{"id":14151,"date":"2026-04-20T12:28:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T17:28:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/freshwater\/?p=14151"},"modified":"2026-04-20T12:32:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T17:32:33","slug":"the-faces-of-undergraduate-research","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/freshwater\/the-faces-of-undergraduate-research\/","title":{"rendered":"The faces of Freshwater Sciences Undergraduate Research"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Undergraduate Research Week at UWM is officially April 20-24, the week leading up to the 18th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium on Friday, April 24th. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the School of Freshwater Sciences, we’re proud to have 19 students working in faculty labs via the Office of Undergraduate Research’s SURF (Support for Undergraduate Research Fellows) program. Of those, 16.5% of Freshwater Sciences majors are currently in the SURF program. We also have 11 faculty members with SURF students in their labs, which is over half of our faculty!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To celebrate our students doing undergraduate research, we’re spotlighting a couple of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ben Gallion<\/h2>\n\n\n\nBen Gallion presenting his research NCUR (National Conference on Undergraduate Research).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
What are you currently studying or researching?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I study how freshwater beach managers test water quality using bacteria. One of the main bacteria used to determine beach advisories and closures is E. coli because it can be used to indicate fecal contamination on freshwater beaches, which could make people sick. I also study Aliarcobacter cryaerophilus, a bacterium often found in wastewater that can carry genes that make it resistant to antibiotics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What made you interested in this topic?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I’m interested in these topics because I enjoy researching water quality and enjoy the beach. This it helps me better understand the science behind beach advisories and closures. I also enjoy learning about Aliacrobacter cryaerophilus because it frequently has genes that can resist different types of antibiotics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What does your research look like day-to-day?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
During the summer, I am usually out collecting water samples from various beaches along Lake Michigan, but during the school year I am usually in the lab running tests on Aliarcobacter cryaerophilus or performing data analysis on our data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why does your research matter?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
My research matters because it directly impacts the help of the public. As for my E. coli research, if our indicators for fecal contamination are incorrect then it could lead to increased risk of illness to beachgoers. Researching Aliarcobacter cryaerophilus is important because of its abundance in the wastewater system and resistance to different types of antibiotic resistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What’s been your favorite hands-on experience so far?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Research<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How has the School of Freshwater Sciences helped you grow?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The School of Freshwater Science has connected me with a vast array of amazing scientists all with decades of experience, while giving me the opportunities to improve my laboratory skills. It helped me focus my career trajectory in the direction of public health and using science for public good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What’s your favorite part about being a student at the School of Freshwater Sciences?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
That we constantly meet so many different people all doing so many cool different things, and that we have so many opportunities to go on the boat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What’s something that surprised you about studying freshwater sciences?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
That freshwater sciences had so many different types of scientists working within the scope of freshwater science, that you can really do anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What advice would you give to future students?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Take advantage of the smaller class sizes, these professors know so much and are really interested in developing their students into scientists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are your career goals or next steps after graduation?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I hope to go to graduate school or work as a lab technician for MMSD in their lab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Isaiah Chang<\/h2>\n\n\n\nIsaiah Chang is on a ship during their summer program.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
What are you currently studying or researching?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
For my research I am evaluating the efficacy of flow cytometry as a method of counting cells in freshwater ecosystems. By proving flow cytometry is a valid and reliable method of cell counting or ‘enumeration’ in environmental sampling, we hope to streamline the process of cell enumeration as well as use the tool to characterize the community in ways previous methods are not capable of. This helps us understand the role of microbes in relation to one another, as well as predict risks to human health more efficiently in beach water sampling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What made you interested in this topic?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Before working in the Newton lab most of my exposure to microbiology came from my roommate, who is a microbiology major. I became interested in community dynamics and population changes in freshwater bacteria after joining the lab and learning more about the impacts aforementioned communities have on freshwater ecosystems. Once I began my project, I began to relate my own interests to the work I do in the lab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What does your research look like day-to-day?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
During the summer I would sample at least 3 locations once a week, during the school year I sample 1 location once a week. Most of my work is bench work or computer work, especially this spring!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why does your research matter?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Identifying where and why bacterial populations vary in concentration allows us to better understand the impacts humans have on the environment. There are many angles that one could look at, such as antibiotic resistance, metabolism, urbanization, etc that all require methods of cell enumeration to properly evaluate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What’s been your favorite hands-on experience so far?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sampling\/fieldwork and anytime I am able to go on a boat!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How has the School of Freshwater Sciences helped you grow?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The School of Freshwater Sciences has allowed me many opportunities to take coursework related to my own interests, as well as flexibility to extend beyond the curriculum to further my understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What’s your favorite part about being a student at the School of Freshwater Sciences?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I absolutely love all of the events we have here, the community is wonderful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What’s something that surprised you about studying freshwater sciences?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I think people underestimate the job opportunities in the field, as well as how important it is to have specialists in this area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What advice would you give to future students?:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Identify your career goals early on and work towards them throughout college. Connections are incredibly important!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are your career goals or next steps after graduation?:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I plan to attend graduate school for oceanography and continue research and field work!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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