Western Nevada College (WNC) students are increasingly participating in summer research projects, with a record number involved for the second consecutive year. These students are part of the IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) program, studying various subjects including microorganisms, plants, endangered species, and gene products found in cancer cells. Their research primarily took place outdoors at Wild Oat Mountain and Topaz Lake.
“The INBRE summer research and INBRE pilot grant allow undergraduate students an authentic research experience,” stated Dr. Elizabeth Tattersall, WNC Professor of Biology and Chemistry. She was one of six faculty members who supervised 19 students through multiple research projects. “This year, there were more student applications than ever before, and not all students who applied were admitted to one of the projects.”
Students presented their findings on posters to faculty, staff, family, and friends on July 15 in the Aspen Building. The fieldwork aspect of their studies was particularly appreciated by participants.
“Being out in the field and using the information that we learned in the classroom in real-life situations... All of the biology classes that I have taken came in handy out in the field,” said Maile Pierson, a participant in two research projects this summer.
The presentations covered topics such as Antibiotic Resistant Microbes in Wild Oat Mountain Soil and Topaz Lake; The Induction of Novel mRNA Cyclooxygenase-1 Intron-1 Retention (COX-1b) Splice Variants in PMA-Differentiated THP-1 Cells; Micrococcal and Bacillary Microbes Abundant in Topaz Lake Water; Bacilli Common in Wild Oat Mountain Soil; a Baseline Study of Pinyon Jay Habitat at Wild Oat Mountain, Topaz Lake; and a Plant Survey of Wild Oat Mountain.
The WNC student researchers included Trent Whitney, Alexander Contreras, Maxwell Thornley, William Pickard, Nathaniel Arnold, James Cosman, Vivian Felix, Keaolohinani Kukonu, Joshua Luis, Owen Palmer, Brisa Ugalde, Wesley Bass, Shannon Gillham, Caroline Schofield, Esmay Harger, Ashley Ambriz, Nandu Praveen, Maile Pierson and Vincent Dao. Alongside Dr. Tattersall were biology and chemistry instructors Dr. Smriti Bhattarai, Rachelle Bassen, Dr. Gary Evett, Dr. Christian Copley-Salem and Robin Eppard.
Dr. Tattersall highlighted several benefits for students engaging in research work: “Students who engage in undergraduate research generally show more engagement in their education and are more likely to attend graduate school. They are paid for their research efforts,” she noted.
For further information about research opportunities at WNC contact Dr. Tattersall at elizabeth.tattersall@wnc.edu.
“For future biology-focused students or just any student who wants to get any type of background with field work," said Vincent Dao who graduated from WNC this spring and will continue his biology education at the University of Nevada Reno this fall,"I highly recommend this program.”