Fall 2023 Issue
Photo credit: Stockton University
A dual major in Biology and Environmental Science, Brooke Petersen '24, grew up a very curious person whose favorite class was AP Biology in high school. When college hunting, Petersen toured Stockton's campus and science labs. She was also able to speak with professors about the research they were conducting and knew that Stockton had a very unique program.
She was familiar with Rutgers but knew she wanted to go to a school where there were smaller class sizes, and professors had the ability to get to know you one-on-one. Wanting to be involved in research to gain hands-on experience, she knew she had the opportunity to build relationships with her professors at Stockton due to the smaller class sizes.
In the Spring of 2022, Petersen partnered up with Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Karen York to research antibiotics found in soil through the Tiny Earth Project [The Tiny Earth Project is a global partnership which encourages students to engage their scientific research in worldwide challenges such as the diminishing supply of antibiotics and soil health].
Petersen learned of York's antibiotic-producing soil bacteria research on campus through a course she had taken. This research appealed to Petersen as it would allow her to combine her interests in environmental science and biology, and it wasn't just any research project or class assignment; she knew they could make a difference in the healthcare research industry.
Continued research in this area has the potential to generate new medication to fight a variety of bacterial diseases. Thanks to Associate Professor of Environmental Science Dr. Jessica Hallagan and the Soil Judging Team, Petersen and York were able to collect soil samples several feet deep from pits located across campus.
She explains the benefits of having samples of soil that is so deep, “ [York's] project has found several soil bacteria that produce antibiotics." Recently, Petersen was able to isolate chromosomal DNA and amplify it in a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The PCR product was cleaned and then sent out for sequencing. Two different bacterial species were identified as Bacillus velenzensis and Bacillus altitudinus. Being able to view the full genome of the bacteria, she was able to use a database to identify potential gene clusters that produce specific antibiotics in the bacteria. Their research suggests that deeper soil samples yield more bacterial colonies that produce antibiotics.
Bacterial plugs indicating antibiotic activity.
Along with her research, Petersen was awarded a Stockton REU award. This award is a grant that is given to students who are doing undergraduate research. “I feel really lucky. I'm very happy and was really excited because I knew that it meant we’d be able to do what we wanted with our research,” she enthusiastically explained.
Petersen and York applied for the grant due to the cost of sequencing samples. With the help of the REU award, they were able to go farther in the project and had the ability to obtain precise sequencing data and identification of bacteria.
Have a genuine interest. Ask yourself if you are genuinely interested in your field. In order for me to do really well, I have to be very interested and enjoy doing it. Science can be hard. Having a genuine interest makes it so much easier and motivates you to become a better scientist. As long as you are passionate about it, everything else will work out.
Don't overload your schedule. I would encourage students to participate in research. It's a lot of fun and a unique opportunity to learn more than you would in a standard lecture class. It does take a big chunk of your time, especially if it's something that you're really interested in. It’s worth it to cut back on your schedule so you have more time to do your research and not be burnt out.
