This past summer, Jaleea Gamble, an Animal Sciences major, immersed herself in groundbreaking research within the College of Veterinary Medicine. Under the co-mentorship of Dr. Gregory Ballash and Dr. Vanessa Hale, Gamble focused on a joint project between the two labs studying the microbiome and its role in urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Her current project involves competition experiments to understand how phylogeny influences the development of UTIs.
“Right now, I’m setting up experiments and performing serial dilutions with different strains of urinary tract E. coli isolated from humans,” Gamble explains. “Most of my time in the lab is spent preparing these experiments, incubating samples, and analyzing data.”
Gamble's passion for research began in high school, where she first worked at The James Cancer Center. That experience sparked her interest in thinking like a scientist and set her on a path toward her ultimate goal: becoming a veterinary physician-scientist.
“I want to bridge the gap between animal and human health,” she says. “By doing so, I hope to contribute to cures for diseases and drive innovation in science.”
When asked what excites her most about her work, Gamble shared:
“Every day in the lab feels like solving a puzzle. I love knowing that the data I collect could one day help improve health outcomes for both humans and animals.”
Her advice for students interested in research? Build connections. “If you’re curious about a professor’s work, reach out, attend office hours, and form relationships. When I was looking for a lab, I sent a lot of cold emails over the summer—and it worked. Don’t be afraid to take that first step.”
Through her dedication and curiosity, Gamble is not only advancing her own education but also contributing to research that could have a lasting impact on both human and animal health.