2009-11-04
Lucasville native Samantha Yelley isn’t just sitting in classrooms and learning at the University of Rio Grande, she’s involved in research projects that could impact how physicians treat different diseases.
Yelley, a senior studying biology, took part in a summer internship program at Ohio University where she began her work, and now she is continuing the project at Rio Grande.
The summer internship program was supported by Rio Grande’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Medicine) program, and Yelley began her research project with Ohio University faculty member Jennifer Hines. Yelley worked under Rio Grande faculty member John Means in the internship.
During the fall semester, she is continuing the work at Rio Grande with Means, who is collaborating with Hines on the work. Means explained that Yelley is doing an excellent job in her research.
The project involves studying molecules and seeing how they can regulate gene expression. The work is rather technical, but it basically involves studying how these new molecules might turn on or turn off genes that are important for bacteria to live. These molecules target bacteria that are currently known to develop drug resistances. The hope for this work is to contribute to the development of new antibiotics to combat drug-resistant bacteria.
“It’s interesting,” Yelley said, adding that she has greatly enjoyed the work on the project. Ideally, the research project will turn up positive results that can eventually be submitted to different medical journals and then used in developing different antibiotics.
Already, Yelley has presented a poster on her work at the Rustbelt RNA Meeting held at Deer Creek State Park. At the gathering, she was able to discuss the research work she is doing, and she was also able to talk with students from all around the region who are also involved in research projects.
“It was eye-opening to see how many exciting projects are currently going on in this field,” Yelley said. She enjoyed presenting her work, and she is pleased with how the work is progressing at Rio Grande.
“She’s done a very good job,” Means said. “I have seen her grow with the work.”
Yelley plans to attend medical school after graduating from Rio Grande, and the research work she is doing now will be a big help to her in her academic and professional career. Medical schools like to see that students have experience on research projects. In addition, Yelley is interested in studying pathology in medical school, and she said the experience she is gaining in the lab will be beneficial in that field.
Rio Grande is currently increasing the number of research projects available to students, and programs like the new bachelor’s in chemistry degree program even require students to be involved in research projects.
Means said that this work helps the students better understand the areas they are studying, and gives them valuable experience that will help them in their careers.
For more information on Yelley’s research project, or on other research work at Rio Grande, call Means at 1-800-282-7201
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