I
received my Bachelors degree in microbiology from
Southern Illinois University. As an undergraduate
I worked in an independent food-testing laboratory
assisting in research projects and performing routine
testing. Working as a laboratory technician furthered
my interest in microbiology and prompted me to
attend graduate school. When searching for a university
to attend, the balanced program at Ohio State stood
out. The diversity of the professors, their backgrounds,
and research made the program very attractive when
compared to other schools. During a campus visit
I met many of the professors and graduate students
and was surprised by the overall friendliness and
enthusiasm of the department. After I joined the
department, lab rotations allowed me to explore
various
fields and interests as well as meet more of the
students and professors. In 2002 I joined the lab
of Brian Ahmer. Currently I am working on the
identification of genes regulated by SdiA, a LuxR
homolog, in Salmonella typhimurium. One
of the greatest advantages to being at a large
university is access to equipment
and facilities, that an individual lab could not support. The classes that
I have taken are constantly under revision to
include the most recent information
and involve the students in the process. I am sure that the education that
I receive from the department will serve me well
in the future.
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