WSKG welcomes Julia Diana, a Binghamton University student, into the Science department for Spring 2021. She will be learning science communication and the role of public media in our community. Below is an excerpt from Ms. Diana.
I am currently entering my second semester of my junior year at Binghamton University, hoping to earn my degree in Biological Sciences by spring of 2022. At Binghamton I am involved in the Scholars Program, the Student Ambassador Program, and research. I began my time at Binghamton working as a member of the Freshman Research Immersion Program which brought me deeper into the sciences and was especially valuable as a means of benefitting my skills in communication, organization, and analysis. Aside from research, I really enjoy nature photography and this ties in nicely with my love of science.
I have been interested in science for as long as I can remember. I was able to move forward with this interest through research at the collegiate level. Since my first year of college, I have been working in research labs focused on microbial biofilms. Biofilms are colonies of bacteria encased in a slimy matrix that adheres to a surface. They are relevant in human health because they are extremely resistant to treatment, making biofilm infections dangerous to high-risk hosts. My research has led me to understand much about interactions between micro- and macrobiology. Much of my work has been concerning developmental patterns and impacts of the biofilm-forming bacterial strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and PA14. My most recent work has involved the growth of multiple biofilm-forming bacterial strains in a single environment, and I look forward to continuing the research process on this project. This project seeks to gain a deeper understanding of interactions between different bacterial species capable of forming biofilms, and it is something I will be continuing to work on in the upcoming semester.
Recently, I had the opportunity to be in a course with a wonderful professor who really sparked my interest in ecology. This newfound interest is something that I intend to pursue with the time remaining in my undergraduate career. In particular, I am curious about the impact of bird species on the environment in New York. This is a topic I am hoping to investigate throughout my internship at WSKG.
Lake Tahoe, Photo: Julia Diana
During my time as an intern at WSKG, I have a few goals I would love to achieve. One such goal is to bolster female interest and confidence in STEM fields. Being a woman in STEM myself, I feel that I understand the importance of representation for women and the impact it has on young minds. I would like to use my time at WSKG to inspire young women to feel that they are able to explore their interests. Another goal of mine is to make science more accessible to the general public with interactive social media posts and supplemental information that works to help anyone with interest get outside and start observing the world. Additionally, I intend to use my time at WSKG to create content that fosters positivity during the current pandemic.
– Julia Diana, WSKG Science Intern