Hello! I'm Tatum, a rising sophomore at Columbia University originally from Columbus, Ohio. I am studying Biology on a pre-med track with aspirations to become a pediatric physician. My personal experiences as a child with congenital heart disease have fueled my passion for pediatric cardiology.
This summer, my interests in specialized care, genetics, children, cardiology, and athletics have converged in my first Laidlaw Summer Research project. Over a six-week period, I have conducted research at the Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital’s Program for Cardiomyopathy, Heart Failure, and Transplantation. My work culminated in a comprehensive database that includes the 781 unique patients seen by the physicians in the program over the past year (June 2023-June 2024). With the completion of the database, I am currently working on a publication that highlights the disparity in restrictions placed on children with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy compared to other subtypes of cardiomyopathy. This involves analyzing which clinical data points are most crucial in making decisions to restrict patients from athletics and comparing the criteria for restriction within the Program for Cardiomyopathy, Heart Failure, and Transplantation to the 2024 AHA Guidelines for the Management of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Children. I hope this analysis will advance the field of pediatric cardiology, both in New York City and globally, by highlighting the need for specialized treatment that allows patients to experience as much normalcy as possible while growing up.
I am also a student-athlete at Columbia University where I am a member of the softball team. The world of sports has taught me great amounts of leadership skills, while also demonstrating that you are never too young to learn. I am also a member of the Columbia Christian Athletes group and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. In my free time, I love to explore New York City by walking by Citi-bike, seeing performances, and trying new restaurants (I am a BIG foodie!). However, now as a college student, I greatly cherish the time I spend with my loved ones and family, simply relaxing together.
I am grateful to be part of the Laidlaw Community, and I look forward with enthusiasm to the future, where I anticipate further developing my leadership skills, fostering more meaningful relationships, expanding my research knowledge, and building on my valuable clinical experience.
Recent Comments
This was incredibly insightful, Justin. Being around the field of medicine this summer has taught me that the research process is typically seen as collecting data, analyzing it, and then presenting the findings. However, you have highlighted a crucial aspect—dedicating time to internalize and thoroughly understand the data before presenting it. This step is essential to fully grasp the implications of the research and effectively communicate them to the community. I am excited that you have made such an important realization early in our research journey, and I look forward to hearing about your insights from this summer!
During the first week of the program, I spent much time looking into the history of Kiritimati Island. I discovered testimonies of elders who had seen the bombings first-hand, revealing the horrors and consequences of nuclear testing. The focus of my research has been and remains the people of Kiritimati Island, making sure that their food is not contaminated and safe to consume.
My faculty mentor is helpful as I continue my research, as he has prior experience analyzing nuclear levels in the Marshall Islands. His knowledge of the analysis process and procedure is helpful in defining the objectives of this Kiritimati Island project. Additionally, as my research involved coding a data framework to analyze levels of nuclear contamination, I have found coding tutorial websites and my coding files from previous data analysis projects extremely helpful.
I truly appreciate how you took the time to understand the culture and people within the region you are researching, Kate. This approach is crucial in research, as it provides a deeper understanding of the context in which your study is situated. By immersing yourself in the local culture, you gain valuable insights that can significantly enhance the relevance and impact of your findings. This level of engagement not only enriches your research but also demonstrates respect for the subjects of your study, which is an essential aspect of conducting ethical and comprehensive research.
The prevalence of genetic variants classified as “Variants of Unknown Significance” (VUS) among patients in the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital Program for Cardiomyopathy, Heart Failure, and Transplantation is remarkable. While it is expected that children are born with genetic variants due to the inherent nature of physiology, it is astonishing that, despite the advanced technology available today, our understanding of these genetic mutations and their impacts remains limited. Genetic testing on children presenting with various subcategories of cardiovascular diseases often cannot determine whether the genetic variant they possess is the cause of the disease. This uncertainty complicates treatment, as it is more challenging compared to treating children whose genetic variants are identified as either pathogenic or benign. When a genetic variant is classified as pathogenic or benign, physicians can more accurately determine whether the child's symptoms are due to their genetic sequence or an underlying condition, thereby facilitating more targeted and effective treatment strategies. My work has underscored the significant prevalence of "Variants of Unknown Significance" still present in clinical practice, emphasizing the critical need to enhance genetic research and expand our knowledge base. Such advancements are essential for improving diagnostic accuracy, developing targeted therapies, and ultimately enhancing patient care.
As I delve deeper into the fields of genomics and pediatric cardiology through my work, I have increasingly relied on resources such as Google Scholar and PubMed. These platforms have proven invaluable in providing extensive information, allowing me to understand the complexities of these disciplines without needing to consult my mentor too frequently. The wealth of research articles, case studies, and reviews available on these databases has significantly enhanced my knowledge of more subtle aspects of the fields. This continuous learning process not only enriches my experience but also empowers me to contribute more effectively, particularly as I prepare to begin publishing my own research.
Thank you for highlighting the essential behind-the-scenes tasks involved in research, Valeriya. It is important to acknowledge that research is often not a straightforward process yielding immediate, clear results. Instead, it requires a great deal of hard work, persistence, and attention to detail to achieve meaningful outcomes. Recognizing this reality underscores the dedication and effort that go into producing high-quality research. I understand that the anticipation can be challenging, but I am confident that your research will yield fruitful results in the end. This will undoubtedly prove to be a precious experience for you, and I cannot wait to hear all about it!
I am humbled to report that my work is already making a positive impact on the organization and treatment of patients at the NewYork-Presbyterian Congenital Heart Center Program for Pediatric Cardiomyopathy, Heart Failure, and Transplantation. Updated genetic testing has been initiated for several patients, allowing for more personalized treatment. Additionally, communication among physicians has improved regarding treatment plans, thanks to discrepancies I identified in patient charts. As an undergraduate student, I did not anticipate the extent of the influence I could have so quickly.
My initial goal was to write a research paper upon completing my data collection, focusing on the treatment of children with cardiomyopathy. Dr. Teresa Lee, my mentor, has graciously offered to assist me in the writing process in the months following my stay in New York. The paper will aim to analyze which demographics of children are most commonly restricted from sports and whether these restrictions align with the updated 2024 AHA Athletic Guidelines.
The relationships I have built while working at NewYork-Presbyterian have opened numerous opportunities for me to continue this project and related work in the coming years. I am grateful to the Laidlaw Network for providing me with the chance to form these valuable connections.
I believe the work I am doing is vital not only for the children currently being treated within the program but also for the future of the community. While I am not directly testing the children, my efforts encourage physicians to tailor care to each child's needs, enabling them to lead more normal and comfortable lives. Evidence shows that children thrive when given the opportunity to participate in athletics or be part of a team. Personalized treatment is essential for these children to experience normalcy outside the hospital, fostering their development into successful young adults who can significantly contribute to the community. As someone who grew up receiving medical care for Pulmonary Valve Stenosis and benefited from the opportunity to play competitive sports, I am driven to help as many children in similar situations have childhoods defined not by their diagnosis but by their potential and growth as individuals.
As we prepare for our trip to Kiritimati island, I find it important to remember that there are actual people and communities that will be impacted by the findings of our research. This not only serves as a driving source of motivation, but also raises the question of how we can be sensitive to other communities as we conduct research and in-situ radiation measurements. When our group and mentor traveled to the Kiribati consulate two weeks ago, they noted how the community on Kiritimati island may be concerned by our research (especially as the population is quite small and word travels fast).
Although our current research seems to focus primarily on more technical aspects as of right now, such as developing a data analysis framework for the radiation detector, as next summer approaches, we will have to address the ethical questions that will inevitably arise with conducting fieldwork in an area with a pre-existing community and population.
I completely resonate with your reflections. It is crucial to remember that, as researchers, our work ultimately revolves around the lives and well-being of real people. We must never lose sight of this fundamental truth and become so engrossed in our research that we forget the humanity at the heart of our studies. Maintaining this awareness ensures that our work remains compassionate, ethical, and truly beneficial to those we aim to help.
In my work within a clinical setting focused on children and genetic testing, ethics play a central role. As a researcher, I want to encourage families to have their children participate in genetic testing that may provide them with crucial insights into their children's disorders, but also has the potential to boost our understanding of how pathogenic variants of certain genes impact children differently than adults. This information then can be used to improve treatments and interventions so that they can be tailored specifically for pediatric patients in the future. However, genetic testing presents ethical dilemmas for families, such as the potential discovery of a positive mutation that could adversely affect the child's ability to obtain health insurance and the psychological impact of such a finding. As a researcher, you must navigate this fine line carefully. It is imperative not to pressure families into participating in your study or pursuing a care path that may solely benefit your research. Instead, you must prioritize the well-being and autonomy of the families, ensuring they are fully informed and supported in making decisions that are best for their children. This ethical consideration is crucial in maintaining trust and integrity in your research and clinical practice.
While delving into the treatment of children with different types of cardiomyopathy at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, I discovered that providing tailored care to children with this diagnosis, rather than applying adult protocols, is a relatively new practice. This shift in care has been widely supported, with few dissenting viewpoints regarding the need to improve and adapt pediatric care. However, genetic testing in children raises ethical concerns, as these young patients may not fully comprehend the implications and are vulnerable in this regard. Despite this, genetic testing can be highly beneficial for their personal health, offering physicians a clearer understanding of the underlying causes of their symptoms, particularly in relation to their heart. Therefore, I consider the alternative viewpoint that views genetic testing for affected children in a negative light throughout my research, as I believe it keeps me grounded in my true goals and passions. The most crucial perspective in medicine is to see the patient as an individual in need of care, rather than as a research subject with the primary focus being on the dignity and well-being of the children. Having this perspective ensures that I will never be led astray by pushing children and their families down a path that benefits my research rather than their best interests.
An interdisciplinary environment like Laidlaw's cohort allows for a range of various perspectives on perhaps the same general topic; this interdisciplinary foundation allows room for unique expertise in the same general domain of topic or interest. In order to tackle complex global challenges, it is precisely this interdisciplinary environment that allows unique perspectives to be fostered, new ideas to emerge, and existing ideas to connect in new ways. While researching on imagination, it becomes important for me to understand not only human psychology and the neuroscience behind the brain, but also generally what makes people think and who they become -- inherently, to understand human psychology I must have an interdisciplinary understanding of humans as a whole, understanding various perspectives and unique ideas. In communicating with other scholars in the Laidlaw cohort, I have not only begun to understand their specific research projects, but also the various ways in which each person contributes something unique to the research field. Being a part of the Living Lab, further, has allowed me to interact not only with psychology and neuroscience, but also gain exposure to computer science and various other fields.
Liza, your project is incredibly fascinating, and I am eager to learn more about the findings of your research! I really appreciate how you've highlighted the complexity of lab work, which often appears straightforward but actually demands a diverse skill set, including computer science, data collection, and more. Mastering these skills now will undoubtedly be beneficial for your future research endeavors. I’m excited to hear more once you begin engaging with people and their imaginations soon!