When Vera Chen began her undergraduate studies at the University of New Brunswick's (UNB) Fredericton campus, she didn't expect to be presenting her scientific research and presiding a session at an international conference just two years later. But that's exactly what she did this past March when she travelled to Boston to present at PITTCON, the American Chemical Society's annual conference for analytical chemistry.
UNB undergraduate student Vera Chen is using science to solve real-world healthcare challenges in New Brunswick. Her research could help rural hospitals improve patient care through accessible lab technology.
Chen, a third-year bachelor of science student specializing in biopsychology, received a prestigious travel grant to attend the conference. There she delivered both oral and poster presentations on her research and chaired the instrumentation and nanoscience academic session titled Methods for Analysis in Life Sciences.
Her work, which explores the interchangeability of two types of blood analyzers used in clinical settings, could have significant implications for healthcare delivery in rural New Brunswick.
"I'm really interested in neuroscience research," Chen said, "but I also love exploring other fields. I've done research in nutrition, biology, chemistry really anything that lets me look at problems from different angles."
That interdisciplinary mindset is central to Chen's approach in both her studies and her research. While her degree focuses on biology and psychology, she has sought opportunities to branch into other disciplines, including analytical chemistry and biomedical engineering.
"I don't think we should just focus on one field," she said. "If we can merge arts, sciences and other disciplines, we can make even better progress. That's when we get more enriching opportunities and more interesting discoveries."
Chen's research at PITTCON focused on a practical problem facing many hospitals, especially in rural areas: what happens when a critical piece of lab equipment breaks down?
In most hospitals, blood samples are analyzed using a core lab chemistry analyzer a large, expensive machine that can cost upwards of half a million dollars. These analyzers are essential for measuring electrolytes and metabolites in the blood, which help doctors diagnose life-threatening conditions.
But in smaller hospitals or clinics, there may only be one such analyzer and no backup.
"If that machine breaks down or needs maintenance, it can be a big problem," Chen explained. "You still have patients who need blood tests, and you need results quickly."
Chen's project explored whether a smaller, more affordable and commonly available machine the blood gas analyzer could serve as a backup. While the two machines use different types of blood samples (serum/plasma versus whole blood), Chen's research tested whether they could produce comparable results.
"We ran the same samples on both machines and compared the results," she said. "If the results are similar enough within clinical acceptance limits then the blood gas analyzer could be used as a backup in emergencies."
The findings were promising. Across three rounds of testing, the results from both machines were consistently similar, suggesting that the blood gas analyzer could indeed serve as a reliable alternative in certain situations.
"This could be especially helpful for rural hospitals in New Brunswick," Chen said. "They often don't have the resources for multiple analyzers, so having a validated backup could make a big difference in patient care."
Chen's curiosity and drive to explore new fields have shaped her entire academic journey. Born in Toronto and raised in Fredericton, she was drawn to UNB for its research reputation and opportunities to customize her degree.
"I've been able to take a mix of psychology and biology courses, and I've also been involved in writing, editing and community volunteering," she said.
She served as an editor for the Atlantic Student Research Journal and will be taking on the role of accessibility counsellor with the UNB Student Union for the 2025-26 academic year.
These experiences, she said, help her stay connected to the broader community and bring a human-centred perspective to her scientific work.
"I think communication is so important," she said. "What's the point of making discoveries if we can't share them with others?"
This summer, Chen is working at UNB's Institute of Biomedical Engineering, where she's contributing to research involving spinal cord injury patients. She's excited to explore yet another field this time at the intersection of biology, engineering and healthcare.
"I want to keep learning and exploring," she said. "I know I want to work in healthcare and research, and I want to bring that interdisciplinary lens to everything I do."
As she looks ahead to the final years of her undergraduate degree, Chen is considering pursuing an honours thesis and eventually continuing her education in neuroscience or a related field.
For now, she's focused on making the most of every opportunity to learn, grow and contribute.
"I just want to bring more good to the world," she said. "Maybe contribute to more healthcare solutions or in my own way, make a positive impact."
