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MGEL SUMMER INTERNS
Summer 2008
MGEL is 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 have started research on the genomes of crocodilians. 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).
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 graduated from Tougaloo College in spring 2007 and started graduate school at the University of Arkansas Health Sciences Center in fall 2007. Erica and Quiana, both recent graduates of Tougaloo, are interested in medical school.
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.
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 has been accepted into dental school, and Annita is planning to attend graduate school after graduation!
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.
Recently (May 2006), Breonica called Dr. Peterson to let him know how she was doing. He learned that she has changed her major to education and will be finishing up her degree in the next year. After graduation she plans to attend graduate school! Breonica has promised to drop in and pay her old MGEL pals a visit very soon.
