Mentoring

Mentoring Philosophy

Science is difficult! Research experiments rarely work on the first try and projects are rarely done without collaboration with others.

We will work together to solve the problem at hand and be open-minded when we get unexpected results. Maybe our experiment wasn't designed properly or maybe we stumbled upon exciting new information! I enjoy feeling like a detective, trying to solve a problem that no one knows the answer to.Troubleshooting is one of the most important scientific skills to learn. If you make a mistake or your experiment does not go as planned don’t panic and don’t be afraid to ask for help! My favorite research moments come from collaborating with scientists who have diverse backgrounds and expertise. Science is difficult and working with others who have knowledge you do not can help drive projects forward and help expand your set of skills.

BIT SURE Website

BIT Undergraduate Minor

NCSU Biotechnology Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (BIT SURE)

Program Coordinator (2024 - Present)

BIT SURE gives NCSU undergraduate students the opportunity to work with one of our BIT instructors on a directed undergraduate research project. Students will learn new techniques and apply these methods to address a specific research project. This program gives students access to direct mentorship while developing independent research skills. Students interested in science careers behind the bench in academic, government, or industry labs are likely to benefit from this experience. Students who participate in the program have the incredible opportunity to present their findings at the NC State Undergraduate Research Summer Symposium.

NCSU Biotechnology Undergraduate Minor

Undergraduate Coordinator (2025 - Present)

The BIT undergraduate minor is an excellent opportunity for students to gain skills in cutting-edge techniques and practices in a variety of disciplines within the world of biotechnology. These courses can help prepare you for a career in academia, industry or government. Learn more about the requirements on the BIT website.

Research Mentorship

Clara Griggs (Microbiology, B.S.): Combating AMR with CRISPR-engineered bacteriophage P1 (BIT SURE 2025)

Rebecca Fogelson (Microbiology, B.S.): CRISPR-associated transposons as a bioengineering tools (BIT SURE 2024)

Magdalen Samuta (Biomedical Engineering, B.S.): CRISPR-equipped bacteriophage as an antimicrobial agent (BIT SURE 2024)

Sarah Fletcher (Microbiology, B.S.): CRISPR-Cas12a as an antimicrobial agent (BIT SURE 2023, continued into 2024)

Dr. Asmaa Sadat (Food Science, Visiting Researcher): Whole genome-based in silico screening and comparison of tetracycline-harboring transposons (2022)

Alyssa McInnis (Biochemistry, B.S.): Bacteriophage resistance attributed to a temperate prophage (2021-2022)

Justin Cartwright (Microbiology, B.S.): Designed and created plasmids made for deletion of bacteriophage resistance gene cassettes (2021)

Morgan Miller (Biomedical Engineering, B.S.): Designed and created plasmids made for deletion of bacteriophage resistance gene cassettes (2021)

Haley Johnson (Animal Sciences, B.S.): Localization of mutant library transposon insertions and mutant phenotypic characterization (2019-2021)

Alexandria Bartlett (Micrbiology, M.S.): Screening of genomic libraries for a novel inhibition phenotype (2018)

Teaching Mentorship

Sydney Baker (Microbiology, Ph.D.): Graduate teaching assistant for BIT 495/595: Genome Engineering: CRISPR Technologies (Spring '26)

Grace Fuller (Genetics, Ph.D.): Graduate teaching assistant for BIT 410/510: Manipulation of Recombinant DNA (Spring '26)

Alex Nelson (Applied Ecology, Ph.D.): Graduate teaching assistant for BIT 410/510: Manipulation of Recombinant DNA (Spring '26)

Tim Shin (Microbiology, Ph.D.): Graduate teaching assistant for BIT 495/595: Genome Engineering: CRISPR Technologies (Fall '25)

Avelina Munoz (Biological Sciences, B.S.): Undergraduate teaching assistant for BIT 295: Biotechnology & Sustainability (Spring '25)

Evan Shiflet (Biological Sciences, B.S.): Undergraduate teaching assistant for BIT 295: Biotechnology & Sustainability (Spring '25)

Nicolas Mastrovito (Biochemistry, M.S.): Graduate teaching assistant for BIT 482/582: Virus Biotechnology: Pathogens to Therapeutics (Fall '24)

Francesca Balestrieri (Master of Microbial Biotechnology): Graduate teaching assistant for BIT 410/510: Manipulation of Recombinant DNA (Fall '24)

Emma Gray (Microbiology, Ph.D.): Graduate teaching assistant for BIT 495/595: Genome Engineering: CRISPR Technologies (Spring '23, Fall '24, Spring '25)

Ummay Jahan (Fiber & Polymer Science, Ph.D.): Graduate teaching assistant for BIT 410/510: Manipulation of Recombinant DNA (Spring '23, Fall '24)

Emily Gailey (Master of Microbial Biotechnology): Graduate teaching assistant for BIT 477/577: Metagenomics (Fall '23)

Chase Brandner (Master of Physiology): Graduate teaching assistant for BIT 410/510: Manipulation of Recombinant DNA (Fall '23)

Felicia Shepard (Genetics, Ph.D.): Graduate teaching assistant for BIT 410/510: Manipulation of Recombinant DNA (Summer '23)

Rose Trimpey-Warhaftig (Master of Physiology): Graduate teaching assistant for BIT 410/510: Manipulation of Recombinant DNA (Spring '23, Fall '23, Spring '24)

Micaela Robson (Microbiology, Ph.D.): Graduate teaching assistant for BIT 410/510: Manipulation of Recombinant DNA (Spring '23)

Blake Horton (Biochemistry, Ph.D.): Graduate teaching assistant for BIT 479/579: High-Throughput Discovery (Spring '23)

Page updated

Report abuse