It was a short week this week, thanks to the Memorial Day holiday on Monday. Everyone came back rested and ready to get to work!  The beginning of the week was interesting.  I started to research options for our outdoor environmental sensors, when I was pulled away to work on the IRB application.  After an email exchange with the IU Human Subjects Office, it was determined that our proposed research falls into somewhat of a gray area in terms of the IRB.  Most of the data that we propose to collect is environmental data, and therefore not subject to the IRB.  However, since Kiarra and I will be wearing sensors to measure our skin temperature and core body temperature, as well as the air temperature, we need to write up our study for the IRB.  If an IRB is required, it will be an expedited review, but the application still needs to be submitted.  This is great experience, getting in on the ground floor of a new research project and getting to help set it up.  There is nothing like having to describe the hypothesis and research methods to ensure that you understand exactly what the study entails!

After an initial draft of the IRB application was prepared, the faculty took over and made final revisions with the intention of submitting the application before the end of the week.  Hopefully we will be up and running with an approved IRB application shortly!

We received disappointing news this week.  Rob Long, a REU alumnus, had been scheduled to join our team as our graduate student mentor.  Unforeseen circumstances have forced a change in plans, so we are back to the drawing board to search for another member to round out our small (but mighty!) team.

After a productive meeting with Dr. Habeeb (with the helpful Dr. Clawson joining via conference call), we were able to map out our proposed time frame for the project and plan our next steps.  After Kiarra and I finish outlining our methods and related work for this week, we will prepare a powerpoint presentation to document the options available for both the environmental sensors and the wearable sensors.  The goal will be to order the sensors next week and keep moving along with the installation preparation.

Sorry for no pictures this week, we were super busy! I’ll remember to add some next week.