Imagine stepping into a virtual universe, like Tron, where towering data streams pulse with scientific secrets waiting to be unlocked. In BYU’s Pickett Lab, students harness the university’s supercomputer to decode the mysteries hidden in gene sequences, transforming vast bioinformatics datasets into groundbreaking insights on cancer, infections, disease markers, and more. Focused on using computational methods to analyze RNA or virus genomes to better understand and diagnose diseases, the Pickett Lab is divided into two main groups: one studying RNA changes in diseases and the other analyzing virus mutations.
“There’s a thrill to be found in the discovery process,” shares Dr. Brett Pickett. “Ultimately, it's about figuring out what's going wrong to cause these diseases and then deciding how can we treat them and diagnose them cheaper, faster, and more accurately.”
The nature of bioinformatics permits the students in the Pickett Lab to compare vast amounts of data at once using information that's already publicly available. Pulling from a lot of different sources also enables them to identify trends and patterns across a larger population of patients to improve the reach of their findings.
“Because of the way [the supercomputer] is set up,” student researcher Zach Fears (NEURO ’26) shares, “all we have to do is find data sets that we think would be interesting to compare against one another other, and then from there everyone has their own project.”
Student researcher Izzy Fratangelo (MMBIO ’24) exemplifies this point. She is currently working on a type of muscle analysis, approaching it from a bioinformatics standpoint as she compares the gene regulations of muscles that have been exercised to muscles that remain non-strengthened. “Dr. Pickett is really cool,” Fratangelo expresses warmly. “He encourages us to work with other amazing professors at BYU besides himself, and so for my current project we've been able to work with Dr. Nelson, who's in exercise sciences.”
Not only are students who work in the Pickett Lab able to contribute to an important scientific field, but they also are given opportunities to spearhead research and present posters with many eventually achieving publication.
“I encourage every student to create and present at least one poster,” says Dr. Pickett, “and I encourage undergraduates to get published if possible. I'd say more than half of the students get their names on a paper.”
The opportunities for high-level research and eventual publication makes the Pickett Lab a popular option for students looking for hands-on experience. Despite the high volume of student applications he receives, Dr. Pickett makes himself available to as many students as possible.
“A lot of students will say, ‘Well, I didn't want to bother you [by inquiring about open lab spots].’” Dr. Pickett says. “I always want to remind them, ‘You’re not bothering me, this is part of my job!’ I expect them to come. They are welcome to come and talk to me.” Dr. Pickett’s warm, approachable attitude creates an environment where students feel empowered to take ownership of their research and make meaningful contributions to science.
For those interested in learning more about the Pickett Lab’s projects and mission, additional information is available here.
Helpful Advice From Students in the Pickett Lab
Izzy Fratangelo (MMBIO '24):
- Find a professor you resonate with even if at first you aren’t super interested in the research. I had a good experience with Dr. Pickett. I wanted a mentor and he’s done a great job.
- If there's an initial rejection, always try again.
- Being aware of your workload outside of the lab is super important.
- If you're interested in joining the lab, just to talk to Dr Pickett because he’s one of the chillest guys I’ve ever met.
- Dr. Pickett tries to take as many people as he can, but sometimes it just comes down to how many people he can fit into one conference room to teach. If it’s a particularly competitive application cycle, looking up how to do R programming—which is one of the base skills that you learn in the lab—would help as well as consistently showing interest.