Research Project Title: PolyChron” FAIR data for post-excavation analysis
Why did you apply for this internship?
I was drawn to this internship because of my strong interest in programming and statistics, and how they can be applied to real world problems.
Last summer, I completed a UGRI project on “Dynamical Systems and their Applications in Finance,” which gave me a valuable introduction to academic research and allowed me to explore my interests in data analysis and coding. That experience made me eager to take on a larger and more collaborative opportunity like this one. The chance to work on a longer project, connect with students from other universities, and learn from their experiences was especially appealing.
My project, which involves using Bayesian modelling for archaeological dating evidence, brings together my passion for data and my curiosity about fossils. I am excited to get started and continue developing my skills in a meaningful research setting.
What did you hope to gain in completing this project?
Through this project, I wanted to gain a deeper understanding of Bayesian modelling methods and how it can be applied to real datasets.
I was keen to see how statistical methods are used in academic research and to develop my ability to write clear, reliable code for research purposes. I also hoped to improve my problem solving and critical thinking skills by working through the challenges that come with real datasets.
Beyond the technical side, I was looking forward to working closely with researchers and learning how collaborative research projects are run. Taking part in the showcase and hearing about other interns' work will be a great way to broaden my perspective and gain insight into different areas of research.
Project Overview
This project focused on extending PolyChron, a prototype software designed to help archaeologists process and calibrate their findings. I carried out refactoring and debugging to improve the existing codebase, and my main contribution was integrating additional calibration curves (shcal20 and marine20) so that PolyChron can handle samples from a wider range of excavation sites. This work involved dealing with interlinked Python files, adapting a Tkinter interface, interpolating missing values in teh raw calibration data and ensuring the software could switch flexibly between the different calibration curves. The key finding was that calibration curve choice can significantly affect dating results.
What were the key results of your research project?
The key result of my project was showing that the choice of calibration curve (IntCal20, SHCal20, or Marine20) can significantly alter radiocarbon dating results, sometimes shifting ages by hundreds of years.
By extending PolyChron to support SHCal20 and Marine20 in addition to IntCal20, I made the software more accurate and globally relevant.
How do you feel you have benefited from completing this internship and has it made you consider future career paths?
On the technical side, I strengthened my Python skills. I learned how to code for Tkinter interfaces, work with complex functions spread across multiple files, and write clearer, well-commented code that others can understand.
My problem-solving skills also improved through debugging and fixing tricky bugs, and I became more confident working independently on research-style tasks. I gained experience in communicating professionally, both through email and in person, which was valuable for collaborating with my supervisors.
Career-wise, this experience has made me more certain that I want to pursue a mathematical career that involves programming and problem solving, for example, actuarial work or a similar role where I can apply these skills in practice.
GitHub repository of research: https://github.com/bryonymoody/PolyChron
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