First, a design challenge: How do you design software that displays and validates the existence of small molecules present among sample cohorts ranging in number from 1 to 1,000+ and varying in type from human whole blood to dolphin urine? (Yes, this was a real use case.) It’s a challenging task for trained biochemists, and it’s especially intimidating if your educational background primarily consists of a Fine Arts degree.

Here are a few takeaways from over 4 years of designing user-driven products and tools for the world’s leading metabolomics company.

1. Learn from the experts

Engage early

Getting subject matter expertise when designing complex systems is crucial…