Summer Research Allows Pre-Med Student to BeeMORE

Elmira, NY (08/24/2018) — This weeks #SoaringToSuccess features Nicole Hanselman '20, a biology major with a concentration in pre-med. Recently Nicole had the opportunity to be a research assistant in the Bees and Microbes in Organized Research (BeeMORE) program funded by the USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture Research and Extension Experiential Learning for Undergraduates (REEU) program at North Carolina State University. Let's hear about her experience:

As a pre-med student, my goal this summer was to get as much exposure in the science academia as possible. Because I had an open mind to a variety of options I was easily and eagerly able to step through a door that opened for me back in April: I got to be a research scientist at North Carolina State University!

This summer, I participated in the BeeMORE REEU program at NC State University. I had a pleasure of working under Dr. David Tarpy, Ph.D, a professor of entomology at NC State, and alongside of an NC State graduate student who is specializing in native bee studies. During the nine-week internship, I conducted a scientific experiment on RNA viruses and other pathogens found in bumble bees at North Carolina Department of Agricultural (NCDA) research stations across North Carolina. The purpose of my research was to determine the prevalence and intensity of pathogens observed in bumble bees in order to compare the viruses seen in honey bees with those found in bumble bees, to see if there are any patterns.

By the end of my involvement with the BeeMORE Program, I successfully published and presented my research on pathogens in bumble bees at the 17th Annual Summer Undergraduate Research & Creativity Symposium held at NC State University. In addition to publishing my research findings, I created a video describing my project and my experiences as an intern in the Summer 2018 BeeMORE Program.

My goal for this summer internship was to gain better research skills in the process of conducting scientific experiments. Thanks to the BeeMORE Program, I achieved this goal. Specifically, throughout the summer, I gathered bee samples, performed RNA extractions and q-PCR, and analyzed the results using sophisticated ABI Quant Studio Flex6 machines and software. In addition to working in the lab at NC State, I had the privilege of visiting many beautiful places as I helped to gather bee samples from various NCDA research stations across the state.

This internship also helped me to become a precise communicator in the science academia and fueled my interest in the field of research. Furthermore, through exposure to prestigious research environments like the BeeMORE Program at NC State, I hope to gain further research opportunities and access to more competitive graduate institutions where I will be able to pursue my goal of becoming a pediatrician.

I'm very grateful to the BeeMORE Program because it provided me with this great experience to further my research and communication skills and an opportunity to learn about bees and the crucial role they play in our survival. My time with the BeeMORE Program impresses on me our need to learn MORE, invest MORE, and do MORE to protect these tiny but vital contributors.

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