Database Designer
Spatial Microbiome Exploration
Extracurricular Project
Fall 2016 – Spring 2017

DESCRIPTION:

A web-based visualization environment that transforms traditional human micro-biome analysis into a powerful tool for scientific exploration.

OBJECTIVE:

Create an intuitive web-based environment that can display and navigate multiple dimensions of information.

METHODS:

A multidisciplinary team with backgrounds in statistical analysis, graphic design, geospatial visualization, and technological development helped to rapidly iterate ideas through market research, sketches, diagrams, rapid prototyping, and digital modeling. Publicly available data from the American Gut Project was analyzed, reformatted, and used to design an environment that greatly improves upon traditional “principal coordinate analysis” or PCoA plots widely used in statistics and scientific research to show correlation.

RESULTS:

The resulting visualization environment dramatically improves traditional methods of comparing bacteria found in the human micro-biome. Users are able to filter data by parameter and make comparisons by bacterial similarity and variables such as use of sunscreen, presence of diabetes, or type and number of pets in their household. Users are also able to rotate the data visualization in any direction, fly freely into and out of the data, and project the data in 4 different projection systems. This type of technological development is addressing the growing need for tools that help navigate and democratize the use of information.