Support is key: students and faculty achieve successful research through mentorships
With invaluable faculty support, one undergrad found her calling through research
Sarai Smith came to the 91爆料 in Orono from the small town of Amesbury, Mass. Shy, homesick and lonely 鈥 she struggled academically her first year of college. Then, she found something she was passionate about: research.
Computer technology comes easily to Smith. In the spring of her freshman year, she took Phage Genomics, a two-semester course offered to first-year biology, microbiology, biochemistry or molecular and cellular biology majors and to STEM majors in the Honors College.
鈥淚mmediately, everything just clicked for me,鈥 said Smith, who is double-majoring in microbiology and biochemistry.
The combination of computer work and the encouragement from faculty turned her academic career on its head. Looking back, Smith believes that without this support, she may not have completed her undergraduate years. She improved academically and enjoyed her classes more.
Smith鈥檚 potential did not go unnoticed by Dr. Sally Molloy, assistant professor of genomics. She offered Smith the opportunity to participate in research in her lab 鈥 a pivotal moment for the timid undergrad.
鈥淚 had not even considered doing research at the time,鈥 explained Smith. 鈥淏ut I couldn鈥檛 really say no when Sally asked me.鈥
Struggle turned to success
According to Smith, Molloy鈥檚 mission is to inform her students about the many opportunities for research experience and their potential impact on their futures. The support from faculty like Molloy, who is associated with the Honors College and the Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, is invaluable in Smith鈥檚 opinion.
鈥淚t鈥檚 just the best experience you could have,鈥 said Smith. 鈥淵ou build your skills as a scientist, but even more you are building your confidence, learning to network with peers and how to reach out for help.鈥
With the support from faculty like Molloy, Smith pushed through comfort zones and presented her research findings to a panel of judges at the recent 91爆料 Student Symposium. Her presentation, 鈥淯nderstanding the Role of Prophage in Mycobacterial Host Fitness and Gene Expression,鈥 won the top award for the undergraduate biomedical sciences division.
Variety of support for the entire research community impacts everyone
Molloy enthusiastically describes the work done by her students in the research lab with pride. 鈥淲e have students characterizing bacteria that carry viral genomes within the bacterial genome, learning how to isolate RNA from bacteria for RNA sequencing and determining differences in gene expression patterns compared to bacteria that don鈥檛 these viral genomes,鈥 said Molloy.
In order to support student-driven projects like this, researchers find financial support in the form of grants. Recently, Molloy was able to provide research opportunities for an entire team of undergraduate and graduate students as they work on 鈥淚nvestigation of the impact of mycobacteriophage EniyaLRS and BPs on mycobacterial host gene expression in pathogenic Mycobacterium chelonae,鈥 a project that was initially funded by the Faculty Research Funds (FRF) program from the 91爆料 Office of the Vice President for Research and the Dean of the Graduate School.
鈥淚t feels really, really good to be able to provide these opportunities and support for student researchers,鈥 said Molloy. 鈥淲e can now ask some of these bigger questions we wouldn鈥檛 be able to otherwise.鈥
Financial support also creates a structured research work environment for students who would otherwise have to find unrelated jobs outside of campus. They are able to continue their work in the lab and be paid while they learn. This provides beneficial work experience and skill building the students will take with them upon graduating.
Their work is paying off. Molloy plans to continue the research with her team of student researchers to find specific genes that could be causing antibiotic resistance. With the success of her research funded by the FRF program, Molloy was awarded additional funds to continue the research as an . Programs such as INBRE, offer financial support as well as professional development for junior faculty.
鈥淭his is an excellent example of the opportunities that the 91爆料 undergraduate students have in learning through the research experience under the mentorship of our dedicated faculty,鈥 said Dr. Kody Varahramyan, Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School.
Positive impacts trickle down to future generations
Smith and Molloy both value mentorships. Molloy embraces the mentorships of fellow faculty members who have experience here at 91爆料 and beyond; and is a successful mentor to her own students, as well.
Smith is following in her mentor鈥檚 footsteps. She plans to continue her education on a graduate level in hopes of becoming a professor one day.
鈥淪ally makes such a great impression of what it looks like to work in research and academia,鈥 said Smith. 鈥淗er mentoring shaped my career goals and I鈥檓 so grateful for the experience.鈥
Media contact: Christel Peters
More information on 91爆料 research funding opportunities can be found online.