Post by Karstscience on Apr 6, 2006 16:35:03 GMT -5
Cave Creations Beckon to ASM Research Fellow
April 5, 2006
Bats, stalactites, and stalagmites are not the only housemates coexisting in those underground natural geological wonders we call caves. Bacteria also grow in the extreme environment of caves and live off the rocks, minerals and dissolved chemicals found there. It is, in fact, the study of these microbiological marvels that picqued the research interests of OWU junior George Hamaoui. Oh, and by the way, Hamaoui happens to be the newly-announced awardee of the American Society of Microbiology's (ASM) Research Fellow, only the second person in OWU's history to receive this honor.
"I was completely surprised to find out I got the research fellowship, especially since I finished and submitted the proposal just a week before it was due," says the Lakewood, Ohio, microbiology major. Hamaoui will spend this summer collecting bacterial samples from Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, under the watchful eye of Dr. Diana Northup, cave microbiologist at the University of New Mexico. The two linked up last year at a meeting of the Ohio branch of ASM, during which time she was a featured speaker.
"Dr. Northup's research fascinated George, so he began talking with her, and they continued periodic communication throughout the year," says Dr. Laura Tuhela-Reuning, assistant professor of botany-microbiology and zoology, who is Hamaoui's OWU faculty advisor for his research project. Northup will serve in a comparable role as they work on the research in New Mexico. At the end of the summer, he will bring his collected samples to Ohio Wesleyan.
"By the fall, we will finish the genetic analysis of the bacteria and use the electron microscope to determine the elements in his samples," says Tuhela-Reuning.
The research fellowship includes a stipend of $4,000, plus additional funds for Hamaoui's participation in the ASM conference in Toronto, when he will give a poster presentation of his work.
"I like having the opportunity to do both field-based study and lab work," says Hamaoui. That study after OWU will very likely include graduate school, and research, possibly in such areas as environmental biology or antibiotic resistance.
"Time will tell,"
— Pam Besel
connect2.owu.edu/ourtown/144.php
April 5, 2006
Bats, stalactites, and stalagmites are not the only housemates coexisting in those underground natural geological wonders we call caves. Bacteria also grow in the extreme environment of caves and live off the rocks, minerals and dissolved chemicals found there. It is, in fact, the study of these microbiological marvels that picqued the research interests of OWU junior George Hamaoui. Oh, and by the way, Hamaoui happens to be the newly-announced awardee of the American Society of Microbiology's (ASM) Research Fellow, only the second person in OWU's history to receive this honor.
"I was completely surprised to find out I got the research fellowship, especially since I finished and submitted the proposal just a week before it was due," says the Lakewood, Ohio, microbiology major. Hamaoui will spend this summer collecting bacterial samples from Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, under the watchful eye of Dr. Diana Northup, cave microbiologist at the University of New Mexico. The two linked up last year at a meeting of the Ohio branch of ASM, during which time she was a featured speaker.
"Dr. Northup's research fascinated George, so he began talking with her, and they continued periodic communication throughout the year," says Dr. Laura Tuhela-Reuning, assistant professor of botany-microbiology and zoology, who is Hamaoui's OWU faculty advisor for his research project. Northup will serve in a comparable role as they work on the research in New Mexico. At the end of the summer, he will bring his collected samples to Ohio Wesleyan.
"By the fall, we will finish the genetic analysis of the bacteria and use the electron microscope to determine the elements in his samples," says Tuhela-Reuning.
The research fellowship includes a stipend of $4,000, plus additional funds for Hamaoui's participation in the ASM conference in Toronto, when he will give a poster presentation of his work.
"I like having the opportunity to do both field-based study and lab work," says Hamaoui. That study after OWU will very likely include graduate school, and research, possibly in such areas as environmental biology or antibiotic resistance.
"Time will tell,"
— Pam Besel
connect2.owu.edu/ourtown/144.php