

Speaker 1: 2:31

What do you think drew you more towards the biology side of things? I said you mentioned nature, you mentioned, you know, cell signaling and adiabate. Do you feel you had just that natural curiosity for it?

Speaker 2: 2:47

just that natural curiosity for it. I feel like it definitely is more intuitive for me to learn about because you know, I can kind of look at like a plant or an animal and be like, oh, I can understand. You know, like photosynthesis or like cell respiration, I understand how that impacts the animal or the plant just by kind of looking at that, whereas I feel like you know more abstract topics like physics, like it's harder for me to, like you know, kind of visualize. Okay, this is how it impacts my everyday life and I've also been interested in medicine in the past, so that definitely played into it.

Speaker 1: 3:19

I loved learning about how, like you can track something at the cellular level and then that translates to kind of like the larger level you can see like an actual disease in a person or a disorder somewhere so now I want to touch on um, on ap bio, where you mentioned you know you were learning about cell signaling pathways and you know that's when you start getting into um, possibly some lab work as well, so you sort of apply some of the theory that you learn. I'm interested to hear more about that and when you first heard about BioBuilder.

Speaker 2: 3:55

For sure. Yeah, so I was doing a project on asthma because at the time I thought I had asthma Not sure what truth that was, but I loved exploring it because it was directly related to my life and understanding that will help me understand how I perform in sports stuff like that and so I was really drawn to that practical side. And then at the same time I was at the club fair at my school and I saw the table for bio builders and I was like, oh my gosh, this is perfect Because it was all about, you know, like taking that biology knowledge and then making a practical solution out of it in the real world. So that really, really drew me in.

Speaker 2: 4:41

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 4:42

What were your, you know. So what are some of your, like your initial thoughts when you started working on synthetic biology projects?

Speaker 2: 4:48

yeah, especially when you got into the lab so at first, um, we were kind of building the team from the ground up, because the club had been established like a few years before but all the seniors that had led the club had graduated.

Speaker 2: 5:04

So it had kind of just sat there for a little while and like no one was really doing it. And so that was definitely a challenge like starting it up, because it was me and then, I think, two of my friends who were all sophomores None of us had experience in that before, so it was definitely an experience. To start out, we were like reading research papers and just like trying our best to kind of get this off the ground. And then, once we get into like junior and senior year that's when we started working on our salmonella project and we finally got into the lab this year lot of work, a lot of research. Like, first of all, like how do you run a club? Like how do you read a scientific paper? And then leading all the way into like how do you conduct an experiment? How can we kind of test out parts of this in the world?

Speaker 1: 5:53

yeah, yeah, the yeah, the brainstorming part is uh, it's not something. If you do in two weeks, it can take. It can take some time when you're working on a new project.

Speaker 2: 6:16

And I'm curious as well was some of the first time you stepped into lab through the Bible to club or was it through AP Bio? Yeah, I think we did a couple of labs in AP Bio, but definitely not that much. I've done more actually in chemistry, so that would be like sophomore and junior year but to like, do like a real, like biology lab.

Speaker 1: 6:31

I feel like my first like big experience was definitely through bio builder this year yeah, yeah, coming back to the bible, to club your, you mentioned your team chose to address, uh, themonella. Was it typhi? I'm not sure how to pronounce it. Yes, but your team chose to address the salmonella contamination through a novel yeast based sensor. Could you walk us? You've done this a little already, but could you walk us a bit more through the brainstorming process that led to sort of choosing that specific challenge?

Speaker 2: 7:11

So we were definitely looking around, seeing like, ok, like what are some problems that are interesting to us, and so a lot of us at the time, like I said, were interested in medicine and like disease the time, like I said, we're interested in medicine, in like disease, and so a bunch of different diseases came up and then we thought about like, oh, like salmonella infections, because I think at the time there had been some kind of like outbreak, maybe like at like some restaurant or something. But we were like, oh, like it's so easy to treat that with the proper antibiotics, but in places, you know, like in third world countries that don't have access to those like, these diseases can be deadly, they can be fatal, they can be very impactful. And so we were thinking what if we make a solution geared towards, like, those places that can help them detect, so you don't even need the antibiotics in the first place?

Speaker 1: 8:03

Yeah, yeah, that's such a cool project. The fact that you're able to, you know, use, use, Symbio. I mean you've gone really from you know zero to one here where you've done the literature review, you've gone through this theory. You've gone through the process of reading scientific papers, building a team, working together as a team Like that's a whole different story.

Speaker 2: 8:25

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 8:26

Yeah, and what were some of the biggest challenges your team faced like while developing the yeast sensor?

Speaker 2: 8:36

That's a good question, because one of our biggest challenges was also one of our biggest strengths. So my school is very small, so this club was, for most of the time while I was in it, it was just me and then three of my friends Like we were all the same age, like same experience level, which was really good for building like a common ground, like we were all coming from the same place, so it was really easy to kind of share those ideas, understand what people were thinking, but at the same time, when everyone is kind of on that same level, it's difficult to you know, like have someone take leadership because you don't want to feel like, oh, like I don't want to boss around. My friends, you know what I mean. So that a little bit difficult.

Speaker 2: 9:19

Last year, when we were trying to get part of our research published, it was at the same time, as you know, a ton of like exams, other stuff, and so everyone was kind of like, oh, like I don't want to kind of complain about this because I know like doing these exams is really important to the rest of the group. Like I understand that you might not have time to be working on this project outside of school as much. But then also you have to balance it with. You know, I have this responsibility to the group. This is a group effort, like how can you kind of balance like hey, like can you take on a little extra? Versus I understand you have a lot on your plate right now.

Speaker 1: 9:58

That's something skill set that you learn and that you develop the more you're in these situations, and I'm sure it'll help you further down the line as well. Yeah, for sure. What are some of the techniques that you picked up? You know there's quite a few different things that go into a project like this. What did you personally really enjoy? Was it maybe some of the antibody engineering side of things? Yeah, there's so much in this project technically. I'm curious to hear what you really liked and found really challenging.

Speaker 2: 10:28

I definitely had a lot of fun doing the research. At first it was, you know, tough to go into reading these papers like for the first time, like oh, like what are they trying to say here? But as we got more familiar with the literature, like surrounding it, it definitely started to click more, like make more sense. And then from that, you know, we could have these really good brainstorming sessions, be like, okay, like you read this paper and I read this paper, and this is how we can kind of combine like two parts of you know, different sides of research to kind of help our project grow and be richer.

Speaker 1: 11:03

Lots of good insights and, I'm sure, lots of stressful nights, many stressful nights. And how was? How did you feel at sort of like the completion of the project, you know, presenting the poster?

Speaker 2: 11:16

yeah, it was definitely very like proud for us, especially last year, because that was like our first time going to the conference and just being able to answer those questions from, you know, like a real scientist or like peers that are doing the same sort of projects as we are, that was really cool to be like. Oh, like I do know like a lot about this topic. I am, you know, like kind of an expert from this project and I'm able to explain my thinking, like defend my ideas. That was a really cool moment for me my thinking like defend my ideas.

Speaker 1: 11:51

That was a really cool moment for me. But now that that's awesome, that you got to be really like challenged as as a scientist, I think, which is which is important. You know, I don't think I was very challenged as a scientist until my second or third year, so having that early on, like super early on, not suggesting, is too early but you get very, very valuable.

Speaker 1: 12:06

I'm sure you're at your end of the uh, you're at the end of your high school period, at the end of your bio-builder journey, and how do you think you know the last year has influenced your decision in terms of, you know, pursuing science and biotechnology and going, you know, choosing which university you go to, choosing which university you go to. What were you thinking about these questions? How were you thinking about these questions at the beginning of the year and how are you thinking about them now?

Speaker 2: 12:35

Yeah, so definitely my experience with BioBuilder has made me much more inclined to pursue kind of like the biology side of things.

Speaker 2: 12:45

So I'm thinking of going into engineering Not really 100% sure what I want to focus on yet, but I know there's so much space in there to be like creative with how you're thinking.

Speaker 2: 12:56

Just like in BioBuilder, I really liked how we were encouraged to kind of, you know, take on those new ideas, like if no one has done, for example, like a yeast-based detector for salmonella before, you're totally encouraged to try that on, try a different approach, and that's something I really loved and I could kind of see myself continuing into like engineering in my classes, like my major, and then also like it gave me a lot more confidence to apply to those like STEM schools, because you know so many of them ask like do you have a portfolio, do you have research stuff like that, and so I was able to point to my bio builders project and be like, yes, like I do have experience in this, like I know that I would be able to do this at your school, like that's something I'm interested in continuing. So that was definitely helpful, like when I was applying and just like when I was thinking like what do I even want to kind of be engaged in during college?

Speaker 1: 13:55

Yeah, what? Okay, you've sort of answered this, but I'm still going to ask it what specific you know skills or insights gained from Bible do you think will be most valuable in your future studies? Now, you've mentioned quite a few already, but I just want to dig a bit deeper as well.

Speaker 2: 14:14

Definitely it was great to have experience creating that poster and also like writing up our research, because I know like I will be doing that like in the future. So it was great to kind of see like this is you know what you kind of see, like this is you know what you kind of expected on. This is what you the kind of information that you want to present. This is kind of how you want to present it, and so getting that practice and that experience was very helpful to me.

Speaker 2: 14:41

Um, and then also kind of just like that, communication skills, because I was presenting and you know, not everyone has studied cell and not everyone has studied yeast, and so thinking like, how can I present my research in a way that, you know, doesn't water it down too much but is also accessible for anyone who might be listening? That was really an important moment for me. I feel like that also kind of ties into, like my passion for communicating science, and so I feel like that also kind of ties into, like my passion for communicating science, and so I feel like that was a really yeah, that was good.

Speaker 1: 15:14

Yeah, yeah, awesome. And speaking about science communication, your journey into science communication, you're not only a scientist, but also a writer. You're serving as a co-editor-in-chief and science editor um of through the through the looking glass. What inspired you to start writing, um? How long have you been writing for and how has it influenced your approach to science?

Speaker 2: 15:41

so I've been writing since my freshman year and so my english teacher actually she is the one who runs the newspaper so she was, you know, reading my writing during that year and she was like, oh, like I think you should join, I think you'd really like it, and my dad is also a journalist. So I was like, okay, like I'll try it out. And so during that year I definitely did not write about science at all. I kind of just focused on, you know, like more kind of like fun stories, you know, like books, that I liked sports, that I did.

Speaker 2: 16:14

And then it was really during sophomore year that I started to think like, oh, this newspaper could also be a way for me to communicate more about science, because I was thinking a lot about COVID, kind of like the misinformation that was spreading and I could see that was because, you know, people didn't understand, like how vaccines were seeing work, stuff like that. And so then then I started the science section kind of just to explain those, like, as I said, super simply so that everyone could understand it and kind of be more comfortable with those ideas. And then, yeah, I used that to talk a lot about like masking, testing, like vaccines and stuff. And then, after the pandemic kind of like was winding down, I transitioned to kind of more general science topics, you know like just like fun questions like how do like headphones work? What do engineers do just to kind of reach out to people around me, kind of get them engaged in maybe science that they wouldn't have engaged in previously, and so that's been really rewarding for me, yeah.

Speaker 1: 17:19

You're headed to MIT. You're very exciting. Next step, yes. What are your academic career and aspirations at MIT and beyond? This is a very um, you know question that your aunt and uncle and because older cousins will ask. You don't have to have your life planned out, um, but but I'm curious about you know what. What are you thinking of?

Speaker 2: 17:44

um, I've talked to a bunch of like older students, upperclassmen, and they say like during your freshman year, you know, join all those clubs, like take the classes, that kind of just interest. You just kind of feel around like see what you're drawn to. So I'd definitely be doing a lot of that. Um, I was also thinking, like you know, after college, like I'm not 100% sure Definitely research seems very interesting to me. If I were to continue in school, I would definitely enjoy that, but then also working on more real-world projects. I have a friend who went to school for engineering and she works at NASA now. So that also sounds great, something like that. So I'm definitely open to whatever comes my way great, something like that.

Speaker 1: 18:35

So I'm definitely open to whatever comes my way, yeah, and are there, which is the 100% right attitude that you need to have right.

Speaker 1: 18:42

Um, it would be yeah, explore as many things and open as many doors as possible. I would say which, which you know you're already doing. Um, are there any like other specific areas of biotech you're eager to explore, because biotech is such an interdisciplinary space? You know you can do mathematical modeling, you can build biotech software. You can go towards genetic engineering, you know, and obviously all the MLAI stuff. There's math software. You know genetic engineering, all of that.

Speaker 2: 19:10

So are you going to?

Speaker 1: 19:11

try everything. I mean I'll try stuff. There's math, software, you know, genetic engineering, all of that.

Speaker 2: 19:12

So yeah, you're gonna try everything I mean I'll try a little of everything. Something that I've been really interested in in is like bio-inspired, like robotics and stuff like that. So I feel like that could definitely be a way to like carry that like biology background into kind of a more like mechanical engineering focus, which is something I was also, you know, considering thinking about. So, yeah, definitely gonna try all of those out. We'll see which one sticks you?

Speaker 1: 19:41

you know you have skills in science and engineering and communication, do you? I'm sure you see yourself blending these passions throughout your career.

Speaker 2: 19:53

Yeah, I definitely want to do more outreach stuff.

Speaker 2: 19:57

So, for example, if I am doing research or I am working on a project, I definitely want to be able to bring that to a wider audience than just the scientists that are also in that field.

Speaker 2: 20:10

So, being able to articulate what I'm doing very clearly, very simply, and be able to get more people to understand it, I feel like is very important, especially just to get people to appreciate the power of science, what it can do for you, how it can help our world. I feel like the only way to do that is to be able to explain like here's my project, here's how it works, here's how it can help our world. I feel like the only way to do that is to be able to explain, like here's my project, here's how it works, here's how it can help our community. And I feel like by being able to do that, we will really be able to kind of take it to the next level, get more people in the public to understand what we're doing, trust what we're doing, appreciate what we're doing, and I feel like that's definitely less concrete, but I feel like I definitely want to do that in the future.

Speaker 1: 20:54

Last question is what is your advice to students in, you know, high school and people who are just starting to learn about BioBuilder? What will you tell them about BioBuilder? Why should they join?

Speaker 2: 21:10

I would say it's a really great club to join because it's so welcoming to all levels. You know, we came in our first year. Our project there was we had not tested anything Like we had done our reading, but we weren't able to go to the lab, anything like that. We were very new.

Speaker 2: 21:29

Um, our like mentors didn't know a ton about the topic but we were still able to go in like, take advantage of, like talk to the mentor, our resources, like just get comfortable within the field and I think being able to come in being like knowing absolutely nothing and still being able to develop those skills and just get more comfortable, just learning like biology, I feel like was really good for me. I would say, definitely don't be afraid to come in and say like I don't know anything about this, but I'm really willing to. You know, research this, like try out whatever you suggest. You know research this, like try out whatever you suggest. I feel like that's very important, like tenet of BioBuilders, because we are all like high schoolers so there's only so much you can reasonably expect us to know. But the resources and the mentorship that happens there, I feel like that really equips you to do well, like no matter where you started.

Speaker 1: 22:29

Thanks once again for tuning into this episode. I had a fantastic time learning about Hannah's BioBuilder journey and so excited for her to start the MIT journey. One thing I found really insightful was Hannah's acknowledgement of how important science communication skills are. She mentioned that not everyone has studied salmonella or yeast and how this sort of forced her to think outside the box when presenting her research in a way that doesn't water it down too much but also makes it accessible to anyone listening, which I absolutely love. I feel this episode will be useful to parents, teachers and prospective Bible study students, as it gives a great insight into how accessible the BioBuilder program is and how we can jumpstart a young scientist's career. If you'd like to learn more about anything Hannah and I discussed today, please refer to the show notes. Join me for the next BioBuilder podcast. We'll welcome another wonderful guest whose career has been influenced by BioBuilder's life-changing science. See you next time.