Week 1: Planning the Project: Building a Schedule and Defining My Approach

As my Senior Project begins to take shape, one of the first and most important steps has been working closely with my advisor to organize a clear plan for how the project will progress. Because my topic involves analyzing medical research and exploring connections between metabolic health and psoriasis, we started by creating a structured schedule that breaks the project into different phases. Together, we discussed how much time to dedicate to background research, reviewing the scientific literature, organizing findings, and ultimately preparing my final presentation. Having a clear timeline has helped make the project feel more manageable and ensures that I stay on track throughout the trimester.

Another key focus of these early meetings has been determining the best approach to my research question. Since I will not be conducting my own clinical trial, my project will primarily rely on a literature-based analysis. This means I will be reviewing randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses related to psoriasis, weight loss, and GLP-1 medications. By analyzing clinical measures such as the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and patient quality-of-life scores, I can better understand how weight loss and metabolic treatments may influence psoriasis severity. This approach allows me to examine existing clinical evidence while developing stronger skills in reading and evaluating scientific research.

While planning the project, I also started thinking about additional angles that could make the research more comprehensive. One area I am considering exploring further is how GLP-1 medications compare to more traditional psoriasis treatments in terms of cost and overall benefits. Psoriasis treatments range from topical medications and phototherapy to biologic drugs, many of which can be very expensive. Because GLP-1 medications are also known for their high cost, it could be interesting to look at how these treatments compare, not only in terms of effectiveness but also in accessibility and overall health benefits.

This potential comparison would not replace the main focus of my project but rather add another layer of analysis. Looking at both clinical outcomes and economic factors could provide a broader perspective on treatment approaches and what they mean for patients in real-world settings.

At this stage, the project is still evolving, and these early conversations with my advisor have been essential in shaping how I plan to move forward. Research is rarely a straight path, and part of the process is refining ideas, adjusting methods, and considering new questions along the way. As I continue developing my methodology and gathering sources, I’m excited to see how the project grows and what insights I might uncover.