MGEL SUMMER INTERNS

Summer 2009

We are pleased to have Melanie Hill from Tougaloo College working at MGEL this summer.  Ms. Hill will be helping construct a BAC library for a Zea mays line containing abnormal chromosome 10.  Melanie is interested in studying medicine after graduation.

Summer 2008

MGEL was fortunate once again to host three wonderful summer interns from Tougaloo College, i.e, Erica Jackson, Whitney Logan, and Aerielle Booker.  Erica, Whitney, and Aerielle isolated genes from chicken for use in screening MGEL's crocodile BAC library.  On their first day of work, Dr. Peterson took them on a field trip to the Noxubee Wildlife Refuge where they were lucky enough to observe a pair of alligators (presumably a mating pair).

2008 Summer Interns Erica Jackson, Whitney Logan, and Aerielle Booker

Summer 2007

In summer 2007 we had a great time hosting three outstanding summer interns, i.e, Avis Simms, Erica McInnis, and Quiana Hunter.  These ladies worked together in performing the initial steps involved in constructing a BAC library for ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba).  In a first, the interns took the library construction process all the way to the BAC production stage.  Avis is currently in graduate school at the University of Arkansas Health Sciences Center while Erica is now in dental school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.   

2007 Summer Interns Avis Simms, Erica McInnis, and Quiana Hunter

Presentations
Ginkgo Bacterial Artificial Chromosome Library (PDF) - Presented by Quiana Hunter, Erica McInnis, and Avis Simms at the Second Annual MGEL Summer Retreat, July 24, 2007.

Summer 2006

In summer 2006, MGEL served as host to three wonderful, hard-working undergraduate interns - specifically, Erin Reynolds from Tougaloo College and  Travis Faulcon and Kaleena Green from Elizabeth City State University (ECSU).  The interns began the summer by studying the genome of loblolly pine.  Using the skills they acquired in their pine studies, each student then lead their own research project focused on a gymnosperm of their choosing.  Travis, Kaleena, and Erin presented their research on Araucaria heterophylla, Juniperus virginiana, and Cycas revoluta, respectively, at the first annual MGEL Summer Retreat.

2006 Summer Interns Kaleena Green, Travis Faulcon, and Erin Reynolds

Summer 2005

LaShonda Robertson and Annita Avery were MGEL's 2005 summer interns.  These bright, articulate ladies did a wonderful job constructing a DNA library for loblolly pine and helping in generation of the pine BAC library.  Both LaShonda and Annita presented their research at scientific meetings (see below), and both are continuing their biology studies at Tougaloo College.  Of note, LaShonda is completing her M.S. at Mississippi State University in the lab of Dr. Erdogan Memili!

2005 Summer Interns LaShonda Robertson (left photo) and Annita Avery (right photo)

Posters
Generation of a Loblolly Pine DNA Library (PDF) - Presented by LaShonda Robertson at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) in Atlanta, GA (Nov. 2005) and at the 70th Annual Meeting of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences (Feb 22-24, 2006).
The Development of a genomic library of Pinus taeda (poster not available) - Presented by Annita Avery at the 70th Annual Meeting of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences.  Feb. 22-24, 2006.

Presentations
Generation of a Loblolly Pine DNA Library (PDF) - Seminar presented by LaShonda Robertson and Annita Avery at meetings/conferences at MS State and Tougaloo (Summer 2005).

Summer 2003

Anna-Gay Nelson and Breonica Carter were MGEL's 2003 summer interns.  Dr. Peterson quickly discovered that these two sophomores possessed the skills and determination to take on a rather sophisticated research project.  Consequently, they were given the task of constructing a BAC library for Gossypium arboreum, a project that they took to the verge of completion by the end of summer 2003.  Both Anna-Gay and Breonica were planning to return and finish the library in summer 2004, but unfortunately things didn't work out as planned.  The size-selected BAC insert DNA is still in the freezer and we hope to eventually find the time to complete the library.

Anna-Gay is currently finishing up her Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry at Auburn University.  Breonica is working on a Master's Degree in Elementary Education and teaching in Holly Springs, MS.