This summer, more than 80 students and faculty made up the Seaver Summer Research Community. The topics ranged from studying the unfolded protein response, to heat transfer properties of different liquids, and more. We connected with some of the students to learn more about their research projects. Today, we spotlight biology major Elise Lee ’24, mentored by Biology Instructor Tatiana Kuzmenko.
Tell us about the research you’re working on this summer.
We are looking at anti-fungal properties of plant extracts and essential oils to see if they could possibly be natural alternatives to pharmaceutical drugs and medicine.
How does your research relate to other fields?
With the increased use of antibiotics and other anti-microbial drugs, many pathogenic organisms are becoming resistant to these pharmaceuticals and they are becoming less effective.
What’s the biggest lesson that you’ve learned from your research?
In lab classes, a lot of the media and solvents are pre-made and ready for students to use, but in research, you are responsible for making all the materials you need, so you really learn how much prep work is done behind the scenes.
How does your research compliment your coursework?
Doing research gives you a sense of pride and confidence that you might not necessarily find in class, because you can look at your project and know that you did something that is entirely yours.
Do you have any advice for someone on the fence about doing research?
Take your time figuring out what it is you are actually excited about researching before just trying to jump in.
This is a part of a series on summer research students are conducting at Seaver College.
Edited by Noémie Boucher ’25
