After two successful applications to the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Winthrop has become a member of a select group of schools around the country taking part in both the SEA-PHAGES research project, and the new and exciting next phase; SEA-GENES. Biology faculty members Dr. Vicky Frost (microbiology) and Dr. Kristi Westover (bioinformatics) lead the initiative. Dr. Kathryn Kohl (genetics) joins Dr. Frost in co-instructing the GENES research, and Dr. Julian Smith directs the TEM imaging of the viruses. Participating in the “SEA” is an exciting opportunity for Winthrop students, our faculty and institution to be part of a nationally acclaimed and much-admired program.
The intention is to motivate and engage this group of students as well as encourage them to continue in the field of science. Our students make exciting novel discoveries as well as contribute meaningfully to the body of scientific knowledge. Students and faculty gain the opportunity to present their research, network with other SEA members around the USA as well as be co-authors on peer-reviewed publications. The results are shared online with the research community, and published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information GenBank database.
Students work on their research projects under the guidance of two faculty members. You will leave the course with hands-on experience using techniques and tools of microbiology, molecular genetics, genetic engineering, electron microscopy and state-of-the-art bioinformatics computer programs. You will be creating novel data and contributing to our knowledge about bacterial viruses. As a freshman, you will be part of a national network of scientists, collaborating and sharing scientific knowledge. You could have the opportunity to attend regional SEA/HHMI seminars as well as the national seminar. Students may be contributing authors on a nationally or internationally renowned journal. You will have valuable and sought-after research experience in your first two years at Winthrop.