Danielle Hall
Major: Biology

Project Titles:

(1) Linking Microbial Diversity and Geochemistry of Uranium-contaminated Groundwater

(2) Screening and Characterization of Soil Microbes Capable of Degrading Cellulose from Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)

"I am so glad that I went to ORNL this summer. I feel that I’ve really grown as a person and that I know myself better now. I now know that I would be comfortable working in any laboratory setting."

"This summer has allowed me to meet many scientists. I’ve met so many interesting people that are heading in so many directions, but everyone seems to know where they are going, and they all seem to love it. I know that I could do research in many different avenues of biology, and that it only takes an enthusiastic person to pull me into their facet of research"

"I feel that this summer provided me an accurate view of research. I felt that I was doing something that could give someone else insight and then they could find or make something new. I would consider that the basic definition of research; you discover or make something new, tell the world about it, and then allow others to expand it. My view of research hasn’t really changed, but this experience had made me more excited to get out into the workplace and the lab. I feel that I am now ready to take on any biology/science/laboratory position"

"I’ve learned so much this summer, and when I go home later this week, I will not be the same person that left Michigan in June. "

Sarah Plecha
Major: Biochemistry; Minor Statistics

Project Titles:

(1) Screening and Characterization of Soil Microbes Capable of Degrading Cellulose from Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)

(2) Linking Microbial Diversity and Geochemistry of Uranium-contaminated Groundwater

"This summer has been one of the most memorable of my life. When I was originally asked by Dr. Tiquia to go to Tennessee I was very hesitant. Before this summer, I had never worked in a lab for anything other than as part of class work. I was apprehensive of my skills in being able to understand certain lab techniques, and I was especially nervous to have to get correct data out of the experiments I would help conduct. So although I wanted the experience, I was unsure if I was ready to undertake the challenge, but I convinced myself that it would look good on my résumé and I decided to go to Tennessee "

"This summer, not only did I learn more about the lab, I learned more about my interests for my future. I am now sure that the research aspect of science is an appealing approach to what I would like to do in the future. Knowing that my research has played a small role in a much bigger project has really made me want to do more of it in the future"

"Not only have I grown as a researcher, but I feel that I have grown as a person. Over the course of one summer, I feel that my confidence level has grown greatly."