I’ve always wanted to complete some type of research at UMD, especially after going to the academic showcase in freshman year and attending the scholars panel for on-campus research. So, at the beginning of my fall semester this year, I began cold emailing biology lab professors at UMD, eventually realizing that many lab positions had already been filled based on the lack of responses from professors. I decided to apply early for spring semester by emailing professors and finding opportunities for the spring semester, but this was also to no avail. Finally, I decided to look through the biological sciences opportunity portal website not to email, but to talk to professors directly. I found Dr. Biswas, an animal science and microbiology professor at UMD, after looking through some of his research, I decided to apply for his research lab. I walked into his office in the animal sciences building, and after shooing me away for a brief moment while he was on a call, he invited me back in. All I had to do was state that I wanted to complete research at his lab and that I was a committed biology student; he then explained his expectations and allowed me to join the lab. Based on my experience, I would advise SGC freshmen to find professors and talk to them face-to-face as it is the best way to gain opportunities at UMD–even though I’ve heard about people finding success just by cold emailing.
At the site, I was introduced to 2 PhD students completing their own research, as well as a lab assistant. The students were completing microbiology-related projects, which focused on animal pathogens. They all helped train me to be able to understand and complete biology lab techniques in order to grow bacteria species and measure their various qualities. First, I learned how to create specific media for Lactobacillus as I was taught that each bacteria species had a specific environment in which they grew best in. This media would be poured into petri dishes and would solidify in order for bacteria to feed on it and multiply. Additionally, I learned how to use the machinery in the lab including the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) machine, which replicated the DNA of bacteria. I also learned how to measure the optical density (OD) of wells with bacteria in them. Knowing some standard techniques from my high school microbiology class such as streaking plates and doing gel electrophoresis was particularly helpful for working at the lab. In the middle of the semester, I was given a more individualized research opportunity to study the effects of Lactobacillus on Staphylococcus epidermidis, a skin pathogen, where I combined my knowledge of these techniques and observed the concentrations of these 3 bacteria species when grown together.
From working at the lab, I learned about how bacteria of different species can actively compete against each other, and how this is a reality in the skin and gut microbiome. Probiotics do not just aid the immune system, but they can attack bacterial pathogens. While the mechanism is not fully understood, it could be due to the release of lactic acid, as I observed the pH in each plate decreasing when Staphylococcus also decreased. I also learned how bacteria could gain multidrug resistance through mutations, which is why it is significant to study probiotics as an alternative to antibiotic based methods to target bacteria.
Working at the lab allowed me to understand how a research lab is organized at UMD, and what goes into making a research paper. I learned about the safety precautions that needed to be taken, but I was positively surprised by how laid-back the environment was. The researchers at the lab are very passionate about what they are doing and I enjoyed talking to them in both a professional and social context. While I do not have my name on a research paper yet, I’ve realized that labs are structured so that the PhD researchers and undergraduate students do most of the research, while professors do the supervising and organizing. I realize now that labs like these are responsible for understanding bacterial pathogens and creating treatments, and that there aren’t a whole lot many, which has given me a new appreciation for people committed to this research. I have not modified my career plans because of this project, but I aim to continue completing research at UMD, and I am excited to do more research individually.