Researcher Highlight

Here you will see highlights from past lab members

Meghan Jones

I have always been interested in science, however a career in research was not something I was exposed to growing up in south Arkansas. When I started my undergraduate career with a major in Biology, I was under the impression that going into the medical field was the only good career option in science, thus I became a pre-med student. As part of my requirements for being in the honors college at the UofA, I had to work in a lab for 2 years. At first, I was not thrilled about doing research and just thought of it as a graduation requirement, however this experience taught me that there are careers in science other than becoming a doctor. I actually enjoyed working in the lab so much I decided to go to graduate school rather than medical school. However, I was more interested in the topic of cell biology, and since I had no research experience in that field, I started with a master’s program at UCA to gain more experience. Working with Dr. Naylor, I was able to get cell biology research experience as well as teaching experience working as a TA. Confident a career in research was the right path for me, I moved on to a Biomedical Sciences PhD program at UAMS – mainly because I loved the idea of staying close to my family while in school. After rotating in several labs in the cell biology department, I made the decision to branch out and rotate in an immunology lab – and ultimately realized that was a way better fit for me. Currently I am finishing up my PhD work on the cytokine response to murine Plasmodium infection, the cause of malaria. I am also interested in how drugs impact the immune response during infection. Luckily, I was given the opportunity to be a part of a NIH T32 training grant in Pharmacology/Toxicology to help me learn more about how drugs impact different organ systems. My ultimate goal for the future is to pursue a career in research in the immunopharmacology industry.

Greg Berbusse

His path from our lab to becoming a Head Brewer:

School doesn't make one successful, one's passion does!

"I started making beer as a hobby during Undergrad and, for better or worse at the time, was a little more interested in doing that than my studies. Continued making beer in my spare time throughout my Masters work at UCA and into my PhD studies at UAMS. While attending UAMS I tried a few different research paths, rotated through a few extra labs and even switched once trying to find a good fit for me (I even got involved with the Graduate Student Association and served as the President for two years). I never really found that good fit for me in graduate school but what I did find was some part time work at a brewery in Little Rock that I enjoyed so much more. Eventually, I was able to find full time work at another, larger, production brewery in Arkansas which means: I dropped out of grad school."

Greg is now the Head Brewer at a Craft Brewery he helped open in Miami, FL.

If you are ever in Miami, look him up, his beer is excellent!!!!

Jordan Bird

Jordan is currently a Research Scientist at the University for Medical Sciences working in a proteomics lab.

I went to UCA completely on scholarship including my room and board. After I started doing research, I found out that a majority of science graduate schools are also free/paid programs. Going to UCA and participating in research was a great decision. Not only did I have opportunities to get into research and make connections early, I also graduated with no debt. Pursuing a career in science has been rewarding and has set me up for success.

Some advice from Jordan:

Many young people today are asking if higher education is right for them. If it is worth it for them to spend their time and money at any institution.

1.) Science programs like those are UCA are among the most accessible environments a young person could find themselves. Science often gets a bad rap for being an ivory tower, but college science programs open access to anyone willing to put in the work. During my time in science, I have met people from all walks of life. I know people that grew up in broken homes, found science after failing out of college the first time, or started science as a second, third, or fourth career. Science is international, multicultural, and the pursuit of knowledges extends beyond most all barriers.

2.) Science is a "small", highly connected world. Within a few months of graduating from UCA, I was hosting a conference that included the most prominent researcher in my chosen field of study (Microbial Ecology). I was working with the team that would later discover the Flint, Michigan lead poisoning and Legionella outbreaks and I had received fellowship offers to join every graduate school that I applied to. Some of the best young scientists I have ever met told me they nearly failed out of college or were homeless before entering college on Pell grants. I was able to make the connections I needed to secure a post doc almost entirely through replies on Twitter. Science is a world that for some can feel safe. It is a world built on communicating ideas and once you are in that world everyone doesn't feel that far away.

3.) Being a scientist is not just doing the same job as your professors. While I am still in the world of academia, I have a non-traditional support role. My job is largely to use my own consolidated knowledge and skills that facilitate other people's research. Some of the happiest and most productive scientists I know work outside of Academia. Still others leveraged the time and skills acquired during undergrad and graduate school to start unique businesses, freelance with their talents, or crosscut into industries that found a home for those hard-won talents.

4.) College is for autodidacts. Many young people are asking "Why would I go to college when all the information is available online?" This sort of thinking misunderstands who gets the most out of college and how exactly that information became available in the first place. People that are the most successful at college know how to teach themselves new skills. If you are not already your own best teacher, college is one of the best places to pick up this vital talent. The source of all this information is flowing out from these institutions. If you are a young person that values information and wants to use it to improve your life, then college will be your haven and not your hell

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