Creating a Research Application: The Experience of a Medical Student

Mario Mahecha, Santiago Guzman, Pablo Riascos

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As a medical student, I never imagined I would develop an application. My background is in medicine, not programming. However, curiosity and necessity pushed me to experiment with new tools. Within two weeks, I built an app using Python, leveraging a powerful coding assistant and a visualization library to get my idea off the ground. This experience made me realize that anyone, even those with minimal programming knowledge can develop their own applications.

The challenge: Transforming Data Into Insights

The need for the app arose from a research project that required effective data visualization. I wanted something simple yet powerful, allowing researchers to interact dynamically with data. Traditional methods felt limited in what they could achieve. The solution? Create a tool that could automate tasks and present information in an understandable, accessible format.

Getting Started: Overcoming the Fear of Coding

The most difficult part was getting started. I had little to no programming experience, but I discovered a coding assistant that helped me write, debug, and optimize my Python code. This made the process much smoother—I didn’t have to memorize tricky syntax or spend hours frustratingly debugging stubborn errors. Instead, I focused on structuring the app logically and optimizing its functionality.

Constructing the Application: Python and Streamlit Capabilities

Once the coding process was simplified, the next challenge was determining how to display the results effectively. That’s when I discovered Streamlit, a tool that enabled me to create an interactive web app with just a few lines of Python code. Rather than dealing with complicated web development frameworks, I was able to quickly prototype and test different visualizations for my research data. Within a few days, I had a working prototype that could load datasets and display results with interactive charts and tables.

Lessons learned: Anyone Can Build an App 

The most important takeaway from this experience is that app development isn’t limited to computer scientists or professional developers. With the right tools and mindset, anyone can create something functional. Coding isn't about knowing everything; it's about understanding how to leverage existing resources to solve problems. 

This project not only supported my research but also opened new possibilities for the future. Whether you’re in medicine, science, or any other field, building your own tools is more accessible than ever. If I could do it in a fortnight, you can too!