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Senior Mary Cate Guinan (Newtown Square, Pa.) presented her research on how bacteria respond to environmental changes at the 79th Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science April 4-6 in Grantville, Pa.
“My research focused on mercury-resistant bacteria in the mercury-rich Onondaga Lake outside Syracuse, N.Y.,” says Guinan, a biology major. She was one of 22 Lafayette students to share their research at the conference (see related story).
She explains that a gene called MerA, present in the mercury-resistant bacteria, encodes for the enzyme which allows the bacteria to break down the potentially deadly mercury.
Laurie F. Caslake, assistant professor of biology, is Guinan’s mentor in the research. Since joining the Lafayette faculty in fall 1999, Caslake has mentored 11 students in research projects, some of which have been presented at academic conferences. She has published her research in peer-reviewed journals and has received grants from several sources, including National Science Foundation.
“Mary Cate has been working with me for a year and a half,” says Caslake. “As part of that work, she has been sequencing the DNA of the mercury-resistant organisms. She has learned how to research and has gained much self confidence as a result.”
Guinan’s project grew out of independent research with her mentor. She approached Caslake in the hopes of doing hands-on research and, as she says, “trying for myself what I had been learning in the classroom.”
“Dr. Caslake taught me the techniques I needed to [master],” says Guinan. “She has been very patient with me from the beginning. Over the past three semesters with Dr. Caslake, I have learned not only molecular techniques, but how to be persistent when the desired results are not achieved on the first try.”
Guinan is considering several options after graduation in the field of biology, including medical research. She feels the work completed at Lafayette will benefit her future plans as it has done with her past studies.
“This independent study has given me great experience and thus prepared me for a job in the field of medical research, specifically using molecular biology,” she says.
Last summer Guinan, working as an intern, learned and used molecular biology techniques and gene sequencing for ten weeks at Lankenau Institute for Medical Research at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, Pa. (see related story). Guinan interned with Robert Cox, director of the ion channel laboratory.
“When I worked at Lankenau Institute, I was able to use the molecular biology techniques I learned through my independent research [at Lafayette], as well as learn some additional techniques.”
Guinan notes that she had a good experience at the Pennsylvania Academy of Science conference.
“Not only did I have the opportunity to learn about the research projects of my fellow students here at Lafayette (outside my lab), but I also was able to discuss research projects with students of other schools.”
“Lafayette provides a good environment for independent research due to the student/faculty ratio,” she adds. “Classes are small, and the professors are willing to take on multiple independent studies. Currently, Dr. Caslake is working with six students, including myself. Although this is time-consuming, she has helped to guide each of us in our research. In general, Lafayette’s small class size and personal attention from professors have made my experience a positive one. The professors are always available for extra help.”
A teaching assistant for the biology department, Guinan is doing an independent study with Thomas Norton ’59, professor of anthropology and sociology. She has worked with HAPEN, a student group that goes to local schools to teach about HIV/AIDS.