Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade V’alura Belmont (Chief Science Officer) in Side-Sim New Research in the Starfleet Medical Journal

Posted by Nicole Cline in Side-Sim New Research in the Starfleet Medical Journal

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade V’alura Belmont (Chief Science Officer) in Side-Sim New Research in the Starfleet Medical Journal
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻
V’alura fell into her office chair, sinking into the memory foam before settling back with a heavy sigh. Dark green bags had begun to form beneath her eyes and her normally curly hair was limp and flat from a lack of care. Too much researching. Too many minutes wasted thinking about said research. I’m so exhausted She should leave her office and get some sleep.

Instead, V’alura sat forward and opened her correspondence and opened files from oldest to most recent. Most were updates from within the ship, requests from department heads or staffing issues. Projects that needed approval or rejecting. But one stuck out. A message from Starfleet Medical. Curious, V’alura opened the file and saw it was the latest issue of the Starfleet Medical Journal. Then it clicked. Her research! Suddenly giddy, V’alura went to the index and scoured the titles of the paper until she saw it. Her research.

New Advancement in Predictive AI Diagnosis Algorithms By Lieutenant Junior Grade V’alura Belmont, PhD of Artificial Intelligence

[An abstract that details the main finding of the research, an introduction of herself and the current predictive algorithms used currently in the field and the objective of her research and algorithm, her testing methodologies and an introduction to the data used for testing, then roughly a hundred pages of math, code and such much data regarding the new algorithm and the results from her trial tests. A discussion comparing the results to those made by current algorithms, and a recommendation of how this new model may be used within the medical field. Due to the algorithm’s highly accurate predictions, it could be utilized against predicting infection and progress of disease. However, further research and testing are required before this new algorithm is made available to medical equipment. The research paper ends with Lt. Jgr. Belmont’s contact information.]

“Goodness, gracious, my research was published!” V’alura said aloud, overjoyed to see one of her long-term side projects finally published. Gosh, it’s been months since she first sent her research to the Starfleet Medical Peer Review Board. “Oh, this is the best news I’ve gotten all week.” Since there was no one in her office, she talked to the little beta fish she kept there (originally she wanted one of her tarantulas to move in, but, given the prevalence of arachnophobia among her scientists, decided a fish would be the better and safer choice). “All I need now is to prove it’s validity for medical use.” Someone was bound to message her about it.

Smiling for the first time in hours, V’alura felt a little more invigorated as she continued through her correspondences.

Lt. Jg. Belmont, CSO

There was a letter awaiting V’alura the next day, arriving from an officer aboard the USS Ogawa. It read as follows:
Dear Lt JG V’alura Belmont,

I am a Doctor aboard the USS Ogawa. [The letter went on to list his qualifications]. I have read and am rather interested in your research regarding the use of AI in the medical field. I believe it has potential to be a great tool, however I have some questions. How does this algorithm work? What kinds of molecules and processes can it predict? What else do you expect it to be able to do? I would be most interested to see this technology move forward. If this letter is unwanted, please disregard. Otherwise, I await your answer.

Sincerely,
Lt JG Solal, Immunology
[The letter contained an electronic signature.]

Solal’s contact information was listed at the bottom.

~ Lt JG Solal, Doctor [USS Ogawa]

A new day. A new, slightly better rested her. V’alura scrolled through her correspondence, replying to messages one after another until she came across a message from the USS Ogawa. The USS Ogawa. . . never heard of it She opened and read the message, her excitement building the more she read. This is fantastic! A doctor is interested in her research! V’alura glanced at the time, and figured she had the time to write a proper reply before she was needed out in the labs.

V’alura cracked her knuckles then got to typing.

Dear Lt JG Solal Segal,

Thank you for contacting me about my research, it is very much wanted. I am more than happy to answer your questions. Here are my answers, in the order as they appeared in your letter: [A description of machine learning and how AI can “learn” through repeated experiences and then draw from those experiences and data banks to perform a long and complex series of calculations, resulting in the predictions], [all molecules at the cellular level and it could predict changes in immune responses, the advancement of infection and disease. Like the growth of cancerous cells or swelling]. With enough tests and “experience” the AI guiding the algorithm could one day predict how unknown disease may advance through a living body. By running the algorithm against well-documented biological responses, we could train it to predict lesser-known responses or even predict how and unknown disease will advance. The more we utilize the program and expose it to new responses, the better it will become.

If you are interested in helping me progress my research, I think we could help each other out. [An explanation of the next phase for the research, using current medical data and comparing it to the computer diagnosis and the diagnosis of the organic doctor.] With your assistance, we could begin testing the algorithm for future use in the field.

Sincerely,
Lt. JG. Belmont, CSO
[Followed by V’alura’s electronic signature]

Ugh. V’alura glared at that sincerely but she didn’t know what else to put. Anything else felt too casual. Though, that “sincerely” felt to darn formal. Oh well. She may have a future research partner!

Lt. Jg. Belmont, CSO

The letter came in several hours after the first. They were always stiffeningly formal, with little to no emotion in them. Straight to the point.

Dear V’alura,
This research has promise in the medical field to predict and prevent illness, even as new diseases are discovered. I am very interested in the potential field applications, and it would be great to assist such a technology to reach the next stage of research. With your advice on what you need, we can begin planning.

Sincerely,
Lt JG Solal, Immunology

~ Lt JG Solal, Doctor [USS Ogawa]

V’alura had hoped a reply would come before she retired that day, and she was pleased as all get out that there was. Gosh, there’s so much to plan and organize! She’ll need to outline a new research plan, decide upon methodologies. . . more research and reviewing the literature. So much to do but she welcomed the work. This project will be a nice distraction from their mission.

V’alura’s letters were the opposite. Tending towards the informal and sometimes just a little rambling but otherwise well-written and organized.

Dear Solal,

Dropping my rank already? I’m teasing. To be honest I prefer the informal address. Formalities are nice and all but they’re so stuffy and stiff. Anyways, the first step of any good research is pre-research! Attached to this letter are several articles for you to read and familiarize yourself with. These articles will cover the basics of AI and the current models of AI medical assistance and diagnosis. I think it’s best to use the same methods used to test the current algorithms for a proper analysis of the new algorithm and where it shows improvement or falls short.

To begin the next phase of testing, we need permission to access the LCARS Medical Database, Research and Development Clearance Level 1. As a doctor, you will be able to make the request. And since it’s only a Level 1 clearance you won’t need to jump through hoops to get it. Like proving we’re not going to use the data for evil purposes or to expose personal information. Or worse, compose a request to the Starfleet Medical Board (I think that’s needed for any level higher than three) which could take months to be approved or rejected. Once we have permission we will be able to compile a database to train the AI algorithm with privatized data from past medical cases.

If all goes well and the tests show the same effectiveness of the new algorithm as first proved by my first tests then we can advanced to the final stage of testing. But let’s not get too far ahead.

Awaiting your reply,
Lt. JG. Belmont, CSO
[Followed by V’alura’s electronic signature]
[Attached are several files of the promised information]

Lt. Jg. Belmont, CSO

Dear V’alura,

It will take me around three days to read through these articles. Thank you for the information. The required clearance shouldn’t pose any problems, and I plan to apply after I’ve read the background information you forwarded. I may be busy in the next few days. I will reply when I can.

Sincerely,
Lt JG Solal, Immunology
[His signature is included at the bottom]

~ Lt JG Solal, Doctor [USS Ogawa]

Three days, that was fine. V’alura had plenty to set up on her end and prepare for. They’ll need to find the right test subject. A disease or infection that’s already well documented to compare the algorithm’s results with the documented results of the disease or infection. Hmm. . . she’ll have to do some research. Or perhaps one of her colleagues in medical will have a recommendation. She slotted the additional research into her mental schedule then went about preparing for sleep.

Two days later V’alura sent her reply

Dear Solal,

Good news, I’ve found a test subject for the algorithm. I don’t know if you’re already familiar with it, and you might, but it’s called Betelgese Syndrome. Discovered twenty three years ago by the USS Galahad when the ship and its crew accidentally broke a planet-wide quarantine on Betelgese Three. Betelgese Syndrome simultaneously attacked the brain, and nervous system of humanoid lifeforms. Upon making contact with a previously uninfected lifeform, the disease rapidly progressed to devastating effect. A vaccine was developed by a joint effort of the Betelgesians and the medical officers of the USS Galahad and with the vaccine the Betelgesians were finally able to eradicate the disease.

It’s a perfect test for the algorithm. The Betelgesians contributed all their data on the disease to Starfleet, and with the records made by the Galahad we have plenty of biodata. We can compare the algorithm’s predictions against the actual progress of the disease in patients and we can build its database off the Betelgesian records before the Galahad. Which will double as a test of the AI’s ability to work with preexisting data.

Awaiting your reply,
Lt. JG. Belmont, CSO
[Followed by V’alura’s electronic signature]

Lt. Jg. Belmont, CSO

bump