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🔎 Wanna Do Research? Here’s the Stuff No One Tells You.
Published about 1 month ago • 3 min read
So you want to do research and work at the forefront of innovation?
Not the “Google what’s the fastest animal” kind of research. I’m talking about real-world stuff—labs, published papers, building tech that actually helps people.
I get this question all the time from ambitious teens: How do I break into research? How do I get to the forefront of innovation? Where do I start?
After today’s story, you might stop picturing research as something only professors in white coats do— and start realizing it might be a lot closer to your world than you think.
But FIRST
If you are new, welcome to OCE’s weekly newsletter curated for the ambitious youth…here are some articles you missed from previous weeks:
Today, Tan’s a professor at ASU’s Carey School of Business, working at the intersection of healthcare and technology. He studies how digital tools like video visits and remote monitoring can actually support underserved communities—not just create more confusion.
But back when he was 17, Tan had zero interest in healthcare. He was on a straight path to industrial engineering—maybe a future in logistics or consulting. It was a solid, structured plan. The kind that looks impressive and makes perfect sense on paper.
But something didn’t click.
“It was all about moving products or shaving seconds off a process,” he says. “But I kept wondering—what about people?”
The work felt too clean. Too distant. Systems without stories. That quiet disconnect kept tugging at him.
Then he stumbled on research that used data to understand patient behavior—why someone might skip a doctor’s appointment or struggle to access care. And suddenly, it clicked.
“I realized I could use the same analytical tools, but to fix messier, more human problems.”
That shift changed everything.
It wasn’t just about efficiency anymore. It was about equity.
People missing doctor’s appointments because of cost, distance, or complexity. Tech being rolled out without asking if it actually helps.
That became his niche.
Tan's research on impact of telehealth
The First Leap
Tan’s advice for students dreaming of research? Don’t wait for someone to tap you on the shoulder.
“You don’t get research experience by waiting around—you get it by reaching out to professors and offering to help with their work.”
It sounds simple, but it’s the move that changed everything for him.
And don’t overthink it.
“At the time, I thought academia was just for really serious (read: boring) people. But when I got exposed to applied research — the kind that was tackling real-world questions — I was hooked.”
Sometimes, it just takes one person believing in you. For Tan, it was a mentor during his master’s program.
Innovation Is Messy
A lot of people imagine research like a clean formula: Problem → Data → Answer.
But Tan compares it more to detective work.
“Most of my job is helping people think through complexity. We build econometric models… and half the time, we realize we’re not measuring what we thought.”
And that’s the point. Innovation isn’t a straight path. It’s being okay with not knowing, and staying curious anyway.
The Mindset Shift That Changed the Game
One mental model Tan swears by? Outcome bias — the trap of judging decisions by their results instead of the quality of the decision itself.
“You can do everything right and still have things go sideways. That doesn’t mean it was a bad call.”
In other words: show up, make thoughtful moves, and let go of the outcome. That mindset helped him stop second-guessing and start showing up fully.
The Road Ahead
As AI continues to shake up healthcare, Tan’s keeping his focus on the people it’s supposed to serve.
“More tech doesn’t always mean better outcomes. We have to ask: Does this actually help the people who need it most?”
And that’s where future researchers — maybe even you — come in.
Want In? Here’s What to Do Next
If Tan could give ambitious teens one tip, it’s this: 👉 Find something you care about. Then offer to help.
Email a professor. Volunteer on a research project. Ask questions that feel messy and human.
Because getting to the forefront of innovation? It doesn’t start with a fancy resume. It starts with a spark — and a DM.
Want more stories like this, or help reaching out to researchers? We’ve got resources, templates, and connections. Just reply to this email with “Research Ready,” and we’ll hook you up.
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PS. This summer, we are going to tackle pressing global issues and drive innovation in regions (such as your own community) where it is needed the most. Want in?
We run a summer cohort for ambitious youth (high school and undergrads) to work directly with world-class founders while learning from Silicon Valley leaders.
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