Maisie Smith

Maisie Smith holds a beaker containing orange liquid. GLBRC 2022 Summer Undergraduate Research Program participant Maisie Smith worked in the Shade Lab.
GLBRC 2022 Summer Undergraduate Research Program participants pose in front of a river in an urban setting.

This summer has been an amazing experience. I had the opportunity to work in the Shade lab with my great mentor Marco Mechan-Llontop to screen Sorghum mucilage associated bacterial isolates for growth promotion properties. I enjoyed having independence and the opportunity to learn new skills in a microbiology lab, the growth chambers, and the green house. Each week flew by as I learned how to manage multiple experiments, trouble shoot inoculation experiments, and finally perform data analysis.

We also had the chance to explore different parts of the bioenergy industry through multiple field trips to a bio-digester, farm, and ethanol plant to name a few. Each of these opportunities gave me an honest perspective on different career paths.

One of my favorite parts of this program was hanging out and getting to know the other amazing SURP interns. We had so much fun taking advantage of all what Michigan has to offer! Including going on trips to Detroit, Chicago, Lake Michigan, and exploring East Lansing.

This has been truly an unforgettable summer as I have grown as a researcher and have made some great friends who are so passionate about what they do. I can’t wait to see all of the incredible things that everyone will do in the future!

Read more REU blogs here »