Science research conducted by North High School senior Tyler Chang will be published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. Tyler’s research focused on improving the success rate of colon cancer detection through technology and behavior modification.
Tyler, a member of the North High science research program, initiated his research at a Community-based Ambulatory Surgical Center during the summer before his junior year. His research examined the adenoma detection rates (ADR)—or indicators of colon cancer detection—of endoscopists who used a newer full-spectrum endoscopy technology (Fuse) for three years and reverted back to traditional forward-viewing endoscopes (R-TFV).
Two months into his research, Tyler’s mentor was diagnosed with cancer and could no longer serve as the lead investigator. Undeterred, Tyler continued his work with minimal guidance using his knowledge of the scientific method, scientific writing, and statistical calculations that he learned in science research class.
“Completing this project and having the paper published was one of the most challenging but rewarding experiences for me,” says Tyler. The data culling and actual research required six months, followed by nine months of writing and revising the paper with his co-authors and editors at the medical journal. “Changes in Adenoma Detection Rate from Full-spectrum Endoscopy to Standard Forward-viewing Endoscopy,” prepared by Tyler Chang, Blair Lewis, MD, Netanel Deutsch, M.A., and Benjamin Nulsen, MD, will be published in an upcoming edition of the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology.
“What I have found most inspiring through this process is that there are still so many questions in science that are unanswered,” says Tyler. “Through scientific research, the answer to many of these questions can be discovered and published, which adds to the collective knowledge of the world. It is an honor to be a contributor to that knowledge base.”