SURF Mentoring

Potential projects/topics: Bacteriophages, viruses that specifically target bacteria, are emerging as essential tools for advancing microbiome research and addressing critical challenges in medicine, agriculture, and environmental science. Students engaging in this summer research fellowship will be provided with an opportunity to explore and harness the immense potential of phages in shaping microbial communities and developing innovative biotechnological applications. Key objectives of this work may include isolating and characterizing novel bacteriophages, engineering phage genomes for biotech applications, and investigating phage-microbiome interactions.

Fellows will gain hands-on experience in essential wet lab techniques, such as DNA extraction and isolation, bacterial and viral culturing, and more. Participants will also engage in designing and executing novel experiments to investigate phage-host interactions and their effects on microbiome structure and function. This program offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in phage biology and microbiome engineering, and develop skills on how to analyze findings and communicate them to the general public. Students will gain exposure to mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration, and individuals passionate about microbiology and biotechnology will build foundational lab skills to further pursue on-going scholarly work.

Potential skills gained: Bacteriophage and Microbiome Engineering | Wet Lab Skills: DNA extraction and isolation techniques, bacterial and viral culturing, novel experimental design and implementation. Data visualization and communication: bioinformatics, Excel, PowerPoint, Oral and Written Communication

Required qualifications:

• Preferred Major: Biology or biochemistry related majors. Chemical, environmental, bioengineering.
• Preferred Skillset: Familiarity with powerpoint, data handling. Exposure with basic lab techniques. Ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Preferred Courses: Introductory biology, organic/general chemistry, and design courses preferred. Some classwork or exposure to data analysis, oral/written communication courses.

Direct mentor: Graduate Student, Other Research Associate