Mathematics, Medicine, and Mutation: Emma Bunch on Computational Oncology
In this episode, Suhaani talks with Emma Bunch, a researcher and incoming PhD student at the University of Kentucky. Emma shares her journey from winning the Congressional App Challenge to conducting cutting-edge research at Vanderbilt and the NIH. Tune in to hear how she combines math, AI, and quantum computing to personalize cancer treatments and revolutionize nanomedicine!
Hello and welcome back to Debugged, the Congressional App Challenge’s podcast that connects the country’s youth with technology by debugging the intricate world of computer science.
In this episode, our host Suhaani Sodhi speaks with Emma Bunch, a Congressional App Challenge alumnus whose passion for solving cancer has led her from high school coding to a PhD in biomedical engineering!
Emma’s journey began with a childhood goal to find a cure for cancer. What started as a dream in a 9-year-old’s classroom evolved into a rigorous academic pursuit of math and computational biology. Emma discusses her time at Vanderbilt University’s BIC Lab and the NIH, where she taught herself the programming language R to analyze Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential (CHIP). By applying mathematical regressions to massive genomic datasets, she uncovered critical links between genetic mutations, socioeconomic factors, and cancer risks in rural populations.
This conversation also dives into Emma’s entrepreneurial venture, Curelytics. Originally a classroom assignment for the App Challenge, the platform evolved into a sophisticated tool that uses AI and quantum computing to help patients navigate clinical trials. Emma explains how she uses the Mobius transformation to reduce noise in quantum systems, allowing for more precise modeling of molecular processes and protein structures.
As Emma prepares to begin her PhD at the University of Kentucky under Dr. Sheng Tong, she shares her excitement for the future of nanomedicine and CRISPR-Cas9 technology. Her work focuses on using magnetic nanoparticles to deliver personalized immunotherapies directly to tumors, minimizing the off-target effects of traditional treatments.
Tune into this week’s episode of Debugged to hear Emma’s insights on balancing scientific rigor with mental well-being, her perspective as a Christian in STEM, and her powerful advice for aspiring researchers. Her message is clear: be your own advocate, reach out to mentors, and don’t be afraid to take that first step toward solving the world’s biggest challenges!