LAB RESEARCH
Summer 2023 - Present
Boulder Bee Lab: Exploring the distribution, spread, and impact of bee symbionts around the globe.
Led by Dr. Sammy Ramsey
Part of the BioFrontiers Institute at CU Boulder
My current work explores Varroa destructor (varroa mite) reproduction mechanisms and large-scale behaviors in an attempt to find better ways to disrupt the varroa life cycle and have healthier honey bees. I also help other students in the lab with field research, most frequently on bumblebees.
In Summer 2024, I accompanied the lab on a two-week international research trip to Taiwan, where we examined bee parasites by meeting with beekeepers throughout the country. We also worked with hornets, including the Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia).
In Fall 2024, I attended the Entomological Society of America’s annual conference and gave a talk titled “Mite Lights & Insights: Varroa destructor Molecular Reproductive Mechanisms.”
International research photos were taken by Sirachai Shin Arunrugstichai in Summer 2024.
Fall 2022
Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience: Cell Biology Laboratory
Taught by Dr. Cheryl Pinzone
Part of the CU MCDB curriculum
Studied DNA damage repair mechanisms in Tetrahymena thermophila to determine if a specific gene was involved in the repair pathway or not. Used microscopy, bioinformatics, DNA isolation, PCR, and gel electrophoresis.
My group spoke at the Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience Symposium, representing the entire Cell Biology Laboratory course.
Spring 2022
Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience: From Dirt to DNA: Phage Genomics Laboratory
Taught by Drs. Nancy Guild and Christy Fillman
Part of the CU MCDB curriculum
Learned phage biology by isolating a phage from a soil sample. Skills included bacteria and phage culturing and amplification, DNA isolation, restriction digest analysis, agarose gel electrophoresis, and electron microscopy.
