The MU Honors class “Intro to STEM Research” gives first and second year students the opportunity to learn about the research process while engaging with it themselves by conducting experiments relating to antibiotic discovery from soil samples. I serve as a PLA to prepare the lab for this learning experience and empower students to gain knowledge and skills.

I conduct research in epithelial cell architecture and organization, looking specifically at the function of reintegration of misplaced cells. The Drosophila melanogaster follicular epithelium is used as my model tissue.