Lisa Benecchi

What did you do during your research experience? 

We have heard a lot about antibodies and the adaptive immune system throughout the COVID pandemic, but the reality is that most organisms on this planet use innate immunity (no antibodies produced) to defend themselves against infection and overall, keep their bodies and cells healthy. During my research experience, I focused on my undergraduate senior thesis project which is to screen three important compounds to see if they bolster innate immune pathways in the model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans. In doing this study, I am hoping to see if these compounds have an impact on Parkinson’s-like Lewy Body pathology, innate immune reporter proteins, and the animal’s overall health.

Describe a memorable learning experience you had during your experience:

Undertaking an undergraduate research thesis taught me so much. It is really hard to give one specific example as it is a marathon and everyday is a learning experience. I had the opportunity to delve deeply into a topic that I am passionate about, allowing me to gain a more intricate understanding of a subject that matters to me. Additionally, it has challenged me to think critically and analytically as well as becoming more and more self disciplined. Furthermore, it has allowed me to hone my writing and communication skills as I will be presenting my research at the research symposium, in front of a committee for my thesis defense, and finally at a research conference in Glasgow. The experience has also taught me valuable skills in time management and organization, as I have had to balance my coursework, research, and writing over a period of several months. Overall, this experience has provided me with an invaluable learning opportunity, allowing me to develop both my academic and practical skills while pursuing my passions.

How would you relate your experience to your academic studies? Do you see any connections? 

As a molecular biology major following the pre-veterinary track, my senior thesis on Parkinson's and innate immunity has provided me with a unique opportunity to connect my academic studies with my research interests. Through this project, I have been able to apply the knowledge and skills that I have gained in my molecular biology courses to a real-world problem related to human health. Specifically, my thesis has allowed me to explore the intersection of molecular biology and immunology, highlighting the complex ways in which these fields interact in the context of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's. Overall, my senior thesis has provided me with a valuable opportunity to see the connections between my academic studies and my research interests, allowing me to gain a deeper understanding of both and furthering my commitment to pursuing a career in veterinary medicine.

Describe the process by which you found and developed your experience: 

My faculty mentor, Dr. Denise Flaherty, presented me with this opportunity. I was already assisting in her lab for two years, and at the end of my junior year, Dr. Flaherty mentioned that I should do an undergraduate thesis if I were interested, and of course, I was. During the summer between my junior and senior years, I started brainstorming subjects that mattered to me and that I cared to investigate. As a molecular biology student, I took a class called “Cases in neuropathology” and became fascinated with Parkinson’s disease. Since Dr. Flaherty’s lab focuses on neurodegenerative diseases, it ended up fitting perfectly. Soon after I was set on what topic my thesis was gonna be, Dr. Ball, professor at Eckerd and veterinarian, told me about his interest in researching the effect of a compound on innate immunity. I was instantly drawn to this subject because the role of the immune system in neurodegenerative disorders is an area of active research and one that I found particularly intriguing. Therefore, we linked both topics together!

What is one piece of advice you would give to a student who is seeking a research opportunity? 

One piece of advice I would give to a student who is seeking a research opportunity is to be proactive and persistent. Research opportunities can be competitive, and it can be challenging to find a position that aligns with your interests and experience. However, by being proactive in your search, reaching out to professors or research supervisors, and following up on leads, you increase your chances of finding a suitable opportunity. It's also important to be persistent in your pursuit of a research position, as you may encounter setbacks or rejections along the way. Don't be discouraged by initial setbacks, and continue to put yourself out there and seek out new opportunities. Additionally, it's important to be open-minded and flexible when seeking a research opportunity, as you may find that a position that initially seems outside of your area of interest or experience actually provides valuable learning and growth opportunities.

Sedimentary Impact of Hurricane Ian In Boca Ciega Bay, Tampa FL 

Academic Research Fund: Reflection 

Samuel Palmer & Liam Fry

What did you do during your research experience?

During our research experience we looked to assess the impact of Hurricane Ian on the sedimentary environment of Boca Ciega Bay. This topic stemmed from the course, Marine stratigraphy and sedimentation providing not only hands-on experience for ourselves, but experience for our peers who displayed interest in the topic. We collected sediment samples before the storm as part of the original course including vibracores, pushcores, and surface grabs at two sites on either side of the Tierra Verde Bridge. After a brief interruption of the storm, we sought out to collect similar samples in the same spot as the previous ones. Through sedimentology and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyses, we looked to observe and determine a sedimentary signature on site 2. Currently, our research is not complete, however further analysis of site 2 and more complete analysis of site 1 is a top priority. Further analyses include sedimentology, XRF, and short-lived radioisotope dating. 

Describe a memorable learning experience you had during your experience?

A memorable learning experience we had during our research was not necessarily within the research itself. Instead, it was the ability to share this experience with other students who displayed an interest in the topic and the idea of research. Multiple students have gotten the chance to partake in different analyses and parts of the project in which they have all been of significant help. It has given both ourselves, and others memorable experiences. Since we have not concluded our research, there is still more time for us and others to share more of these experiences through the continuing processes.    

How would you relate your experience to your academic studies? Do you see any connections? 

Our research was very closely tied with the Marine Stratigraphy and Sedimentation course both in the analyses that we did and the development of the project itself. We found, however, that leading and managing a research project such as this also reflects greatly on how we approach and execute other academic work. It creates a great sense of time management and discipline within yourself that we have found to translate directly into our experiences outside of research.  

Describe the process by which you found and developed your experience.

Our experience was developed through a marine geoscience course, Marine Stratigraphy and Sedimentation, taught by Dr. Rebekka Larson. In this course, our objective was to observe the effect of human development on the sedimentary environment in Boca Ciega Bay. We did this through observing sedimentary signatures through sedimentology and XRF analyses, similar to what we have done in our current project. Once Hurricane Ian made landfall, our class had the rare potential to observe the impact it had on our surrounding sedimentary environment. With guidance from our professor, Dr. Rebekka Larson, we formulated the project and sought out funding through Eckerd College via the Academic Research Fund in order to assist in advancing our project. 

What is one piece of advice you would give to a student who is seeking a research opportunity? 

A piece of advice we recommend for students seeking research opportunities and experience is to keep your options open. We have found that learning what you may and may not like from first hand experience is the best way to understand what you are truly passionate about. We recommend speaking with professors, and advisors, as they will provide substantial advice through the research experience process. It is important that you stay vigilant with your work and are not afraid to be motivated and work towards the goals you are looking to achieve within the project. The largest piece of advice we could recommend is to look at every part of the project as a learning experience. This experience is an important part in growing as a researcher and an individual, so do not be afraid of mistakes or the challenges that may face you.  

Does elevated salinity lead to increased disease resilience in a model sea anemone, Aiptasia

Academic Research Funding

Cara DeLacluyse 

What did you do during your research experience?

My project aims to investigate if tolerance to stressful conditions such as high salinity improves pathogenic resilience in corals. I traveled over winter term and started my research in the beginning of February. I have projected that my research will require the spring and summer with supplementary trials possibly in the fall as well. I am on track with the timeline given in my proposal. In February, I prepped Aiptasia for control and high salinity trials. In March, I worked on refining methodology for subsequent pathogen trials. I completed the ramp increase of salinity, which I will maintain for a total of four weeks. I have learned husbandry of Aiptasia and bacterial plating techniques.

Describe a memorable learning experience you had during your experience:

One memorable learning experience for me has been working with bacterial cultures. Prior to this project, I hadn’t worked with bacteria so it has been exciting to learn how to make my own bacterial medium and begin preliminary pathogen trials with the Aiptasia. I learned how to calculate the initial number of colony forming units (CFU) in an initial culture using dilution plating.

How would you relate your experience to your academic studies? Do you see any connections?

My research revolves around Aiptasia, as a model organism for a singular coral polyp. Thus my studies are relevant to my classes such as Marine Invertebrate Biology. One big take away from my academic studies that I have incorporated into my research is the practice of keeping a laboratory journal.

What is one piece of advice you would give to a student who is seeking a research opportunity?

I began my research experience by approaching my mentor, Dr. Krediet, about my interest in working with corals. I had worked with corals this past summer as an intern at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Science. Dr. Krediet suggested using Aiptasia as a model organism and reading scientific literature regarding different studies using Aiptasia. I utilized scientific literature in order to develop and gain inspiration for my methodology. My best advice for students seeking research opportunities is to not be afraid to ask. Look up professors in your discipline and see if any of their ongoing or past research interests you. Do not be afraid to ask if they would be willing to work with you. Do not be afraid to ask for a professor to mentor you. Get excited about your work and try to focus your research around something that truly interests you. Also it is okay to start small and assist on a research project that may not be your dream work. In the beginning, any experience is a good experience.

Academic Research Funding: Reflection Component

Academic Research Fund Written Proposal

Macey Woodlock

I joined Professor Burch’s research in January of 2022 with the goal of establishing a new research project and eventually submitting it for publication. I spent all of spring semester just collecting data for the basis of our project; I read over 400 news articles from three different mainstream media sources. I submitted for the Academic Research Fund to continue this research over the summer. This allowed me to analyze the data and start writing up the results. I completed a draft of my research paper by October and presented it at the International Studies Association conference in St. Augustine, FL. I am currently preparing to present at the Eckerd College symposium in late March, and I will continue to edit my research over the course of the semester and submit it for publication in late Spring or summer.

My most memorable learning experience was the presentation at the ISA conference. I committed a lot of time and energy towards preparing for the conference. It was such a surreal experience presenting to a room full of professors, professionals, and PhD students like we were equals. I received a lot of positive feedback on my presentation and some really helpful suggestions. Throughout the research process, I have questioned the contribution/purpose my research is providing for the international relations field, but at the conference, it was so reassuring to see accomplished people excited about my work. I think this was really important for me to experience because it reassured me and has put me in a really good position moving forward.

This research connects well with my area of focus and it has continued to evolve my future plans. I am most interested in conflict, human rights and forced migration. My research about the Yazidi genocide had an interesting approach because it analyzed the United States’ response to mass atrocities abroad. Genocide/ conflict has so many interconnected effects throughout international relations. Many of my IR classes talk about conflict in some sense and how it exacerbates other issues such as poverty, inequalities or environmental concerns. This research led to my interest in refugees. I started an internship at a refugee center last year and it is such a learning experience to see the effects of conflict in real life. I assist populations who are displaced from violence all around the world– Eritrea, the DRC, Colombia, Syria, Ukraine, etc. This has really developed my understanding of my research and its implications even more.

My advice to someone who is seeking a research opportunity is to just ask! One day, I walked up to my professor after class and asked to join in on research he was doing during his sabbatical. This led to such an amazing opportunity to conduct research, write a theoretical paper and present my findings as an undergraduate student. I have learned so much that is not presented in a typical classroom setting that I can now apply to future jobs or further education.

Academic Research Funding: Reflection Component

Kate Murray and Avi Kapuler

Evaluating the Impact of Boating Activity on Sediment Contamination

Written reflection

What did you do during your research experience?

During our research experience, our overall objective was to evaluate sediment

contamination from boating activity in Boca Ciega Bay. To address this, we first had to conduct

fieldwork. We went out on the 24’ Capehorn with Professor Larson to collect sediment samples

in various locations throughout Boca Ciega Bay. We collected surface samples with a petite

ponar, a large metal claw that is slowly lowered off the boat to the seafloor where it scoops a

sample of the underlying sediments. We strategically selected sites with high densities of boats

such as O'Neill's Marina, Frenchman’s Creek, and channels with high boating traffic. We also

collected samples from locations spread throughout the bay in addition to our target sites so we

could gauge the overall distribution of contaminants in the Bay.

After conducting a round of field work, we brought the samples to galbraith to prepare

for analyses. For each surface sample collected, we conducted sedimentology and XRF analysis.

This step required us to receive training on various laboratory techniques such as grinding

samples for more precise XRF results. After all analyses were completed for a batch of samples,

we moved on to data analysis. In order to interpret our results, we created a variety of visuals

such as maps and graphs. Once we completed this process for 2 batches of samples, we

synthesized all of our data and created an academic poster for the Eckerd College Spring

Research Symposium.

Describe a memorable learning experience you had during your experience:

There have been many memorable learning experiences throughout this project. During

our first round of fieldwork we failed to consider some preparatory steps prior to getting on the

boat. We knew which sites we wanted to collect samples from but we forgot to determine the

labeling scheme. Additionally, instead of bringing a notebook for recording precise location of

depth of sample, we only brought a small notepad with our desired sites. This made it difficult to

stay organized in the field. We ended up using a very simple and random labeling scheme and

recording data on our phones. After that round of fieldwork it took longer to get started on

analyses because we had to take additional steps to organize and record our data. This experience

taught me the importance of organization, especially prior to field work.

How would you relate your experience to your academic studies? Do you see any connections?

This experience relates to our academic studies in a variety of ways. In Marine

Sedimentation and Stratigraphy we learned about the characteristics and principles of sediment

grains that facilitate the analyses that we are conducting. For example, in this class we learned

about Stoke’s Law which states that larger and heavier grains settle faster in water. Stokes law is

applied when conducting sedimentology during a process called pipetting. This analysis consists

of mixing the mud sized grains from each sample in a graduated cylinder and immediately

withdrawing 20 ML of water at a depth of 20 cm. Then after exactly 1 hour 51 minutes Another

20 ML of water was collected at a depth of 10 cm. The purpose of this analysis is to differentiate

between the silt and clay sized grains. The first withdrawal reflects all the clay silt sized fractions

the second withdrawal reflects all the clay sized fractions. The specific time and depth of this

analysis is calculated using Stokes Law.

Describe the process by which you found and developed your experience:

This experience was developed because we collected sediment core during Marine

Sedimentation and Stratigraphy with Professor Larson for a class project. For this project we

used the XRF to collect elemental analysis on our cores. We were interested in this equipment

and took the opportunity to receive training on how to set up and operate the XRF. Additionally,

during class we learned about trace elements in sediments. Particularly, we learned that trace

elements can serve as environmental health indicators or reflect anthropogenic inputs. We really

enjoyed learning about this and were curious about how we could better understand the extent in

which anthropogenic inputs impact the sediment. After discussing these questions with Professor

Larson she suggested taking up a project using the XRF to address these questions. Then we

wrote a preliminary research proposal and continued to meet with Professor Laron and we

narrowed down the objective to focus on sediment contamination from boating activity in Boca

Ciega Bay. I had previously expressed interest to this professor in conducting an independent

study, and we decided to make this project into an independent study.

What is one piece of advice you would give to a student who is seeking a research

One piece of advice we would give to a student seeking research opportunities is to

always ask questions. Asking questions is essential for developing a research objective. Asking

simple questions during class or a professor’s office hours about things that interest you make

classes much more engaging and enjoyable. Additionally, asking general questions about

different research methods and asking professors about their research is very helpful for

understanding the processes involved and ways to address your objective. This information is

very useful when developing your own research.

Kelsey Weedon and Payton Bivens

What did you do during your research experience?

During the course of our research experience, we have had the opportunity to develop skills in

mathematical modeling. We worked alongside Professor Lindsey Fox in the Eckerd College

mathematics discipline for two years, receiving funding for the second year. Through this

experience, our research focused on developing a disease transmission model for koi

herpesvirus in Common Carp and studying the harvesting rates of infected populations. The

ultimate goal of our research was to find the optimal harvesting rate to maximize revenue while

also minimizing the number of cases in a population. In order to investigate the infected

population, we had to learn the basics of computer coding through programs like Matlab and R.

We also had to learn the basics of optimal control theory, so that we could apply them to our

model. Throughout our funded year, we worked closely with Susan Krage, a senior in the

Eckerd college mathematics discipline, to understand optimal control theory and how it can be

applied in disease modeling. We compiled our findings into a poster in order to present them to

a larger audience. We are interested in publishing this work in the future.

Describe a memorable learning experience you had during your experience:

Prior to beginning this project, I did not think that I would be able to develop computer

modeling skills. As a marine science major, this was incredibly daunting, but I knew it was

something I was interested in learning. I can remember very clearly the first time I was able to

get a code working. It was late one night in the mathematics computer lab, after spending a

great deal of time figuring out the interface language. The red error symbols finally disappeared

and a graph and output numbers filled the screen. I could not stop smiling, I could not wait to tell

Professor Fox at our upcoming meeting that I had got the code working.

I learned a lot from this research experience, so there are multiple memorable learning

experiences that I have had. Another is when we were working closely with Susan on optimal

control theory practice problems to understand their dynamics. Being able to collaborate with

others truly allows for more learning. I was able to learn to work on my problem-solving skills

from Susan, as well as from Kelsey. If one of us did not catch a mistake, it was likely that the

other would see it. Working with a team over this experience showed me how valuable a team

can be in research.

How would you relate your experience to your academic studies? Do you see any

connections?

When I mention this research to peers, many do not quite understand or see how this is related

to a career in marine biology. I think that there are many connections between what we have

done over the past two years and our academic studies. At the start of this project, we had to

spend a generous amount of time reading through other studies and research that has been

done on koi herpesvirus in order to understand the virus. This required skills in being able to

read scientifically and comprehend others' research. I run into this in many of my academic

studies. We also had to develop and strengthen our problem-solving skills throughout the entire

process. This is important in the marine science discipline to work through scientific reasoning

and questions. I can also see a connection to scientific reasoning when it comes to analyzing

our data. When we had to make sense of the numbers we were presented with, we

strengthened our deductive reasoning skills. These skills are important in any scientific career to

ensure that research is understood clearly. The connection between mathematics and biology is

strong, but not always acknowledged. The skills that I have developed through this process will

serve me well as I move forward into a career in marine biology.

Describe the process by which you found and developed your experience:

I found this research by watching one of Eckerd’s events known as research bites in the spring

of 2021. Professor Fox spoke about disease modeling and her work within the field. I found her

talk very interesting and decided to reach out to her for more information about the topic. I met

with her in person where she explained the basics of disease modeling to me and then we

discussed possible areas of research. After meeting with her, I felt like this was something that I

would really enjoy. I spent that summer researching diseases that would be of interest and I

came across an article about koi herpesvirus in a fish population. I read many articles on the

topic and decided that this should be at the top of our list for possible research topic ideas. That

fall, I began working with Kelsey and Professor Fox to model this disease in a common carp.

We’ve been working together since.

What is one piece of advice you would give to a student who is seeking a research

opportunity?

Be open to every opportunity! You never know where your passions can take you until give

something a shot. There are tons of ways to get research experience on campus, but you may

not know exactly where to look. Start by talking to professors about their research interests,

remember that they are people too who are passionate about what they do. You may just

discover an entirely new world of research that you were not aware of before.

ARF Written Reflection 

Alexandra Faragher 

This spring semester I have continued my research working with Dr. Felton here at Eckerd College. Our research involves synthesizing chemical compounds that increase the efficiency of the reduction of CO2 into CO. This process is extremely useful because it turns the CO2 that is harmful for our environment into CO that can be used as a fuel, therefore allowing for the development of a carbon neutral fuel source. During my work with Dr. Felton this semester I have been trying to produce a more pure version of a chemical compound I made previously over the summer. This compound displayed promising results as an electrocatalyst, but we need to provide an accurate crystal structure in order to publish our data we have been collecting. We have tweaked our procedure for our synthesis, tested the purity using TLC plates, and are currently working on a different way of making this compound that we have not tried before. The new methodology we are in the process of trying has been the most memorable learning experience thus far. I am adding a new chemical to my product and running a reaction that will help keep it from further decomposing (my products are light sensitive and will decompose after being exposed to too much light over time). This has been memorable because I learned a new way to preserve my compounds, and I learned the chemistry behind it which is always exciting. So far I am still awaiting the results to see if it worked, but it will be thrilling if it has. 

My experience working with Dr. Felton has increased my knowledge of chemistry in a way I never anticipated. I have learned a lot about the relationship between chemicals, and I have gotten to see the topics I studied in courses like Organic Chemistry in real world applications.

Also, working on producing specific compounds has allowed me to develop skills that I can utilize in my future career as a biochemist. Dr. Felton has developed his research on electrocatalysts over the years, and I am very fortunate that he asked me to join his team in the fall of 2021. He provides me with new chemicals to investigate, and I work to synthesize them and gather data on their physical properties. I use various instruments to collect information that is necessary for characterizing our compounds and interpret the results with the assistance of Dr. Felton. We work together to troubleshoot the issues we run into and develop new ideas that could yield better results. I truly have grown an immeasurable amount from this experience and I am excited to see what the future holds as I continue my work. I would advise any student seeking a research opportunity to enthusiastically express their interest to their professors and ask them to discuss their work. Utilizing the advantage of a small school and easy access to professors through office hours is a great tool. Also, seeking out little opportunities to assist in their research is a good first step to possibly securing a different position down the line.

Rebecca Simard

Academic Research Funding - Reflection

2023

I spent the summer of 2022 working on a first draft and model for the paper which I am co-authoring with Doctor Michael Burch entitled Repatriation Rates of Children Born to Foreign Islamic State Fighters. The majority of my research experience was spent building a model and a testable hypothesis. Professor Burch and I created countless models, definitions, and datasets only to realize we either weren’t happy with them or they were not testable and then restarting.

This was frustrating but ultimately taught me a lot about the research process. It’s not always straightforward, you often have to restart and regroup, and that makes the end result much stronger. I’m extremely grateful to have experienced this process first at Eckerd rather than a higher education program where I may have less guidance and support. I found myself asking Professor Burch many times if we were too behind or if we were making any progress and having his support in letting me know that this frustration is a normal part of research was so incredibly helpful. Like a paper for class, an academic paper requires not just the writing process but also the picking of a topic, the tossing out of old topics and restarting completely, and the regathering of more applicable sources and data. Working on a project for a year has allowed me to build on skills that I have learned in semester-long classes but on a larger scale. I have spoken to many students looking at doing research in the future and my advice is always the same: to use your Eckerd network. I would not have been able to start research in my undergraduate career if it were not for Professor Burch’s help. I first heard of this project through his classes and then discussed the possibility of joining him in his research during office hours. I felt far more comfortable asking about the possibility of undergraduate research because I knew my professors well. I also felt far more comfortable presenting my research at a conference because I knew my peers. I was lucky enough to know both people presenting at ISA South alongside me as well as students who had presented there in 2021. So reach out to people. Ask your professors and peers about research, even if you feel unqualified. The process as a whole will teach you so much. I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity and I look forward to furthering my research as Professor Burch and I continue to refine our paper for publication.