26 | NWSLTR
Chantinae Gray Major: Sustainable agriculture, 2025 graduate.
Host company/institution University of Cincinnati’s Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences. Title Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow
Impact of experience on your academic journey/career goal Working alongside graduate students and researchers at Purdue not only opened my eyes to the diverse world of research but also gave me a firsthand look at what life as a graduate student is really like. This internship has deepened my appreciation for honey bees and their vital role in sustaining agricultural systems globally.
Start date/end date May 20-August 2.
Lessons learned
This internship taught me the importance of scientific curiosity, collaboration, and persistence. Working on a multidisciplinary research team showed me how environmental and social factors intersect to shape human health. I developed stronger skills in critical thinking, data analysis, and scientific communication. Most importantly, I learned that impactful research requires empathy and purpose—understanding the real-world implications of our findings and striving to improve community health outcomes.
Description of your 2025 summer internship/research duties
I worked in Dr. Brock A. Harpur’s Bee Lab at Purdue University, where I studied a genetic mutation occurring in male honey bees (drones) in a colony from North Carolina. My work involved extracting DNA, and analyzing genetic data to identify the mutation. Host company/institution Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. Title Undergraduate Research Assistant.
Impact of experience on your academic journey/career goal
The SURF experience solidified my passion for exploring how
Start date/end date May 30-July 25.
environmental and social determinants influence cardiovascular and overall health. It strengthened my interest in pursuing graduate studies in biomedical or environmental health research. This experience reaffirmed my commitment to using science as a bridge between research, policy, and social change.
Lessons learned I learned how to use R Studio for data analysis, strengthened my research and laboratory skills, and gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of scientific inquiry in solving real-world problems. I also gained confidence in conducting and presenting research. This summer, I developed stronger communication and teamwork skills by collaborating with graduate students, undergraduates, and researchers from diverse backgrounds.
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