By Kate Kellen, University Marketing Communications
After decades of intense searching, the journal "Nature" published the identity of the animal "reservoir" for Ebola Virus – What is that animal? Confronted with this difficult question at the "Microbiology Face-Off" hosted by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) at Auburn University, a team of three University of West Florida students answered "fruitbat." Their correct response exploded the audience into applause and landed the team a second place finish during the intense competition.
Competing against teams from all over the Southeastern United States, including Auburn, Georgia Tech, University of Georgia and University of South Florida, UWF students Kristen Hellein, Abidemi Ajidahun and Elizabeth Kennedy participated in the "Microbiology Face-Off." To compete in the "Jeopardy" style event, each college had to be represented with a four-member team. With only three team members, UWF was granted an exception to compete in the face-off.
"Not only was the UWF team competing with one less member than all of the other schools, but we were also going head-to-head against teams composed primarily of doctoral students," said Joe Lepo, associate professor of Microbiology and faculty sponsor of UWF-ASM. "With two graduate students and one undergraduate research assistant, UWF seemed to be at a significant disadvantage, but this was soon discovered to not be the case."
Correctly answering questions in such far reaching categories as accomplishments of microbiology Nobel Laureates and questions on immunology, epidemiology, history of microbiology and molecular genetics, the UWF team placed second, beating out every school except the host institution, Auburn.
"I am so proud of these three students who stuck their necks out that I just might pop," said Lepo. "These three students showed that UWF microbiologists can hold their own with any one in the world."
Organized by Ajidahun and Hellein, the UWF branch of ASM provides numerous opportunities for students to get involved and gain experience in the field of microbiology. ASM is the largest single-subject scientific organization in the world, and one of the most-influential scientific organizations in the U.S. ASM is consulted by U.S. Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and Education in matters microbiological. Fellowships and other paid continuing education opportunities are also available through the organization.
"The UWF-ASM is a new academic student organization UWF," said Hellein, vice president of the UWF chapter. "We are primarily interested in being a resource for anyone interested in the field of microbiology, regardless of their major. Members may apply for travel support to attend meetings and are also provided with many volunteer and job opportunities that become available in the field of microbiology."
For more information, contact Joe Lepo at (850) 857-6098.
