Field of Study:
Entomology, Molecular Biology
Department:
Entomology
Rank of Student:
2nd and 3rd year students are encouraged to apply; as are 1st year students with relevant work/educational experience.
Desired Majors:
Entomology, Biology, Evolution and Ecology, Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Microbiology, Animal Science or any related biological science
Hours per Week:
6
Compensation Type:
Academic Credit
Application Deadline:
Contact:
Megan Meuti, Principal Investigator (meuti.1@osu.edu)
Private
Public
Project Description
We are determine how Ohio mosquitoes measure daylength. This is important because during long summer days, they bite and transmit diseases. However, during short winter days, they enter a hibernation-like state called diapause. We think that mosquitoes use their circadian clocks to measure daylength, and have generated a mutant line of mosquitoes using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing that have broken circadian clocks, and have been measuring their seasonal responses.
We are looking for an undergraduate student to help maintain our mutant line. Specifically, the student will assist by: (1) caring for our mutant mosquito colony, including feeding mosquito larvae ground fish-food, sorting pupae, and transferring adults into individual vials; and (2) genotyping individual mosquitoes, including DNA extraction, PCR, and gel electrophoresis. The student will be working for research credit hours which will be applied towards the completion of an undergraduate research thesis.
The student will be responsible for maintaining a lab notebook; completing laboratory tasks; working diligently, consistently, and meticulously to complete sensitive molecular protocols; communicating updates and any issues to Dr. Megan Meuti. Additionally, the student will have the opportunity to design their own experiments and conduct independent research.
We are looking for an undergraduate student to help maintain our mutant line. Specifically, the student will assist by: (1) caring for our mutant mosquito colony, including feeding mosquito larvae ground fish-food, sorting pupae, and transferring adults into individual vials; and (2) genotyping individual mosquitoes, including DNA extraction, PCR, and gel electrophoresis. The student will be working for research credit hours which will be applied towards the completion of an undergraduate research thesis.
The student will be responsible for maintaining a lab notebook; completing laboratory tasks; working diligently, consistently, and meticulously to complete sensitive molecular protocols; communicating updates and any issues to Dr. Megan Meuti. Additionally, the student will have the opportunity to design their own experiments and conduct independent research.
Additional Information
I, Megan Meuti, participated in undergraduate research at OSU and have seen firsthand the tremendous impact it has had on my personal and professional life, and am thrilled that I can pay this experience forward!
Since joining the faculty in the Entomology Department in 2016, I have mentored 22 students on individual research projects. Most student mentees come from minoritized/under-represented backgrounds. Additionally, most undergraduate mentees have presented their research at local, regional and national conferences (n = 17 students), and have won awards, including prestigious scholarships and apprenticeships (n = 16 students), and graduated with research or honors research distinction (n = 11 students). Several students have also published the findings of their research projects in peer-reviewed, scientific journals (n = 5 students). Additionally, most student mentees have been able to successfully leverage the skills and experiences they learned to secure jobs in industry and government, or to gain admission to competitive graduate school, medical school and veterinary school programs.
Recognizing that science is best when everyone is included, we work to create a welcoming environment where everyone is encouraged to share their unique, and diverse perspectives. Each week, undergraduate students meet with me one-on-one for 30 minutes. Students also have the opportunity to present at lab meetings and participate in social gatherings outside of the lab/campus once per a semester.
In short, I care deeply about my students and am invested in their success. I will work hard for you and expect that you will similarly work hard to achieve your project goals. If this sounds like the kind of environment where you will thrive, please apply!
Since joining the faculty in the Entomology Department in 2016, I have mentored 22 students on individual research projects. Most student mentees come from minoritized/under-represented backgrounds. Additionally, most undergraduate mentees have presented their research at local, regional and national conferences (n = 17 students), and have won awards, including prestigious scholarships and apprenticeships (n = 16 students), and graduated with research or honors research distinction (n = 11 students). Several students have also published the findings of their research projects in peer-reviewed, scientific journals (n = 5 students). Additionally, most student mentees have been able to successfully leverage the skills and experiences they learned to secure jobs in industry and government, or to gain admission to competitive graduate school, medical school and veterinary school programs.
Recognizing that science is best when everyone is included, we work to create a welcoming environment where everyone is encouraged to share their unique, and diverse perspectives. Each week, undergraduate students meet with me one-on-one for 30 minutes. Students also have the opportunity to present at lab meetings and participate in social gatherings outside of the lab/campus once per a semester.
In short, I care deeply about my students and am invested in their success. I will work hard for you and expect that you will similarly work hard to achieve your project goals. If this sounds like the kind of environment where you will thrive, please apply!
Required Applicant Information
Interested applications should provide the following information:
• Student rank (1st year, 2nd year, etc.)
• Major
• List of relevant courses and work experiences
• Current class schedule
• A brief statement (~1 paragraph) explaining how participating in this research will advance your academic and career goals
• Student rank (1st year, 2nd year, etc.)
• Major
• List of relevant courses and work experiences
• Current class schedule
• A brief statement (~1 paragraph) explaining how participating in this research will advance your academic and career goals
Required or Desired Skills
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail are required to ensure that data, samples, etc. are recorded and stored properly. Previous experience conducting molecular lab-work is preferred, though not essential – we will happily train students on all required tasks!
Faculty Member Lead:
Megan Meuti
Starting Semester:
Spring
Length of Project (in semesters):
4